So how is the RD not working well while riding in the big chain ring? Slow shifts? Missed shifts?

For the most part it shifts fine, but I was comparing it to my road bike with a "budget" 105 R7000 RD and the difference in quick shifting is much more noticeable with the ability to get the cage right by the cassette. The GRX400 RD works great too especially since it's clutched, but I find it somewhat ugly and heavy at 310g. Plus I was planning to gift that RD to a family member!

Yeah, that is why I plan to switch to short cage RDs on my road bikes.

New frame ordered!
https://www.ninerbikes.com/media/cat...idth=&canvas=:
I've been doing fine with the sub-40mm limit on my current gravel frame, but I've been looking to make a change to something that allows me to run 40-45s. Trek Checkpoint, Lauf Siegla Rigid, Ventum GS1, and Niner RLT 9 RDO have been the ones primarily on my radar. I don't think there's a bad choice to be made among those, but to keep it in my price range (sub-$2k), the Trek and Ventum would have to be used, and the Lauf bumps against my limits. The Niner has been available at $1500 (new), but they seem to be clearing inventory, and they aren't going to be around much longer. Today, a retailer posted an additional 15% discount for the Niner, and I pulled the trigger. With the exception of the BB, everything from my current bike should move easily to the new frame.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db351cb53.jpeg

have a R8000 RD and M980 11-34 (10 spd) cassette on my Topstone and a mishmash / hodgepodge of other components

shifts great - one of the best shifting bikes I own

R8000 RD is rated for 34t max - but might work with 36t ?

( the R8000 RD weighed 206 g on my scale )

I'm thinking about the Ultegra RX800 RD. It's also rated for max 34t, but I've used a 105 R7000 RD on a 46:30t chainring and 11-36t cassette and it worked fine. I just want access to a clutch since I'm able to fine tune tension to my liking. It's a bit less burlier than the GRX810 RD, but I kind of prefer the road aesthetics of the RX800 RD.

I just picked up an Ultegra RX800 RD and it runs great! This is exactly what I was looking for. Also the chain line appears better aligned for road cranks. I believe even the GRX RD cages are optimized for the 2.5mm offset of GRX cranksets. If you're running a road crankset on a gravel bike, I think the Ultegra RX800 RD is a better choice. It easily clears the big cog on my 11-36t while running a direct mount 46:30t chainring. Shifting definitely has a more road bike precision, but with lower gearing. Though I believe the GRX 400 runs a tad more smoother at the low gears due to the long cage. If I was predominantly climbing in rough terrain like 70/30 percent of the time, I'd definitely prefer the GRX 400 RD even with it's 60-65g weight penalty for the RX800 RD.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7fc9e7c2f4.jpg

I've added some comparison photos between the GRX400 and Ultegra RX800 rear derailleurs mounted on my 10speed 11-36t XT cassette and 46:30t crankset (using GRX400 10 speed shifters). On a side note, I'm using a GRX400 FD and it works perfectly with road cranks with plenty of H/L screw adjustment leverage. No need for a road specific FD, while still capable of handling GRX 2.5mm offset cranks. From what I'm thinking, the Ultegra RX800 is at it's upper threshold for optimal shifting. Any bigger of a cassette and it won't have that fast, roadie-like shifting.

Though if I decide I want more low gearing I think I would go back to the GRX400 RD due to the long cage design. I've been really curious about the new Microshift Sword 10 speed 11-38t cassette that's starting to trickle onto the market and I wonder if the GRX400 could handle that cassette while maintaining crisp shift performance? Also looking at the Shimano cassette weight and price of the current 12 speed 11-36t cassettes, I somewhat prefer 10 speed. The 10 speed 11-36t Deore XT cassette is cheaper and weighs less. I really don't notice much cadence difference between 2x10 vs 2x11.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cf955b473c.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f5727003e3.jpg

I jumped on the TPU tube bandwagon for spares. The price came down a lot, at $12 per tube on Amazon, I'm willing to try.

I got one for my gravel and one for my mountain bike. With a good tubeless setup, I haven't had a flat that required a tube in years, its entirely possible I'll never use either of these. I can't leave the house without a spare, I just can't do it. So this will free up a ton of room in my (intentionally) small bags. Since they'll be in there likely a loooong time, and they're so thin, I have them both in a soft sunglasses bag. Maybe it's time to check my sealant levels.

what brand / type TPU tubes ?

Ridenow, they’re all over Amazon.

I got one that’s like 700c x35-47mm which will cover gravel. The MTB ones are 29x2.1-2.5 or something.

Very light, very compact. They each come with one stick on patch.

Like I said earlier, with my tubeless setup, I’m not really getting flats, and if I do, it’s more like something that I’d plug. This is just for peace of mind, since I can’t bring myself to ride without a spare. Hopefully, neither of these ever see the inside of a tire.

now you are definitely jinxed ! :)

I have RideNow tubes in wheels of my 650b bike and 26” wheel vintage MTB - they have been trouble free

I have Schwalbe Aerothan tubes in my 700c bikes - they have also been trouble free with exception of the valve stem guts a bit too eager to unscrew at times

have a pair of Pirelli tpu tubes - they look good but have not used them

also have a pair of Revoloop tpu tubes - have not used them and probably will not … a tad too thin / ‘flimsy’ (for me at least)