Gravel/Bikepack nerds enter...

[Skistack]

Tires are the biggest factor affecting ride quality & handling on a gravel bike. Pressure, size, tread and casing are all influential. For now, work on dialing in the tire pressure for the terrain you’re riding.

I haven’t ridden the Sparwood, but it looks like it’s suited more for loose and chunky rather than hard and smooth. You may want something with smoother tread if you end up riding alot of pavement or hardpacked gravel.

What size are the tires? Unless you’re planning on doing alot of faster rides on pavement, 38 about as small as you want to go. 40 - 45 is considered the sweet spot for most conditions these days. But verify the max size that’ll fit the frame before going bigger. Clearance has grown as gravel bikes have evolved.

And definitely port the muffler.


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[jdadour]

Dumb question...any must do mods on a gravel bike? It seems to fit well after a short double track ride yesterday, so there's that..I added the obvious in my old seat bag for tube, cannisters and irons; added two cages and threw on some really old SPDs I had laying around. Stoked it came with a WTB saddle as I always run those on my MTB.

It came with a GRX drivetrain which I'll likely swap out over time and Raceface Ride cranks. Getting used to the shifter...feels a bit odd, but ok. Bars are Zoom aluminums...seems like these could be improved for harshness but they're fine for now.

Teravail Sparwood tires seem fine so far, though I aim to take it on some single track this weekend and find out. Drop post would be nice but I'll do without for a bit.

I'm thinking I just ride it until I find something I don't like or break, but thought I'd ask if I'm missing anything obvious or if any of the build is doomed to fail.







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Get the widest tires that will fit your frame. Unless you are truly doing a lot of road, minimum 45mm width. Who cares if you are slower on the road, its way better on dirt.

[Kevo]

Dumb question...any must do mods on a gravel bike? It seems to fit well after a short double track ride yesterday, so there's that..I added the obvious in my old seat bag for tube, cannisters and irons; added two cages and threw on some really old SPDs I had laying around. Stoked it came with a WTB saddle as I always run those on my MTB.

It came with a GRX drivetrain which I'll likely swap out over time and Raceface Ride cranks. Getting used to the shifter...feels a bit odd, but ok. Bars are Zoom aluminums...seems like these could be improved for harshness but they're fine for now.

Teravail Sparwood tires seem fine so far, though I aim to take it on some single track this weekend and find out. Drop post would be nice but I'll do without for a bit.

I'm thinking I just ride it until I find something I don't like or break, but thought I'd ask if I'm missing anything obvious or if any of the build is doomed to fail.

My favorite upgrade is having one of these on my bike.

I love it for a couple reasons-
-I primarily use it as a water bottle holder. It allows me to carry 3 bottles (2 cages plus this bag) on very long rides, but if I only bring one bottle it goes in this bag and not in a cage because it is so much more accessible than a cage.
-On rough roads its really nice not to have to reach all the way down into a cage to get a bottle, and it really sucks trying to get a bottle back into a tight cage on bumpy/ rutted roads.

The other upgrade that I'm really happy with are more casual shoes. These are my favorite. I ride mtb SPDs on my gravel bike and these shoes have the cleat entirely sunk into the shoe below rubber. This allows me to walk into convenience stores or grocery stores or restaurants without tearing up the floor. They are also really comfortable to walk in.

I also have a bottle with a water filter built in for long rides in remote places. It allows me to drink stream water, so it is an infinite water cheat code.

Last year I added a PNW components coast suspension dropper post. The suspension is really nice once you get it dialed in and it is nice to have the dropper if you get into a technical descent. Sometimes I'll stop for a snack and drop the seat to make it comfortable to sit on the bike in a slouched position.

Lastly, if you don't have any get some rechargeable lights. I like this tail light and this headlight.

[The Reverend Floater]

Port the muffler

Check. Ported the muffler and added some shorty headers. They'll hear me coming.

