ACOL Tuscia: a light carbon gravel bike with 45 mm tyre clearance
Contents
In short
- The ACOL Tuscia is a carbon-framed gravel bike for touring, bikepacking and racing.
- According to the brand: 880-gram frame, tyre clearance up to 45C, built-in frame storage compartment.
- Shimano GRX 820 mechanical 2×12 drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes.
- DT Swiss G1800 Alloy wheels, Schwalbe G-One Bite 40C tyres.
- Sizes XS–XXL, for 1 329 000 Ft.
What is the ACOL Tuscia?
The ACOL Tuscia takes its name from the hilly, gravel-strewn region of central Italy, and it's built for exactly that kind of terrain. Of ACOL's three models, this is the gravel bike: light, fast and stable, with a carbon frame that combines agile handling with long-distance comfort.
ACOL was founded in 2024 by Alex Colnago, nephew of the legendary Ernesto Colnago, and the Tuscia brings Italian racing tradition to gravel.
The frame
According to the brand, the 880-gram carbon frame damps well even on the roughest roads. It takes tyres up to 45C, so you can fit anything from fast, narrower gravel tyres to wide ones for rougher terrain. Fully internal cable routing gives a clean look, and the frame storage compartment has room for tools and a spare tube. The UDH derailleur hanger and 12 mm thru-axles leave the door open for future upgrades.
Spec
| Component | ACOL Tuscia GRX 820 |
|---|---|
| Frame | WINACT-G3 carbon (ST) |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX 820 mechanical, 2×12 |
| Derailleurs, levers | RD-RX820, FD-RX820, ST-RX820 |
| Cassette, chain | Shimano 12-speed gravel cassette and chain |
| Brakes | Shimano GRX BR-RX820 hydraulic, RT-CL800 rotors (160/140 mm) |
| Wheels | DT Swiss G1800 Alloy |
| Tyres | Schwalbe G-One Bite 40C |
| Axles | 12×100 mm front, 12×142 mm rear |
| Max. tyre width | 45C |
| Cable routing | Fully internal |
| Saddle | Selle Italia SLR Boost Carbon |
| Seatpost | 27.2 mm |
| Bottom bracket | Press-Fit |
| Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL |
| Price | 1 329 000 Ft |
Shimano GRX 820 is Shimano's groupset developed for gravel: the 2×12 gearing gives you a wide range from steep, loose climbs to fast tarmac stretches, and mechanical shifting can be fixed easily anywhere. The Selle Italia SLR Boost Carbon saddle and the 27.2 mm seatpost also add to the comfort.
What does the press say?
Dutch site Het is Koers! tested the Tuscia for six weeks and more than 1200 kilometres on tarmac, gravel, forest tracks and technical singletrack, in changing weather. The tester found it a light, fast, versatile gravel bike with balanced geometry, stable and predictable steering, strong acceleration and good finish. On the downside, they mentioned that it's less comfortable than gravel bikes designed specifically for adventure touring, reaches its limits sooner than an MTB on technical terrain, and that the sporty position may take some getting used to for hobby riders. Belgian magazine Grinta! also tested the model in detail.
Tuscia versions
- Shimano GRX 820 / DT Swiss G1800 (1 329 000 Ft): mechanical 2×12, the most affordable entry point.
- SRAM Rival XPLR / DT Swiss G1800 (1 469 000 Ft): mechanical SRAM gravel groupset.
- Shimano GRX Di2 / Mavic Allroad S (1 839 000 Ft): electronic shifting with lighter wheels.
If you mainly ride on tarmac, check out the ACOL Impero road model. If you want to upgrade the Tuscia with carbon wheels later, the EXAR GR45 Pro is a gravel wheelset with 100/142 mm thru-axles.
Who is it for?
- Sporty gravel riders and gravel racers looking for a light, fast bike.
- Riders who want one bike for both tarmac and gravel.
- Bikepackers who'll appreciate the built-in frame storage.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light carbon frame, 45C tyre clearance
- Built-in frame storage, fully internal cable routing
- Fast and versatile according to the review
Cons
- Sporty character, not a dedicated adventure touring machine
- Made to order, arrives in about two weeks
Size and ordering
Before ordering, send us your height and inseam, and we'll help you choose the right size. Place your order in the web shop, we'll check stock and email you the bank transfer details; after payment you'll get the bike in about two weeks. If the build isn't in stock, you don't pay anything.
Find out more on our ACOL brand page, browse all gravel bikes, or pick your size and order the ACOL Tuscia.
