If you’re thinking about giving bike commuting a try, a gravel bike is a good option to start with. It combines the speed of a road bike with the ruggedness of a mountain bike, and the versatility of a hybrid bike.

However, finding the right model is hard, especially when so many gravel bikes cost an arm and a leg. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case with the Traction Compass.

I first encountered it as a beginner in 2022. It was the most affordable gravel bike that was readily available at local bike shops. And since it’s a built bike, there was no need about buying parts to get it running.

Fast forward to 2025, and I’m far from the beginner that I once was having ridden thousands of kilometers on many bikes. After trying out the Traction Compass, I can say that I wasn’t disappointed.

What is the Traction Compass?

The Traction Compass is a gravel bike designed for all-road riding. The frame is made of 4130 chromoly steel. It’s not the lightest material, but it isn’t brittle like aluminum and the frame can be repaired.

Specs and Parts

The bike rolls on 700c by 40mm CST tires. These give the right balance between speed and comfort, making it a good fit for the rough roads of Metro Manila. If you want maximum cushioning, it can take up to 700c by 50mm tires without fenders (42mm with fenders).

The drivetrain is a 10-speed LTWOO GR7 with an 11-46T cassette and a 34T crank. As someone who didn’t know much about bikes, I was concerned that the brand wasn’t Shimano.

But the gears shift fine. I even find the ergonomics of the levers more comfortable than the brifters of the Microshift Advent lineup. The wide range is a big help if you live in hilly areas like Kapitolyo.

One of the big selling points is the mechanical disc brakes. Although the calipers are unbranded, you can stop reliably even in the rain (unlike with rim brakes). If ever you want more stopping power, you can eventually upgrade the calipers, cables, and housing.

The cockpit is nothing special. But if it gets the job done for you, there’s no need to change it. Take note, though, that the contact points (saddle, handlebar and grips, and pedals) are worth investing in, especially if you’ll be riding the Traction Compass a lot on long rides.

Whether you’re thinking of touring in the mountains or commuting to the office, the Traction Compass has all the mounting points you’ll need. Racks, fenders, cargo cages—you can attach them throughout the frame. Putting a side stand might be tricky because of the tapered chainstay.

My personal experience

After picking up the Traction Compass from the year-end pop-up at Tambay Cycling Hub, I took the demo unit to Car-Free Ayala the following morning.

I figured that since it runs 700c wheels, the bike should be pretty quick. Turns out that was the case as I had an average speed of 23km/h.

After that, I took the Traction Compass on my usual Sunday commute from Kapitolyo to Libis. I managed to fit my U-lock, clothes, and repair kit with my Sack It Kaban and Flklore stem bag. 

The route is 6.5km long, which usually translates to a 20-25 minute ride. It’s mostly chill since I pass through Valle Verde and Green Meadows. C5 is a bit challenging because of the poor road quality (especially in the bike lane) but the Traction Compass was able to tank the bumps and potholes.

Looking back, although I still believe that my Marin Nicasio was the better choice for my first gravel bike, I would have been just as happy had I gone with the Traction Compass.

Should you get the Traction Compass?

Gravel bikes don’t have to be expensive and the Traction Compass is proof of that. It’s a good stepping stone to get into cycling, whether you want to try bike commuting or go on recreational rides.

The Traction Compass is available as a built bike only with an SRP of P34,250. However, the gravel bike tends to go on sale frequently, which makes it a good deal.  It’s available at Tambay Cycling Hub in Kapitolyo, Pasig. However, you can also message Traction Bikes on Facebook to find your nearest dealer.