Give up road/race, for gravel bike?
09-24-18, 04:51 PM
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Give up road/race, for gravel bike?
Has anyone given up their road/race bike for gravel bike? I have always said I'd always have a road/race bike. I probably shouldn't use absolutes so much, maybe. 
I have also lived by N+ 1 and I now have 5 bicycles. I am however being tempted by the Nomadic lifestyle, and the itch to travel, explore, and to see new/experience new is setting in. (van life for a while) Which also means some serious down sizing.
So I am thinking 2 bicycles.
Option 1. Road bike/ MTB
Option 2. Gravel Bike/ MTB. gravel meaning higher end like Niner RDO/ Giant Revolt Advanced something I most likely wouldn't ride Single track/fire roads on.
Option 3 Gravel bike/ a town errand bike that I wouldn't mind leaving locked up out side while exploring cities
the thought of Not having a road bike is scary. however that is also part of this...... Letting go, and down sizing. Maybe I don't even need 2 bikes.
I am attaching a picture of a trail that I think runs from Kellogg ID to Wallace ID. Which is part of why I am thinking gravel bike + mountain bike. gravel for paved/maintained gravel 2-4 day rides from a mobile base station (van) and MTB for singletrack, trail, and fire road general exploring.
Then again me and MTB just has a higher chance of injury, not something I want being nomadic.
thoughts and opinions? feedback?
I have also lived by N+ 1 and I now have 5 bicycles. I am however being tempted by the Nomadic lifestyle, and the itch to travel, explore, and to see new/experience new is setting in. (van life for a while) Which also means some serious down sizing.
So I am thinking 2 bicycles.
Option 1. Road bike/ MTB
Option 2. Gravel Bike/ MTB. gravel meaning higher end like Niner RDO/ Giant Revolt Advanced something I most likely wouldn't ride Single track/fire roads on.
Option 3 Gravel bike/ a town errand bike that I wouldn't mind leaving locked up out side while exploring cities
the thought of Not having a road bike is scary. however that is also part of this...... Letting go, and down sizing. Maybe I don't even need 2 bikes.
I am attaching a picture of a trail that I think runs from Kellogg ID to Wallace ID. Which is part of why I am thinking gravel bike + mountain bike. gravel for paved/maintained gravel 2-4 day rides from a mobile base station (van) and MTB for singletrack, trail, and fire road general exploring.
Then again me and MTB just has a higher chance of injury, not something I want being nomadic.
thoughts and opinions? feedback?
09-24-18, 04:54 PM
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I think I can blur lines between Road/gravel, for a bike that doesn't compromise to much on pavement. RDO or REVOLT
and also blur lines between XC/trail and a bike capable of trail, yet still gives the ability for long epics off the beaten path. Like a Intense Sniper Trail. 120/120
and also blur lines between XC/trail and a bike capable of trail, yet still gives the ability for long epics off the beaten path. Like a Intense Sniper Trail. 120/120
09-24-18, 05:11 PM
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I stopped road racing about a year before my road frame cracked and needed replacement - once that happened I went to a gravel bike and haven't looked back. So my road bike is also my gravel bike and is wearing 650bx47/42 slicks. It is better for everything except actual road racing. I'll never own another skinny tire road racing focused bike, there's no point for my style of riding.
If I were in your shoes I'd have 2 bikes, a gravel bike wearing fat road slicks and an mtb.
One bike? Drop-bar hardtail MTB. With the right tires or two wheelsets it would be good for all types of riding.
I think if the goal is to downsize, travel and explore then a readjustment of how cycling fits into that would be necessary. I'd be perfectly happy with one bike, one wheelset and one good set of tires. Basically reduce expectations where I'd be happy riding the same bike on pavement through the most technical singletrack because I'm more into less material possessions and more time exploring and relaxing. I would want the most capable bike - so while it might not be as fun to cruise along a little slower on fat knobbies and locked suspension it's great for technical singletrack and only having to maintain and fix one bike as opposed to 2 or more.
