This Is Why You Need a Gravel Bike in 2023
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
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Is it time you got yourself a gravel bike? Unsure if they're for you? In this video I share seven reasons why I think you need one in your life
Content
00:00
00:49 Versatility
2:24 Tyre clearance
4:01 Better handling
5:17 Squarespace
6:11 Easier gears
7:23 Personalisation
9:16 It’s fun!
10:17 Events and community
10:56 What’s stopping you?
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I have one bike and it’s a gravel bike. Canyon Grizl AL 7. It fits my personal needs perfectly: commuting a few flattish miles to work, mild bike packing, and just generally exploring relatively tame single track type stuff. It’s been a great purchase and has added a lot of joy to my life, which is what’s most important. Maybe someday I’ll get something a bit more progressive as I advance but that’s a future problem
My Grizl AL7 is in the mail! very excited to start riding it
It’s probably the one gravelbike i would buy; cheap, alu etc. Good to see you like it.
My riding buddy has the same bike. He loves it
I just got a giant revolt and can’t wait to try some new routes and have a more versatile bike
Being an older road racer, the last point you made about the events is what really sold me on gravel bikes. The people who partake in organized gravel events / races are definitely of a different mindset. I guess we who attend these events realize that you’re only as good as your skill level and anything can happen when riding all-terrain. At age 61, I have found it to be the great equalizer. Sometimes, I am able to finish in the top ten or better. Other days, I don’t do so well and best of all, I don’t care. 😊
I sold all of my road bikes and only gave a gravel bike and a 29er full sus trail bike now. Can pretty much ride anything with just two bikes, especially now that most of my riding mates are going gravel to get off the roads.
To people saying just ride a XC MTB, they aren’t the same thing. Not even a little. It’s all about the geometry. I absolutely hate riding long tarmac sections with a MTB, but it is tolerable on a gravel bike. That is the main difference for me. Same thing, except the opposite when hitting steep technical singletrack fast: nothing beats a full sus.
Me too
I've recently sold all my road race bikes and replaced them with gravel bikes that I've setup as all-road bikes with 32-35c slicks. Then if I'm going on a proper gravel ride I swap wheels with my 45c. I still do mostly road riding but the thicker tire volume gives me more comfort and allows me to take it where I need should I find myself on rough roads or wanting to take a detour. And as I'm getting older speed is no longer a priority but comfort and versatility is. They really are the Swiss Army knife of bikes. I've replaced two bikes with one plus an extra wheelset. I've gone down from 6 bikes to 3. I mean, I love bikes but I just didn't need all of them nor have the room. Now I have them all in fewer bikes and gained space in the garage.
Totally agree with this
@Wooly Chewbakker Yeah, I thought about keeping my bikes but I found I was able to just replace them as I am getting older, am less flexible, am not as fast, nor do I race anymore that I found I was able to replace them. Plus, they paid for the new bikes!
@@Morten_Nielsen1979 I'm not sure by the numbers but the road wheelset is definitely more efficient than the gravel just based on rolling resistance alone. The gravel tires can feel sluggish especially at lower pressures when you're on the road, where the road set I can keep pumped up and roll. I do recall I was at least 2-4 mph faster in general. The bikes themselves compared to my road bikes are a bit slower too as the geometry is a little longer and upright, but if you adjust your position you can maintain speed just as well. I do find it's a little more work to get it up to speed but once you're going you can keep up on the road. Slightly more work if you want to stay with the roadies but it can be done, but all that doesn't really matter to me anymore or I would've just stayed with the race bikes. I love an all-road setup, it's just a do it all kind of bike.
what is your opinion about choosing an endurance road bike with 35mm tires as an every-day-bike?
