Gravel lessons learned last weekend
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Gravel lessons learned last weekend
Had a blast Fox Ridge Filth Ride last weekend South of Cedar Falls Iowa.
Lots of fun on varied terreign but none of it flat or paved. Went over the handlebars once when I rode into a sandbox.
lessons learned this ride:
1) wear shoes, not sandals for gravel events. My Big toe lost some flesh during a unplanned flip over the handlebars when said toe clipped my pedal cleat.
2) bigger, fatter tires are always needed. I had WTB 42 Resolute front and 44mm Byways back (Tubeless, 35-40psi). These were marginally OK for dry conditions. Wet conditions would have needed 2-inch minimum. I'd want clearance for 3-inch if needed.
Lots of fun on varied terreign but none of it flat or paved. Went over the handlebars once when I rode into a sandbox.
lessons learned this ride:
1) wear shoes, not sandals for gravel events. My Big toe lost some flesh during a unplanned flip over the handlebars when said toe clipped my pedal cleat.
2) bigger, fatter tires are always needed. I had WTB 42 Resolute front and 44mm Byways back (Tubeless, 35-40psi). These were marginally OK for dry conditions. Wet conditions would have needed 2-inch minimum. I'd want clearance for 3-inch if needed.
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Sorry about your toe. I have driven some on Iowa gravel, never ridden there. Do you think the sand was from the way they built the road?
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So back to lesson learned #2 . Bigger tires, gonna require a bigger bike (clearance for wheels/tires). I do have a Fatbike with a 2.2" wheelset, but that Al Motobecane frame is a DOG with a heavy fork that's like a boat anchor. The Fat Bike's Aluminum frame feels so dead also.
I'm thinking a new bike with a sweet spot between my Jamis Renegade (~46 mm max tire width) and the Fatbike is what I need for more versatile gravel riding. Yes, I am aware we always need N+1 bikes! Want clearance up to 3" tires.
What bike frame to look at? 6'4 I'm a 270# Clydesdale
I've been eyeballing the Surly Krampus rigid frame. Talked to another guy riding one single speed that day. He had to be beat riding single speed on all those hills.
I'm thinking a new bike with a sweet spot between my Jamis Renegade (~46 mm max tire width) and the Fatbike is what I need for more versatile gravel riding. Yes, I am aware we always need N+1 bikes! Want clearance up to 3" tires.
What bike frame to look at? 6'4 I'm a 270# Clydesdale
I've been eyeballing the Surly Krampus rigid frame. Talked to another guy riding one single speed that day. He had to be beat riding single speed on all those hills.
Last edited by Toadmeister; 08-04-20 at 07:22 AM.
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To clarify, this sand is not normal or typical of Iowa gravel.
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Found a good article relative to my interests:
https://bikepacking.com/gear/29-tire...DLCRDmsmqJIY0M
I read on Bikepacking.com a lot and they have other good articles on hardtail 29" bikes, I need to go back and re-read some. Surly has a couple models I like.
https://bikepacking.com/gear/29-tire...DLCRDmsmqJIY0M
I read on Bikepacking.com a lot and they have other good articles on hardtail 29" bikes, I need to go back and re-read some. Surly has a couple models I like.
Last edited by Toadmeister; 08-04-20 at 08:41 AM.
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Sandals?? The thought would never even enter my mind, but then again, I use SPD pedals.
Sand can be tough, I've had it yank my front wheel a few times and scare the crap out of me, but thankfully was able to stay upright.
If you need that much tire, sounds like you need a mtb, most gravel bikes top out at 47-50mm.
Sand can be tough, I've had it yank my front wheel a few times and scare the crap out of me, but thankfully was able to stay upright.
If you need that much tire, sounds like you need a mtb, most gravel bikes top out at 47-50mm.
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Shimano and others(?) offer spd sandals. I have thought about getting some, but I'm not sure about using them for gravel. Socks recommended in most cases.
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I feel like a shill because I’m always promoting this bike, but it might fit the bill for you:
https://www.rei.com/product/122463/c...es-adv-31-bike
I have one and love it. I can go up to 2.35 in the front and 2.4 in the back.
I ride it in the road, dirt, and single track. (Using different tires of course)
https://www.rei.com/product/122463/c...es-adv-31-bike
I have one and love it. I can go up to 2.35 in the front and 2.4 in the back.
I ride it in the road, dirt, and single track. (Using different tires of course)
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Sandals?? The thought would never even enter my mind, but then again, I use SPD pedals.
Sand can be tough, I've had it yank my front wheel a few times and scare the crap out of me, but thankfully was able to stay upright.
If you need that much tire, sounds like you need a mtb, most gravel bikes top out at 47-50mm.