I know a guy like this. He's got a mountain bike that he does everything form fast-ish group rides to 300 mile bike packing trips. Only thing that changes are the bags he straps to the frame. Travels a lot, small apartment without a lot of stuff, job pays enough to live and not much more - he seems really happy and is always coming from somewhere or going somewhere when he's not in town.
If I were in your shoes I'd have 2 bikes, a gravel bike wearing fat road slicks and an mtb.
One bike? Drop-bar hardtail MTB. With the right tires or two wheelsets it would be good for all types of riding.
I think if the goal is to downsize, travel and explore then a readjustment of how cycling fits into that would be necessary. I'd be perfectly happy with one bike, one wheelset and one good set of tires. Basically reduce expectations where I'd be happy riding the same bike on pavement through the most technical singletrack because I'm more into less material possessions and more time exploring and relaxing. I would want the most capable bike - so while it might not be as fun to cruise along a little slower on fat knobbies and locked suspension it's great for technical singletrack and only having to maintain and fix one bike as opposed to 2 or more.
I know a guy like this. He's got a mountain bike that he does everything form fast-ish group rides to 300 mile bike packing trips. Only thing that changes are the bags he straps to the frame. Travels a lot, small apartment without a lot of stuff, job pays enough to live and not much more - he seems really happy and is always coming from somewhere or going somewhere when he's not in town.
Last edited by Spoonrobot; 09-24-18 at 05:17 PM.
09-24-18, 07:08 PM
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I could do three:
700c FG (also serves as a winter indoor trainer).
700c endurance road
700c Commuter / loaded tourer like a Surly Crosscheck
That's it - final offer
Both the FG and road bike can be made gravel by just adding tires if you pick the right bikes up front.
If I had to lose one more though it would be the road bike in favor of the Crosscheck that would have to serve that purpose but I would feel I was missing out a lot on a big "go fast" genre. Because I also commute year round I wouldn't want to be limited to only one nice road bike without a daily beater for fear of being damaged by salt etc...
700c FG (also serves as a winter indoor trainer).
700c endurance road
700c Commuter / loaded tourer like a Surly Crosscheck
That's it - final offer
Both the FG and road bike can be made gravel by just adding tires if you pick the right bikes up front.
If I had to lose one more though it would be the road bike in favor of the Crosscheck that would have to serve that purpose but I would feel I was missing out a lot on a big "go fast" genre. Because I also commute year round I wouldn't want to be limited to only one nice road bike without a daily beater for fear of being damaged by salt etc...
Last edited by Happy Feet; 09-24-18 at 07:16 PM.
09-24-18, 08:41 PM
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I haven't given up any of my road bikes for a gravel bike.
I like em all and havent come across a reason to give them up.
My gravel bike is a road bike...for gravel and dirt roads.
its another road bike for me.
I like em all and havent come across a reason to give them up.
My gravel bike is a road bike...for gravel and dirt roads.
its another road bike for me.
09-25-18, 12:45 AM
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I could do three:
700c FG (also serves as a winter indoor trainer).
700c endurance road
700c Commuter / loaded tourer like a Surly Crosscheck
That's it - final offer
Both the FG and road bike can be made gravel by just adding tires if you pick the right bikes up front.
If I had to lose one more though it would be the road bike in favor of the Crosscheck that would have to serve that purpose but I would feel I was missing out a lot on a big "go fast" genre. Because I also commute year round I wouldn't want to be limited to only one nice road bike without a daily beater for fear of being damaged by salt etc...
700c FG (also serves as a winter indoor trainer).
700c endurance road
700c Commuter / loaded tourer like a Surly Crosscheck
That's it - final offer
Both the FG and road bike can be made gravel by just adding tires if you pick the right bikes up front.
If I had to lose one more though it would be the road bike in favor of the Crosscheck that would have to serve that purpose but I would feel I was missing out a lot on a big "go fast" genre. Because I also commute year round I wouldn't want to be limited to only one nice road bike without a daily beater for fear of being damaged by salt etc...
