Tried Riding Gravel ... Meh
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Tried Riding Gravel ... Meh
Put 40mm tires on my endurance bike to hit some gravel levee roads where I live.
I was very excited which lasted about 5 minutes. As beautiful as the scenery was the constant shudder through the frame made it unpleasant.
The gravel was sbkut the size of quarters so the degree of shuddering wasnt the issue just the constistency of it. It was like riding the chip seal roads they probably have in Hell.
So its back to the road for me and a new search for forest riding.
I was very excited which lasted about 5 minutes. As beautiful as the scenery was the constant shudder through the frame made it unpleasant.
The gravel was sbkut the size of quarters so the degree of shuddering wasnt the issue just the constistency of it. It was like riding the chip seal roads they probably have in Hell.
So its back to the road for me and a new search for forest riding.
Likes For UsedToBeFaster:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts
I can relate. was having fun on unpaved rail trails until I reached large gravel for about .5-1 mile. quite unpleasant. I think the term "gravel riding" is quite broad. I've since found more pleasant places to ride, mostly dirt or smaller gravel w/ dirt mixed in. I also switched from a rigid fork hybrid type bike to a 29er w a cheap sus. fork
stuff like this is easy enough
this stuff is a lot less fun
keep looking until you find the really fun trails
stuff like this is easy enough
this stuff is a lot less fun
keep looking until you find the really fun trails
Likes For rumrunn6:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,553
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4199 Post(s)
Liked 2,914 Times
in
1,782 Posts
Wow, pretty.
Likes For himespau:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 733 Post(s)
Liked 815 Times
in
414 Posts
Put 40mm tires on my endurance bike to hit some gravel levee roads where I live.
I was very excited which lasted about 5 minutes. As beautiful as the scenery was the constant shudder through the frame made it unpleasant.
The gravel was sbkut the size of quarters so the degree of shuddering wasnt the issue just the constistency of it. It was like riding the chip seal roads they probably have in Hell.
So its back to the road for me and a new search for forest riding.
I was very excited which lasted about 5 minutes. As beautiful as the scenery was the constant shudder through the frame made it unpleasant.
The gravel was sbkut the size of quarters so the degree of shuddering wasnt the issue just the constistency of it. It was like riding the chip seal roads they probably have in Hell.
So its back to the road for me and a new search for forest riding.
The thing I like about gravel is def the scenery, and also getting away from traffic. I can ride for three hours and not see a single car. And even when you do encounter cars on gravel, they typically either come to a complete stop and let you pass, or slow way down, def very different from road traffic. At least around here.
Likes For Rides4Beer:
Likes For motorthings:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Can you lower the tire pressure?
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
PSI is 60 - Running Tubes
I just bought 30 TPI tires which I run at 60 PSI. Will dropping to 40 really make a difference? I also wonder whether a higher TPI tire will help.
Rides4Beer Totally agree. The lack of traffic is a huge plus.
caloso I see your in the Sacrmanto area. I am there for work and did these rides on the West Sacramento Levees (River Rd). I did notice there are some "forest" trails along the American River Bike Trail but it seems most are off limits to cyclists (limited to horses and hikers). Any suggestions for forest style trails in your area?
Thanks!
Rides4Beer Totally agree. The lack of traffic is a huge plus.
caloso I see your in the Sacrmanto area. I am there for work and did these rides on the West Sacramento Levees (River Rd). I did notice there are some "forest" trails along the American River Bike Trail but it seems most are off limits to cyclists (limited to horses and hikers). Any suggestions for forest style trails in your area?
Thanks!
Tubes or tubeless? How much pressure? I run 40mm tubeless on the gravel bike and it's very comfortable flying over that type of gravel at 38-40psi.
The thing I like about gravel is def the scenery, and also getting away from traffic. I can ride for three hours and not see a single car. And even when you do encounter cars on gravel, they typically either come to a complete stop and let you pass, or slow way down, def very different from road traffic. At least around here.
The thing I like about gravel is def the scenery, and also getting away from traffic. I can ride for three hours and not see a single car. And even when you do encounter cars on gravel, they typically either come to a complete stop and let you pass, or slow way down, def very different from road traffic. At least around here.
#9
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
As stated, tire pressure. I don't know how much you weigh, but 152-pound me only needs 28F/32R on my 38c Challenge Gravel Grinder tubeless tires to not bonk rim (within reason). Gives a fast smooth ride over anything short of 2.5" minus.
__________________
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times
in
4,663 Posts
#11
meh
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,700
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times
in
518 Posts
Put 40mm tires on my endurance bike to hit some gravel levee roads where I live.
