MOST SUPPLE BIKE OF 2018 AWARD!!!
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- Опубликовано: 18 дек 2018
- THE SUPPLE SCORE: bit.ly/2UYAhKa
After riding and reviewing 25 gravel bikes in 2018, what was my absolute favorite and most supple bike? #thesupplelife
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Just wanted to let you know, this channel is the reason why I come to RUclips on a daily basis.
Ha. Thanks for watching.
Ditto, regarding what Duarte stated. After I check stock market news, I come here..
Wow! This is great, Russ! Thanks so much. We are truly honored. ....(your check is in the mail ;)
Ha!
Great channel ! A lot of inspiration for my work (just decide to start my frame building workshop) and all your trip make me dream and travel in front of my computer. Wish you all the best for 2019.
I love the look of the midnight special front fork, smooth and clean, no unnecessary welds
Excellent job! You have the... Only...channel covering this range of bikes! Thanks so much!!! Keep it going!!!
Love the whole video, Russ. Thanks for sorting through all those bikes! Validates the relevance of custom frame makers like Breadwinner who know how to tune a ride.
Thanks for all your videos this year. I'm a recent convert to the #supplelife but loving it fo far!
Awesome channel! I'm so glad u came up on my feed. I have a Schwinn cross cut that I was planning on building up as a commuter, now I may go the path less pedaled.
One heck of a video!
And a very merry Christmas to you Russ and Laura.....
And safe commutes for the both of you......
Just became a patron. Keep up the great work!
Great job. Love your channel. You are the DC rainmaker of adventure/gravel biking.
Excellent inaugural supple bike review^^2. I feel honored that the bike I'm currently riding was a honorable mention! Keep up the good work.
It was a fun bike. Hope you are enjoying it! Actually almost ordered a similar setup after riding yours. The want for a slightly bigger tire on occasion was the only deciding factor.
Thanks for all your reviews this year! I'm glad to see a steel frame bike get the win.
Keep up all the great content! :)
Not the "first annual" but "the inaugural." ;) (I completely annoyed my coworkers with my "Further" coffee mug explanation.) Love the videos, man!
Thanks for doing all the leg work homie!
Very cool rundown thank you. Given the 2019 Rove ST now comes with 650b I wonder if it won't combine some of what you like about the NRB DL and the Breadwinner at a better price point than either.
Tony & Ira build amazing bikes!
I wonder how you would feel about the Kona Rove Steel... Same geo but with steel fork and frame. Ability to run racks up front. was the only thing missing on the kona you tested
That was entertaining. Thanks for all the great work this year and all the best for 2019. Have you ridden the Soma Wolverine? That could be a contender?
Haven't ridden the Wolverine. Hope to in 2019.
I predicted your winner, mainly from your video review and spreadsheet. I agree 100%. I want one, it's on the top of a long list for me.
Great video bro
Love the reviews Russ! What was the size of the CG? I'm about your size so just wanted to know how it fit. Many Thanks!
Appreciation for your video work and testing. I find it refreshing that you test bikes for the average rider who rides as you do and gives an honest seat of the pants review.
If it was your money, which would you buy?
Depends how much money :). Would either go for the Breadwinner or Ride Endpoint.
I love the channel and enjoyed the awards video! Like some others, while I appreciate the money is no option ideal, I would be interested in a price component to the analysis, or perhaps that’s a different award! 🙂
For next year can you review some of the following...
1. Trek checkpoint alr 5 (this one is awesome)
2. Trek 920
3. Lapierre crosshill 300
4. Bergamont Grandurance 6.0
5. Cannondale slate
Great job! Would love to see you review the Kona sutra Ltd
Love your vids. What do you think about the Surly Bridge Club?
What camera do you use for recording? I love the quality!
Well we can all dream. Fun and informative videos that give a good tool for assessing a supple bike. That being said those of us still searching Craig's list bikes or kicking tires at the local bike shop's stack of trade-in bikes and trying to put together a bike that 'gets the job done' can only 'drool' over most of these bikes. Thanks to Surly and the Journeyman we can almost imagine a new supple bike sometime. Thanks for the videos and a great channel.
