You might not have heard of Dare Bikes yet, and that’s understandable. Despite launching in 2013, this Taiwanese company has been quietly focusing on perfecting its craft: creating a comprehensive and compelling range of road bikes. But it’s time to put Dare Bikes on your radar. They offer a unique proposition in the cycling world, combining direct-sale pricing with in-house design and production, resulting in bikes that offer exceptional value and customization that many bigger brands simply can’t match.
What makes Dare Bikes stand out? Firstly, as a direct-sale brand, they ship internationally, cutting out the middleman and delivering prices that are hard to beat. Secondly, these aren’t generic, off-the-shelf designs. Dare Bikes meticulously researches, designs, tests, and manufactures their frames in their own facilities. This commitment to in-house production allows for greater control over quality and innovation. Furthermore, the founder of Dare Bikes is no newcomer to the industry, possessing extensive experience overseeing production for numerous well-known bike brands. Dare Bikes is poised to make a significant impact on the cycling market.
Uniquely Customizable Dare Bikes: Built, Not Bought
Close-up of Dare Bikes frame customization options
The fact that Dare Bikes controls so much of its manufacturing process allows them to offer a level of customization rarely seen in direct-sale brands. Beyond just components, Dare lets you personalize your bike’s aesthetics. Each model is available in a wide array of Scandinavian-inspired colors, and you can choose between a matte or gloss finish to perfectly match your style.
But the customization goes deeper than paint. Dare’s online configurator lets you upgrade components piece by piece, similar to brands like Rose, giving you granular control over your bike’s build. They even produce their own line of handlebars and stems. Their carbon aerocockpit, for example, comes in an impressive 12 sizes, ranging from a compact 80mm x 400mm to a wider and longer 135 x 440mm, ensuring a perfect fit for any rider.
Dare Bikes aero handlebar upgrade option
Dare Bikes Range Overview: Gravel, Endurance, Road, and Aero
Dare Bikes offers a comprehensive range catering to various cycling disciplines. Let’s dive into some of their key models:
Dare GFX Gravel Bike and GFE Endurance Bike: Two Bikes, One Versatile Chassis
Dare GFX gravel bike showcasing shared chassis with endurance model
Leading Dare’s lineup are the GFX gravel bike and the GFE endurance bike, sharing the same adaptable chassis. This smart design allows riders to choose between gravel adventures with the GFX and comfortable road riding with the GFE, all from a single frame platform.
A standout feature is the adjustable chainstays, offering up to 15mm of wheelbase adjustment. This clever system, which doesn’t interfere with the disc brakes, means the GFX can accommodate both 700c wheels with up to 45mm tires (as shipped) and 650b wheels with wider, more aggressive tires up to 2.25 inches. This adaptability makes the Dare GFX a truly versatile gravel machine.
Dare Bikes gravel fork with removable inserts for tire clearance
For riders wanting a cleaner look when running narrower tires, the fork includes a removable adapter to maintain aesthetics. The GFX comes equipped with Dare’s own flared handlebars for enhanced control on loose surfaces, while the GFE features a standard road cockpit for comfortable endurance riding.
Both the GFX and GFE are offered in two builds, with the entry-level models featuring Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupsets and DT Swiss CR1600 Spline wheelsets. Upgrading to the higher-spec models gets you an electronic drivetrain with Ultegra Di2.
Dare MR1S and MR1s DB Road Bikes: Lightweight Performance and Comfort
The MR1S is Dare Bikes’ flagship road model, available in both disc brake (DB) and rim brake versions. The frame is impressively lightweight, with claimed weights of 820g (rim brake) and 850g (disc brake) for a size 54cm frame. This is the bike of choice for the Norwegian Uno-X cycling team, a testament to its performance capabilities.
The MR1S frame is characterized by clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. A notable design element is the “comfort channel,” a hole located at the junction of the seat tube and top tube. This feature, along with a specific carbon fiber sourced from UK company Sigmatex, is engineered to enhance vertical compliance and improve rider comfort. The unique carbon weave, resembling fish scales, is specifically chosen for its shock-absorbing properties.
Rim brake MR1S builds start at a highly competitive price point, offering excellent value with Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupsets and DT Swiss PR1600 Dicut 21 wheelsets. Disc brake models start slightly higher, also equipped with Ultegra mechanical and the same DT Swiss wheels (without brake tracks).
Both rim and disc brake versions of the MR1S can be customized up to high-end specifications, including Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets and premium DT Swiss wheels. A Dura-Ace Di2 disc build in size 54cm is claimed to weigh just 6.9kg, while the rim brake equivalent is approximately 200g lighter, highlighting the MR1S’s lightweight design.
Women’s specific versions of both MR1S models are also available, featuring the same frames but with contact points optimized for female riders. The Dare MR1S range offers a compelling combination of performance, comfort, and value.
Dare VSR Aero Road Bike: Sleek Design for Speed
For riders prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency, Dare offers the VSR aero road bike. While the design has been around for a few years, it still looks modern and fast, featuring dropped seat stays, a wheel-hugging seat tube cutout, and a distinctive head tube shape.
Currently offered in a rim brake configuration on the Dare website, the VSR frame is actually disc brake compatible, thanks to concealed mounts and removable dropouts, offering future upgrade potential.
Four standard builds are available for the VSR, starting with Shimano Ultegra mechanical and DT Swiss PR1600 wheels, and topping out with a high-performance build featuring Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and 65mm deep-section DT Swiss PRC1400 Spline wheels.
The Dare VSR frame in size 54cm has a claimed weight of 950g and can be built into a complete bike weighing around 7.3kg with Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical and DT Swiss PRC1400 Spline wheels, making it a competitive aero option.
Dare TSR Nordic Triathlon/TT Bike: Engineered for Time Trials
For time trialists and triathletes, Dare offers the TSR. This frameset, UCI-approved for competition, is currently available as a rim brake carbon chassis with a claimed weight of 1,320g for a size 54cm.
The TSR is designed for maximum adjustability, featuring a sliding seat rail offering 4 degrees of seat angle adjustment (73–77 degrees). Dare’s Transformer stem and handlebar system further enhances customization, providing multiple configurations to achieve optimal ergonomics for racing while keeping cables tucked away from the wind. An integrated steering limiter prevents damage to the top tube in case of handlebar flop. A disc brake version, the TSR+, is anticipated to expand the range.
Final Thoughts on Dare Bikes
Dare Bikes presents a compelling option for cyclists seeking high-performance, customizable bikes at competitive prices. Their commitment to in-house design and manufacturing, combined with a direct-sale model, allows them to offer unique value in the market. With a diverse range spanning gravel, endurance, road, and time trial disciplines, Dare Bikes is a brand worth exploring for your next cycling upgrade. We are excited to see what the future holds for Dare Bikes and are eager to put their bikes through thorough testing. For more information and to explore their full range, visit the Dare Bikes website.