@@t0bistr An endurance bike would be perfect as an everyday bike. I just went with a gravel bike because occasionally I would ride off road. The endurance bike is definitely capable of it but a gravel bike would give me more tire clearance for wider tires. Now, if I wasn't going off road at all then an endurance bike would probably be the route I would've taken. I've ridden 35mm and 32mm and I found the 32 was a little faster and lighter, but it could also be the 35mm tires I have are a slower compound tire. I just found the 32 to be more responsive.
I was late to the party as I thought it was a fad for all the trendies, but I finally bought one last year and love it! No bouncing all over the rubbish roads, less twitchy and just invites exploring whenever the opportunity arises. I have no interest in riding my expensive road bikes anymore.
just spent 6 months living and travelling through SE Asia and had only my Topstone with 38mm gravelkings with me. Suited me perfectly for everything from single-track off-road riding, to very fast road group rides....kept up no problem :)
Great video David. I've just got my first gravel bike, a Trek Checkpoint and I am loving it. Having a road bike and an EMtb and a mountain bike I find it so versatile as you have outlined in your video. Always good to hear your thoughts and experiences and I'm sure my wife, after watching the video, will now understand why I needed to get a gravel bike.
I did convinced... Long ago... Back When CX and XC bikes seemed not enough to handle all what I have in mind... I just have to add is a beautiful bike you have there.
I love waffles, but I need to get slim. In the hills in the forest, there is a touristhut, Kikutstua,
where they make very good waffles. To get there I go biking 18 km on tarmac and 10 km on gravel/dirt road (and same distance back home too). I am lucky. I have the bike that rides smooth and fast, its a gravelbike with 30mm damping and 44 mm tyres. I have been at Kikutstua four times this spring and enjoyed a waffle and coffee, and those miles on the bike made me slimmer. I go there this weekend too. Today or tomorrow. The gravelbike is not a special bike. Its general. We can just call it a bike. Its all the othe bikes that are speciality bikes.
David, thank you, for your
insight. Totally agree, that the versatility of a Gravel, gives you a lot of options, with minimum change overs.
I agree with your recent statements. I just need a “road bike that you can put both 28mm slicks and 40-45mm tires”. If that’s a “gravel bike”, I’m in!
I just did my first ride on my gravel commuter. Those 650x48 tires are a God send
I want to get back to riding a roadbike but I also enjoy going offroad. Gravel fits both and I can avoid cars way more often.
David is right. You need a gravel bike but be careful. I went all in with a SRAM Red group and $3k ENVE 3.4 wheels on a Moots Ti YBB. Great bike, built for road, but it's over-grouped and over wheeled. If I hadn't gotten so excited about my idea, I would have spent the money on my race bike instead, and went with more modest components on the gravel. Cheers!
Agreed.
There will be a gravel bike in my life forever.
❤
Ive sold my Canyon Endurace eTap Red road bike and purchased a Ridley Kanzo Fast - which is fantastic... Plus I've purchased a second set of wheels from Hunt, fitted with 32mmn slick gravel tyres. Now I have a bike for everything.... Works a treat for me👍🏻
I have a Giant Revolt with hybrid tyres that I use for commuting in the good weather. I find it’s good for handling the potholes and challenging roads in London. On a good day, as fast as my Cannondale road bike which I have ridden to work as well. I have even used it on some weekend rides and I have enjoyed it.
I’m on my 3rd gravel bike now and I total agree with everything you’ve said. On the road my gravel bike with my road wheel set feels exactly like my normal race bike and magically my gravel bike feels great even technical gravel roads with the gravel wheel set. Tires are everything and the most difficult to match up. There are bigger compromises in the tire selection then the bike selection.
What I would like you to explore next is the difference in these new slacker geometry (ie 68/69 degree head angle) gravel bikes. I’m curious what’s happening there.
Sounds good Steve. Actually testing a bike with quite slack geometry for an upcoming review, it's been really interesting riding that compared to the Crux
Love gravel bikes. I’ve ridden all sorts of bikes over the years and as an all rounder if you enjoy both on road and off, a gravel bike cinches it. It’s all about fun at the end of the day and if a gravel bike is what provides that then that’s a good thing.
