Gravaa declares bankruptcy: the automatic inflation system that won in Roubaix and the Gravel World Championship fails to establish itself

The Dutch company Gravaa has been declared bankrupt this week by a court in the Netherlands. The news puts a temporary pause on the development and commercialization of the KAPS (Kinetic Air Pressure System), one of the most striking technical innovations seen in elite cycling in recent years: the ability to adjust tire pressure while pedaling.

From sporting triumph to bankruptcy: Gravaa fails to consolidate its pressure adjustment system for road and gravel

Gravaa had been working on this system for several years, which uses the rotational energy of the hub to power an internal compressor capable of inflating or deflating the tire on the go. Control is done from the handlebars, and air is managed through a conduit connected directly to the valve. A solution designed for races where very different surfaces coexist, such as asphalt and cobblestones or gravel sections.

On a sporting level, the KAPS did demonstrate its potential. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot used it to win her debut at the Paris Roubaix in 2025, while Marianne Vos became the Gravel World Champion in 2024 using wheels equipped with this system. In both cases, the ability to modify pressure based on terrain provided a clear advantage in terms of grip, absorption, and rolling resistance.

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Additionally, the system was tested and developed in collaboration with the then Jumbo-Visma and later with Team Visma-Lease a Bike, even being seen in preseason gatherings and specific training for the northern classics with riders like Wout van Aert or Dylan van Baarle.

However, that interest did not translate into the necessary order volume to sustain the project. According to Gravaa itself in a statement, the company had started mass production in the Netherlands, and the product was also available for the consumer market through its online store and distributors.

The KAPS system required specific hubs integrated into complete wheels, developed in collaboration with brands like DT Swiss and Reserve. The starting price for a set of wheels with Gravaa was around 3,000 euros, potentially exceeding 4,400 euros depending on the configuration, a high investment even for a high-end product.

Additionally, there were some technical limitations still in development, such as full compatibility with tubeless systems, which restricted its use to inner tubes or tubulars, and the need for a specific five-bolt brake disc, manufactured by Galfer and included with the system.

Bankruptcy does not necessarily imply the definitive disappearance of the project. The company itself has confirmed that there are parts of the industry interested in acquiring the assets and relaunching Gravaa. Meanwhile, the app and digital infrastructure will remain operational, and there is stock available, so teams and individual riders will be able to continue using the system in competition in the short term.