Last Updated on 7 January 2026 by Cycloscope
Pinnacle Arkose Review! Budget Adventure Gravel
The 2022 models compared Arkose 1, VS 2, VS 3, VS 4, and how they differ from D1/D2 and Arkose X 2020 Gravel Bike Review
- Frame Material: Alloy
- Fork: Carbon
- Wheel Size: 700c / 29″
- Number of Spokes: 32
- Max Tire Clearance: 45mm
- Weight: 11.3 kg
- Price: from GBP800 to GBP1,500
There’s always a bit of confusion when manufacturers decide to change the name of bike models without really changing the design.
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How we write our reviews: most of our reviews are based on first-hand long-term use or short-term test by a member of our team. For some new models or build variations, we rely on our experience with similar models and our team's experience in understanding bike geometry and components.
Before we had the Pinnacle Arkose D1, Arkose D2, Arkose D3, X, and Arkose A8 – but now in 2022, Pinnacle renamed them to Arkose 1, Arkose 2, Arkose 3, and Arkose 4.
The frame design hasn’t changed at all, but the component selection is slightly different; we’ll see it in the specs section.
Is Pinnacle a good Brand?
Pinnacle Bikes is the own brand of British bicycle retailer Evans Cycles. Started in 2006, Pinnacle is now a well-established manufacturer of urban, hybrid, and cyclocross bicycles. Their products are affordable and of good quality.
Pinnacle Akrose Gravel Bike Review
The Pinnacle Arkose was a pioneer of gravel bikes, having been around since 2013, before the term “gravel” became a trend. In 2020, it underwent its most significant redesign in 7 years on the market and remained unchanged in 2021 and 2022.
The 2020 Pinnacle Arkose is a benchmark for the versatility this type of bike can offer. The frame is fully compatible with wheel sizes (650B x 52C or 700C x 45mm), rear axle, and Di2/cable gearing options.
With such a tire clearance, this Pinnacle bike is sure to perform well on long-distance rides along challenging roads.
The geometry is close to a tourer or adventure bike, with a long wheelbase and chainstay for stability under loads, the rider’s position is more upright compared to some competitors, it really seems a great gravel for bikepacking.
It features three bottle-cage mounts, mudguard and rack eyelets, just like a serious touring bike – another characteristic moving this rig more towards the long-distance adventure cycling world, and a bit away from the race-performance market.
The Pinnacle Arkose is a great adventure/bikepacking gravel bike – comfortable, reliable, and pretty cheap.
Pinnacle Arkose Specifications Compared
For 2022 Pinnacle released four versions of the Arkose, with slightly different builds and price tags, we’ll compare their technical specs in the table section below.
The Pinnacle Arkose 1 is equipped with a Claris 48-32 tooth crankset and 11/34t cassette.
A 46-30t and a standard 11/32t cassette make up the drivetrain of the Arkose 2, providing a good range for most unloaded or lightly loaded rides.
The Arkose 3 and 4 use a GRX 1×11 with a 40t in the front and an 11-42 cassette. Sacrificing gear range for simplicity is one of the trends we’ve seen in these last years, with 1×11 and 1×12 becoming a ubiquitous sight on gravel bikes. The Pinnacle Arkose 3 and 4 both come with Shimano BR-RX400 hydraulic disk brakes.
| – | Arkose 4 | Arkose 1 | Arkose 2 | Arkose 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 10.1 kg | 11.3 kg | 11.4 kg | 10.4 kg |
| Frame | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Fork | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Wheel Size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Wheel Material | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Shimano BR-RX400 | Tektro MD C510 Mechanical Disc | TRP Spyre Mechanical Disc | Hydraulic Disc Shimano BR-RX400 |
| Drive train | Shimano GRX 1×11 40t x 11-42t | Claris 2×8 48/32t x 11-34t | Sora 2×9 46/30t x 11-32t | Shimano GRX 1×11 40t x 11-42t |
Pinnacle Arkose Generic Specs
| Frame | 6013-T6 heat treated alloy, w/Triple butted top and down tubes. 3 x bottle cage mounts, internal cable routing, interchangeable dropout & rack/mudguard mounts. |
|---|---|
| Fork | Full carbon fork and alloy steerer |
| Handlebars | Pinnacle 6061 alloy gravel bar, 130mm drop, 8 degree flare, 86mm reach (S/M – 420mm, L/XL – 440mm) |
| Rims | WTB ST i21 TCS 700c 32 hole, pinned, tubeless-ready |
| Hubs | Novatec 32H 2 sealed bearing (12 x 100mm + 12 x 142mm) |
| Tyres | WTB Riddler Comp 700 x 45c Tan Sidewall |
What tire sizes can the Pinnacle Arkose fit?
The Arkose supports wide tires — up to about 45 mm on 700c wheels, and can take larger setups like 650b wheels with even bigger tires depending on the model.
Does the Arkose have internal routing or dynamo support?
The carbon fork on many Arkose models includes dynamo routing, allowing lights and charging systems to be added — ideal for long rides and touring setups.
Is the Pinnacle Arkose a good value bike?
Yes — reviewers often highlight its excellent value for money with strong component spec and versatile performance for its price segment.
Does the Arkose handle rough terrain well?
The Arkose’s geometry and tire clearance make it capable on rough gravel, tracks, and light off-road trails, though it’s not designed as a full mountain bike.