09-25-18, 07:48 AM
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?
Any bike you put gravel tires on or slap a direct drive trainer on...
My caveat was: "if you pick the right bikes up front." If there's one thing I would look for when buying bikes to serve multi purposes it would be tire clearance. Gearing (and other components) you can after market adapt. Almost any road or FG bike can do gravel if you can fit decent tires on though, depending on how much you wat to beat up a really nice road bike. Of course, you are limited somewhat by the gearing of FG's. Burt a lot of gravel is flat for some so that's not an issue.
Any bike you put gravel tires on or slap a direct drive trainer on...
My caveat was: "if you pick the right bikes up front." If there's one thing I would look for when buying bikes to serve multi purposes it would be tire clearance. Gearing (and other components) you can after market adapt. Almost any road or FG bike can do gravel if you can fit decent tires on though, depending on how much you wat to beat up a really nice road bike. Of course, you are limited somewhat by the gearing of FG's. Burt a lot of gravel is flat for some so that's not an issue.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 09-25-18 at 07:51 AM.
09-25-18, 10:21 AM
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I've been tossing around the idea of selling my road bike and funding a second set of wheels for my cx/gr bike. This way I can just swap out wheels quickly to ride road or race cx. Easier than changing tubeless tires every weekend.
09-25-18, 10:41 AM
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Get a nice hardtail mtb, stick a 34mm ring on the front, keep a second set of wheels with some nice, lighter, fatty slick tires on it and ride happily everywhere.
If I had to do with one bike, a hardtail mtb could do it all fine.
If I had to do with one bike, a hardtail mtb could do it all fine.
09-25-18, 10:56 AM
#13
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Trekking bikes are Euro names for touring on a bike, To places
even if they did not pave the road...
so to go with out any competition to be involved..
With a 29er, you have big tire clearance on the frame,
& fitting less wide tires can always be done.
even if they did not pave the road...
so to go with out any competition to be involved..
With a 29er, you have big tire clearance on the frame,
& fitting less wide tires can always be done.
09-25-18, 11:13 AM
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09-25-18, 11:44 AM
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What is the reason for changing tubless tires every weekend? You have a road bike that you use for the road. You have a cx/gravel bike that you use for cx and gravel. What is the tire changing for?
09-25-18, 11:51 AM
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i meant, I’ve been thinking about selling the road bike. Once it’s gone, I’d only be left with my cx bike to use both on the road and off.
so as opposed to changing tires on that bike to use for distance road ride and off-road, I’d like a set of wheels for that bike to use on the road. Then I’d have my cx wheels.
i do change those cx tires between an aggressive mud/wet tire for cx and a more efficient do-all tire for gravel events though. That wouldn’t change if I sold the road bike.
09-25-18, 12:22 PM
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I stopped road racing about a year before my road frame cracked and needed replacement - once that happened I went to a gravel bike and haven't looked back. So my road bike is also my gravel bike and is wearing 650bx47/42 slicks. It is better for everything except actual road racing. I'll never own another skinny tire road racing focused bike, there's no point for my style of riding.
If I were in your shoes I'd have 2 bikes, a gravel bike wearing fat road slicks and an mtb.
One bike? Drop-bar hardtail MTB. With the right tires or two wheelsets it would be good for all types of riding.
I think if the goal is to downsize, travel and explore then a readjustment of how cycling fits into that would be necessary. I'd be perfectly happy with one bike, one wheelset and one good set of tires. Basically reduce expectations where I'd be happy riding the same bike on pavement through the most technical singletrack because I'm more into less material possessions and more time exploring and relaxing. I would want the most capable bike - so while it might not be as fun to cruise along a little slower on fat knobbies and locked suspension it's great for technical singletrack and only having to maintain and fix one bike as opposed to 2 or more.
I know a guy like this. He's got a mountain bike that he does everything form fast-ish group rides to 300 mile bike packing trips. Only thing that changes are the bags he straps to the frame. Travels a lot, small apartment without a lot of stuff, job pays enough to live and not much more - he seems really happy and is always coming from somewhere or going somewhere when he's not in town.
