Why Gravel Bikes Will Get Much BETTER In 2025!

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  • Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
  • Here are four reasons why gravel bikes are about to get MUCH better. 📘 The Bikepacking Bike Buyer's Guide: www.cyclingabout.com/bikepack...
    📕 The Touring Bicycle Buyer's Guide: www.cyclingabout.com/touring-...
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    Sources:
    Hills are not harder than cycling on the flat: • Hills Are NOT Harder T...
    Our tyre vibration test: www.cyclingabout.com/vibratio...
    Bicycle Rolling Resistance tests: www.bicyclerollingresistance....
    Dylan Johnson aero test: • We Tested Gravel Equip...
    Our HiRide vs rigid fork test: Coming soon
    Geoff Kabush fork test: • 32 TC Test Session wit...
    Gearbox drive efficiency test: www.cyclingabout.com/speed-di...
    0:00 - Intro
    1:15 - New Derailleur Drivetrains Will Make Hills Easier
    3:36 - New Tyre Sizes Will Provide More Comfort & Control
    6:21 - New Suspension Forks Will Improve Performance
    9:30 - New Gearbox Bikes Will Reduce Bike Wear and Maintainance
    11:15 - Summary
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Комментарии • 542

  • @Cyclingabout
    @Cyclingabout  2 месяца назад +22

    There are lots of important bike concepts in this video, I hope you learnt something today! 🏆 For more knowledge, check out my Bikepacking Bike Buyer's Guide: www.cyclingabout.com/bikepacking-bike-buyers-guide/

  • @buck3103
    @buck3103 2 месяца назад +789

    5 years later, gravel bike will be mtb again.

    • @ericpmoss
      @ericpmoss 2 месяца назад +43

      Can't wait for them to get back to the Bianchi Cross-Terrain bikes of 1990 -- 2x and 3x, 700x50, Max tubing. They have practically come full circle, again.

    • @-IE_it_yourself
      @-IE_it_yourself 2 месяца назад +25

      the silhouette looks like a 90's mtb right?

    • @G4ngsta4l1f3
      @G4ngsta4l1f3 2 месяца назад +23

      @@-IE_it_yourself but with dropbars 🙄

    • @drill_fiend1097
      @drill_fiend1097 2 месяца назад +21

      Dropbar XC MTB sounds good.

    • @neletg
      @neletg 2 месяца назад +24

      But much more expensive like a regular hardtail 😂

  • @OperationDarkside
    @OperationDarkside 2 месяца назад +65

    The touring mountain bike I got 20 years ago would now be categorized as a gravel bike. Interesting.

    • @user-zu4nl7bm9e
      @user-zu4nl7bm9e Месяц назад +3

      Add more adjective to describe it, Rigid-Dropbar-Rackmounted-Hardtail-Mountain Bike, Sounds enough.

    • @tobene
      @tobene Месяц назад +1

      Yeah because you could comfortably use them on roads as well. My 10yo mtb a 3x10 crank with up to 40T. The same bike now has a 1x12 30T. Mtb just have gotten more specialized

  • @happyfluffy8
    @happyfluffy8 2 месяца назад +33

    The future of gravel bike is a 29er, full suspenion XC bike with a dropbar. Seriously.

    • @Choccytube
      @Choccytube Месяц назад +3

      An old Santa Cruz Superlight with drop bars would be awesome, light, comfortable and tracks brilliantly. But I suppose it all depends on the type of gravel, this video showed hard, dry compacted gravel, we know it's not always this smooth and sunny, unless it's made in California.

    • @danielandersson2146
      @danielandersson2146 17 дней назад +1

      MTB of today is mostly enduro oriented while gravel bikes will take over the role of classic XC bikes.

    • @happyfluffy8
      @happyfluffy8 17 дней назад

      @@danielandersson2146 not in europe or asia

    • @danielandersson2146
      @danielandersson2146 16 дней назад

      @@happyfluffy8 In europe in deed, at least the part of europe where i live. About 9 out of 10 bikers i see in the forest have enduro style machines, same goes for bike shops. XC is a diminishing segment while gravel & enduro is increasing in popularity.

  • @nahguacm
    @nahguacm 2 месяца назад +44

    It's also nice to see lower gears on more entry level groupset. I'm so glad to see CUES has a 40/24 crankset

    • @thedownunderverse
      @thedownunderverse 22 дня назад

      It’s a 40/26

    • @Indik47
      @Indik47 3 дня назад

      @@thedownunderverse Still better than single 40t on gravel bikes :)

  • @sherab2078
    @sherab2078 2 месяца назад +72

    I'm definitely a gravel bike man but it seems we are going in the direction of dissolving the distinction between gravel bikes and hardtail XC bikes. And I think gravel bikes should stay something in between the road and full terrain - something like the bike version of a crossover or SUV. For me, a gravel bike (and this is purely personal) is still a type of bike that feels better on the road but is capable of taking us in some more rough terrain if we need to. But the real off-road tracks should stay reserved for MTB. Drop handlebars might be not enough to keep the distinction. More 'road-like' geometry may be the key feature here.

    • @torstenfrank1856
      @torstenfrank1856 2 месяца назад +4

      That's exactly the same for me. Many people don't know this fully yet or still and want to do exclusively off-road with them. Those people certainly are better served with a mtb (ideally a Dropbar-MTB) or some of the more progressive Gravelbikes with good tire clearance (50 mm plus) and ideally also suspension in some way or shape.

