I'm new to the gravel concept. Not new to bikes, with 30 years riding and racing, about 250,000 miles total, but new to a less aggressive frame and wider tires and a more relaxed geometry that still allows some speed. In fact, I'm almost able to ride the flats at the same pace as my Trek 5500 (pro-bu...
Read more I'm new to the gravel concept. Not new to bikes, with 30 years riding and racing, about 250,000 miles total, but new to a less aggressive frame and wider tires and a more relaxed geometry that still allows some speed. In fact, I'm almost able to ride the flats at the same pace as my Trek 5500 (pro-build w/Campy Record, 25mm Contis), but can let my mind wander a bit since I'm not having to focus on where the bike's aimed nearly as much.
I have the bike pictured here -- Orange and the carbon fork -- and this is one smooth machine. And that's what I wanted: steel frame, SRAM components, gravel geometry, tubeless-ready wheels, and good rolling tires. With this bike, I got all that.
I've ridden this bike into my nearby town (Wimberley, TX), jumped off the pavement on the trails around our county park (Bluehole Regional Park), then ridden back home. Mostly paved miles, but perfectly suited for the windy cedar-chip and gravel trails for a little more fun than road riding provides (a mountain bike drew me back to the bike, and my Bianchi Ibex and I tore up the trails before I built up my first serious machine). I won't take this to Reimers Ranch, or any other rocky trail that challenges the suspension of my FS bike, but I bought this very nice steed in order to have a more upright position with nicer gearing than my road bike (52/39 and 11-25) for the area hills, and I think I've made a very nice choice.
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