If I were in your shoes I'd have 2 bikes, a gravel bike wearing fat road slicks and an mtb.
One bike? Drop-bar hardtail MTB. With the right tires or two wheelsets it would be good for all types of riding.
I think if the goal is to downsize, travel and explore then a readjustment of how cycling fits into that would be necessary. I'd be perfectly happy with one bike, one wheelset and one good set of tires. Basically reduce expectations where I'd be happy riding the same bike on pavement through the most technical singletrack because I'm more into less material possessions and more time exploring and relaxing. I would want the most capable bike - so while it might not be as fun to cruise along a little slower on fat knobbies and locked suspension it's great for technical singletrack and only having to maintain and fix one bike as opposed to 2 or more.
I know a guy like this. He's got a mountain bike that he does everything form fast-ish group rides to 300 mile bike packing trips. Only thing that changes are the bags he straps to the frame. Travels a lot, small apartment without a lot of stuff, job pays enough to live and not much more - he seems really happy and is always coming from somewhere or going somewhere when he's not in town.
My Supersix, and the Crossrip sees the most saddle time. then my 29er hardtail. So technically I'd be downgrading the supersix, and upgrading the Crossrip, for a new higher end gravel bike. My hybrid and SS would find new homes too.
a solo bike that is "most capable" is a very compelling argument. It's interesting to see on which side gets the importance. a few of you are more into single track. And Maybe some day I might be there. For now.... I might be able to let the road bike go, but not road (Pavement) riding.
09-25-18, 12:29 PM
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I might be Tempted to go for a gravel bike that can run 700x38 and also 650x2.1 mtb and then just having 2 wheelsets. But I don't know........When I jump on a bike I just expect that bike to handle a certain way.
2 wheel sets on one bike is like trying to alternate driving a Toyota Prius and a Ford Crown Victoria back to back. turning head lights off at night because it starts raining. Derp! Nope that wasn't the Wipers lever!
2 wheel sets on one bike is like trying to alternate driving a Toyota Prius and a Ford Crown Victoria back to back. turning head lights off at night because it starts raining. Derp! Nope that wasn't the Wipers lever!
09-25-18, 07:56 PM
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Also, some people train year round. If you have a home trainer or spin bike that counts as another bike. A fg is an handy multi purpose tool in that regard being both a bike you can ride around and needing only rollers or a direct drive trainer for inside use. Yes, you could use only one bike for both but, if you ride in the winter, cleaning it ever time you want to bring it inside to train on would get old fast.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 09-25-18 at 08:06 PM.
09-25-18, 08:14 PM
#20
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Depends on how serious you are of a road biker and how strong you are....I'm in transition currently as I sold my #1 road bike to get a gravel bike.. but knowing I'm going to buy a new "aero disc" road bike in the very near future. My gravel bike is around 7.6kg currently and with 30c "supposed" fast tires ... it's a f'n slug. Easily 2mph slower and 25-30w output. Putting on fast normal sized tires like turbo cottons gets a little more then half of this back but there is still the weight issue for climbs.
It is my current opinion for the type of riding I do... the gravel bike cannot replace the racing and fast group ride bike. Atleast not for me and the groups I'm riding with. Sounds like you are doing neither (road racing or fast road group rides) ... so a gravel bike could be a good compromise. Dont get me wrong, I like mine and am not going to get rid of it anytime soon...but for me it will eventually be N+1 again.
It is my current opinion for the type of riding I do... the gravel bike cannot replace the racing and fast group ride bike. Atleast not for me and the groups I'm riding with. Sounds like you are doing neither (road racing or fast road group rides) ... so a gravel bike could be a good compromise. Dont get me wrong, I like mine and am not going to get rid of it anytime soon...but for me it will eventually be N+1 again.
Last edited by spdntrxi; 09-25-18 at 08:20 PM.
