Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Cross bikes are gravel bikes without the marketing budget

Kind of creepy shot

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Played it safe with etap! Only had to risk him remembering guides for the brakes.

What's the thing under the saddle and the collar on the post - is it a dropper post?

;)

That's a refreshing look in this thread

I think I’ve loved every Spooky I’ve seen.

Until now.

They’re usually utilitarian and quietly a bit gnarly. But this is fucking bullshit!

It’s so schizophrenic: The bad 80s Letraset or windsurfing-sail graphics with very ordinary head-badge (that looks like it could be on any mass-produced bike of the last 5 years). Those dgaf industrial welds in combo with prissy, fashion handbag paint-way. It’s so confused. I’m confused.

wireless dropper...

Cool

"RockShox have released their electronic Reverb AXS dropper post, wireless is here and it works flawlessly. But at € 800, is it worth it?"

Much less cool.

https://enduro-mtb.com/en/the-best-dropper-post/

800 is new bike money... !

Is it really even needed?

I disagree with them, just a thing, MTB, yes, drop bar bike, the fun is being full rigid, have skinny tyres, not dropping the seat, making it harder is funner

I get the use case, but have never found me wanting on my off road excursions. Is anyone really sending it on drops?

Surely distance depending. Just like how on cobbles everyone smashes the first few sectors down the middle by the end of a long ride they are hunting and crying for any respite that can be found...

Yea, I’m not talking longer rides, I’m talking for off road stuff; I’m mainly riding Haldon / Quantocks so lighter mtb trails rather than 100 milers!

Nothing crazy but having a shred about for sure

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where does he get his inspo?

Could've done with a dropper during Badlands. Steep downhills on loose shit while trying to get my arse over the saddlebag could've done with being less 'funner'. Depends on what you're trying to ride on I guess. I'm using mine on MTB trails until I get my hands on a suitable hardtail. For bridleways and towpaths and similar of course it ain't worth it. But if it only saves your balls once a year it's a Goodyear... sorry

QR seat post clamp is cheaper and lighter

and slower

Yeah, but remember when the same thing was being said when they were introduced in the MTB world years ago? Now people can't live without them.
I think they'll come to serve a purpose on no identity gravel bikes, case in point, @hippy would have found one useful as would many people on long rides that aren't about shredding.

I know I could do with one on the chunky tourer. Albeit not 800 fucking quid.

They have other uses too - people with limited mobility can use them to get onto bikes easier - when I was hit by the car from behind, trying to ride again I couldn't lift my leg over the bike, I'd have to lean the bike right over so I could clear the saddle. It never even crossed my mind that a dropper could've helped. I only used one for the first time very recently on a borrowed MTB and it was more to adjust the saddle height than any 'shredding' but a bunch of times on the gravel bike I've wished for one.

I totally would find a use for it. Only thing I don’t like is how most of them have a very slight play which is annoying on a road bike.

What's the go on 650b gravel tyres?

Joining the 'gravel' bike team after many years on my canti cross frame. Because I bought a Cannondale once I clearly won't do the sensible thing, so I'm going for 650b.
Currently eyeing up Vittoria terreno dry or zero, what else is out there that's reasonably slick?

After wearing out the Horizons, I'm now using 47mm WTB Ventures - small middle knobbies with some big outside edge blocks (like I ever corner that hard to use them!). I've ordered a 2" Mezcal for the new wheel for the largest volume I can fit for cush and dry grip (Badlands, etc)