My one bike is a gravel bike. From tours to CX to gravel, it really does it all. Very happy with my choice. I have an MTB as well and no…it cannot do it all.
Yeah, sure. MTB can't do it all, but overpriced, overhyped, overrated scam of a bike with the worst of road bike and worst of MTB can do it all.
You can't even place decent mudguards on that horseshit.
I agree 100% David. I have TI Gravel bike for the past 4 years and I can do so many different riding styles. I live in southern part of Ontario, Canada and we have such great gravel roads
Brill having a bike which can do road, CX and forest trail. Mainly good for the dry summer stuff; less fun in the mud.
The sides of tarmac roads have deteriorated to the extent a gravel bike is ideal. Great for flat trails too. As soon as you're on true off road, lack of suspension rattles the rider and kit and an mtb with suspension is needed. Gravel bike is jack of all trades, master of none.
I definitely need a gravel bike in 2023...good thing I got one in 2020 :) never-ending enjoyment...best thing I've ever purchased!
The Specialized Crux is such a beast (geo and frame but expensive). Would love to get one for faster gravel and road rides. It‘s a perfect one-does-it-all bike.
So many videos about why we need gravel bikes. I have a gravel bike and love it but with all the marketing I am beginning to question if I really do…
10:23 I live in the German countryside and wouldn't buy any other bike 👍
PS: Love the part with the dog running in front of you!
I’ve gone 7/8th’s of the way of a gravel bike by going for a Fairlight Cycles Strael 3.0. Keeps up on the fast rides, great for endurance and can handle light gravel with a spare set of wheels with wider tyres on
I’ve been very tempted by the Strael, very well reviewed and seems versatile and durable. How much gravel can it handle? I know Fairlight try to discourage us from taking it on any kind of gravel.
@@joegiro4433 the Secan is for more heavy duty riding such as mud bridleways but very light gravel is great!
Converted my 26" wheeled 2000 Voodoo Bizango with steel Reynolds 853 tubing to drop bar and 650b wheels. It is great
I have a gravel bike. It's a 2019 stumpjumper. Goes great on the gravel, roads and trails. 🤘
I must agree with David I got rid of my Emonda and just ride my Grail everywhere the Trek was just gathering dust in my garage, I’ve since added to my gravel collection with a Topstone Lefty for the gnarly rides
Pathfinder Pros 38c, they have knobbly sides and a slick strip down the centre, I run them on my Sirrus X 4.0, great tyres 👍
Since I got my Ritchey Swiss Cross with Panaracer SS 700x38c I keep reaching for this over my road bike. I can easily do a 30avg on my own and comfortably ride around and explore pathways or gravel, cut across the grass and off and up gutters and it's just alot of fun to ride not to mention so comfortable.
could you compare briefly the ride of the Crux vs Secan please?
if you're a roadie and don't mind getting your bones being rattled gravel makes sense . otherwise lightweight hardtail or full sus xc all the way for comfort and performance ;) there is a limit to what terrain gravel can tackle. and I don't think dropbars are right for a challenging terrain . as all rounder yes but xc for me to get away from traffic and potholes to transition to offroad adventure.
I want a comfy bike that will run disc brakes and take at least 35-40mm tyres. Gravel bikes seem to tick all the boxes and let me do almost any kind of riding I fancy - road riding, committing, touring, bikepacking of just picking up the shopping.
Sure, there's a lot of marketing hype, but the bikes are certainly far more capable than a trad road bike.
