How do we design new bikes?
At Opus, every new bike starts with a vision. Our product managers are constantly coming up with new ideas, drawing inspiration from emerging trends, real-world testing and consumer feedback. Above all, they are cyclists at heart.
The Spark of an Idea
With the vast amounts of gravel routes surrounding, its Montreal headquarters serving as our inspiration. The Horizon family was born from this love of exploration, offering balanced geometry and playful handling for riders seeking adventure. Based on these principles, we decided to push the boundaries even further.
That’s where the idea for our latest project began: an e-gravel bike designed to bring the thrill of exploration to even more riders. The Zénith GRX 12 prototype is the result of this pursuit—a bike that maintains the nimble ride characteristic of the Horizon while adding power to go further than ever before. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking to extend your adventures or a newcomer eager to discover new terrain, this bike is built to deliver pure riding joy.
The Technology Behind the Ride
Choosing the right technology is a key step in process of developing a new electric bike. Every component must meet our high standards for performance, reliability, and ride quality. After extensive testing, we partnered with FSA (Full Speed Ahead) to integrate their E-System HM.2 —a 40 Nm motor paired with a 250 Wh battery that delivers smooth, natural power exactly when you need it.
Hand assembled in Montreal on a lightweight aluminum frame with a carbon fork, the Zénith weighs under 32 lbs, keeping handling sharp and responsive. Tire selection was also crucial to achieve a confident ride feel across mixed terrain. After testing widths from 35mm to 45mm, we picked the Vittoria T50 40mm tires—the perfect balance of grip, comfort, and speed.
Putting It to the Test
Every Opus bike undergoes rigorous real-world testing before being released. For this specific prototype, the iconic Mount Royal back roads provided the ideal starting point, with the variety of mix of technical sections and challenging elevation gain.
The extensive testing also included the 2024 Big Red Gravel Run in Harrington, Québec. That edition had apocalyptic conditions due to the major flooding of the aera. The altered 65 km course, with 825m of climbing, included knee-deep flooded sections, challenging the Zénith’s limits. The result? A bike that exceeded expectations and confirmed that we had something special on our hands.
What’s Next?
Taking a bike from concept to production is never a straight path, it often requires balancing contradictory requirements. At Opus, we are dedicated to striking the perfect balance between value and quality Above all, our mission remains: to deliver the best possible ride experience on all our models. With the Zénith GRX 12, we’re bringing a new way to experience gravel riding—one that opens new possibilities for adventure.
