Rob Britton is riding Factors new Sarana gravel bike for the Traka 560 gravel race today. Designed with input from the 2025 Unbound XL winner, the Factor Sarana majors on comfort and control over long distances, without compromising on aerodynamics or speed. Most notably, the Sarana is designed to be used with a gravel suspension fork up front, with Britton opting for the 40mm-travel version of Foxs 32 Taper-Cast Factory gravel fork. The rest of the bike features a collection of truncated aerofoil tube shapes, with deeper aerofoils up front, shorter, slimmer ones at the rear, and heavily dropped seatstays. Britton also opted for a set of time-trial style aero extensions, to help with speed and comfort during the long flat stretches in-between climbs on the 550km course. Bang on trend for this years Traka, Britton is also using Schwalbes Thunder Burt tyres the German brands fastest cross-country mountain bike option rather than dedicated gravel tyres. These were mounted to the Saranas new Black Inc Forty Six gravel wheelset, which features wide, 46mm-deep aero rims designed for chunky tyres. Read more: Canyon's new unreleased Grail CFR is an aero bike with clearance for XC tyres Monster gravel TT XC tyres are on-trend at this year's Traka, with many top racers opting for Schwalbe Thunder Burts. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Ultra-wide tyres have been a clear theme at this years Traka, with countless pros and amateur riders opting for 50mm+ options. Speaking exclusively to BikeRadar before the race, Britton described the Schwalbe Thunder Burts as a terrible mountain bike tyre, but one of the best gravel tyres Ive used. Britton opted for the narrowest, 2.1in / 53mm version, although the Sarana frame has clearance for 2.2in / 57mm tyres, so can accommodate even larger tyres if desired. The Fox suspension fork has less tyre clearance than the Sarana frame, but it still clears a 2.1in Thunder Burt. Simon von Bromley / Our Media The Sarana can be specced with a dropper seatpost to improve its descending capabilities. Simon von Bromley / Our Media The Fox gravel forks clearance tops out at 50mm (the Schwalbes measure a little narrower than specified once mounted up), although the Sarana can also be specced with a matching rigid fork, enabling the use of 57mm-wide tyres front and rear. The Sarana can also be specced with a dropper seatpost if desired, although Britton has opted for a rigid carbon post from his sponsor Easton for this race. Britton's aero extensions mount directly to his one-piece Black Inc cockpit. Simon von Bromley / Our Media A set of custom bar-end shifters enable Britton to change gears while in an aero tuck. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Despite these XC-inspired features, the rest of the Sarana is firmly in fast endurance bike territory. The frame is aerodynamically optimised, and features a fully integrated, Black Inc aero cockpit up front. Brittons aero extensions are identical to those specced on Factors Hanzo time trial bike, and provide the Canadian with a comfortable and aerodynamic position to lock into for extended periods. XC/gravel hybrid drivetrain Instead of Shimano's GRX drivetrain components, Britton opts for the lighter (and pricier) XTR rear derailleur and cassette. Simon von Bromley / Our Media One of the few pro riders we've seen at this years Traka on a Shimano drivetrain, Britton paired a top-spec XTR rear derailleur with a 10-51t cassette and a 46t 1x aero chainring. Britton told us he usually opts for a 46t chainring for longer races, because it gives him a comfortable spread of gears for challenging courses (this years Traka 560 route features more than 9,000m of elevation gain). Britton uses a 46t chainring mounted to a Sigeyi power meter and Easton cranks. Simon von Bromley / Our Media This chainring is mounted to a Sigeyi power meter spider, with Easton carbon cranks in a relatively short (considering Brittons 1.88m height), 170mm length. Instead of GRX gravel shifters, Britton has opted for Shimano Ultegra Di2 road shifters. He also has a set of custom satellite shifters mounted to his aero extensions. Luggage and plugs at the ready Britton uses Tailfin bags to carry all of his food, tools and spares. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Finishing off Brittons build is a set of Tailfin frame bags, plus a small saddle bag, two bottle cages and some tubeless plugs taped to the frame, ready to be called into action at a moment's notice. Britton said his frame bags would be filled with fuel for the race, from his sponsor The Feed, plus tools and spares to help him deal with any mechanical failures. Britton has a tubeless plug ready to go on his chainstay. Simon von Bromley / Our Media And another one taped underneath the stem. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Instead of bringing a hand pump, Britton said he would be racing with an electric mini pump, with enough juice to fully re-inflate his tyres around four times. Last but not least, Britton is running Shimano XTR SPD pedals, plus Exposure lights and a custom-made saddle from Canadian brand, Reform. Britton has a custom saddle made by Reform. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Rob Britton with his new Factor Sarana for the 2026 Traka 560. Simon von Bromley / Our Media