Sand can be tough, I've had it yank my front wheel a few times and scare the crap out of me, but thankfully was able to stay upright.
If you need that much tire, sounds like you need a mtb, most gravel bikes top out at 47-50mm.
My sandals are leftovers from my spd pedal days because I like the stiff soles and breathability. I removed the Spd clip and inserted a plug. They cover my toes 90% but my big toe poked out just enough.... Feet get HOT during summer rides LOVE the ventilation sandals provide. I'll only use them for casual and road rides now I think.
Last edited by Toadmeister; 08-04-20 at 08:44 AM.
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I feel like a shill because I’m always promoting this bike, but it might fit the bill for you:
https://www.rei.com/product/122463/c...es-adv-31-bike
I have one and love it. I can go up to 2.35 in the front and 2.4 in the back.
I ride it in the road, dirt, and single track. (Using different tires of course)
https://www.rei.com/product/122463/c...es-adv-31-bike
I have one and love it. I can go up to 2.35 in the front and 2.4 in the back.
I ride it in the road, dirt, and single track. (Using different tires of course)
I have bar end shifters on my first gravel build. Had em on hand already and I wanted to keep costs down to see if I even liked riding gravel. i liked them more on gravel than pavement because I'm in the dtops more often on gravel, so my hands were more frequently already right near the shifters.
That is a good option for the OP's required tire clearance.
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LOL, yeah I'm just not used to sand and wasn't expecting it. Near term (2-3 year) plans are to bike the Southwestern states Bikepacking and I'll need a bike that can handle flotation for sand. Thus the desire for clearance up to 3" on a future bike. I've watched some good YouTube vids on Bikepacking the SW and fat bikes seem popular there for good reason.
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Sandals?? The thought would never even enter my mind, but then again, I use SPD pedals.
Sand can be tough, I've had it yank my front wheel a few times and scare the crap out of me, but thankfully was able to stay upright.
If you need that much tire, sounds like you need a mtb, most gravel bikes top out at 47-50mm.
Sand can be tough, I've had it yank my front wheel a few times and scare the crap out of me, but thankfully was able to stay upright.
If you need that much tire, sounds like you need a mtb, most gravel bikes top out at 47-50mm.
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I use resolute tires that measure out to 43mm on my bike. Wider would be great for washboard sections, but besides that I would rsther have the lighter weight and lower rolling resistance when compared to wider tires.
Everyone's point at which they say 'enough' varies from person to person though.
I'm always amazed at people flying by me on fatbikes. The amount of power it would take to ride that fast would kill me. I'd be a couple mph slower than I already am if I rode one!
Everyone's point at which they say 'enough' varies from person to person though.
I'm always amazed at people flying by me on fatbikes. The amount of power it would take to ride that fast would kill me. I'd be a couple mph slower than I already am if I rode one!
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we have gravel with giant rocks mostly buried in it, which you only notice when you hit them at speed. Which is why I got 20 flats the year before I switched to tubeless. I always thought the giant rocks were too big to move, but then they rebuilt some of the roads and they had a big pile of giant rocks next to the pile of gravel.
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I use resolute tires that measure out to 43mm on my bike. Wider would be great for washboard sections, but besides that I would rsther have the lighter weight and lower rolling resistance when compared to wider tires.
Everyone's point at which they say 'enough' varies from person to person though.
I'm always amazed at people flying by me on fatbikes. The amount of power it would take to ride that fast would kill me. I'd be a couple mph slower than I already am if I rode one!
Everyone's point at which they say 'enough' varies from person to person though.
I'm always amazed at people flying by me on fatbikes. The amount of power it would take to ride that fast would kill me. I'd be a couple mph slower than I already am if I rode one!
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It took me some time to figure out why I dislike that bike so much, and to be clear here- it isnt that I even dislike the bike. I dislike the size bike they chose to use. Its on the small side of things and therefore looks wonky. It'd be the same if my big bikes were used for pics- it'd look wonky.
I have bar end shifters on my first gravel build. Had em on hand already and I wanted to keep costs down to see if I even liked riding gravel. i liked them more on gravel than pavement because I'm in the dtops more often on gravel, so my hands were more frequently already right near the shifters.
That is a good option for the OP's required tire clearance.
I have bar end shifters on my first gravel build. Had em on hand already and I wanted to keep costs down to see if I even liked riding gravel. i liked them more on gravel than pavement because I'm in the dtops more often on gravel, so my hands were more frequently already right near the shifters.
That is a good option for the OP's required tire clearance.
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Salsa Fargo or Cutthroat. I can tell from the amount of things on your bike that you're a Fargo kind of guy.
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Wow, is every intersection 90 degrees there!