    • @domenicoitalico115
      @domenicoitalico115 2 месяца назад +2

      SO TRUE !!!

    • @simple4586
      @simple4586 2 месяца назад +2

      I agree with all you said. Fortunately enough, the current Geo's of gravel bikes differ to all current XC bikes. If u ask a good bike fitter, they'll tell you that there're similarities but will never be the same. As fitting a gravel bike is a lot different than fitting an XC bike, tbh. Example being that my gravel bike fits more like an Endurance bike and not even close to my XC bike.
      Edit: I wish that this fact would stay the same to provide distinction.

    • @mrspencermon
      @mrspencermon 2 месяца назад +6

      I think the main problem is in calling all of these bikes "Gravel Bikes". I think the industry needs to better describe the bikes they create as gravel adventure (fat tires, off road preference, suspension) and gravel race/road (not as fat tires, on road preference/dirt road, no suspension, lighter weight). This would probably help alleviate a lot of this confusion between what some people think gravel is or isn't.

    • @sherab2078
      @sherab2078 2 месяца назад +1

      @@mrspencermon, perhaps you are right. Some brands kinda do it. Like the Canyon's Girzl and Grail. But I have to admit I rather think we have already too much over-splitting. Maybe not so much in the 'road world' but definitely in the 'MTB world'. Don't take me wrong - it is good to have a choice but when this choice becomes too broad and at the same time theoretically different options highly overlap with each other, this may work quite confusing for some people. This definitely works that way for me.

  • @stefanhansen5882
    @stefanhansen5882 2 месяца назад +10

    Great as always. Thanks! I just bough my first MTB today, and learned a lot from your videos.

  • @eeeckful
    @eeeckful 2 месяца назад +4

    The videos of your channel are always packed with tons of valuable infos. It may be the only channel, where I often rewind to make sure to capture every word.
    I‘m planning to replace my 16 yrs old Stevens Trekking bike next season with either a Rohloff or Pinion Smart Shift touring bike and I found your buyer‘s guide valuable narrowing down candidate bikes. Living close to Idworxx‘s factory it was one of my favs… until I realized how crazy $$$ expensive it is.

  • @phediashadjicharalambous9408
    @phediashadjicharalambous9408 2 месяца назад +10

    Yes! The bike industry is slowly reinventing the HT mtb.
    Keeping my HT, I need to look cool in future times.

    • @hpvspeedmachine4183
      @hpvspeedmachine4183 Месяц назад

      It is all a reinventing for marketing reason, it is a constant proposal of new things

  • @jonbarlow3542
    @jonbarlow3542 Месяц назад +2

    Love your work. Very informative, thank you.

  • @endurofly
    @endurofly 2 месяца назад +10

    Gravel bikes with larger tires ,front suspension...how far away from hardtail MTB we are !?

    • @codinghusky5196
      @codinghusky5196 Месяц назад +1

      An elbow inflammation due to lack of front suspension far.

  • @luccacbrosa
    @luccacbrosa 2 месяца назад +1

    Awesome video like always! Big fan here, and also fan of Dylan!!

  • @Al.2
    @Al.2 2 месяца назад +1

    Wow, I'm only in the middle of the video and I already feel like you've covered all the most important things.

  • @moose56
    @moose56 26 дней назад +6

    Don’t know about most people but I have 1 bike and will likely always only have one bike. I got a gravel bike 3 years ago that was way closer to road than MTB and it suits me really well. Since then gravel bikes have just moved more and more towards MTB. There is a gap now between road and “gravel” I honestly don’t know what I would buy now.

    • @InnocentiusLacrimosa
      @InnocentiusLacrimosa 14 дней назад +2

      Those gravel bikes that are close to road bikes are very much like endurance road bikes (that have been getting wider tire tolerances lately). Perhaps your next bike will be one of those endurance road bikes. Just install some wider tires (32-40mm) and enjoy?

    • @Avvisoful
      @Avvisoful 14 дней назад +2

      I think Canyons approach is the best for Gravel. Grizzl is what this video talks about, while Grail is what you talk about.

  • @zoladkow
    @zoladkow 2 месяца назад +6

    I almost thought it's an april fools special how much gravel is backtracking to old solutions... Now as i'm half through i'm hoping the next segment will be about how flat bars will improve steering 😁

  • @tjeers3098
    @tjeers3098 2 месяца назад

    Really like your view on things. It always opens my eyes again.

  • @todd92371
    @todd92371 2 месяца назад +15

    There are two gravel bike setups that are relevant for my riding. A setup that allows fairly fast street riding and then some gravel and LIGHT trail added in. And then another drop bar gravel setup that is more conducive to rougher road and trail bikepacking. And it seems that bar choice and tire size on the same frame will satisfy both of these needs for me. Adding Redshift suspension stem and seatpost to this same frame has made this setup cover just about everything.

    • @cjohnson3836
      @cjohnson3836 2 месяца назад +1

      Yeah as long as your bike has a good geo, a gravel bike can cover just about anything except true downhill. Bikes like Salsa Stormchaser, Sklar Supersomething, and the like have what I think is the sweet spot. Around 70deg HTA. 425-435mm chainstays. Just need a couple wheelsets and you can hit anything with just a couple min of swap.