Couldn't agree more with this video 👍
1X and flat bar fan (with bar ends) lover here. You are right about the versatility. Got a 2X road bike and a 3X MTB so I want a best of both worlds bike. In that sense my dream bike is the Canyon Roadlite 6 or 7 or the Canyon Pathlite 6 or 7. Huge gear range (1x12) with a 1X 46T chainring and a 10-51T (Roadlite) cassette and a 36T chainring and 10-51T (1x12) cassette for the Pathlite 6 or 7. I want to buy one of them in early January. I'll probably go with the Pathlite given the hilly and very rainy place where I live, though the Roadlite is like my love bike, but the Pathlite is going to be more versatile here. Not exactly a gravel bike but no far from it, and it has a basic air suspension, which is great
Gravel bikes are the right bikes for most amateurs. Gearing, geometry, handling… they’re all more suited to the average rider than racing bikes made for freaks of nature
Don’t need n+1. Currently have gravel bike, and it serves me well. 💪🏻
I must be ahead of time.... got mine 4 years ago... never looked back. Got one bike that replaced all except m
My mtn or electronic.
You convinced me to buy the Crux! (The colourful version of yours). Absolutely loving mine! I actually filmed a video wrapping it with invisa frame which I’ll be releasing shortly. Hopefully see you out on our English “gravel” trails 😄
Sounds good Harry, make sure to share your video when it's live would like to see that
Hi Dave.. a few weeks ago i asked you if you've tried out the Trek Checkpoint Driftless..
I actually purchased one from Trek in Poole last week, it has an aluminium frame with GRX 810.. i swapped the saddle over to my preferred Selle Italia Novus and after a couple of rides I've swapped the stock Bontrager tyres for a wider 45 Pirelli Gravel M to suite the South Downs...
What a bike! it's quick and stable on the chalk hills and handles mud and grass with ease...
Everyone buy a Gravel bike they are brilliant... !
I've never owned an off road bike before but glad i do now..
Still riding road tho....😊
Great video Mr David. Just got a specialized diverge and loving it.
I have full suspension MTB: Scott Genius with custom 29” carbon wheelset, also bike support suspension locking, so I really don’t understand why should I buy gravel…
When I lock suspension on my mtb it became gravel, but with better wheels diameter and wider tires.
When I unlock it I can cycling in forest, field even can drop easily and jump from some not big hills.
I’ve been riding a gravel bike now for four years and think it’s a fantastic bike. That said for me at least it only really comes into play on mixed surface rides as if I’m riding road I’ll take the road bike and if off road I’ll take the full suspension xc bike.
I really enjoy my Scott Speedster Gravel 10. I go out and do the bridleway & country lane combo when on my own and use my road bike (Venge Pro) for group riding and crit racing. The 1x Rival groupset is really enjoyable and I can still use it for a relaxed group road ride if I want to.
I have a gravel bike and I love it!
Riding on California roads and gravel is different to riding in UK and mainly Scotland. Off-roads are proper chunky and steep also when it's wet then it's slippery, beside there are very few choices for wet conditioned gravel tyres. Crucially, larger volume gravel tyres aren't suitable for smaller frame bikes which makes a bike weird to handle for shorter individuals. An HT MTB is more suitable choice in such conditions except America from where you are being told to sold LOL. I recon it depends on terrain and part of the country, in wet and stepper conditions an rider with not pro level bike handling skills on a gravel bike will be quite daunting experience and dangerous too as a result there will be more walking than riding a bike, so please be specific to location for gravel bike in 2023.
I did the Badger Divide on a gravel bike and that was awesome fun
@@davidarthur I am assuming it's summer time while most trails were dry?
Nope it was pretty wet and muddy when we rode it. Not sure why there's a problem with accepting some people might be happy on a gravel or mountain bike, it's all good, they're just bikes, ride whatever you want
ATBs are the newest shit 🙌
I got the same versatility with an mtb to gravel conversion. All I did is remove the suspension fork and slapped on some road bars. No need for a new bike and spending thousands of dollars. MFG's are just scamming people these are really just hard tail mtb from 20 years ago.
Depends on where you live.
Perfect roads around my area and never a puncture.
In my case my gravel is slow and heavy.
