Can A Gravel Bike Be A Good Road Bike?
09-23-19, 12:38 PM
#176
Senior Member
Thread Starter
So back to the original post. Like most questions here that get asked in BF, the best answer is "it depends."
Whether a gravel bike will perform well as a road bike for you depends on what you want out of a road bike. From what the OP said (assuming he's still here after six pages of typical BF arguing), a gravel bike with a second wheelset seems like a very good option for him. The caveat being I don't know what his group rides are like. If he's struggling to keep up on group rides with an "actual" road bike, perhaps swapping to a gravel bike with road-oriented tires would put him off the pace. Perhaps. And perhaps not.
Whether a gravel bike will perform well as a road bike for you depends on what you want out of a road bike. From what the OP said (assuming he's still here after six pages of typical BF arguing), a gravel bike with a second wheelset seems like a very good option for him. The caveat being I don't know what his group rides are like. If he's struggling to keep up on group rides with an "actual" road bike, perhaps swapping to a gravel bike with road-oriented tires would put him off the pace. Perhaps. And perhaps not.
The lower gearing of my bike suits me. Honestly spinning out hasn't been a problem. I get close to it sometimes, but I'm not really a speed freak and I'm usually thinking about how to slow down in those moments.
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09-23-19, 05:01 PM
#177
Full Member
Since the comfort on a gravel bike is almost entirely the tires (with minor part being the geometry) the frame material means nothing. Light? Who worries about that on a gravel bike - especially when heavier gravel bikes tend to ride better? In what universe does a carbon fiber bike look better than any other material? I hate to put it to you but carbon fiber has been around since 1989. That's likely to be your age so that means it ain't "innovative".
09-23-19, 05:32 PM
#178
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Of that group of attributes the ONLY one that is legitimate is "Trendy".
Since the comfort on a gravel bike is almost entirely the tires (with minor part being the geometry) the frame material means nothing. Light? Who worries about that on a gravel bike - especially when heavier gravel bikes tend to ride better? In what universe does a carbon fiber bike look better than any other material? I hate to put it to you but carbon fiber has been around since 1989. That's likely to be your age so that means it ain't "innovative".
Since the comfort on a gravel bike is almost entirely the tires (with minor part being the geometry) the frame material means nothing. Light? Who worries about that on a gravel bike - especially when heavier gravel bikes tend to ride better? In what universe does a carbon fiber bike look better than any other material? I hate to put it to you but carbon fiber has been around since 1989. That's likely to be your age so that means it ain't "innovative".
I am unsure as to why you think your opinion is actually factual and correct. Those arent the same. You speak as if what you value and view is the one correct way- it isnt.
Many carbon gravel bike utilize various forms of suspension within the frame and components. Stems, seat tubes, seat stays- these can flex to absorb vibration and improve comfort.
You claim only tires provide comfort, but actual users of these frames may disagree.
As for weight, many people 'worry'(consider) about that on their gravel bike. Why wouldnt they? As for a heavier gravel bike riding better- define this. What is light and what is heavy? I dont know why a 28# gravel bike would ride 'better' than a 22# gravel bike based just on the weight since, you know, I and many others have actual experience on this issue.
With regards to aesthetics, once again you claim your opinion as the correct view when it is simply an opinion. Carbon gravel frames come in many shapes and a lot of people find them to look good. This is based on actual observation of posts in the gravel forum and isnt just my personal opinion(my gravel bikes have all been steel frame).
As to carbon fiber frames being around since '89, it was before that when main brands were selling carbon frame road bikes. Regardless, technology has changed since 30 years ago- obviously. Seen a car recently? Seen a computer recently? Carbon use in frames has changed in that time too.
Oh, and I'm older than 30, but man I wish I were still that age!
09-23-19, 06:57 PM
#179
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No, they are all legitimate if the user views them as legitimate.
I am unsure as to why you think your opinion is actually factual and correct. Those arent the same. You speak as if what you value and view is the one correct way- it isnt.
Many carbon gravel bike utilize various forms of suspension within the frame and components. Stems, seat tubes, seat stays- these can flex to absorb vibration and improve comfort.
You claim only tires provide comfort, but actual users of these frames may disagree.
As for weight, many people 'worry'(consider) about that on their gravel bike. Why wouldnt they? As for a heavier gravel bike riding better- define this. What is light and what is heavy? I dont know why a 28# gravel bike would ride 'better' than a 22# gravel bike based just on the weight since, you know, I and many others have actual experience on this issue.
With regards to aesthetics, once again you claim your opinion as the correct view when it is simply an opinion. Carbon gravel frames come in many shapes and a lot of people find them to look good. This is based on actual observation of posts in the gravel forum and isnt just my personal opinion(my gravel bikes have all been steel frame).
