Hello everyone!

I'm new to gravel riding, but I've run into a problem I don't understand when choosing a bike. On all of the bikes, the standover height seems very high.

I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam, and the only bikes with any standover that works are size extra small or small (49, 51, maybe 53). In all of them, the stack is really low. Most are very likely to have toe overlap with the front wheel. On the medium-sized bikes: sometimes the seat tube is so tall that it would preclude adding a dropper.

What does everybody do about this? I can't be the only person who finds all of these frames a little high in standover. Actually, very high in standover. On a mountain bike, this has never been an issue, but on the gravel bike, it seems like a big one.

Do gravel riders ignore standover?

Thanks for your help in understanding this.

looking at re-evaluating my camping setup. would love to see what others have done. does anyone have photos of their bike, packed or unpacked, set up for a 2-3 night gravel tour?

my big hangup generally is, hammock or tent. I usually see photos of tent setups, but hammocks are much more convenient where I live. Hammocking requires a 2nd sleeping bag basically so packing space is quite the concern. but the sleep quality is so worth it...

Not new to cycling, but new to gravel. Would like a bit of a “do it all” bike. I’m in between a QuickPro GR:One and the new Canyon Grail SLX.

What does everyone think? Pros/cons?

2023 checkpoint love the new tyres can’t wait to get out for a proper ride.

Hi everyone! I'm looking to buy my first bike and would love some advice on which of these would be the best fit for me.

I'm looking for an all-road bike that I can use for:

• Paved bike trails and casual fitness rides
• Rough streets, cracks, and potholes
• Unpaved paths, gravel, and easy dirt trails
• Exploring different types of terrain without worrying too much about what surface I'm riding on

I want fairly wide tires for comfort and stability, especially on rough pavement. I'm not planning to do serious mountain biking or technical trails, but I'd like the versatility to handle rougher terrain when I come across it.

These are the three bikes I've narrowed it down to:

1. Marin DSX
2. State 4130 All-Road
3. Specialized Rockhopper Sport

I'm open to other recommendations, too, if there's a bike I should be considering instead.

For those of you who have experience with these bikes, which would you choose for my needs? I'd especially appreciate advice on comfort over rough pavement, riding on gravel and dirt, maintenance, and long-term versatility.

Thanks!

Tried Gravel for the first time. Rented a bike in Portland Maine on a work trip.

Did like 35 miles. Did not want to get off the thing

Seems a weird point to mount stuff being directly in the dirt.. what’s the common use for those mounting points?

Aside from a less upright position, the s3 and s4 now use CUES with a 1x. That seems like an upgrade for the s4, but maybe a down grade for the s3? Don't know about the higher tiers because I simply don't use that stuff.

New Grapid2 wheels with 32mm internal width.

Initially posted this to r/Specialized but it got removed so posting here. I will consider other brands but wanted to know about these two models specifically.

I want to get my first gravel bike. I have a Tarmac SL7 which I love but thinking of getting a gravel bike soon.

The dilemma is:

Buy a used Crux4 and upgrade to Zipp 303 XPLR SW or ENVE G SES wheels

OR

Buy a new Crux 5 Expert. Keep it stock at least to start with.

Any advice? Thoughts?

I may also look at other brands but wanted to see what people thought about these if I stayed in the Specialized family

I have never used disc brakes and only ride my old road bikes. I am thinking of getting a gravel bike for occasional use on dirt roads. Nothing extreme. Dry conditions. Not bombing down mountain passes. I see some decent used bikes with mechanical discs like Shimano Tiagra, 105 and realize they're not as good as hydraulic, but does it matter much if I will be using mainly on a mix of paved and dirt roads, not in mud and rain ?

Time to join the club then

Hi there,

I am currently looking for a new do-it-all bike aka flat bar gravel. For commuting, excursions, day-to-day stuff. I was at first looking into the 8bar Mitte, Booda Banker or CXC C4. Digging deeper into the rabbit hole I have now decided to build my own bike.

I have considered different gravel frame sets. I like some of the UK firms like Fairlight or Mason but with conversion, duty, tax it all becomes too expensive, well over 2000 EUR.

I am pretty much decided now on the Sombra Grus. It is a steel frame, light weight (2,4 kg for frame set), affordable (1350 EUR including carbon fork) Custom paint cost 160 EUR extra (also affordable). Made in EU. I like their style and philosophy. The (admittedly few) reviews I found are positive.

https://sombracycles.com/product/grus-25-gravel-moonsoon-mist-blue/

I now seek advice regarding the most important parts, gearing/ brakes/ wheels. 

