jhawk Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Anyone doing gravel/multi surface rides? In the market for a gravel bike and would like to hear what others are using, likes/dislikes, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Every bike is a gravel bike if you're not a pussy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhawk Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Should've expected that one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) Unfortunately, too broad a question. The answer could be every thing from a 225# WR250 to 650# GS1200 with panniers for two-up riding. Or from a $1500 DRZ400 to a $25,000 Ducati Multistrada S Touring....or a BMW S1000XR. If I was looking to do some mixed exploring on sketchy pavement and non-technical trail riding, I'd look at the Suzuki DL650...Oh wait, I already got one! Reliable as a 24 oz framing hammer, only just a bit heavier. But there's Tigers, a variety of KTM models, Yamaha Tenere, Honda Trans-Alp....the list goes on. Bike weight and tires are the biggest determinant--beyond basic riding skills--that will limit your exploring on gravel. Talk to Danimal. He seems to love the new Chinese DS bike he bought and he's put a metric shit-ton of miles on it without much drama. Edited May 10, 2016 by Bubba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) Holy crap! I just realized this ENTIRE THREAD is about pedaling....WTF. In the words of Emily Litella, "Nevermind." Same 3 things apply to MTBs: rider skill, weight, tires Edited May 10, 2016 by Bubba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBBaron Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I primarily ride a Salsa Warbird when cycling. Ohio gravel grinders on facebook is very active with rides nearly every weekend. They are usually within an hour of columbus, so I havn't met too many of them. If you are buying new and not interested in cross racing I would suggest getting a gravel bike rather than a cross bike. Most have better clearance for the comfortable 40mm tires and a geometry designed more for long distance comfort rather than tight handling. I have been to a couple gravel races and many of the riders are on cross bikes with quite a few on hardtail MTBs. A guy on a road bike with 25mm tires took 3rd in the last race I ran. Gravel is a nice way to cycle as you seldom encounter autos and the scenery is often great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhawk Posted May 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Nice Warbird! It is on my list. Others on the list are Niner RLT 9 and Specialized Crux. I don't care to do any CX Races, but gravel races have me interested! Thanks for the input, when we doing OR ride?!?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whaler Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Check out Pink Bike for good prices on used Mountain and Crossovers. Had two friends buy a Kona and Transcend which are very well equipped bikes (Fox Air and Ohlins) equipped bikes for under a grand apiece. Both were like new and the Transcend is a $10k bike as equipped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuzenjeff Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 On 5/11/2016 at 3:23 PM, Idiot said: I understand not wanting to do CX races :-) But the bikes themselves are really well suited to a wide range of terrain. I've been lucky enough to get to follow some of the local bike racers around for the last few years, taking pictures. Here's an album of pics from last years Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships down in Louisville KY. If cyclocross is sometimes viewed as a semi-insane offshoot of "real" bike racing, then single speed CX is a totally insane offshoot of cyclocross :-) https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5J1zsr Pretty cool....wish I was younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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