Marianne Vos has been the winner of the Gravel World Championship this past weekend. One of the most striking aspects of his victory is that he used the KAPS Gravaa system on his bike, a system that allows pressure adjustment on the move. All the websites are talking about it. It seems that pressure regulators are coming to the world of gravel... Or is it just a good advertising strategy?
Advertising and innovation are two fundamental pillars in the success of any company, and although they are often seen as separate concepts, they are intrinsically related. Without an effective advertising strategy, even the most revolutionary idea can go unnoticed.
Tyre pressure adjustments are not new, they have already been used in races such as Paris-Roubaix where changing pressure is a great advantage. The pressure adjustment system allows the tyre pressure to be changed while pedalling.
The operation is relatively simple. Using a small pump that accumulates air thanks to the energy of the wheels' rotation, it allows you to add or release air from the tyres through the buttons installed on the handlebars. This is especially beneficial in races with variable surfaces, such as gravel, where sections of asphalt and uneven terrain alternate. In this way, you can ride with less pressure on off-road sections and with more pressure on asphalt sections. This was clearly seen in the final sprint, where Marianne Vos had a significant advantage thanks to having the tyres at higher pressure.
This system was a decisive factor in Vos opting for a rather aggressive setup on his Cervélo, using 700x33c Dugast cyclocross tyres, normally more suited to smooth surfaces. Although these tyres allow for great speed on asphalt, they can be vulnerable on rougher terrain, where a pressure error could cause problems. However, with this system Vos was able to constantly adjust the pressure and obtain greater efficiency in each part of the race, especially in the final sprint. For you, is this advertising or innovation?