As to carbon fiber frames being around since '89, it was before that when main brands were selling carbon frame road bikes. Regardless, technology has changed since 30 years ago- obviously. Seen a car recently? Seen a computer recently? Carbon use in frames has changed in that time too.
Oh, and I'm older than 30, but man I wish I were still that age!
I am unsure as to why you think your opinion is actually factual and correct. Those arent the same. You speak as if what you value and view is the one correct way- it isnt.
Many carbon gravel bike utilize various forms of suspension within the frame and components. Stems, seat tubes, seat stays- these can flex to absorb vibration and improve comfort.
You claim only tires provide comfort, but actual users of these frames may disagree.
As for weight, many people 'worry'(consider) about that on their gravel bike. Why wouldnt they? As for a heavier gravel bike riding better- define this. What is light and what is heavy? I dont know why a 28# gravel bike would ride 'better' than a 22# gravel bike based just on the weight since, you know, I and many others have actual experience on this issue.
With regards to aesthetics, once again you claim your opinion as the correct view when it is simply an opinion. Carbon gravel frames come in many shapes and a lot of people find them to look good. This is based on actual observation of posts in the gravel forum and isnt just my personal opinion(my gravel bikes have all been steel frame).
As to carbon fiber frames being around since '89, it was before that when main brands were selling carbon frame road bikes. Regardless, technology has changed since 30 years ago- obviously. Seen a car recently? Seen a computer recently? Carbon use in frames has changed in that time too.
Oh, and I'm older than 30, but man I wish I were still that age!
09-23-19, 08:32 PM
#180
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09-23-19, 09:27 PM
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Of that group of attributes the ONLY one that is legitimate is "Trendy".
Since the comfort on a gravel bike is almost entirely the tires (with minor part being the geometry) the frame material means nothing. Light? Who worries about that on a gravel bike - especially when heavier gravel bikes tend to ride better? In what universe does a carbon fiber bike look better than any other material? I hate to put it to you but carbon fiber has been around since 1989. That's likely to be your age so that means it ain't "innovative".
Since the comfort on a gravel bike is almost entirely the tires (with minor part being the geometry) the frame material means nothing. Light? Who worries about that on a gravel bike - especially when heavier gravel bikes tend to ride better? In what universe does a carbon fiber bike look better than any other material? I hate to put it to you but carbon fiber has been around since 1989. That's likely to be your age so that means it ain't "innovative".
09-26-19, 05:02 PM
#182
Full Member
No, they are all legitimate if the user views them as legitimate.
I am unsure as to why you think your opinion is actually factual and correct. Those arent the same. You speak as if what you value and view is the one correct way- it isnt.
Many carbon gravel bike utilize various forms of suspension within the frame and components. Stems, seat tubes, seat stays- these can flex to absorb vibration and improve comfort.
You claim only tires provide comfort, but actual users of these frames may disagree.
As for weight, many people 'worry'(consider) about that on their gravel bike. Why wouldnt they? As for a heavier gravel bike riding better- define this. What is light and what is heavy? I dont know why a 28# gravel bike would ride 'better' than a 22# gravel bike based just on the weight since, you know, I and many others have actual experience on this issue.
With regards to aesthetics, once again you claim your opinion as the correct view when it is simply an opinion. Carbon gravel frames come in many shapes and a lot of people find them to look good. This is based on actual observation of posts in the gravel forum and isnt just my personal opinion(my gravel bikes have all been steel frame).
As to carbon fiber frames being around since '89, it was before that when main brands were selling carbon frame road bikes. Regardless, technology has changed since 30 years ago- obviously. Seen a car recently? Seen a computer recently? Carbon use in frames has changed in that time too.
Oh, and I'm older than 30, but man I wish I were still that age!
I am unsure as to why you think your opinion is actually factual and correct. Those arent the same. You speak as if what you value and view is the one correct way- it isnt.
Many carbon gravel bike utilize various forms of suspension within the frame and components. Stems, seat tubes, seat stays- these can flex to absorb vibration and improve comfort.
You claim only tires provide comfort, but actual users of these frames may disagree.
As for weight, many people 'worry'(consider) about that on their gravel bike. Why wouldnt they? As for a heavier gravel bike riding better- define this. What is light and what is heavy? I dont know why a 28# gravel bike would ride 'better' than a 22# gravel bike based just on the weight since, you know, I and many others have actual experience on this issue.
With regards to aesthetics, once again you claim your opinion as the correct view when it is simply an opinion. Carbon gravel frames come in many shapes and a lot of people find them to look good. This is based on actual observation of posts in the gravel forum and isnt just my personal opinion(my gravel bikes have all been steel frame).