No. I don’t need. That’s why I have 2 MTBs & an aero road bike. This is what I need 🤘🏻
I done need a gravel bike, i don't get the concept. If I was that inclined to ride off road, then i would buy a mountain bike. But I'm not.
All solid points, particularly the off-road community and it's inclusivity.
MTB community is laughing at all and every single gravel bike brainwashed zombie, especially considering the fact that the ultimate with cult status gravel bikes
such as Kona Sutra and Salsa Fargo have the anatomy of classic, old school MTB and not the anatomy of a road bike.
"...you're never on the wrong bike." That says it all. I road race on a gravel bike, I gravel race on a gravel bike. I took a gravel bike to Utah for blue mtb trails. I have no reason to get a road bike. Second set of wheels makes the world complete. Great video.
I have to give you credit as your videos are much better and sound less like an ad for the manufacturers. I appreciate your more honest approach. But the aero thing,,,,let;s be honest it does not impact speed as much as you make it seem. I little bit wider tire is not going to impact anything, especially for normal human beings. Unless you are riding for a pro team you don’t have the power to go that fast when you are on gravel. Be honest and say you think it looks better. That is all it is. Nothing wrong if you like the look but be honest with your self and the viewers.
N+1, +1, +1, +1......................................................................+1. Coming soon,, "All Road" with 38mm tire clearance is the new "Gravel"
"Where's the Gravel?" One replied "Gravel can be anything from loose, light gravel to larger, rocky gravel to sand or dirt" Ok so it's basically an off road bike, like my MTB aka Mountain Bike as seen in my latest video.
Gravel bike is the equivalent of Enduro bike in mountain biking and gravel bike for the road biking
Flatbar mountainbike is better for bikepacking.
Better space between the handlebar and frontwheel, can carry a much larger handlebar pack than a bike with a drop bar.
The same goes for the seatpack.
Fork packs can be installed on a mountainbike suspension too, no problem.
The carry capacity will be larger than on a gravelbike.
I've tried bikepacking on my roadbike, the space available on that bike is just way to small.
The same will happen if I buy a gravelbike in the same small size also.
If I ever gonna buy another bike it will be a touring bike.
I don't care about weight and aero.
Ahhh, you have seen through the marketing !!! totally agree, a mountain bike or a hybrid with proper carrier mounts way better, and yes, the traditional touring bike design will still be around in 50 years when everybody has forgotten there was any such thing as a "gravel bike"
In my opinion, a hard tail MTB is actually the best all rounder bike.
I’m starting to warm up to the idea of gravel bike, I’m getting to old to go fast
IMO proper tire pressure and tire width is the key to gravel bike experience.
Hi David, nice setup you have.. Are there coming more crux videos soon?
Your pronunciation is much better lately.
8:52 you said video linked down below in the description for cheaper good gravel bikes but its not there 😢
I just sold my gravel bike for a road bike.. slower on the road and i never took it in the dirt anyway. I have a 'commuter' bike with a jones loop bar that does the gravel, offroad, shopping, beating etc. So i have 2 fit for purpose bikes that is much better for the same price. If you want to go gravel day or bikepacking take that bike, if its sunnny and you want to go fast take the roadie, problem solved zero faff
Hey David, great video as usual.
What is your suspension seat post please?
I'm not a huge fan of drop bars, mainly because i prefer wider bars for more control. Is there a gravel bike that has that set up, or are these bikes really road bikes at heart? Many thanks.
Sick build. Could you share a bit of technical details about it? Mainly: frame size (i guess 56?), stem length and handlebar width?
I have both gravel and mountain bike! If you can afford a light weight full suspension mountain bike is faster and easier to control on real trails! Deciding to sell my gravel bike this winter. Put all my money together and see if I can afford a light weight full suspension MTB. Having 5 bikes these are more gimmicks.
Breezer radar expert for 1000 euros. Is one of the best value for money bike out there. It will go anywhere.