Yeah. I think/hope we’ll see a few more Surly bikes in this vein too. Would definitely make things more affordable for more people.
Awesome channel. Just subscribed. I would like to hear your thoughts on the Cannondale Topstone.
Love the what you do.....Would love to know what the poster is you have on the wall behind you lot of writing and a bike rider.
Have you tried the REI CO-OP 4.2?
I really respect you chose the best bike and didn’t count price against the BW. As with many things, quality costs a bit more. Glad to see its worth it.
That Breadwinner is a great looking bike as well.
Yes, once you've tried some of the high-end custom bikes out there you will have a hard time going back. I tried a Rohloff-equipped Co-Motion bike a couple of years ago and after about forty-five minutes my reaction was like, "Whoa! I've got to get one of these!"
Happily snagged a stainless Salsa Vaya Travel frame around 2015, had a Rohloff rear built, and haven't rode another bike since. Already taken it to the far side of the world, and in a few hours I'm starting another 500 mile ride, just finished packing lmao
The price of the breadwinner is insane .. Not to mention to build anyhow great video and keep up the good work
Enjoyed the video.
The Kona Sutra Ltd. would be a good candidate for Supple.
Hope to see more of Laura in the coming year.
You should check out the Breezer Radar. I just bought one and other reviews I've seen have labeled it one of the most comfortable bikes they've ridden. Fits 29x2.1 in front and rear, so pretty darn supple.
@@sindlero any tips for set up? Bags, racks, etc?
Now that performance bike is closing all its stores it may be hard to find one. Breezer and Performance share the same parent company.
Review Soma Wolverine for 2019, please.
Good video you always have a refreshing style. They don’t say “only steel is real” for nothing. I have three bikes (“n” has been maxed: the “sports car”, i.e. 1986 Miyata Pro road bike updated to 10 speed cassette and brifters, the “family sedan”, i.e. old, rigid MTB (1992 REI Novara Ponderosa) converted to drop bar all-road and the “SUV”, i.e. 2016 Kona Rove ( the most supple, but heavy). I had aluminum but it broke. I can really recommend converting vintage(?) rigid MTB’s to a gravel bike:the geometries are very “modern”, they are tough as nails and supple....and it doesn’t cost a fortune ( beware of some shifting incompatibilities with brifters and off-road components, depending on the age since standards have changed). If I had to get rid of all but one bike I would be riding the Kona: With road tires (700-25) I rode two 300km road marathons in Sweden and Germany; put on 700-47 tires and bikepacking bags it has been great for 3-4 day tours through the Black Forest and Bavaria or just exploring the hills around my town. It can fit front and rear racks for more extensive touring....if it just weren’t so heavy. It is super value for money....and Kona doesn’t sponsor me. Something you don’t touch upon in your videos is the ability to fit fenders (mudguards for the Brits). This is not always easy but I think it is essential for winter riding. Coming from Portland you know what I mean. It might be something to address for those that don’t only ride in sunshine? Happy Holidays for you and Laura and continued success in 2019!
With you on converting old mtbs. I've had drops on my old, steel Cindercone and it was fab: good enough to spin on road but with fat-ish tyres great fun exploring tracks. My old Lava Dome now has a period XT groupset and at 11k is a blast. I'm gonna keep 'em both!
Good choice!
Awesome comparisons review. Maybe for next year, consider categories based on price range or value or fast riding vs all purpose?
New subscriber here. Love this segment of cycling! Could you please add the Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 to the list of bikes to be reviewed??? Would REALLY appreciate it. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Yes. In talks to hopefully get the Checkpoint into review.
One of my coworkers in the bike shop I work in just bought a Surly Disc Trucker and loves it for bikepacking. Have you tried it?
Haven't tried the Disc Trucker, but toured on the rim brake trucker for 3 years. It's a great touring bike.