    • @OYeahan
      @OYeahan 2 месяца назад

      ​@@cjohnson3836I'm looking for such a bike currently. I want carbon frame for stiffness when pedaling uphill etc. Focus Atlas seems interesting with it's 425mm chainstays but high tyre clearance, but I'm afraid this kind of bike is more suited to adventure riding. You're suggesting that 70° HA is optimal? I would assume it will feel sluggish on tarmac or on some technical stuff

    • @dpstrial
      @dpstrial 2 месяца назад

      I have a Lynskey CX bike with 35 mm tyres and a Redshift stem and seatpost, and it's perfect for rough country roads and easy trails.

    • @OYeahan
      @OYeahan 2 месяца назад

      @@dpstrial fot rough gravel roads nearby I think I need 45mm tyres. What do you think about KTM X-Strada Elite geometry, in size M likely? It has very long reach and wheelbase, but rather steep 72° HA and also chainstays are rather long at 430mm while accepting up to 45mm tires (eg. Orbea Terra also accepts up to 45mm tyres but has 420mm chainstays, so I don't understand why KTM made them sightly longer, guess 1cm is s difference many people can feel). I have rather short standover so legs probably as well for my height, so such longer bike might fit me better. Even size S is much longer than other bikes, but S is only sightly shorter but with even lower stack so I think that would be too aggressive for me, I'd rather have less spacers on the steer, not sure if I'd ever get flexible enough to need S sizes low stack hmm...

    • @dpstrial
      @dpstrial 2 месяца назад +1

      @@OYeahan A steep head angle is common on road and gravel bikes. It increases pedalling efficiency. On mountain bikes a slack head angle helps the bikes overcome obstacles better. Gravel bikes typically have longer wheelbases than road bikes and this makes for a more comfortable ride. My CX bike puts me in a more aggressive position, but is less comfortable and more twitchy than a gravel bike.
      45mm tyres are certainly going to give you a comfortable ride and will perform better on the more challenging trails. I use 35mm touring tyres for rough UK lanes and fairly tame gravel trails.
      We are all different; and so to get the right bike for you, you will have to try a selection, if possible. I consulted via email with the online dealer, and he decided what would suit my size (tall with long limbs) and the type of riding I wanted to do.

  • @elchaposexcitingadventures1674
    @elchaposexcitingadventures1674 2 месяца назад

    Another great video. Thanks Alee!

  • @ejdavis72
    @ejdavis72 Месяц назад +1

    Got the Priority Apollo Jan 2023 and absolutely love it. The belt drive is awesome, love the ultra low maintenance and silence of the bike.

  • @JohnManjohn-fo8yo
    @JohnManjohn-fo8yo 2 месяца назад +62

    I'm looking forward to put drop bars on my downhill bike and call it a gravel bike

    • @DonnieX6
      @DonnieX6 2 месяца назад +7

      Aero position is important when bombing down the side of a mountain :)

    • @garyboyle695
      @garyboyle695 2 месяца назад +2

      Fine words to be on your headstone.

    • @greensleeves8095
      @greensleeves8095 2 месяца назад +2

      You just need to get a company to make a drop bar handle with 35mm stem thingy for 300 bucks.

    • @justinbogart278
      @justinbogart278 2 месяца назад

      Don't u fuckin dare

    • @nobodyspecial9035
      @nobodyspecial9035 28 дней назад +2

      Downhill gravel bike category unlocked

  • @salzhaltigersalzhaufen586
    @salzhaltigersalzhaufen586 2 месяца назад +34

    I really don´t get why people think that a single chain ring drive train is a good option for a gravel bike thats supposed to be a kind of do it all bike and especially for that I would choose a double front chainring but I guess everyone has their preferences

    • @Tethysmeer
      @Tethysmeer 2 месяца назад +1

      That is surely correct. But 1x is much easier to shift in complex terrain. I have 1x but think a lot about switching to 2x.

    • @DonnieX6
      @DonnieX6 2 месяца назад +3

      Fully agree! I wouldn't want to change my 2x11 GRX (48/31 with a 11-40 cassette), as it indeed lets you ride quite quick on pavement, as also having a great climbing gear when touring fully loaded with luggage in the mountains. This paired with a set of a fast rolling 42mm Pathfinder Pros are perfect for my local rounds and bikepacking trips with about a 70/30 road/offroad split.
      EDIT: if I would live somewhere remote and only do offroad, then sure, a 1x would be perfect

    • @salzhaltigersalzhaufen586
      @salzhaltigersalzhaufen586 2 месяца назад

      @@Tethysmeeryeah I guess that´s true but I don´t mind as I´m still used to 3x at the front from those old mountain bikes xD
      Well I guess you could also argue about slight areodynamic advantages but you also don´t have a front derailleur that could break so that might be an advantage

    • @festerofest4374
      @festerofest4374 2 месяца назад

      @@DonnieX6if you like the Pathfinder Pro’s, take a look at the S-Works Pathfinder 2 Bliss 42mm. Lighter, and less rolling resistance, at least according to the website that measures it.

    • @jonnyoneplate
      @jonnyoneplate 2 месяца назад

      How many rear chainrings do you prefer?

  • @coolcycles
    @coolcycles 2 месяца назад +4

    My 3x10 currently has not only 573%, as shown in the video, but 764% range: 42-32-24t / 11-48t
    For more ground clearance the 42t can be replaced by a 32t sized bash guard: 582% range, going 2x10.
    It's a shame, what's going on with front derailleurs at the moment…

  • @marccheli5036
    @marccheli5036 Месяц назад +2

    I would have loved your comments and comparaison about the LAUF fork that is a zero maintenance and very light 30mm suspended fork..