As to carbon fiber frames being around since '89, it was before that when main brands were selling carbon frame road bikes. Regardless, technology has changed since 30 years ago- obviously. Seen a car recently? Seen a computer recently? Carbon use in frames has changed in that time too.
Oh, and I'm older than 30, but man I wish I were still that age!
09-30-19, 08:39 AM
#183
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
I'm not sure what you're talking about. A gravel bike is nothing more than a road bike with sufficient tire clearance for up to 32 or so gravel knobbys. Most of the bikes before 1985 would do that. I can't say that I ever even used special tires to ride gravel roads and just went from asphalt to dirt road without even thinking about it. And that's when a wide tire was 23mm.
In general I'd agree.
I'd add that whereas I view disk/rim as a choice for road, gravel's really should be hydraulic disk. Mechanical disk should be outlawed because if you're going to do something...do it right.
I also went aluminum on my gravel vs. carbon with the thought that if used properly, it should have some smacks and dings over it's lifespan.
10-04-19, 08:44 PM
#184
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I didn't read the entire thread, so not sure if it has been mentioned already.
The answer to your question is yes, by that I mean you can get a 100% gravel bike and 90% of a road bike with a different set of wheels, all in one.
I recently bought the new Cervelo Aspero, I think you should check into that. It ticks all the boxes for both gravel and road with the only exception that it's a little heavier than a true road (climbing) bike.
I ended up building it as an Shimano 1x with 42t front and 11x42t rear, both my gravel wheelset (650b) and road (700c) run the same ratio cassette. In that setup as a road bike, I didn't missed much even when I was doing a pretty long climb and decent (12 miles) at 6% gradient on Blue Ridge Parkway. I guess it would be better if it's a bit lighter and I had bigger gears for the decent. Hence, I say it's 90% road bike.
On gravel, that thing flies, better than any I've had before, e.g. Santa Cruz Stigmata or Specialized Crux.
The answer to your question is yes, by that I mean you can get a 100% gravel bike and 90% of a road bike with a different set of wheels, all in one.
I recently bought the new Cervelo Aspero, I think you should check into that. It ticks all the boxes for both gravel and road with the only exception that it's a little heavier than a true road (climbing) bike.
I ended up building it as an Shimano 1x with 42t front and 11x42t rear, both my gravel wheelset (650b) and road (700c) run the same ratio cassette. In that setup as a road bike, I didn't missed much even when I was doing a pretty long climb and decent (12 miles) at 6% gradient on Blue Ridge Parkway. I guess it would be better if it's a bit lighter and I had bigger gears for the decent. Hence, I say it's 90% road bike.
On gravel, that thing flies, better than any I've had before, e.g. Santa Cruz Stigmata or Specialized Crux.
10-04-19, 08:46 PM
#185
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I don't think your "gravel" is the gravel people are talking about these days... the newer gravel bike can almost tackle nice single tracks. I don't think your pre-1985 bike would do that.
10-04-19, 09:08 PM
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I didn't read the entire thread, so not sure if it has been mentioned already.
The answer to your question is yes, by that I mean you can get a 100% gravel bike and 90% of a road bike with a different set of wheels, all in one.
I recently bought the new Cervelo Aspero, I think you should check into that. It ticks all the boxes for both gravel and road with the only exception that it's a little heavier than a true road (climbing) bike.
I ended up building it as an Shimano 1x with 42t front and 11x42t rear, both my gravel wheelset (650b) and road (700c) run the same ratio cassette. In that setup as a road bike, I didn't missed much even when I was doing a pretty long climb and decent (12 miles) at 6% gradient on Blue Ridge Parkway. I guess it would be better if it's a bit lighter and I had bigger gears for the decent. Hence, I say it's 90% road bike.
On gravel, that thing flies, better than any I've had before, e.g. Santa Cruz Stigmata or Specialized Crux.
The answer to your question is yes, by that I mean you can get a 100% gravel bike and 90% of a road bike with a different set of wheels, all in one.
I recently bought the new Cervelo Aspero, I think you should check into that. It ticks all the boxes for both gravel and road with the only exception that it's a little heavier than a true road (climbing) bike.
I ended up building it as an Shimano 1x with 42t front and 11x42t rear, both my gravel wheelset (650b) and road (700c) run the same ratio cassette. In that setup as a road bike, I didn't missed much even when I was doing a pretty long climb and decent (12 miles) at 6% gradient on Blue Ridge Parkway. I guess it would be better if it's a bit lighter and I had bigger gears for the decent. Hence, I say it's 90% road bike.
On gravel, that thing flies, better than any I've had before, e.g. Santa Cruz Stigmata or Specialized Crux.
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