wunderkind

Before all the N+1 talk or "Get a MTB" comments, please bear with me for a bit here. I saw in TDF that there were a few coblestone and rough gravel routes. And these guys just blitz through it. So it got me thinking if anyone here takes their road bikes onto crushed gravel paths?

OK changed the title abit. What I should've meant was surfaces apart from asphalt.

Homebrew01

Dirt roads once in a while, but not gravel if i can help it. I think most roadies don't want a lot of gravel kicking and chipping their paint and getting their bikes dirty. Gravel is a bit more likely to cause flats too.

Nerull

I grew up on a gravel road, and even on a mountain bike loose gravel is sketchy. There was always hard packed dirt where people drove that was very smooth, though. At least until they decided to dump more gravel on the road. The rock usually cleared off the packed dirt after a month or so...

caloso

Nope. I rode on a gravel road once and I died. And my carbon bike exploded.

DinoShepherd

A road bike can take much more dirt, abuse and curb jumps than most people think.

Of course, being mainly a C-X kind of guy, my idea of roads is probably a bit different than most...

-Z

Scrockern8r

It's all about the tires. I run 27x1.25s and they do fine on dirt roads and the occasional exploratory venture. However, it doesn't take much to get them bogged down into gravel. It is a road bike after all.

rat fink

I was going to answer, "Every time I'm late for work". However, your response is so me. That's the reason I am so fond of CX bikes and racing. There's nothing like it.

For the OP: When riding on gravel roads or singletrack, you want to take the smoothest line possible and 'ride light' so that the shock is absorbed and don't make jerky movements. On lower traction/unpredictable surfaces, try to move in fluid lines making minimal/subtle changes in direct. Don't grab on the brake; feather them, and learn how to come to stop gradually, yet quickly and brake in straight lines. Also, try to keep a smooth cadence.

These techniques can often be applied to many different terrains and as good general habits for all riding.

rat fink

I disagree. It's far more about technique and judgment on most terrain.

mustang1

I ride my rb with 23mm tires on gravel roads on occasion. Just be ready to unclip pronto. It's not a whole bunch of fun with such skinny tires though. Took the CX on gravel roads which was a million times better but nothing like taking a fat-studded-tire mtb on gravel where I had no problem going as fast as I could. BTW the CX had more road-like tires than off-road so that had everything to do with it.

hairnet

I've been on dirt equestrian trails at night. It's difficult to keep upright and avoid all the poop but always lots of fun.

guadzilla

I have to admit, I feel very hesitant with my road bike on loose-over-hardpack or gravel or similar terrain.

Give me my 29x2.35s and it is a different story - but I am not sure if I'll be able to correct a rear wheel skid on 700x23s. I just got a cross bike and I am still not fully confident about what I can do with it on a trail yet - some of it is simply not enough time getting to know the bike's capabilities and some of it is that I feel a little more prone to wiping out when on drop bars (probably just in my head).

V.

thinh_zipp93

I once follow a dude into a bush road, I first though that this road are wooden and it is kind of nice when sometime riding under the trees line, pretty cool.
Anyway, I found myself rolling next to a bush walk gravel road, I was using 23 RB tyres in that time, get heap of bumps, the tyre stucked on the sand, but still moving, I didn't use clipless.
I got out from it after almost 500m "bush ride" with my bike. Nothing happened, when I went home, the next day, my tyre went flat. That is all.

Steev

The occasional dirt/gravel section opens up lots more routes for me, it's no big deal. Wider tyres do make things easier as a 23mm is about the same width as the stones and the stones tend to roll sideways making things a tad squirmy.

Edit: around here, a lot of the dirt roads ride better than the "paved" roads. The dirt roads are maintained by grading then once a year, the "paved" back roads are maintained by a crew driving around throwing a shovelful of hot mix in the holes then moving on.

gsteinb

Working on my curb jumping is going to be a big part of my program from September-Novemeber.

ahsposo 

I'd bet that you picked up a thorn.

simonaway427

Owner of the LBS rides his SL2 on the local rail bed all the time - on 25c's.

Machka 

Anyone takes their roadbike on surfaces apart from asphalt, such as gravel paths and roads?


Once in a while ... don't like it, but sometimes there just isn't pavement where I want to ride.

ahsposo 

I do it all the time on 23s. No big deal. Don't do it at full speed and stay light on the saddle.

bellweatherman

If you have a cyclocross bike, and put the biggest, fattest, slickest tires you can put on them you will then be in for a real treat. It is a blast to go off the beaten path every now and then.

coasting 

not deliberately

pmt

One of the roads we use on the daily morning ride is being resurfaced; they keep milling sections of it, then paving later on. Some of the guys are complaining, but I keep saying "This is great! It's like we're riding the Northern Classics!". The milled section is a great spot to attack the group, since some of the guys are hesitant when they get there.

Slowrollin'

Dirt, Gravel, Mud all the time. I don't feel my ride is complete unless I get onto some sort of dirt!! After all, it's just a bike; they are meant to be ridden and enjoyed.

Mike

StanSeven

I avoid it for two reasons. Fresh gravel that is loose can cause a crash. Also gravel cuts sidewalls. If I had to ride it regularly, I would get a CX.

StanSeven

You obviously don't ride a $10,000 road bike.

collegeskier

It is not gravel but the bike path around here changes from paved to dirt in many place and my wife loves the bike path over roads, so we ride on it often. The surface is made up of a lot of silt and clay I would say. It is very hard and actually a lot smoother then a lot of the paved sections of the path. I do have to clean my bike more often because of this because you do kick up dust.