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[mikebob]

If I could only keep one bike, it would be my cutthroat.

[smartyiak]

If I could only keep one bike, it would be my cutthroat.

I love my road bike b/c I like going fast.
I love my MTB bc MTB is the most funnest...and my MTB is fantastic.
But if I could only keep one bike, I'd keep the Grizl...and, despite liking the other two more, it's the bike I ride the most.

Oh: other that converting to tubeless, I've made ZERO changes/upgrades to mine. Works just fine.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Get the widest tires that will fit your frame. Unless you are truly doing a lot of road, minimum 45mm width. Who cares if you are slower on the road, its way better on dirt.

Given equal pressure a wider tire has less rolling resistance. Lower pressure will reduce rolling friction on pavement. So for example, a Schwalbe G-One Allround in 50 mm with 35-40 psi will have about the same rolling resistance as a 45 mm Allround with 40-45 psi.


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[jdadour]

Given equal pressure a wider tire has less rolling resistance. Lower pressure will reduce rolling friction on pavement. So for example, a Schwalbe G-One Allround in 50 mm with 35-40 psi will have about the same rolling resistance as a 45 mm Allround with 40-45 psi.


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Exactly. And since its somewhat counter intuitive that it actually isn't slower, its taking people longer to be comfortable with just going with wider tires. Im running Tufo Thundero 48s at 34/35 psi.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Yeah, I’m running 50mm G-ones at 30 front/35 rear. Very fast and easy rolling AND very plush, comfortable ride.


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[chaka]

the G-ones are a really versatile tire.

[chaka]

My favorite upgrade is having one of these on my bike.

thanks for the pointer to Oneja Negra. I've been looking for a trim bolt on top tube bag, just ordered the Wack Pack from them.

[Peruvian]

Too lazy to take the front rack off since we have another trip planned in a few weeks.

Flooded brooks have been blown out and are very muddy.

[buttahflake]

Back to perfect weather and no more deer flies, it doesn’t get better. One from after work today, in SoVT

[The Reverend Floater]

My favorite upgrade is having one of these on my bike.

I love it for a couple reasons-
-I primarily use it as a water bottle holder. It allows me to carry 3 bottles (2 cages plus this bag) on very long rides, but if I only bring one bottle it goes in this bag and not in a cage because it is so much more accessible than a cage.
-On rough roads its really nice not to have to reach all the way down into a cage to get a bottle, and it really sucks trying to get a bottle back into a tight cage on bumpy/ rutted roads.

The other upgrade that I'm really happy with are more casual shoes. These are my favorite. I ride mtb SPDs on my gravel bike and these shoes have the cleat entirely sunk into the shoe below rubber. This allows me to walk into convenience stores or grocery stores or restaurants without tearing up the floor. They are also really comfortable to walk in.

I also have a bottle with a water filter built in for long rides in remote places. It allows me to drink stream water, so it is an infinite water cheat code.

Last year I added a PNW components coast suspension dropper post. The suspension is really nice once you get it dialed in and it is nice to have the dropper if you get into a technical descent. Sometimes I'll stop for a snack and drop the seat to make it comfortable to sit on the bike in a slouched position.

Lastly, if you don't have any get some rechargeable lights. I like this tail light and this headlight.

I'm really enjoying the Cutthroat--gravel is so much more enjoyable than road biking and Idaho is not in short supply of BLM and mining roads. Put 30 miles on it this morning before the smoke rolled in and had a blast. Definitely a different sort of workout than MTB and seems like a nice balance.

Scored one of those Oveja top tube bags...thanks for the rec. Adding a Maxxis Ravager 50mm front tire with some bite since it's been so dry and loose here this summer. Will report back.

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[Tailwind]

Two separate questions:

Can 11 speed GRX be run with a Shimano 11-46? I have an 11-42 x 44 gearing that works great for normal riding but I’m doing a loaded ride in 4-5 weeks. I’d do a new chain as well. Thinking of going 38 and 11-46.

