My first day on all gravel and what was the takeaway?
07-27-24, 11:34 AM
#176
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This talk about chainstay length- I have size 14 shoes and get along just fine with square bottom rear panniers on my axiom rear rack and 440mm chainstays.
The ride is stable and I don't geelstrime the panniers.
Based on te above, a mixed use frame with 435mm chainstays will be perfectly fine to mount a rack and panniers on for most cyclists.
Just get a rack that allows bags to be mounted forward and rearward.
The ride is stable and I don't geelstrime the panniers.
Based on te above, a mixed use frame with 435mm chainstays will be perfectly fine to mount a rack and panniers on for most cyclists.
Just get a rack that allows bags to be mounted forward and rearward.
07-27-24, 12:18 PM
#177
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07-27-24, 12:48 PM
#178
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07-27-24, 12:54 PM
#179
07-27-24, 02:22 PM
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As far as the mtb vs road bike vs gravel bike thing...they each have their purpose, and there is some overlap between use cases. My XC bike would probably surprise people with how quick it is on mellower gravel, but I'd say the lack of variety for hand positions, not-so-great aerodynamics, and a few extra pounds of weight, make the gravel bike a better choice in many scenarios. I've even had a fairly high overall result at a gravel race with the XC bike, but the course was chunky/technical enough to give an advantage to it in certain spots. I did pay dearly for my choice on a fast, non-technical descent and on the paved roads.
Another factor for having a dedicated gravel bike, is that my current XC bike is just boring to ride on mellow terrain. 120mm travel Fox factory suspension coupled with fairly progressive geometry, make non-technical riding a snooze fest. The XC bike is a really efficient peddler, but the gravel bike is just more exciting to ride on even chunky gravel.
07-27-24, 02:57 PM
#181
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whatta bout the walrus ?
https://vimeo.com/460137394
https://youtu.be/t1Jm5epJr10?si=Qqc7tQW3M59Vq2G7
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https://vimeo.com/460137394
https://youtu.be/t1Jm5epJr10?si=Qqc7tQW3M59Vq2G7
.
07-27-24, 03:43 PM
#182
I was told at the Trek store that the next time the World's Collide, the result will be a flat bar Checkpoint.
Regardless, The only major difference I can see between my Endurance bike and Gravel bike is that the Endurance takes 40mm max tires and Gravel 45mm; the Gravel has a beefier frame and fork. The suspensions are a wash. The Endurance (Roubaix) has a front springy thing and the Gravel (Checkpoint), a rear. Both work but one works on your butt and the other on your hands.
and the Gravel is geared more towards Bikepacking as it has mounting points up the wazoo
Regardless, The only major difference I can see between my Endurance bike and Gravel bike is that the Endurance takes 40mm max tires and Gravel 45mm; the Gravel has a beefier frame and fork. The suspensions are a wash. The Endurance (Roubaix) has a front springy thing and the Gravel (Checkpoint), a rear. Both work but one works on your butt and the other on your hands.
and the Gravel is geared more towards Bikepacking as it has mounting points up the wazoo
Last edited by MikeDeason; 07-27-24 at 03:52 PM.
07-28-24, 06:53 AM
#184
07-28-24, 09:02 AM
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07-28-24, 11:07 AM
#186
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07-28-24, 01:53 PM
#187
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07-28-24, 07:24 PM
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07-29-24, 07:05 AM
#189
07-29-24, 08:26 AM
#190
Yep
07-29-24, 08:32 AM
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07-29-24, 09:07 AM
#192
07-29-24, 10:04 AM
#193
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Which modern gravel bikes have you tried? I don't know much about loaded touring, but a friend of mine has done a whole lot of it on his modern Canyon gravel bike, throughout many parts of Europe (Alps, most recently). He said his fully-loaded rig weighs 70lbs. That seems pretty loaded to me.
https://www.instagram.com/armin.wanderlust/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/armin.wanderlust/?img_index=1
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07-29-24, 10:24 AM
#194
Senior Member
Another factor for having a dedicated gravel bike, is that my current XC bike is just boring to ride on mellow terrain. 120mm travel Fox factory suspension coupled with fairly progressive geometry, make non-technical riding a snooze fest. The XC bike is a really efficient peddler, but the gravel bike is just more exciting to ride on even chunky gravel.
This factor (looking at you Cycocommute) is what some folks are having trouble understanding or wrapping their head around.
07-30-24, 01:50 PM
#195
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And just like that amalia12 has been disappeared. 
Maybe the wind is changing.
Maybe the wind is changing.
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07-30-24, 02:11 PM
#196
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I was told at the Trek store that the next time the World's Collide, the result will be a flat bar Checkpoint.
Regardless, The only major difference I can see between my Endurance bike and Gravel bike is that the Endurance takes 40mm max tires and Gravel 45mm; the Gravel has a beefier frame and fork. The suspensions are a wash. The Endurance (Roubaix) has a front springy thing and the Gravel (Checkpoint), a rear. Both work but one works on your butt and the other on your hands.
and the Gravel is geared more towards Bikepacking as it has mounting points up the wazoo
Regardless, The only major difference I can see between my Endurance bike and Gravel bike is that the Endurance takes 40mm max tires and Gravel 45mm; the Gravel has a beefier frame and fork. The suspensions are a wash. The Endurance (Roubaix) has a front springy thing and the Gravel (Checkpoint), a rear. Both work but one works on your butt and the other on your hands.
and the Gravel is geared more towards Bikepacking as it has mounting points up the wazoo
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
07-30-24, 03:01 PM
#197
The beard thing is probably more regional than anything else. Zero of my gravel-bike-riding/racing friends have beards.
Some folks enjoy gravel riding, others do not. I know some MTBers who find it dull because every moment is not filled with technical demands. I know some roadies that don't enjoy the slower speeds and questionable traction. Personally, I enjoy the variety and versatility, combining a variety of surfaces and conditions into one ride.
Some folks enjoy gravel riding, others do not. I know some MTBers who find it dull because every moment is not filled with technical demands. I know some roadies that don't enjoy the slower speeds and questionable traction. Personally, I enjoy the variety and versatility, combining a variety of surfaces and conditions into one ride.
07-30-24, 03:03 PM
#198
My son and I did a solid 7hrs on gravel trails outside the city limits to prep for a Toronto to Montreal jaunt next month.
Besides discovering that gravel riding is difficult but invigorating, our main takeaway was that almost all gravel riders are bearded. I’m with Roald Dahl on mixing beards and gravel.
Other than that, great fun for a one off but I think we will try to bypass gravel unless it’s of major navigational benefit.
Besides discovering that gravel riding is difficult but invigorating, our main takeaway was that almost all gravel riders are bearded. I’m with Roald Dahl on mixing beards and gravel.
Other than that, great fun for a one off but I think we will try to bypass gravel unless it’s of major navigational benefit.
07-30-24, 05:04 PM
#199
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