Gravel Bike vs Road Bike Measurements
06-06-20, 05:28 AM
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Gravel Bike vs Road Bike Measurements
Hi, I’m new to gravel biking and just picked one up last week.
I noticed the guy was slightly taller than me, which meant the saddle and bars were higher than I was used to, although the frame is the right size. I moved the saddle down to where it’s comfortable but the fork steerer has been left extra long.
I was wondering if the gravel bike is meant to have the same measurements as my road bike, even though it has a slightly different geometry (bottom bracket higher, top tube less horizontal, etc.)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I noticed the guy was slightly taller than me, which meant the saddle and bars were higher than I was used to, although the frame is the right size. I moved the saddle down to where it’s comfortable but the fork steerer has been left extra long.
I was wondering if the gravel bike is meant to have the same measurements as my road bike, even though it has a slightly different geometry (bottom bracket higher, top tube less horizontal, etc.)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
06-06-20, 08:17 AM
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Generally a gravel bike will have higher bars than a road bike, but use whatever is comfortable for you. If you have a little bit of extra steering tube, then you can experiment with different positions, flip the stem, etc.
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06-06-20, 11:03 AM
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There is no right or wrong.
It should be set up however you need in order to be comfortable for however you ride.
Some around me have their gravel bike set up as aggressively as their racing road bike. Some have their gravel bike more relaxed than their racing road bike. Some have their gravel bike set up similar to an endurance road bike ridden by an average adult enthusiast.
etc etc etc.
No right or wrong.
...i was in awe at my last gravel race to see how some local studs have their gravel bikes set up. Its really just a road that isn't paved and they set their bikes up just as aggressively since its all just roads in the end.
I think my gravel bike is set up about the same as my primary road bike, but I've never measured. My guess is that if anything, the gravel bike bars are 1cm higher.
It should be set up however you need in order to be comfortable for however you ride.
Some around me have their gravel bike set up as aggressively as their racing road bike. Some have their gravel bike more relaxed than their racing road bike. Some have their gravel bike set up similar to an endurance road bike ridden by an average adult enthusiast.
etc etc etc.
No right or wrong.
...i was in awe at my last gravel race to see how some local studs have their gravel bikes set up. Its really just a road that isn't paved and they set their bikes up just as aggressively since its all just roads in the end.
I think my gravel bike is set up about the same as my primary road bike, but I've never measured. My guess is that if anything, the gravel bike bars are 1cm higher.
06-08-20, 09:57 AM
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Yeah, it can be the same as a road bike. The bigger question is, do you want fast aero, or a more upright endurance position. I have mine set up with a 3cm drop between saddle to handlebar height, and that is fairly aggressive. Many people on gravel bikes seem to like a more relaxed position where the handlebars are as high as the saddle.
First thing is to set your saddle height. That is the most critical piece. Then find a handle bar position that works with that.
First thing is to set your saddle height. That is the most critical piece. Then find a handle bar position that works with that.
06-08-20, 02:15 PM
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If you've been fit for a bike once before, you can use those same measurements. Let the frame geometry be the difference in gravel vs road. Saddle>bar drop, saddle height, reach, etc....should all be the same though. I've experimented otherwise and it was miserable lol. Back to the same fit on both road and gravel bike. much happier camper!