09-25-18, 08:14 PM
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There's some truth to this. I think when you are really into riding you want certain performance experiences. Anyone can own one bike if they only ride occasionally or only one way but the compromise between road - gravel - daily use - training - touring - mtb - downhill etc... rarely leads to being able to excel on one bike. You would have to accept mediocre in some areas.
09-25-18, 08:22 PM
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Riding a bike with two vastly different wheel sets and tires is like riding two different bikes. You get used to it after a while and it just feels normal to switch back and forth.
I have four different bikes that I will regularly use for rides up to 8 hours. Each one is very different but after a few rides I’ve adapted and they all feel comfortable and familiar, just different, if that makes sense.
In the past I had one bike that I swapped between 700x25 racing slicks and 700x40 knobbies and it was the same way. Different but familiar - worked fine IME.
I have four different bikes that I will regularly use for rides up to 8 hours. Each one is very different but after a few rides I’ve adapted and they all feel comfortable and familiar, just different, if that makes sense.
In the past I had one bike that I swapped between 700x25 racing slicks and 700x40 knobbies and it was the same way. Different but familiar - worked fine IME.
09-25-18, 08:26 PM
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I Love my Single speed road bike, I'd love to swap it out for a SSCX.
How ever, a single SSCX bike is a very poor choice for a bike that would be ridden in multiple US regions in a period of a year. Unless a person wanted to also haul around multiple cogs, multiple chain rings, and constantly be changing chain lengths also.
A geared bike, 2x at that with sub compact 46/30 (in this scenario) makes way more sense, as it allows for the throwing on of panniers, in multiple regions, as a grocery shopper / errand bike.
So a gravel bike + SS bike. That combo would have far too many overlaps, and be a waste of Limited space. So make the second bike a SS a 29er hardtail? what is the point? XT 10 speed stuff is dirt cheap and well I already have that with a Custom built XT 10s 1x Giant Talon. And I can tell you right now my 29er hardtail would NEVER be my only bike. I'd rather be restricted on where I ride, than to ride a Flat bar more than 30-40 miles.
How ever, a single SSCX bike is a very poor choice for a bike that would be ridden in multiple US regions in a period of a year. Unless a person wanted to also haul around multiple cogs, multiple chain rings, and constantly be changing chain lengths also.
A geared bike, 2x at that with sub compact 46/30 (in this scenario) makes way more sense, as it allows for the throwing on of panniers, in multiple regions, as a grocery shopper / errand bike.
So a gravel bike + SS bike. That combo would have far too many overlaps, and be a waste of Limited space. So make the second bike a SS a 29er hardtail? what is the point? XT 10 speed stuff is dirt cheap and well I already have that with a Custom built XT 10s 1x Giant Talon. And I can tell you right now my 29er hardtail would NEVER be my only bike. I'd rather be restricted on where I ride, than to ride a Flat bar more than 30-40 miles.
09-25-18, 08:33 PM
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I'll bold that to refresh your memory:
I could do three:
700c FG (also serves as a winter indoor trainer).
700c endurance road
700c Commuter / loaded tourer like a Surly Crosscheck
That's it - final offer
Both the FG and road bike can be made gravel by just adding tires if you pick the right bikes up front.
If I had to lose one more though it would be the road bike in favor of the Crosscheck that would have to serve that purpose but I would feel I was missing out a lot on a big "go fast" genre. Because I also commute year round I wouldn't want to be limited to only one nice road bike without a daily beater for fear of being damaged by salt etc...
700c FG (also serves as a winter indoor trainer).
700c endurance road
700c Commuter / loaded tourer like a Surly Crosscheck
That's it - final offer
Both the FG and road bike can be made gravel by just adding tires if you pick the right bikes up front.
If I had to lose one more though it would be the road bike in favor of the Crosscheck that would have to serve that purpose but I would feel I was missing out a lot on a big "go fast" genre. Because I also commute year round I wouldn't want to be limited to only one nice road bike without a daily beater for fear of being damaged by salt etc...