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  Месяц назад

      I discuss the Lauf in this video: ruclips.net/video/_0mDvy1Ypew/видео.html

  • @SoManyMiles
    @SoManyMiles 2 месяца назад

    Great and very reasonable outlook. So excited about the near future of this bike category.
    Wider tyres (tubeless) and a Rudy Ultimate suspension fork, that’s what I am looking for at my next gravel bike.
    I miss the fun I had with a Stigmata equipped with 650B wheels and 2“ tyres. It was so forgiving, felt playful in any terrain and was fast too.

  • @MrSchattka
    @MrSchattka 2 месяца назад

    Great content, thanks for posting!
    I plan on purchasing a gravel bike this summer. The information in this video could not have come at a better time.

  • @outlaweric
    @outlaweric Месяц назад

    Hmm lot of interesting information. Thanks for the video

  • @abg8434
    @abg8434 2 месяца назад

    I like it and later I watch. Thank you for your content.

  • @gertbolwig8951
    @gertbolwig8951 2 месяца назад +1

    Thank you, great as always.
    Q: Will those emerging suspension forks still allow (my preferred) classic touring configuration with a low rider rack on the front fork for a pair of old-fashioned panniers?
    Greetings, an old touring/trail biker

  • @rexringschott
    @rexringschott 2 месяца назад

    Excellent video

  • @Zyzzyx42
    @Zyzzyx42 2 месяца назад +1

    This one is close to home. My custom steel gravel bike is one year old now, has a 30t 1x setup with 10-50 rear on 650b; plenty of low gear fun. I don't need the aspirational high gears, I can spin up to 25mph just fine, anything above that I should be coasting anyways. Add in tire clearance for 55mm f/r, and a Lauf suspension fork, and seems I have just about all the points made. and there are times I wish it had a Pinion instead of AXS. ah well.

  • @louwlife
    @louwlife 2 месяца назад +1

    The Lauf fork has quite an advantage over a suspension fork; it's half the weight (400g versus 800g), zero maintenance (as opposed to regular maintenance on hydraulics), are MORE aerodynamic than a regular fork (5w apparently) as apposed to a penalty on hydraulic suspension forks, plus it is proghessive damping (due to the spring design) and has zero lag like a hydraulic fork. Yes, I did my homework, that's why I have one! Leaf springs are a no brainer on gravel bikes

  • @lenolenoleno
    @lenolenoleno 2 месяца назад +13

    Got to say what a refreshing video this is on RUclips. Dispelling all the myths with actual logic and backed up with science, succinct and not here to pander to the RUclips masses (which often feel like a horde of retro grouch cyclists with tall poppy syndrome - anything but rim brakes and 26" wheels from the 90s is considered scary and conspiracy from big bike).

    • @RaymondDamm
      @RaymondDamm Месяц назад +1

      Rim brakes and 26" wheels from the 90s are scary, I have an old mountain bike and will not ride it on a lot of the trails I will take my Checkpoint on

    • @lenolenoleno
      @lenolenoleno Месяц назад

      @@RaymondDamm I have the same feeling when I hopped on a mate's canti brakes the other day. Somehow acceptable to have brakes that were only designed to slow you down and not actually stop you...

    • @HkFinn83
      @HkFinn83 Месяц назад

      Didn’t know 26” mtbs form the 90’s still had fans, but I’m glad to hear it! I ride my local trails on a rigid old mtb - it’s pretty gentle terrain and a full suspension bike is overkill to the point of making it boringly easy. You don’t need to live in the Rockies to enjoy off-road riding, but you can easily be over biked imo

  • @timdixo
    @timdixo 2 месяца назад +18

    Gravel bikes...the most misunderstood sector in the history of cycling. If they were named "all road" we wouldn't have the "they're just MTB's" nonsense.

  • @robd003
    @robd003 28 дней назад +2

    You should do a video on the Lauf Fork. Zero maintenance and it improves aerodynamics!

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  28 дней назад

      There’s a review up on CYCLINGABOUT.com for you to read. 👍

  • @keven-matthewlarrivee-font2678
    @keven-matthewlarrivee-font2678 2 месяца назад +2

    You mention wider clearances for tires. How about 650B? We already had the option to go wider by making the diameter smaller. What is your opinion on this? Thanks for the great video again!

  • @stevenshaw9314
    @stevenshaw9314 2 месяца назад

    Excellent information. As a teenager in the 70's, I remember changing the tires on my old heavy Schwinn Continental, to a more rugged tread as I routinely took the bike on regular asphalt, tar-gravel and gravel roads with some moderate light trail included. I noticed an increase in efficiency since the old style road tires did not float as well on the gravel which tended to cut deeper into the gravel resulting in increased workload from wheel spin and side slips in turns and ruts. I was still able to hit 40 mph on a steep portion of Spalding Dr in Dunwoody Ga.
    Finding a bike suitable for a teenager in similar road conditions today could be another interesting article. I think a gravel bike with a couple of different tires would be a great choice. Gearing, suspension and drives I guess would depend on economic and mechanical repair aptitude.

  • @markp353
    @markp353 Месяц назад +1

    Talking about suspension, curious if you had any vibration data regarding Specialized's future shock? Understand a suspension fork is superior but just curious to know how suspension stems compare.

