Chessie Presale Is Now Live!

"It's so good. Feels so fast, but also not harsh. I don't know what you guys did, but it worked." - Ben of Evergreen Gravel Racing fame.

After nearly three years of testing, riding, and refining, the Velo Orange Chessie frameset is now available for presale. This is your chance to secure one of the first production framesets before they officially begin shipping in mid/late June.

Named after the legendary sea creature said to lurk in the Chesapeake Bay, Chessie is a true all-terrain monster designed for gravel epics, bikepacking escapes, and all the terrain in between. It’s also a major first for us: our first-ever aluminum alloy frame, developed to combine the ride quality of steel with the responsiveness and lightness of alloy.

Chessie was designed for riders who like to wander—whether that means long days in the saddle, quick detours onto rougher trails, or bikepacking trips that turn into adventures. It fits big tires, has mounts for just about anything you’d want to carry, and uses a steel fork to keep the ride smooth and planted. The geometry lands somewhere between gravel and old-school XC, making it comfortable on all kinds of surfaces without feeling out of place on any of them.

Whether you're planning a 300-mile race, a cross-country overnighter, or just want a bike that can do more, now's the time to jump in. Quantities are limited, and pre-sale closes when they arrive or sell out.

To help you decide how to build yours up and nerd out, we’ve also created the Monster Guide - a detailed PDF covering fit, geometry, component notes, suggested builds, and more! Be sure to check out our Bike Build Ideas page for complete build lists to get those brain juices flowing.