Wow, I didn't see that comin. Bookmakers prolly took bath on that one.
It’s not a cheap bike and isn’t it a custom bike? If so, a custom frame really is the one that if designed to meet your needs ,will ride the best. I’m not sure if you remember, I bought a Twin 6 Standard Ti Rando and built it up with a Niner Gravel fork. Having done that and discovering that I liked the longer reach,top tube of the size 53c frame, it was also a little tall for me and on road it’s fine but down loose gravel roads I would prefer more stand over.
So the bottom line is I will be ordering a custom frame. I did this with my single speed and that bike is perfect!
Thanks for your great reviews and I never doubted your integrity and appreciate your reviews. The bike mags and other channels seem to be journalists that have just been assigned to review bikes, you actually ride and know about bikes, keep it up!
Can you try giant revolt please. Enjoy the content and seasons greetings from England.
Holy wow. Awesome interesting choices. Personally, I would love to see some Soma and Cannondale vids. Great channel and great work, man!
Would love to do some C’dale bikes but they have been hard to get a hold of.
Yeah I can totally understand that with them, for some reason or other. I really don’t see many ride reviews of their bikes. I wonder why that is. It seems like Trek and Salsa practically give all their bikes away to test out lol.
@@PathLessPedaledTV I posted a request to find test bikes for PLP on Cannondale Road Bikes Facebook group, which has several Cannondale employees including senior exec Damon Rinard checking in often. Might be useful for you to join the group and ask as well.
@@DarthJabba504 Thanks for that! Will check out the group.
@@PathLessPedaledTV sure thing. Soma also has an FB group, and I assume other brands as well.
Thanks for your reviews.
Kona have a bunch of other bikes that might fit your "supplest" criteria better (if they'll let you get your hands on them of course). I got a 2016 Kona Sutra Ltd in 2017 (it was much reduced in price), thinking that it would replace my old 1986 Muddy Fox MTB (that I'd had from new) for off road riding. It has, but it has also replaced my road bike (alloy frame, carbon fork, a couple of kg lighter). On the road (& UK tarmac/pavement seems to be getting pretty rough these days) with 38mm Vittoria Voyager Hypers it doesn't seem to be any slower. Off road the Hypers are surprisingly capable but alternatives (WTB nanos in 700x40, run tubeless) do improve things. Newer models of the Sutra have bigger clearances & more braze-ons than (almost) anyone could ever want.
The Breadwinner looks like a fine machine.
I’m surprised not to see the otso waheela. I remember you saying it was close to the g road. Just curious what kept it off the list?
The ride is great, but lack of utility in the fork and heel strike.
My midnight special fork is beautiful :)
I'll start with I always like your reviews and opinions. That being said, I would go with the 2018 Salsa Fargo 27.5+ Rival for the most supple bike of the year. Why? Because it is SUPPLE, Affordable, Comfortable, Capable, you get it. I like the bike. The Fargo + does so many things well. This bike is the real deal. If you get a chance I would give one a spin. Thanks, now I want a Breadwinner too.
Actually haven’t had the chance to ride a Fargo yet. Maybe next year!
Would be very interested in seeing if you could do a video on building up a bike that could contend with the Breadwinner and still be affordable for most people.
That sounds like a good Spring project!
Did you ever try the Kona Sutra LTD? I haven’t done a thorough riding comparison between this one and the Rove but the Sutra LTD has the extra mounts and greater clearance. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on it.
Keep up the good work! :)
Thanks. Haven’t. Kona review bikes are hard to come by. But if I get a chance I will make a vid.
Can you review some 8 piece fly rods and talk about building a bike tackle box ?
I find my old 2008 Dawes Horizon touring bike, quite supple :-)
Get on with it!
Me and my Salsa Journeyman are going to go sulk and sip on on some bourbon and plan our next gravel adventure. Lol jk. Thanks Russ!!!