  • @linmai8121
    @linmai8121 9 дней назад

    In the early 2000s, road bikes were still somewhat expensive in China, while MTBs remained the most popular choice. Some cyclists opted to upgrade their MTBs to enhance speed-replacing larger chainrings, fitting narrower tires, and even installing drop bars. Interestingly, the concept of gravel bikes did not yet exist during that time. We call these modified bikes as ‘Shan’ma’ (山马), which combines elements of both mountain(山) and road cycling(马路). Nowadays, a similar trend persists: we modify gravel bikes back to MTBs, make to tackle rough terrains with ease.

  • @1dancier
    @1dancier 2 месяца назад +1

    Bought a Giant Toughroad flatbar for steep and rough gravel roads. Waiting for the Shimano 820 groupset to trickle down to the cheaper bikes.

  • @bmz1
    @bmz1 2 месяца назад +1

    Is there any endurance road or gravel bike with a carbon frame and suitablility for a Carbon belt drive and a Rohloff or Pinion available?
    For the moment, I'm playing with a touring bike steal frame with a Rohloff, DT Swiss gravel rims, GP5000 32mm road tires and aerobars. Good and confortable, but 13.5 kg and far from agressive...

  • @rohansully584
    @rohansully584 2 месяца назад +1

    Its a great time to be alive!

  • @andrewnorris5415
    @andrewnorris5415 2 месяца назад +2

    My current gravel bike is a 1x carbon. Low weight - it gets up hills well. And legs adapt. Good VO2 max training which is healthy and fun (I like high intensity workouts, a buzz).. Low maintenance, 1x and SRAM 1 to 1 shift ratio , full outer, keeps working in mud no tuning, lasts ages before need to touch. And only one cable. I also like under biking challenges, keeps my skills sharp. If I fancy a rest or comfort I have my my XC bike handles that, esp with wide upright bars, and it does more besides. If you wanted ONE bike, a gravel bike with 2x or expensive eagle and suspension would be fine. Or just an XC HD!

  • @531c
    @531c 2 месяца назад

    4 years ago i bought a Cube gravel bike. Impossibly tall gears 50/34 with 11/32 cassette. New square taper bb and 42/26 with 11/34 transformed the bike

  • @felixtrottier
    @felixtrottier 2 месяца назад

    Superbe exposé! 👍

  • @katesmiles4208
    @katesmiles4208 2 месяца назад +1

    Thanks for the stream. I appreciate the info.

  • @mwe1337
    @mwe1337 2 месяца назад +1

    I have a fuji Jari 2.1 I purchased a couple of years ago. The thing has that many braise on fixing points for racks and bags and bottle racks it makes for a great touring bike.

    • @romanp2520
      @romanp2520 2 месяца назад

      How's the bottom bracket doing? I heard some bad reports from a mechanic in Seattle

    • @mwe1337
      @mwe1337 2 месяца назад

      @@romanp2520 no it's doing ok. I haven't had any problems. As a matter of fact I only had the bottom done on a old 90s chro moly MTB last year but that's all

    • @Quinkq
      @Quinkq Месяц назад

      ​@@romanp2520 my jari's on the other hand is creaking like a bitch, as if frame cracked somewhere inside, despite multiple people's diagnosis efforts

  • @cyrusf.4039
    @cyrusf.4039 2 месяца назад +9

    Like so much in the bike world, things evolve in spirals, at first diverging, encountering limitations, then revisiting what was but somewhat differently ie the bike packing movement with the move away from racks and panniers to soft bags and straps, found there was not enough volume, too much wagging of seat bags and then a move back to racks (now carbon and about 2-3xs as expensive as the previous metal ones) and bags that sort of look like panniers but apparently aren't panniers. The one thing the bike industry is not, is static. A bored consumer is no longer a consumer. Still, I find the innovations in gearing and belt drives to be exciting. signed, Hopeless Consumer.

  • @blkriqan
    @blkriqan 2 месяца назад

    Spot on.

  • @devdroid9606
    @devdroid9606 Месяц назад

    Can you feel the increased resistance of a Pinion gearbox when pedaling uphill or at any other speed? I have ridden some Nexus hubs (on public bikeshare) and some feel almost the same as a derailleur, while others feel like there's a small coffee grinder in the hub. With a belt and a different gearing system, I wonder if Pinion is smoother than Nexus.

  • @LordFata
    @LordFata 2 месяца назад +1

    Love your videos! Tempted to put a Thunder Burt Super Ground 29x2.1 on my Checkpoint SL.
    However once I put on road wheels, I dont want a wannabe mountain bike. Suspension fork really doesn't fit that use case imo

  • @samus4799
    @samus4799 Месяц назад

    The Trek District was such a great model that I found too late to actually get my hands on. Belt drive with rear gearbox and front dynamo hub, plus fenders and cargo rack? Commuter perfection. Now if they came out with an electric version I might just cream myself.

  • @teabagNBG
    @teabagNBG 25 дней назад

    gates belt drive and pinion is aweseome it tried the mcu last year on the euro bike.... also a small suspension (lockable) ont he seat and the fork is pretty helpfull

  • @Jason_Carnes
    @Jason_Carnes 2 месяца назад +2

    I remember having a mountain bike from the 90s. Hard Tail with front suspension, mountain bike tires. I loved it. I wish they used that same design again. Now mountain bikes are extreme with real shock systems, etc.. I don't want that.

    • @streddaz
      @streddaz 29 дней назад

      You can still buy hard tail mountain bikes with front suspension you know.💁🏼‍♂️

  • @visualpun650
    @visualpun650 2 месяца назад

    The SOMA Wolverine had 3 of the mentioned features in 2014, including belt drive compatibility.

