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Raleigh Tamland 1 gravel bike with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Raleigh Tamland 1 gravel bike with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Raleigh introduced their new Tamland series of steel disc brake gravel bikes yesterday at their dealer gathering, first showcasing the higher-level model, the $2400 Tamland 2. Here we’re taking a look at the $1600 Tamland 1, with the same frame but with a less expensive component mix.

Cyclocross Magazine grabbed the first-ever viewing of these new creations on the Tuesday before Dealer Camp 2013, and judging by reader reactions on Facebook, Raleigh has hit a sweet spot by targeting the ever-growing gravel racing / mixed-terrain segment. [Don’t miss “The Call of Gravel” in Issue 20, available as a back copy or on Apple Newsstand or Uberflip].  The Tamland 1, with its subdued blue-green finish, looks less race-oriented than the Tamland 2, but is still designed to tackle gravel grinders, adventure riding and commuting. We’re thinking that it will still be a capable cyclocrosser for the weekend warrior.

Understated branding and detailing on the Raleigh Tamland 1 gravel bike with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Understated branding and detailing on the Raleigh Tamland 1 gravel bike with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Both the Tamland 1 and 2 share the same air-hardened Reynolds 631 steel frame and features, including disc brake mounts, rack and fender mounts, and a steel 1-1/8″ straight steerer fork and FSA headset. Raleigh describes the bike as “gravel ready and commuter friendly” with “gravel-specific geometry.” It looks to be a versatile bike, especially with clearance for 40c tires, meaning gobs of mud clearance with 35c cyclocross tires.

Raleigh uses Reynolds 631 air-hardened steel tubing on the Tamland 1 gravel bike. © Cyclocross Magazine

Raleigh uses Reynolds 631 air-hardened steel tubing on the Tamland 1 gravel bike. © Cyclocross Magazine

Many readers (especially those who haven’t read Issue 20’s Call of Gravel feature) may wonder what makes the bike “gravel specific,” as it looks just like a cyclocross bike at first glance. Fornes says, “It’s more aggressive, with a lower bottom bracket, and longer, with more fork rake.”  While we didn’t get to measure the bike or look at a geometry chart, we’re guessing that the result may still be quite cyclocross-worthy, given that Raleigh’s cyclocross bikes’ bottom brackets have tended to sit high (until the recent revamp of the 2014 alloy cyclocross models).

Clement X'Plor MSO 40c tires on the Raleigh Tamland 1 gravel bike with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Clement X’Plor MSO 40c tires on the Raleigh Tamland 1 gravel bike with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

The tire clearance for the 40c Clement X’plor MSO clinchers is impressive, and running fenders or cyclocross tires in thick mud should be easy. Similar to the Tamland 2, the Tamland 1 shares the bike’s TRP’s dual-piston Spyre mechanical disc brakes (reviewed here), Weinmann KMAX Pro rims and Clement X’Plor MSO 40c tires. The Tamland 1 is Shimano 105-equipped with an FSA Gossamer compact 50/34 crankset.

The bike is expected to be ready around winter 2014, and will retail for $1600. It will come in six sizes,  starting at 52cm and increasing in 2cm increments. List weight is 25.3 pounds (about a pound heavier than the Tamland 2) for a 56cm size.

Raleigh Tamland 1 Gravel Bike Photo Gallery: