Is a 26 inch Mt Bike really a gravel grinder
06-02-15, 11:03 AM
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Is a 26 inch Mt Bike really a gravel grinder
I love the concept of doing both road and gravel on a road bike Now that I am developing my MTB am I jumping the shark?
I need a real true disc specific grinder but lack the $$$ and my current steed uses 28s a tad small but as large as it can go.
THe MTB is my only response to truely participate with out worry of flatting....will I be a poser?
I need a real true disc specific grinder but lack the $$$ and my current steed uses 28s a tad small but as large as it can go.
THe MTB is my only response to truely participate with out worry of flatting....will I be a poser?
06-02-15, 11:10 AM
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06-03-15, 01:03 PM
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mine sure is:
Ride your 26er if you want to. The more you ride it, the more you'll see where you need to adapt it, or what features you want in your perfect gravel bike. I also want something with discs and larger wheels, but my 26er rips the way I have it built now.
If I were to buy a "perfect" gravel bike, I really like the Elephant National Forest Explorer.
But "perfect" for gravel depends on the gravel you ride. Mine is rough and medium-large, with loose corners. So, I prefer very wide tires like the 60 mm / 55 mm combo I have on mine. It also depends on how heavy you are (and how much load you want to carry); my lighter friends do ok on 32 mm cyclocross tires, but those cut in too much under me. The wider tires float much better under my 225 lbs.
Like Scott says, any bike on gravel is a "gravel grinder". Folks have been riding gravel since bicycles were invented. Honestly, gravel-capable bikes still outnumber non-capable ones. It's just unfortunate that so many bikes have tried to emulate TdF bikes instead of all-purpose machines.
Ride your 26er if you want to. The more you ride it, the more you'll see where you need to adapt it, or what features you want in your perfect gravel bike. I also want something with discs and larger wheels, but my 26er rips the way I have it built now.
If I were to buy a "perfect" gravel bike, I really like the Elephant National Forest Explorer.
But "perfect" for gravel depends on the gravel you ride. Mine is rough and medium-large, with loose corners. So, I prefer very wide tires like the 60 mm / 55 mm combo I have on mine. It also depends on how heavy you are (and how much load you want to carry); my lighter friends do ok on 32 mm cyclocross tires, but those cut in too much under me. The wider tires float much better under my 225 lbs.
Like Scott says, any bike on gravel is a "gravel grinder". Folks have been riding gravel since bicycles were invented. Honestly, gravel-capable bikes still outnumber non-capable ones. It's just unfortunate that so many bikes have tried to emulate TdF bikes instead of all-purpose machines.
06-03-15, 06:29 PM
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Thats exactly what I want to make.....I have a great foundation bike Gary Fisher but a bunch of parts.......Thanks
06-04-15, 06:30 AM
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Only in the eyes of the bicycle companies that want you to drop another two grand on a new bike. To the people actually doing the race, it's all about making it to the end and pushing yourself to find new limits. All the races I've done, we cheer when you cross the finish line no matter what kind of bike you do it on, or what position you finish in 
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