  • @yannnique17
    @yannnique17 25 дней назад +1

    I think Gravelbikes will be made in more categories and not just Gravelbike. Like Road has Aero, Climbing and Endurance, or MTB has Cross Country, Trail, Downhill and Enduro, Gravelbikes could be made in categories like touring (the basic Gravelbike of today), xtra offroad (with suspension and MTB tires) and race (no mounting points, made for speed). Many already have this, like the Canyon Grail would be a race Gravelbike and the Canyon Grizzl is for touring, bike packing, commuting and so.

  • @jurkoot
    @jurkoot 28 дней назад

    Nice to see Avaghon at the end of the video. A small brand from my hometown Rotterdam.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  28 дней назад

      You'll be seeing more Avaghon bikes in upcoming videos!

  • @scotgill9975
    @scotgill9975 2 месяца назад +2

    The Lauf fork seems to be well-suited for gravel bikes without the maintenance headaches.

    • @cypvh74
      @cypvh74 26 дней назад

      It’s just hard to figure out what frames those are compatible with?

  • @kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853
    @kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853 2 месяца назад +35

    So in other words... the industry should've left well enough alone and put drop setup's on MTB. A no-brainer, otherwise, exhausting irritability.

    • @Jacksparrow4986
      @Jacksparrow4986 2 месяца назад +5

      My mid-90s randoneur is clearly outdated. Running 47mm tyres (with fenders) and only got around 22/34 as a low gear so I'm getting into "potentially too slow to ride" territory.

    • @kurt1391
      @kurt1391 2 месяца назад +5

      Or just don't ride gravel bikes where it's MTB territory. I keep my gravel bike tilted toward the road end.

    • @Jacksparrow4986
      @Jacksparrow4986 2 месяца назад +2

      @kurt1391 if you live somewhere that's possible sure. For me gravel sounds like not having to walk if the road gets rough, which is often the case if you try to avoid cars. At least in germany, where our roads made me buy a fully to get around town.

    • @parsonator529
      @parsonator529 2 месяца назад +4

      The distance between gravel bike and xc hardtail with drop bars is getting pretty small.

    • @MPjustaman
      @MPjustaman 2 месяца назад +1

      Uhm??? Just bought the Trek FX 6 sport. Seems "gravel" oriented for sure.

  • @shmvon
    @shmvon Месяц назад +1

    Hybrid (light frames, wider tyres, endurance position, higher bottom bracket) is the way to go for 90% of us. The only weight penalty should be the tyres and the forks. Single speed front gears (40:10-44) may make up for it.

  • @JohnDoe-bw3tz
    @JohnDoe-bw3tz 2 месяца назад +7

    I ride my old MTB. Thanks.

  • @jipper07
    @jipper07 2 месяца назад +1

    Now - which drop bars to fit to my 90's Kona MTB...

  • @bobk381
    @bobk381 12 дней назад

    The most interesting part of the article is the expected use of an enclosed gearbox.

  • @VetforVets
    @VetforVets Месяц назад

    If I want to climb a 12 to 18% grade as a 195 lb rider, what would be the best crank to cassette mix?

  • @1barnet1
    @1barnet1 Месяц назад

    I can attest that the latest gravelbike i build a couple of weeks ago comes with most the mentionned improvements compared to it's 2023 version.
    Tyres went from 38m to 45mm standard. While the brand says max 45mm. They also said max 38 on the previous model (where people just used 42mm's in general)
    Looking at the clearance 50mm should be fine. This is with the same Q-factor and possible 2-by set-up as it's predecessor due to the dropped chainstay.
    Also cables now next to the headset. Really well done. It's actually pretty easy to replace the line. As 1 came with a faulty one out of the box. I had to replace it myself as i order straight from importer. The downside you have to drop out the fork. so it's a bit more work. But very easily accesible and decent achieveable curves.
    While the cheaper versions still have sub optimal gearing options. Like the one's in my fleet.
    The more expensive versions come's with 1 by with huge MTB casettes. Here the max gradients is 12% but only for a very short time. Prolonged up to 8% for 80m of elevation change.
    The traditional gearing is fine here.
    It has a carbon fork though. But the manufacturer change the frame to accomodate one if you'd want. Maybe later they will add it in new trims.
    Basically what the video mentions at 9:10.
    I don't like the gearbox or rear hub options. Yes they're low maintenance. But if you do that to save money. Just get a GRX 400 drivetrain. Those chains and casettes cost pennies you will never recoup those expensive gearboxes and rohloff hubs.

  • @challacustica9049
    @challacustica9049 2 месяца назад +13

    The XC bike perfected, with the comfort and riding posture of the roadbike. Beautiful. It's a bike that can do anything. I love my 25mm tyres, but i'd be lying if I said I didn't want a gravel bike.

    • @johnnymcandrew
      @johnnymcandrew 2 месяца назад +2

      A fully rigid mountain bike can do more.

  • @steveporritt1550
    @steveporritt1550 2 месяца назад +2

    If you are competing then obviously efficiency is very important, for the rest of us, who don’t keep our gears & chains spotlessly clean we are probably no worse off. I wouldn’t swap back to a chain & gears from my belt drive but then I don’t compete or climb very steep gradients. I admit a lower gear (Alfine 8) would be nice to save some effort but losing a few kilos would probably be more effective.
    The pinion gearbox looks interesting & should offer lower gearing as the problem with torque is handled by the gearbox & not the rear hub & again, losing a couple of kilos would compensate for the weight increase & unsprung weight should also be lower.