I was very excited which lasted about 5 minutes. As beautiful as the scenery was the constant shudder through the frame made it unpleasant.
The gravel was sbkut the size of quarters so the degree of shuddering wasnt the issue just the constistency of it. It was like riding the chip seal roads they probably have in Hell.
So its back to the road for me and a new search for forest riding.
I was very excited which lasted about 5 minutes. As beautiful as the scenery was the constant shudder through the frame made it unpleasant.
The gravel was sbkut the size of quarters so the degree of shuddering wasnt the issue just the constistency of it. It was like riding the chip seal roads they probably have in Hell.
So its back to the road for me and a new search for forest riding.
My love for gravel has a few components:
- Quiet roads - very few cars to compete with
- Seeing little seen places
- Amazing gravel community in Minnesota
- The same route is never the same
- Days like this - Almanzo 100 https://vimeo.com/65260098
- And there's days like this - The Filthy 50 (the Toad is flashing the shaka on a drop-bar fatbike @ 0:28)
I simply enjoy the adventure, enjoy the challenge, and enjoy the company!
Likes For alo:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,107
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8191 Post(s)
Liked 8,851 Times
in
4,396 Posts
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,060
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 15,299 Times
in
7,231 Posts
I like "gravel."
Likes For indyfabz:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,060
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 15,299 Times
in
7,231 Posts
Likes For indyfabz:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times
in
4,663 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,060
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 15,299 Times
in
7,231 Posts
Likes For indyfabz:
#18
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,393 Times
in
4,148 Posts
A lot of gravel around me is hardpack road with loose gravel strewn about atop the hardpack, with some loosepack gravel every here and there(approaching intersections, sections of more recent laid gravel, etc). Perhaps the location you rode isnt ideal, especially at the PSI?
Or maybe it isnt for you, which could be.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts
& then there's the falling ...
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I just bought 30 TPI tires which I run at 60 PSI. Will dropping to 40 really make a difference? I also wonder whether a higher TPI tire will help.
Rides4Beer Totally agree. The lack of traffic is a huge plus.
caloso I see your in the Sacrmanto area. I am there for work and did these rides on the West Sacramento Levees (River Rd). I did notice there are some "forest" trails along the American River Bike Trail but it seems most are off limits to cyclists (limited to horses and hikers). Any suggestions for forest style trails in your area?
Thanks!
Rides4Beer Totally agree. The lack of traffic is a huge plus.
caloso I see your in the Sacrmanto area. I am there for work and did these rides on the West Sacramento Levees (River Rd). I did notice there are some "forest" trails along the American River Bike Trail but it seems most are off limits to cyclists (limited to horses and hikers). Any suggestions for forest style trails in your area?
Thanks!
#21
Senior Member
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I think it's a little unhelpful that we refer to anything that isn't pavement as "gravel." I hate riding on actual gravel - pea sized rocks, bunch of them, especially when it's deep. We have a lot of hard packed dirt roads here, and these can be fantastic to ride on.
Like others have said, it's about scenery and traffic. For me it's also about having more places to ride, and about being able to make a loop out of what would be an out-and-back otherwise. I think we only have 5 (?) roads that cross the Cascade Range, and we have a lot of roads (that mostly serve hiking trails) that are paved for about 10 miles, then turn to dirt. We also have a maze of dirt roads throughout the mountains, so I can ride those first 10 miles, and instead of just turning around, I can keep going. Lot of beautiful paved roads, but eventually you get to the point where you've ridden most of the ones that appeal to you.
Like others have said, it's about scenery and traffic. For me it's also about having more places to ride, and about being able to make a loop out of what would be an out-and-back otherwise. I think we only have 5 (?) roads that cross the Cascade Range, and we have a lot of roads (that mostly serve hiking trails) that are paved for about 10 miles, then turn to dirt. We also have a maze of dirt roads throughout the mountains, so I can ride those first 10 miles, and instead of just turning around, I can keep going. Lot of beautiful paved roads, but eventually you get to the point where you've ridden most of the ones that appeal to you.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,060
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 15,299 Times
in
7,231 Posts
I run my 37c tires at 85 PSI when touring fully loaded on road and off road. I am a badass. Like Chuck Norris.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Except burn scars. Those are beautiful.
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times
in
4,663 Posts
Around here, the most common would be limestone Class 5 gravel. Class 5 has chunks up to ~1" along with smaller stuff that serves as a binder and will eventually pack down well. Limestone is sedimentary and the bigger chunks will break down the more it's traveled upon. It can be exceptionally smooth and fast, but you'll also hit washboard sections and plenty of loose stuff.
Any gravel without a sufficient binder, like what you describe, is a pain in the ass.
Likes For WhyFi: