Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

🤷🏼♂️ Several shops using that photo which is a bit naughty if it’s wrong

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-ult­egra-r8020-hydraulic-disc-sti-levers-r80­70-flat-mount-disc-brake-set-11-speed-11­0241.html?

'Funnily' enough Merlin gets it right in the second picture.

I just laid the pictures over each other, and Merlin's first picture is definitely 6800. Their picture also has two right hand levers, which should've been the first sign of tomfoolery.

I have 8020 levers and not the biggest hands and they fit fine . Not as comfy as 6700 but ok.

I wish I had 8020 - 7020 is not great for me

There are always the xx25 variants that are smaller.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/shimano105-r7000/ST-R7025-R.html

What compressionless cable housing do people recommend? Google tells me that yokozuna is the one to go for but I cant seem to find anywhere that stocks it

Jagwire Pro is good

I saw a DA9000 albeit on the gram the other day.

Jagwire with the full length liner is the best, it's fit and forget, it's totally sealed so perfect for any UK winter bog rides.

There's a lifeline wiggle own brand that has been decent enough, and very affordable.

Anyone selling anything atm? Pal of mine needs something after his was stolen. He's 6"1' and budget is £600.

The plot thickens

Put the winter boots on now the "nogravel" has turned to "notmud".

Was still lovely out there in the morning sun for a Claygate/Esher/Oxshot loop.

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New bike day so tried out one of the Stayer routes. Great day out but the gravel:deep mud ratio was a bit tough for 35’s. Hardest day on the bike that I’ve had in ages. Still not sure I’ll ever get over the Zipp logos being asymmetric

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That's one hell of a bike. You're happy I reckon?

Yeah it’s a great bike, got through some stuff that I’d have thought you’d need an MTB for today and would probably be as quick as my road bike with a decent set of road 28’s

Reverse mullet?

nice posh gravel setup ! liking the road bike looks.
which stayer route ? i have only ever done the distance a few times which feels fast and not too technical

are there rim brake versions of these?

Did the Distance #11, the only way is gravel. In the summer it’s probably fast but the mud took it out of me yesterday

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You think that's bad? Try again in Feb. I went through a brand new pair of sintered pads, and at one point my chain came off and I got off to put it back on and the whole chain ring was clogged with mud and had to pull the claims of mud off, and @platypus had to get off and clear all the mud out of his fork.

Ha, no. Think the headshok tricks the eyes. 26 still alive at both ends.

are there rim brake versions of these?

I think it's hydraulic only (r7025/r8025).

no doubt ! i just mean that the gravel / road ratio makes the original one a fairly fast course. a ratio of 0 because there is #nogravel

Never seen such a long travel Headshock before! Do you have a GPS route for that loop by any chance? Thank you

Apparently 80mm, but I've stuck a cork in the air chamber to try and stiffen up the end of the stroke a bit. As a mountain biker with limited time to get out to actual trails, this is the ideal compromise to be fast on the lanes, quick down the bridleways and able to actually enjoy the descents. Just needs a dropper and I think some hydro/cable calipers to be really finished.

Here's a quick RWGPS of the vague route I took.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34399485

There are myriad options to put together something a bit longer, including Princes Covert and Ashtead common, but i only had time for a quick spin riding out from Kingston. The best bet with this area is just look at the OS overlay on Bing maps / some mobile map app and then go out and explore. There are some main bridleways, but hundreds of tracks not marked on maps. It's not clear exactly how permissible cycling is in some spots, but if you ride early its never a problem. Can be busy with families walking mid day at the weekend, so stick to the designated bridleways a bit more then would be my advice.