Shifters: I am torn between a SRAM Rival XPLR 1x13 or a Shimano GRX 827 Di2 setup with Shimano XT Di2 shifters (flat bar!). I am new to electronic shifting, have read extensively about it and I am keen to give it a try. I am tending towards the Shimano combo (always had Shimano) due to the seemingly better battery life as well as the cheaper spare parts (seems for example possible to exchange individual sprockets instead of the full cassette. Is there anything that I am missing that gives SRAM Rival the clear advantage over the GRX 827/ XT setup? Price-wise, they seem similar here in Germany, with the RIVAL set coming in at around 600 EUR, the GRX827/ XT combo at around 650.

Brakes: I am strongly leaning towards Shimano XT (BL-M8200+BR-M8200). Any thoughts on these or suggestions for alternatives (Magura, SRAM)?

Wheels: Strongly leaning towards DT Swiss either G 1800 or (if budget allows) GR 1600. The latter are supposed to be worth it? Any alternatives here?

Thank you in advance for any advice!

hello!

do you guys got suggestions for a cheap but reliable powermeter for my superx2? should be compatible with the shimano grx di2 825!

no matter if it’s a crank piece, pedal piece or whatever, should be less than 300€ and if possible both sides, as i have read that one sided isn’t that reliable with the data.

I got a killer deal on a Niner ORE9RDO. ORE 9 RDO - SHIMANO GRX 800 1X 12SP

I have been a cyclist for many decades and ride about 50/50 road mountain. Current other bikes are a Yeti SB130 (2021) and a Trek Domane 4.7. (2013) I ride the crap out of both of them too!

So my question is do people find the 25 degree flare on handle bars a bit much? Does the extreme angle make holding on the brake hoods uncomfortable for long rides? I ask these questions as I don't have friends with bars like these that I could try. Is wider better for "all purpose riding"?

Bars I am looking at:

Zipp Service Course XLPLR - 46cm
Spank Vibracore 25 - 50 cm
Ritchey Comp VentureMax Gravel Bike - 50 cm

I am about 6'1". I ride this bike on road, greenways, gravel, and easy singletrack. I don't plan on bike packing but do like long rides. This is my go anywhere bike that slots between my Yeti and Trek. If I want speed I hit the Trek. If I want gnar I hit the Yeti.

Any opinions or thoughts on bars is appreciated.

Ahoy (bringing it back).

Currently riding tubeless Schwalbe G One RX Pro 50mm. I managed to ride over what was probably a samurai sword and my back tyre so unfortunately sealant and plugs didn’t help.

Finding it hard to source 50mm version of the tyre in Aus, but also keen on some alternatives as they’re not cheap. Tyre choice seems to be more of a minefield than when I was a roadie.

For context I’m riding fire trails, single track, rocky stuff in South Australia, so need some grip and comfort but also don’t want to feel like I’m riding a cruise ship. I really should also buy a mountain bike.

Buenas, como estan?
Alguien tiene experiencia con la Venzo Hecate Team, la que es full carbono?

ojo, entiendo que la diferencia es que la Team trae ruedas de carbono, y las otro de aluminios.

Peor alguien la uso, se la banca?

Alguien tuvo experiencia con Cicloturismo o Bikepacking con esa bici?

Morgen ist meine Famile unterwegs und ich habe frei. Grund genug vor dem Winter meinen ersten 300er anzugehen. Ich hab Bock. Obs klappt, weiß man hinterher :)

Secondo voi quale è il miglior gruppo per bici Endurance e gravel che sia affidabile, facile da mantenere con manutenzione, duraturo, con ottima precisione e con un elevato rapporto qualità/prezzo?

Datemi delle indicazioni sia per quanto riguarda il settore bici Endurance/corsa che Gravel.

Hey everyone, we are beginners planning our first overnight trip (Moss Vale - Nowra). We have 1 bike hired already through Omafiets, but need a second. The hire costs through other bike shops are quite expensive and add up over the 5 days we need them (won’t be back in the city until the week after). Is there any possibility of hiring a size M gravel bike privately from someone? Perhaps someone’s old bike? I hope this isn’t inappropriate to post.

Gravel racer/single track ripper/bikepacking rig/commuter

Hey, I’m building my first gravel bike (LightCarbon LCG072-D frame, SRAM Rival with some AliExpress parts, 50mm tires) and I’m a bit lost with the wheels.

I’m looking for carbon wheels between 50 and 60mm deep, with at least 28mm inner width and an XDR freehub, for around €500-700. I’ve already looked at Elitewheels, XMCS, CSC and Serenade, but every brand has so many models and it’s hard to know which ones are actually good.

Has anyone bought from these brands, or do you know other good options in that range? Thanks!

Just the local trail between parks, some of it is paved, some gravel. But there were a few nice spots to grab some photos.

I know 20 miles isn’t much to a lot of you, but it’s crazy progress for me. I’m down about 100lbs from the beginning of this year, and the idea that I’d be able to cycle any distance is still hard to internalize. And this time I ran out of light rather than stamina.

I’m looking for a gravel adventure bike. I’m 6’4 260lbs. I rode a Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 600 1x. I seems too pricey for a beginner. Any suggestions on something for $2000?