Has anyone ridding in the Western Fjords of Iceland? Heading out there in late August wondering if there are any tips outside of “prepare to get thrashed by the wind”.

[Dee Hubbs]

Two separate questions:

Can 11 speed GRX be run with a Shimano 11-46? I have an 11-42 x 44 gearing that works great for normal riding but I’m doing a loaded ride in 4-5 weeks. I’d do a new chain as well. Thinking of going 38 and 11-46.

Has anyone ridding in the Western Fjords of Iceland? Heading out there in late August wondering if there are any tips outside of “prepare to get thrashed by the wind”.

Technically both the 11 speed GRX and 11 speed Di2 GRX RDs are rated for a 42t max rear cassette.
Most frames and hangers will allow you to run a 46t cassette without any issue. I have mounted many without issue, the longer chain stays of a gravel bike help with the over cog adjustability. I use a 46t on my wife's Di2 GRX equipped, size small bike without issue.

[smmokan]

I searched and didn't find anything... anyone have experience with Lauf? Their Seigla looks like a pretty cushy, fairly light gravel bike that could be interesting. Seems to get really good reviews, too.

[chaka]

I searched and didn't find anything... anyone have experience with Lauf? Their Seigla looks like a pretty cushy, fairly light gravel bike that could be interesting. Seems to get really good reviews, too.

No direct experience but seem very popular, well liked out here in PNW riding community.

[mntlion]

I searched and didn't find anything... anyone have experience with Lauf? Their Seigla looks like a pretty cushy, fairly light gravel bike that could be interesting. Seems to get really good reviews, too.

For better or worse, not adjustable, serviceable, or lockout-able.

limited travel so not really needed, but can't change the firmness for rider size or weighted vs not weighted. (120p XC race kid on mostly smooth gravel/paved, vs 220 gorilla with gear on barson singletrack

[buttahflake]

You can get the stiffie fork and it’s cheaper and looks better

[Skistack]

I searched and didn't find anything... anyone have experience with Lauf? Their Seigla looks like a pretty cushy, fairly light gravel bike that could be interesting. Seems to get really good reviews, too.

Didn’t you buy a gravel bike a couple years ago and hate it?

Lauf would get strong consideration if I were looking for a new ride, along with the Revel Rover.


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[climberevan]

As I've said before about Lauf, check the geometry carefully. It's not the most mainstream for gravel bikes and may not fit you or your use case.

[smmokan]

Didn’t you buy a gravel bike a couple years ago and hate it?

Lauf would get strong consideration if I were looking for a new ride, along with the Revel Rover.


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Hate is a strong word... I've actually owned two previously.

I'm still hell bent on figuring out how to enjoy these damn things, since I know it's the best way for me to get into better shape and put longer miles in when training.

[Going Coastal]

Garmin makes a taillight with integrated radar that gives you a warning when vehicles (or faster cyclists) are approaching from behind. I won't do any considerable time on a roadway without it anymore. It obviously won't stop someone from running you down, but it's great for awareness and you get way more notice that someones coming and it even shows how quickly they are approaching and how far back they are. The light is also super bright and has a number of flash sequences, so it's not a compromise on visibility.

[Kevo]

I'm really enjoying the Cutthroat--gravel is so much more enjoyable than road biking and Idaho is not in short supply of BLM and mining roads. Put 30 miles on it this morning before the smoke rolled in and had a blast. Definitely a different sort of workout than MTB and seems like a nice balance.

Scored one of those Oveja top tube bags...thanks for the rec. Adding a Maxxis Ravager 50mm front tire with some bite since it's been so dry and loose here this summer. Will report back.

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Awesome! Hope you continue to enjoy your bike.

I also recommend putting on some Racers Tape on your frame to protect it from the straps on your bag. I use this stuff and I've been really happy with it. It applies really easily with a spray bottle with water.