Festka, the Czech manufacturer of high-end carbon bicycle frames based in Prague, has announced the release of its Spectre Gravel, a high-performance gravel bike.

At launch, the brand states the Spectre Gravel is “engineered to redefine speed and comfort across all terrains, making it the ideal choice for cyclists seeking speed, precision, and versatility.”

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that the bike was first introduced in October, at Designblok, the Prague International Design Festival, and shortly after at Bespoked, Europe’s largest handmade bicycle show in Dresden.

Engineered for speed on any terrain

The Spectre Gravel is engineered as a race bike, for any terrain, whether that’s racing down asphalt, gliding over sand, manoeuvring through mud, or cruising on gravel, its primary focus is enabling riders to go fast.

With all this talk of ‘speed’ you’d be forgiven for thinking this will be a laser focused on trick pony. The Festka design team want to make clear that’s not how they see it, at all.

The brand has specifically sought to create “an exceptionally enjoyable ride.” We’re told it means “the bike is smooth, free from rattles, and delivers flawless performance even under the heaviest loads”.

Talking through the visual and the engineering focal point of Spectre Gravel, the brand highlights that every detail of the bike, from the sleek, flattened top tube and signature rear monostay to the seamlessly integrated internal headset bearing, is crafted with versatility in mind.

As one example of this integrated thinking: The bike’s superior rear wheel grip, enhanced by the deformation zone in the monostay area, improves comfort and traction, resulting in better handling.

Critically, given the ‘go-fast’ messaging, Festka is also keen to point out that “The robust frame construction easily manages challenging terrain”.

The Spectre Gravel features UDH dropouts, making it fully compatible with the latest SRAM Red XPLR, ensuring performance-focused shifting performance for both gravel and mixed-terrain rides.

With an on-trend 44mm tyre clearance and exceptional vibration control coming from the frame layup, the Spectre Gravel has been designed and engineered with the aim of delivering a stable, smooth ride while maintaining performance on rugged surfaces. In short, everything you’d expect a bike brand to say of its latest go-faster gravel race bike.

Technical specifications:

● Bottom Bracket Shell: PF 86,5 / 41 mm
● Fork: ENVE Gravel In-Route
● Head Tube Diameter: 52 mm
● Headset Bearings Size: 51,9x40x8 mm
● Max Chainring Size: 46
● Seatpost Diameter: 27,2 mm
● Shifting: EPS, Di2, eTap
● Max Tire Clearance: 44 mm (width as measured)
● Max Rotor Size: 140 mm rear, 160 mm front
● Weight: 1035 g (size M, Core Raw design)

Michael Moureček, co-founder and product manager at Festka comments: “Spectre Gravel is the result of precision engineering and a passion for cycling – it is designed for those who demand the best from their bike. The Spectre Gravel combines speed, durability, and comfort to make every ride an exceptional experience.”

The Spectre Gravel is now available for order, the price starts at EUR 8.900 for a frame-set and EUR 10.420 for a full build.

Festka, the Czech manufacturer of high-end carbon bicycle frames based in Prague took part in Europe’s largest handmade bicycle show, Bespoked, hosted at Dresden International Airport.

The event, which celebrates the art of frame building, has, in previous years, seen an estimated 7,000 + visitors, drawing an audience ranging from industry professionals, and cycling enthusiasts, to media from around the world.

Bespoke saw Festka take the opportunity to invite cycling enthusiasts, industry experts, and journalists alike to, meet the Festka team, and experience first-hand the innovation and craftsmanship that set the brand apart.

As a custom bicycle manufacturer located just a short distance from Dresden, the brand is understandably proud to have joined such a vibrant gathering of independent makers.

For 2024, visitors to the Festka booth had a unique opportunity to witness, in person, the craftsmanship and innovation behind the brand’s bespoke frames.

Festka also took the opportunity to introduce the all-new Spectre Gravel race bike and the new Spirit Design for
Spectre Road.

Hands-On demonstrations

“Throughout the event, live demonstrations of frame lamination (took) place at our booth, giving attendees a chance to observe one of the most intricate stages of our manufacturing process.

“Visitors (also had) the opportunity to assemble a frame by placing individual tubes into a jig, as well as test a bike attached to a trainer equipped with tensometers, sensors we use to gather critical data for optimizing our frame tubes,” comments Michael Moureček, Festka’s co-founder.

New models on display

Festka’s introduction of the Spectre Gravel, a race-ready gravel bike engineered for maximum speed and performance across a variety of terrains, from smooth asphalt to challenging mud, showcases the brand’s design ethos and performance credentials.

The Spectre Gravel is said to provide an exceptionally enjoyable ride – smooth and free from rattles, delivering flawless performance even under the heaviest loads. With a wheel clearance of up to 40mm, the Spectre Gravel has been designed and engineered for riders “seeking speed without compromise”, while also “enjoying a fun and exhilarating ride”.

In addition, Festka also took the opportunity to unveil the Spirit Design for Spectre Road, “a fresh graphic design evolution” of its Spectre Road series, “combining cutting-edge aesthetics with proven race performance”.

A global customer base

Established in 2010, the business reports that “up to 90 % of the company’s production is exported, with 80 % of exports heading outside the EU to Asia (China, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines) and the USA.”

Czech manufacturer of high-end carbon bike frames Festka has appointed former boss of Pinarello US Roberto Sadowsky as its new CEO.

Sadowsky brings a wealth of top-level business experience to the table. Born and raised in Italy, he has spent the last 11 years running the US operations of brands including Dainese and Pinarello. Coming originally from sales management both in B2B and DTC, Sadowsky has acquired, especially throughout his tenure in the USA, a great experience in all the areas of business.

“Festka’s ambition is to become worldwide the most relevant and authentic key player in the luxury and high-end bicycle space,” said Sadowsky. “Festka, despite the current small company size, has an incredibly strong brand and a dedicated customer base; the company builds in-house unique frames and bikes that are bought and appreciated all around the world.

“Our intention is to build on these extraordinary foundations, by scaling up our production capabilities dramatically, while staying here in Czechia.”

What makes him think Festka can do it? “I’ve been watching the company for quite some time just out of interest, and I’ve now been in touch with the co-owners for a long time,” he said. “I always felt the brand had a special spirit I didn’t see anywhere else.

“Czechia is a place rich in technical know-how in manufacturing and design and is full of skilled people willing to innovate and create value. In some way, it reminds me of Italy before globalisation. This great environment will allow us to innovate and bring to the bicycle industry a unique manufacturing and business approach.”

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Co-founders of Festka Michael Moureček and Ondřej Novotný have so far been involved in both running the company as well as each being responsible for their own part of the operation – manufacturing process and product development respectively. The arrival of Sadowsky will ‘free up their hands and enable them to devote themselves fully to the important tasks lying ahead of them’.