Gravel Bikes - what exactly are you supposed to do with one?
Discussion
Jimboka said:
I’m not really into cycling for fitness as such (I run a lot..) but thinking of a gravel bike to get further afield at weekends. Not on roads too often. Plenty of bridal ways & towpaths around here.
To get a bit further, it got me thinking of an electric gravel bike !
Does such a thing exist ?
Certainly.To get a bit further, it got me thinking of an electric gravel bike !
Does such a thing exist ?
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bike...
Evanivitch said:
Here's mine kitted out for winter commuting. I've had it since mid September and done about 1500 miles on it now. I use it pretty much every day, it's bloody brilliant!
The comparison btwn these and the b
d offspring of an early mountain bike and a fast tourer (e.g. Dawes Galaxy, Carlton Corsair, Raleigh Record Ace) looks on the money. I used to ride fast tourers, often lugging camping gear, often venturing onto Forestry Commission tracks where the lack of traction and narrow, hard tyres were blatantly unsuitable. Plus the rims and half the other gear was really too fragile. But the contemporary MTBs were _so_ heavy and slow on tarmac that there was no way I'd go touring on one just to make the FC tracks a bit less suicidal. These gravel bike things look like a very good alternative to those fast tourers, having to only compromise a little road performance in order to gain a bit more capability on unmetalled tracks.
Probably time to spoil the party by comparing them to a Nissan X-Trail.
d offspring of an early mountain bike and a fast tourer (e.g. Dawes Galaxy, Carlton Corsair, Raleigh Record Ace) looks on the money. I used to ride fast tourers, often lugging camping gear, often venturing onto Forestry Commission tracks where the lack of traction and narrow, hard tyres were blatantly unsuitable. Plus the rims and half the other gear was really too fragile. But the contemporary MTBs were _so_ heavy and slow on tarmac that there was no way I'd go touring on one just to make the FC tracks a bit less suicidal. These gravel bike things look like a very good alternative to those fast tourers, having to only compromise a little road performance in order to gain a bit more capability on unmetalled tracks.Probably time to spoil the party by comparing them to a Nissan X-Trail.
lufbramatt said:
yellowjack said:
ThisInJapanese said:
lufbramatt said:
Well found out at the weekend that my dad, 64, intent on spending my inheritance ( ;-) ) has ordered an Orange X9. can't wait to have a go when it arrives. Got a 40mm travel "gravel specific" version of a Fox 32 stepcast fork on it. Blurs the lines even more between gravel and a hardtail MTB.
Just looked it up: https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/x9-pro/2020Looks interesting, like a Slate, but without the Slate issues (wheel clearance, cost of fork etc etc)
Enjoy the test ride
Heads up for anyone considering an On-One Space Chicken. Extra 20% off (until midnight on Wednesday) according to an email i got today from Planet X. Use code "CHICKENB4EGG" at the checkout.
I can't afford one, but good luck to anyone who can. I'm also not convinced by SRAM components, as I'm a Shimano fan boy, and I can't see a Shimano build listed on their site.
I can't afford one, but good luck to anyone who can. I'm also not convinced by SRAM components, as I'm a Shimano fan boy, and I can't see a Shimano build listed on their site.
Evanivitch said:
Jimboka said:
I’m not really into cycling for fitness as such (I run a lot..) but thinking of a gravel bike to get further afield at weekends. Not on roads too often. Plenty of bridal ways & towpaths around here.
To get a bit further, it got me thinking of an electric gravel bike !
Does such a thing exist ?
Certainly.To get a bit further, it got me thinking of an electric gravel bike !
Does such a thing exist ?
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bike...
yellowjack said:
I'm also not convinced by SRAM components, as I'm a Shimano fan boy, and I can't see a Shimano build listed on their site.
My Grade is SRAM.I’ve run it for the last year and a bit, but have acquired a full set of 105 5800/7000 components to convert to full hydros over Christmas.
I prefer Shimano, better shifting, more comfortable hoods and parts are cheaper and more readily available....
Thanks for the ‘electric’ gravel bike suggestions
I’m drawn to this one:-
Cannondale Synapse Neo SE 27.5" 2020 - Electric Road Bike
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Synapse-Neo-SE...
As get 10% off, then cyclescheme. So less than £1600 ..
I’m drawn to this one:-
Cannondale Synapse Neo SE 27.5" 2020 - Electric Road Bike
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Synapse-Neo-SE...
As get 10% off, then cyclescheme. So less than £1600 ..
Keep an eye on the weight, that cannondale is 18kg, the ribble I linked is 13kg.
On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
Tall_Paul said:
Keep an eye on the weight, that cannondale is 18kg, the ribble I linked is 13kg.
On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
Ribble has half the battery size doesn't it, 250W v 500W.On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
Evanivitch said:
Tall_Paul said:
Keep an eye on the weight, that cannondale is 18kg, the ribble I linked is 13kg.
On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
Ribble has half the battery size doesn't it, 250W v 500W.On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
With either you'd be able to go up a decent incline at or near the 15mph cut off.
ATG said:
The comparison btwn these and the bd offspring of an early mountain bike and a fast tourer (e.g. Dawes Galaxy, Carlton Corsair, Raleigh Record Ace) looks on the money. I used to ride fast tourers, often lugging camping gear, often venturing onto Forestry Commission tracks where the lack of traction and narrow, hard tyres were blatantly unsuitable.
That's basically the way I saw it...d offspring of an early mountain bike and a fast tourer (e.g. Dawes Galaxy, Carlton Corsair, Raleigh Record Ace) looks on the money. I used to ride fast tourers, often lugging camping gear, often venturing onto Forestry Commission tracks where the lack of traction and narrow, hard tyres were blatantly unsuitable.
Tall_Paul said:
On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
Not on the flat it won’t. You‘ll take marginally longer to get up to speed on the flat, but that’s it.
Barchettaman said:
Tall_Paul said:
On e-mtbs the weight is less of an issue, but on an electric road/gravel bike, they're more than capable of being pedalled on the flat above the 15.5mph cut off, once you're above that the extra 5kg will make a difference.
Not on the flat it won’t. You‘ll take marginally longer to get up to speed on the flat, but that’s it.
Good information in here so far.
I’m pondering a gravel bike having really enjoyed some longer trips this summer aboard my wife’s £100 quid special MTB.
Most routes are 90% tarmac but I really don’t like the idea of a full on road bike - something I could just ride into kerbs and over gravel with the kids would be much better. I don’t have the space for multiple bikes.
Just researching now and looking at the tube/tubeless debate.
I’m light at 75kg and, as said, mostly on tarmac. I’d also be using the bike fairly irregularly e.g. once or twice over a month rather than daily.
I’d prefer the less faff option which would just be normal air tubes right?
Any advice appreciated and will update when the purchase is made.
Got to say that I enjoy research more than spending on stuff like this so it could be a while before I buy
I’m pondering a gravel bike having really enjoyed some longer trips this summer aboard my wife’s £100 quid special MTB.
Most routes are 90% tarmac but I really don’t like the idea of a full on road bike - something I could just ride into kerbs and over gravel with the kids would be much better. I don’t have the space for multiple bikes.
Just researching now and looking at the tube/tubeless debate.
I’m light at 75kg and, as said, mostly on tarmac. I’d also be using the bike fairly irregularly e.g. once or twice over a month rather than daily.
I’d prefer the less faff option which would just be normal air tubes right?
Any advice appreciated and will update when the purchase is made.
Got to say that I enjoy research more than spending on stuff like this so it could be a while before I buy
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff