The Waheela C is Otso’s do-it-all gravel bike. The platform has seen several iterations over the years, adopting a carbon frame in 2019 and adding versatility with more tire clearance and mounting points.
While the Waheela was certainly no slouch between the tape, it wasn’t a dedicated race bike. But now it is, with Otso’s introduction of the Waheela R.
Changes to the Otso Waheela R
Perhaps the most significant change Otso made to the Waheela R is a geometry tweak. The goal with this gravel race bike was to create a frame that was confident, stable, and comfortable at high speeds. They also knew the Waheela R would need to replicate this performance on rough terrain.
Compared to the Waheela C, the R is a touch longer and slacker. Key changes are a 1-degree slacker headtube angle and a reach increase of more than 20mm. Otso also steepened the seattube angle by 1.5° and significantly increased the trail, providing a more upright position.
Despite the Waheela R growing a bit longer, Otso still wanted the platform to remain agile. They did this by keeping the rear end rather short. Gone is the 20mm of adjustability from the Tuning Chip dropouts seen on the Waheela C, replaced with size-specific stays with UDH compatibility. Starting on the XS frame, the rear center is 420mm, extending up to 432mm on an XL.
Otso also wanted to provide a different ride experience in terms of the carbon layup of the Waheela R. Given the needs and demands of gravel racing, engineers pushed to balance stiffness and compliance.
Otso assessed compliance with respect to both front and side loads on the fork. A more compliant front end helps absorb chatter encountered in rough terrain, while added side-load compliance allows the bike to track better.
Yet, a stiff frame is a quick and reactive frame. A stiffer bottom bracket and rearend help enhance power transfer, moving the Waheela R forward more efficiently.
Frame features and design
Otso opted for a more aero profile with the Waheela R, including the use of Kamm Tail shapes for both the frame and the fork. Otso says this is commonly found on sports cars and “has decades of wind tunnel testing for proven aerodynamics.”
The new Waheela R also features three brake-routing options. Classic routing has lines entering at the top of the downtube, while semi-internal routing tucks the lines under the handlebars and enters the frame at the headset top cap. Lastly, fully internal routing has the lines tucked into the bars and, as the name suggests, is fully internal.
Otso also future-proofed the bike with UDH dropouts. And, in keeping with modern trends, they added internal frame storage and clearance for up to 50mm tires. The Waheela R also has multiple mounting points, including three bottle cage mounts, multiple top tube mounts, and fender mounts.
Waheela R builds
Otso offers five build options for the Waheela R, including a frame-only option. Prices range from just over $4,000 to $5,450, with the frame-only option retailing for $2,950. But Otso allows for some customization and upgrades with those options, which can add to the price.
The five builds are:
- SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1×13 ($5,450)
- Shimano GRX 800 Di2 1×12 ($5,250)
- SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1×13 ($4,850)
- Shimano GRX 600 ($4,250)
- SRAM Apex Mechanical ($4,050)
Otso offers the new Waheela R in three colorways and five sizes, fitting riders 4’10” to 6’6”.
The post Otso Ditches Tuning Chip Dropouts for the New UDH-Compatible Waheela R appeared first on Bikerumor.