Gravel bikes allow for more margin of error. I was riding a hybrid with skinny 35mm tires and was having fun, but the moment I got on a surface with less-than-ideal surfaces, it almost slid out. Not confidence inspiring.
I’m a mtb rider. Due to health issues and multiple crashes I’m considering a gravel bike, never ridden one but I reckon the right one will keep me riding but not allow me to do anything too silly. The bike I have my sights on is probably one that will split opinions but hey ho. Anyone tried an Evil Chamois Hagar?
Not tried the Evil yet but looks fun, the YT Szepter is worth a look
I do “need” a gravel bike ! What i do t nee is to refi my house to afford one thats not bottom teir
Totally agreed. They are like the Swiss army knife that you carry in your toiletry bag when you travel.
How do you fit a bike in a toilet bag?
@@terrymcmaster2787 will check in a while… either I have to make a new bike (custom) to fit in my current toiletries bag, or I have to get a new bag and transfer the few items and also pack the bike. 🤓✌🏾
@@zukzworld I guess you could just buy a very big toilet bag
I think a full-sus XC or Downcountry bike with fast-rolling Gravel tires makes a better all-purpose bike. Works great on road, gravel, and easy to moderate single track. With a change to some aggressive tires , it can go full Mountainbike. I have my full-sus Specialized Epic set up with 700x43 Panaracer Gravelking SK tires. A Downcountry bike like the Transition Spur with Gravel tire wheelset and a Mountain tire wheelset could easily be the one bike that does it all.
Mostly agree unless you are doing group gravel/road rides or any sort of racing a few times per year. You simply cannot get a big enough chainring on a MTB to be competitive or keep up
Agree 100% with everything that was said in this video. ;P
I disagree with your basic thesis. Either a classical cyclocross bike or a hard tail mountain bike can also do.
Can do hill-climbing (Off road gravel and on road, No crossing over into MTB) on 1x gravel bike?
So is Alloy not a good material for gravel bikes?I've just got the topstone 4
I don’t see any links in desc to buy the bikes you like. Am I missing something?
Which suspension seat post did you install on your bike.
Where is there great long gravel to ride in the UK?
Any national road seems to be at about the level of gravel riding 😉
Gravel bikes are cool but there’s no way you can ride rocky thick rooted terrain with one. I ride trails that demand at least a good front suspension but preferably a full suspension unless I use my fat bike. Taking one of these gravel bikes on heavy terrain is just not going to work.
I want a gravel bike but sadly I live in a city that is zero gravel road 🥲
I've got £1500 what bike model make do I get?
more specifically a Titanium Gravel bike
Gravel biking just gives roadies an alabi to be able to keep wearing their spandex even in the dirt and off road, lmao😂😂
Horses for courses - sure ... the one bike for all - no thanks - I'll stick to my road bike and mountain bike :)
I have a pervasive annoyance with gravel bikes. It's like fixed gears back in 2000's, just dominating everything in the social landscape, except this time it seems an addendum, not an option to the pervasive pursuit of tech with built-in obsolescence.
Which sponsors are those then?
@@davidarthur none. I'm talking out of my ass.
Why can’t a Hybrid bike do it all?
"Grabike" 😅
They have had these bike for at least 30 years. They are called "Hybrid bikes".
"This Is Why You Need a Gravel Bike in 2023." Your government has pissed away your tax dollars and the roads remain in disrepair. Your once smoothly paved route to work/recreation is now a pothole-ridden filthy mess that will damage your elite road bike's carbon components. Enter the gravel bike, the preferred mode of transport for the Mad-Max-level dystopian hellscape that you call home. "Riding in California...some of the best gravel I've ever experienced..." - David Arthur. True, but those used to be regular roads.
No we do not!
The title makes it sound like you need it more than your partner!
Gravel bikes are the best thing to happen to cycling. They can do everything
The crux is a cross bike, can we just call its a cross bike, just once, pls.