Ha. The Journeyman is a fine bike. I like sort of quirky bikes and wanted to highlight that this year :)
Path Less Pedaled i enjoyed your 1st Annual Best Bike Award! And thanks for all you do!!!
Can you make some Supple Life hats?
Whoa! I totally thought the Waheela would take the prize, but I never watched the Breadwinner review.
Wahelela was really close, but I wish the fork had more utility.
Aventon Keyote!
Have you heard of or looked into the brand Rondo at all? They have two bikes, the Ruut and the HVRT, that you might find interesting.
Cyclopathic Tendencies they are from Poland, it is bit far away from the USA....
EW742 Haha. At first I read Portland! Ive heard good things of the Ruut.
@@EW742 Rondo have dealers in the US (Mike's Bikes) and Canada (Lama Cycles), so it would be possible to get one.
I'm actually talking with Mike's Bikes currently to buy a Rondo HVRT during tax refund season in March.
Great stuff Russ! I'm bummed the Gorilla M didn't make it. MS on my short list. BW out of budget :(
Yeah. Out of our budget too. Trying to find something similar for less. Hard though.
I was so excited to see what the Supple BOTY would be, but Dang! 3k for fork and frame is out of my budget. Nice looking bike, though. FYI, I love this channel!
2019s winner is more affordable.
@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks for getting back to me. I am really liking your channel, and I have to say, I think I've found my people. After making that comment earlier, I found the review you did on the Velo-Orange Polyvalent, and I am digging the Quil Stem bike, (reminds me of my mid 80's Schwinn World Sport). With that said, any possible way you could list the major components of the Polyvalent from your Long Term Review video? I'm thinking I'd like to have one.
Could you review the Kona Sutra LTD? Most other sources consider it a top contender in this genre, surprised that it's missing from your reviews.
Otherwise, great channel!
Kona has very limited stock of their bikes and many demo bikes are already spoken for. We try our best, but we don't get a chance to test out every bike we want.
I find my Sutra LTD to be amazing in both comfort and handling, also quite fast for such a supple bike.
Supplest shirt of 2018... Russ Roca!
Most of these bikes have mechanical disc. I’m curious why this is so instead of hydraulics- which i think feel so much better. I’d like to know your thoughts. Otherwise, i may just get a midnight special and sell my surly troll which is too beefy for me
Mechanicals have been stopping bikes for ages. I prefer mechanicals because I travel a lot to areas without bike shops and cables are way easier to deal with yourself.
Remember this video ladies and gents next years review there will be bling all over the place.
Great even if I am late to the party.
Looks like a nice bike, but it so expensive maybe three times the price of the Surly. Maybe it should of been the best gravel bike regardless of price.
Sounds like you need to get your hands on a Hunter/Gatherer!
It’s a trade off. Love the functionality of the H/G, but want a shorter rear end!
Could you list the bikes in the description? You spoke a bit fast so didn’t catch the name of the Kona bike
Check out the spreadsheet in the description. Kona Rove NRB DL.
Russ, here are some less expensive bikes you can test:
#fuji #jari
#diamondback #haanjo and #haanjenn -- preferably alloy frames
#breezer #radar
#marin #fourcorners
Fuji and Marin are sending bikes in the Spring. Diamondback doesn’t respond.
Would love to see a rodeo labs review. Not sure of the status if you’ve reached out to them or how willing they are to offer up a review bike. Just sort of intrigued with their bikes. Also what about a review of a few custom makers that are semi reasonably priced. I know I said “custom” but it seems with some of these mass production bikes’ prices that a little more $$ can get into a custom bike. Just a thought. Love the channel and the sincerity and honesty all around.
Yes. Been in contact with Rodeo labs. Hopefully something in the Spring. I think their Spork is super cool!
Agree that their Trail Donkey looks like a useful bike and the Spork seems to have enough places to hang stuff!
How would the Surly MS have faired had it been sporting a fork that you found more visually appealing??
Prob would have been further up the list. I think the MS with the hunter gather fork would be the jam.
Did you consider reviewing Cannondale Slate?
