You are reading a single comment by @jackbepablo and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
I guess this is where the amorphous nature of "gravel" bike design comes in, because they can be so varied. My Hook EXT-C was essentially road geo with big tyres, so it was hilarious to take on trails. This thread has plenty of examples where its really v close to MTB with drops, or actually just is MTB with drops.
I have a new bike coming soon which subscribes more closely to the long toptube, short stem geo philosophy, but is built around my road fit. I will report back on how that pans out. Hopefully well as I really went over my pay grade on it.
jackbepablo
Fair points. I play with different wheelsets as well on this bike. Here’s a photo from a few days ago on 700c x 42mm tires, trying out dirt drops. It handles OK this way, but not as well as on the 650b tires. With 700c x 28mm it feels quick enough.
I hadn’t considered the issue of heart rate, but I can’t help but wonder if I had an XC hardtail set up for an aggressive position(like the beach racer types), if I could get a similar result to when I ride this bike.