  • @ViktorNavotny
    @ViktorNavotny 2 месяца назад

    My gravel bike has a GRX 2x12 , 31 front 34 rear is already quite capable

  • @DejanOfRadic
    @DejanOfRadic 10 дней назад

    I feel that I cannot compromise on a 53/11 ratio for my highest gear.....what is the best climbing gear ratio that I could achieve with that in mind?

  • @tjeers3098
    @tjeers3098 2 месяца назад

    Hmm I tried 2 used e-bikes with the enviolo system with belt now and both bikes felt so slow.
    Maybe it’s that enviolo system get slower over time?

  • @recyclespinning9839
    @recyclespinning9839 27 дней назад

    My Schwinn Paramount mountain bike has a 3x9, Deore groupset, takes wide tires, and rack mounts for touring. . I have a Titanium road bike, and thinking of a new Lynsky titanium gravel. I like the new geometry and bigger head tube for stability, disc. Etc.

  • @b.griffin317
    @b.griffin317 2 месяца назад

    Speaking of suspension: could you do a review of Redshift Cruise Control drop-bar grips?

  • @wasntme8660
    @wasntme8660 Месяц назад +1

    Since you are a bicycle travel channel, I sometimes miss a reflection of repairability in your videos. Is it really the best idea to take the latest tech - maybe a pinion gear box with electronic shifting and some fancy suspension - around the world or is it in some cases better to just have a rigid steel mtb, that you can most likely repair everywhere? I like that I am capable of understanding and repairing my bike everywhere and I think this is a dimension that needs reflection if you are seriously travelling and not only doing fancy overnighters in europe or america

  • @luca_dierks
    @luca_dierks 26 дней назад

    A lot of those bikes are darn close to XC hardtails with drop bars. Fluidity in bike categories is a GOOD thing, IMO. It's just funny to hear 'gravel bikes are getting better' when they really just get more similar to bikes designed for offroad / mountain use.

  • @JMaksym
    @JMaksym 2 месяца назад

    When I have build for myself a gravel bike 4 years ago with GRX 2x11 with SLX cassette 11-50 and air for RockShox Paragon with 50mm of travel. Everybody were looking at me that I should not do this. Now a day manufactures doing the same. Ehhh 😂

  • @hobinlobo
    @hobinlobo 17 дней назад

    any thoughts on lauf forks?

  • @cobaltnightsky
    @cobaltnightsky Месяц назад

    regarding the fork : well, here we are back with MTB's, can't wait for maintenance on it
    regarding the gearbox belt : introducing belt generalization and gearbox, supposely to be more reliable (which I don't doubt but if you need maintenance on it, that won't be the same price than a derailleur).
    I chose a gravel for it's simplicity : now in this era, we are speaking of adding electronics, batteries (for shifting), gearbox and forks.
    I'll stick with my cables and my dumb derailleur to adjust...

  • @bitelogger
    @bitelogger 2 месяца назад

    What would be the difference between this upcoming bikes and a Hard Tail MTB?

  • @tihojla9
    @tihojla9 Месяц назад

    Exactly, MTB with drop bar

  • @user-zc2sd5li2u
    @user-zc2sd5li2u Месяц назад

    Decades back, I noticed cross country tires on sale, gravel riding was always possible.

  • @phediashadjicharalambous9408
    @phediashadjicharalambous9408 2 месяца назад

    Cannot wait reinventing the Klunker 😂

  • @jon.e19
    @jon.e19 8 дней назад

    Diverge future shock for the win

  • @zoufmalade
    @zoufmalade 2 месяца назад

    I guess it depends on the kind of road / path you have available in your region. As you said gravel bike is made for back road network away from the big majority of car traffic. That said where I live, that network is at least still 80% road (albeit not that smooth) and the gravel part is mostly hard packed dirt/gravel so pretty fast rolling anyway. So for my used case (and frankly, most of the european cyclist one), the perfect gravel bike is close to en endurance road bike, with a slightly longer wheelbase, no suspension, and 35 to 45mm tires depending on the thread pattern, the kind of terrain you ride, and the rims you have. If you live in a relatively flat area, narrower handlebars with next to no flare and deeper rims is gonna make more difference to the effort you produc than big tires and suspension.
    That said, the wider choice of gearing and internal gearbox is a welcome addition to biking in general.

  • @mr_m_to_the_t
    @mr_m_to_the_t 2 месяца назад +1

    Cool video. Would be interested in the formulas behind the gearing calculations...want to upgrade my current gravel bike for exactly that reason..It doesn't have a gravel specific group set, yet - as they did not exist back then. It came with a Ultegra group set with 50/34 and 11-32 cassette, so not even 1:1 ratio.
    Still not sure if I should say goodbye to the two-by or how the new two-by wider range group sets (e.g. GRX 12s with 46/30 and 11-36 cassette) compare to the one-by.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  2 месяца назад +1

      Check out my "Hills Are Not Harder Than Cycling on the Flat" video to find all the tools you need! ruclips.net/video/ipENw5mjjSg/видео.htmlsi=MCdEhMEK2Jtsusri

    • @jayhagsrc3322
      @jayhagsrc3322 Месяц назад

      I'm surprised you didn't mention the Lauf suspension fork and their bikes.