I have. Haven’t found a good contact there for a demo.
An unrelated question: I know you’re a big fan of WTB Horizons and Byway, but have you ever tried them in snow conditions? Like on a firm snow track? I know that many people would like to ride in snow without switching to a fatbike
Great overview of awesome bikes. I have the MS and Kona on my shortlist for when I get the chance to buy a new bike and your reviews have helped me get there.
Just one comment (totally off topic), what you (and lots of internet memes) call a Venn diagram is not a Venn diagram! A Venn diagram shows the things two (or more) sets have in common, not what results from mixing the two sets. So if you had two circles with a Tour de France racing machine and say the Warbird V4 the overlap would be carbon frame, drop bar, disc brakes... and not a hypothetical new bike combining their characteristics.
what about the Norco Search XR steel ?
Testing one now.
Yo a Kona Sutra ltd review would be wicked
Sure would be. Ping Kona and let them know.
Russ, in your opinion would it make any sense to run a larger tire in the front (ex. 2.4 in the back, 3 up front) if you have the clearance for it? I have a surly karate monkey mds which doesn’t have clearance past a 2.55 in the rear but would take something larger in the front and was just brainstorming options to get things a little more supple.
Some people have done that and like it. I know Jeff Jones likes to have a fat front on his bike. I think it’s an interesting idea that I haven’t tried myself yet. Don’t see why that wouldn’t work though.
Path Less Pedaled interesting! I think it’s harmless to try, thanks for the quick response.
Genesis Fugio 30
Very nice series on the Supple Bkes of the Year including the spread sheet. But still trying to figure out your obsession with dissing the Midnight Specail fork as so ugly. I could see if you were talking about the Lauf fork or the Cannondale Slate with the Lefty fork. Even the Gorilla Monsoon has to me an uglier fork than the Midnight Special. Just curious as to what you find so horrendous about it.
It looks like crude pipes welded together. Less ugly than the Slate fork for sure :). I like bi-plane on the Gorilla fork.
I love (in a utilitarian way) surly but wow that fork is not attractive. There are very few forks I find distasteful but the Midnight Special fork is one of them.
For the record I also really don't like Lauf or Lefty forks...
I'd also prefer segmented steel or just give me carbon and save me a pound or more.
I like the bi-plane on the Gorilla Monsoon, as well as the segmented forks on the Endpoint and Breadwinner.
Fair enough. Its all very subjective with aesthetics. BTW I also find the fork on the Waheela much uglier. Sticks out like a sore thumb with that color scheme.
The Kona fork isn’t awful, but the top three had REALLY nasty Frankenforks.
I’m not clear on why 650B is superior (in your opinion, of course) to 29 for a gravel bike. Perhaps for more technical terrain, yes, but for the (relatively) smooth roads that gravel bikes are made for, it seems like 29 would be preferable. Do you have a video addressing this?
Good stuff, BTW.
I have many videos addressing this and it primarily comes down to size. I ride small frames and 29er bikes or road bikes smaller than 54 cause toe overlap and compromises front end handling to jam a big tire in a small frame. 650b gives u more volume with a smaller outside diameter, no toe overlap, more saddle rail to tire clearance for seatbags, etc.
Makes sense. Thanks.
Have you seen the Thesis bike?
Yes. Might have a chance to review one next year.
I wonder why the Gorilla Monsoon didn't make the list? I have the bike and test rode just about everything you did (not the breadwinner cus I'm not independently wealthy) and for me anyway the Gorilla Monsoon was the hands down winner. Running Terevail ramparts and the bike comes alive!
The stock build was heavy and slow IMO. A lot of promise in terms of functionality, but the bike just felt sluggish.
Path Less Pedaled I agree. I test rode one and it felt really sluggish. I feel like it would be better with 2.0 tires as opposed to the 2.4’s.
@@iWillbike Slightly less rubber helped for sure, but I think that front end geo is just like that.
I was thinking this would be the winner! Are you pinching your pennies to get one now?!
