Road Bike to Gravel Grinder
04-23-15, 12:37 PM
#1
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Road Bike to Gravel Grinder
Just a question is it possible to use a regular road bike as a cross/gravel grinder? could i just put cross tires on my old Argon Radon and would it be ok? or would i get better handling and durability with an actual cross bike?
04-23-15, 12:49 PM
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Biggest issue is tire clearence. Most caliper brakes on racing bikes will only take 28mm tires. Many frames on road bikes only have clearence for 25mm tires.
My bet is that you'd be lucky to squeeze 28mm tires on that bike.
28mm will work for relatively smooth gravel, but you'd typically want more like 32mm-38mm to be a "gravel grinder"
FWIW, Dirty Kanza recommends 2" wide tires for the DK200. I did it on 40mm tires with no issues (other than mud clerance on bike spec'd for 35mm tires). Saw lots of people on 32mm cyclocross tires with flats.
My bet is that you'd be lucky to squeeze 28mm tires on that bike.
28mm will work for relatively smooth gravel, but you'd typically want more like 32mm-38mm to be a "gravel grinder"
FWIW, Dirty Kanza recommends 2" wide tires for the DK200. I did it on 40mm tires with no issues (other than mud clerance on bike spec'd for 35mm tires). Saw lots of people on 32mm cyclocross tires with flats.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 04-23-15 at 12:53 PM.
04-23-15, 12:57 PM
#3
pan y agua
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Also true cross bikes are different from gravel grinders. A true cross bike is designed for cyclocross racing, comes with a maximum of 32mm wide tires (UCI rule) has no water bottle cages, and is designed for handling on tight circuits.
Gravel grinders tend to have longer wheel bases, more stable geometry, mounts for racks, and water bottles and take wider tires, often 40-50mm.
There's overlap; you can race cross on a gravel grinder, and you can do gravel races on a cross bike. Exactly what you want depends on what your desired use is.
Gravel grinders tend to have longer wheel bases, more stable geometry, mounts for racks, and water bottles and take wider tires, often 40-50mm.
There's overlap; you can race cross on a gravel grinder, and you can do gravel races on a cross bike. Exactly what you want depends on what your desired use is.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
04-23-15, 01:51 PM
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