  • @jolive3743
    @jolive3743 2 месяца назад

    2 years with a gravel bike and they'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands and this is after decades of riding mountain bikes on 4 month trips around the world.

  • @zarar7777
    @zarar7777 2 месяца назад

    Hi,
    I bought Log Adventure 27.5 Jappnese bike for tour. Need your expert opinion is it ok ?
    Please.
    I am from Pakistan.
    Stay safe.

  • @GiovanniEspinosa
    @GiovanniEspinosa 2 месяца назад

    How do the 1x systems avoid the dreaded crosschain issue so malingned in 2x drivetrains? Honest question

  • @jimmyz5831
    @jimmyz5831 2 месяца назад +1

    Agree with below. Gravel bikes will eventually overlap with XC mtb's. Probably have some hybrid bars.

  • @zsolti.
    @zsolti. 2 месяца назад

    My mtb has so much gearing i run out of traction or vertical balance before struggling to pedal its 2x10

  • @BTinKH
    @BTinKH Месяц назад

    Easy solution to hills is to use a Wolf Tooth and appropriately larger cassette with your GRX. Simple and cheap solution. Don't need a new derailleur.

  • @moshpic
    @moshpic 2 месяца назад

    What's your ratio at your belt / Rohloff? (How many teeth?)

  • @user-ti3ix2my3p
    @user-ti3ix2my3p Месяц назад

    I really want a new adventure bike, but want something with an eagle casette stock.

  • @spaceshipdms
    @spaceshipdms 13 дней назад

    Life is a wheel within wheels within wheels.

  • @ellerybice3787
    @ellerybice3787 29 дней назад

    Alee, regarding your digital books, are they down loadable and functional to and on an iPhone, model 12 in my case.
    If so, this question would be handy to having been answered on your library's purchase sight.
    Thank you.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  28 дней назад

      They are PDFs, so you can definitely read them on an iPhone in the Books app. But the book layouts are not at all optimised for small screens, so there would be a lot of zooming in and out.

    • @ellerybice3787
      @ellerybice3787 28 дней назад

      @@Cyclingabout thank you Sir.

  • @verdi6092
    @verdi6092 2 месяца назад +31

    Evolving and accepting its an xc bike after all 😊

    • @Paksusuoli95
      @Paksusuoli95 2 месяца назад +8

      Why do gravel bikes make mountain bikers seethe so hard?

    • @verdi6092
      @verdi6092 2 месяца назад +2

      @@Paksusuoli95 i own both and it is evolving as the the video says..

    • @Paksusuoli95
      @Paksusuoli95 2 месяца назад +4

      Despite gravel cycling predating mountain bikes by decades, every video about gravel bikes has mtb'ers nagging in the comments and insisting gravel bikes are just worse XC bikes.

    • @Pnner1
      @Pnner1 2 месяца назад +2

      Because grablel enthusiasts are coping so hard. T. Dude riding 90s mtb with slicks, 650b gravel bike and a trail bike

  • @klyyoung2728
    @klyyoung2728 2 месяца назад

    That one comes with a rack and mounts

  • @imbackinthegame3611
    @imbackinthegame3611 2 месяца назад +3

    I built my Gravelbike with a 50/34 105 crank and a 42/10 XG cassette. So, plenty of range

    • @memerakul2648
      @memerakul2648 2 месяца назад

      What derailleur do you use if I may ask?

    • @imbackinthegame3611
      @imbackinthegame3611 2 месяца назад

      @@memerakul2648Shimano 105 FD-R7000 front and GRX RD-RX810 Shadow Plus rear with a Wolf Tooth RoadLink

    • @imbackinthegame3611
      @imbackinthegame3611 2 месяца назад

      @@memerakul2648 SRAM XG-1150 cassette

    • @memerakul2648
      @memerakul2648 2 месяца назад +1

      @@imbackinthegame3611 awesome thanks mate!

    • @thibaudepeche
      @thibaudepeche 2 месяца назад

      How is the shifting with the Wolf Tooth RoadLink ? I also have the R7000. I'm hoping to fit the 11-40 without the Road Link (some people seem to have done it). I'll have to buy it if it doesn't work without.

  • @pliccut
    @pliccut 22 дня назад

    I don’t think a 38x52 drivetrain is needed at all. I’m 65 years old and I still can climb double digit grades with my gravel bike. I have a Specialized Diverge with a 42x11-42 drivetrain running stock wheels and 700x42 tires. I’m sure there out there, but I have yet to find a hill I couldn’t climb. My cadence slows down to 70 and my speed to around 6 mph on big climbs, but I’m okay with it. I don’t have to stop at the top to recover for a minute either. My conditioning is good, but ordinary for anyone who cycles year round. Just my opinion. I enjoy the videos!

  • @benoitsigwald6383
    @benoitsigwald6383 Месяц назад

    @cyclingabout you have mentioned gravel bike getting suspension. Cannondale has introduced the slate with mtb gears and lefty suspension 8 years ago... The topstone even introduced a back sus.
    The future of gravel is more like fully suspended e-gravel bikes.
    Ho no, we have the Cannondale Neo Topstone, a fully suspended e-gravel bikes that is a couple of years old.
    A detailed review would be great because you excel at that.

  • @lumpo9681
    @lumpo9681 Месяц назад

    I ride wide but... rotational mass ? Not a factor in the rim and rubber weight making a bike slower acceleration?

  • @MrVinSci
    @MrVinSci 2 месяца назад

    What about the Effigear gerbox ?