Might be a ways off still, but definitely a bike to strive towards!
I dont see my bike? 🥺
I thought you would lean towards the Midnight Special 😔 I happen to love Breadwinner bikes, but that one is just ugly (not enough reason to argue anything lol)
MS was real close. Didn’t like the fork tho. Even a lugged fork like on the Straggler would have been awesome.
Aggregates carpal tunnel should be a sticker
There is one cheap bike for your review.. marin nicasio. Wish its in ur list.
On the list for Spring.
Before y'all all rip on me.. I'm from the bmx scene and moved into the mountain biking scene so for the most part that is the stuff I know though I enjoy all bikes hence why I watched this video. Now that being said can someone explain what "the supple life" is and the meaning behind it?
In a nutshell, it's about riding bikes, not being a dick and not being so concerned about watts and weight but also considering things like utility and comfort.
@@PathLessPedaledTV I can definetly dig that!
Where would you put the All City Space Horse in the list? I'm stuck between SH, Gorilla Monsoon, and Cosmic Station.
Depends. What kind of ride do you want?
@@PathLessPedaledTV I commute mostly on a rails to trails bike path, which is crushed limestone. And I want to get into gravel more, maybe try a dk100. At the same time I would like to do things like RAGBRAI which is mostly paved.
Brian Fisher it would work great for all those things!
I've been down on my luck and I really need a good road bike to ride 5 miles to work round trip is 8 miles .I don't have the funds for what I need for this challenging task ahead of me.If anyone could help me on this.I would be very grateful for your generosity
I thought you liked the VELO ORANGE?? no?..🤔
I do. But for different reasons. Life is complicated.
@@PathLessPedaledTV which bike did you decide on purchasing? ✌😄🚲
@@klunker289 that's a different video!
@@PathLessPedaledTV Yes, seeing as you gave the Polyvalent 4.75 supple stars, I thought it might get a mention in your Best Of video. Why not? I'm trying to decide between a Polyvalent and a SOMA Wolverine, so thank you for the great Polyvalent review.
In the best of video I was chasing down a platonic ideal of my supple bike. An elusive quick but functional bike. With that lens the Breadwinner, HG and Kona came in on top. The Poly is super functional, classy but doesn't quite have that quickness so it didn't make the video. That said, it is such a good all-rounder for most other things that it is the more practical purchase. I actually still have the demo and will probably end up purchasing it. Does that make sense? There are things that are the absolute top of its class, but not necessarily practical/within your means...and there are things that get pretty darn close that you end up buying/using the most? For example, I use to own a few Leicas which for some are the absolute best cameras in the world. I ended up selling them and buying Panasonic cameras and gear. While it didn't meet the platonic ideal of camera for some, in the day to day it was the most practical and useful.
I've been following you since your Epicurean Cyclist days, so obviously I trust your input in things but, I have a question about not receiving any payment from manufacturers that you review: you're listed on the Salsa Cycles site as being a sponsored rider (and I seem to remember you being given Vaya's by them); isn't being sponsored by a brand the same as accepting goods from them, and how do you justify that while saying you receive nothing?
I'm not trying to disrespect you (I follow all your channels, and you're one of the few "brands" that I have whitelisted in my adblock), just curious.
PS: Have you fished with a Butterstick yet?
The relationship isn’t too complicated. We do a trade of services: photography and video assets for bikes. That is mostly it. We also work with them on a per project basis as videographers to make videos like our Rod and Road bikefishing video as well as the Ochoco Overlander video. But that is a pretty straight forward transaction. Make X video for Y. We’re not contractually obligated to only ride Salsas or only say positive things about their bikes like a traditionally sponsored athlete. I know it muddies the water and we’ve often debated the benefits of the relationship as the channel grows. I do my absolute best to be on the level.
@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks for the reply; not sure why they call you "sponsored riders" when it's a business transaction.
FBM*
Wooo.. first like!!!! Finally after 3 years...lol.. loving some SUPPLE 650B LIFE