Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

I've been researching routes and I think much of this used in a fair few of them to keep the elevation under control.

https://strava.app.link/TrZ71pmZGKb

Rode this a year ago.

Western leg better than the eastern. Some bridleways might be thoroughly overgrown this year. The bit round Toys Hill needs some tweaking, let me know if doing it and I can advise

A what what now? The sticker on my bike says "Epping Forest Honey Badgers"

Yeah that looks mad / fun; I saw it browsing a few pages back and would love to do it. Seems like a good meander outwards West and East though. I was wondering if anyone had something a bit more direct. Not sure there's much of an 'enjoyable' route like that though.

Crux for sale. MY23 Pro model in a 56- completely unridden, box fresh, barn find etc.

Complete as pictured £4000. Receptive to splitting if someone wants the frame for £2750.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8gRNdbFxEQxm5B7m8

Ooooooh shiny

I was wondering if anyone had something a bit more direct.

Pretty sure the hard shoulder of the A23 must have some gravel on it..

💀
thread title update request: Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Detritus / Groad / ATB / AKA - Just get an Arkose

Let's try this gravel suspension thing. Hopefully get it rebuilt this week

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Is that Alu frame oiled or clear coated? Looks nice.
Just checked cp thread. Powdercoated looks good, keep us updated how it lasts.

It's a little patchy but I'm happy enough with it. Cost me £100 including blasting.

Sizing help: ooking at getting a Dolan GXC on the Cycle To Work scheme and trying to decide on size. According to their size guide, I'm top end on an XS and low end of a S.

I've compared the geometry but this is really my first time understanding a geo chart, my initial thought was to go with the XS as I can always show more seatpost/longer stem, and the cranks are 170mm which would be my preference.

Am I missing anything obvious or anything road/gravel specific that would need to be considered here? XS looks closer to my Pre Cursa size wise (I know the geo is obviously skewed between the two)

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I've been similarly on the fence before. Right on the cusp between M and L Cotics, I got the M. 7 years later, and not as flexible as I was, I've moved to the L.
Also worth bearing in mind that there's a bit of a trend with gravel bikes to have a longer TT, and use a shorter stem to get the same reach (to bars, not frame reach) with slightly better handling for off road stuff.

Yeah I think given my short arms the XS should be right enough for me. Now begins the fun process of waiting for people to sign things off then prepare and ship a bike! Your Cotic looks fantastic, green with orange accents is cracker.

It's been a couple of days since anyone here bought a Crux

I very nearly did on Monday. I had quite a lot of feedback from the front end (probably the fork) during a test ride. Otherwise it really was lovely on the gravel between Chiswick and Hammersmith bridges. So close, yet...

What I don't know is whether the bike shop set it up badly and I'm not following the trend or this is just how it rides.

I had quite a lot of feedback from the front end

Possibly the gravel?

Was the feedback "You should get an Arkose"?

For no reason other than I was a bit bored;
https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/specialized-crux-comp-2024-56,surly-midnight-special-2019-56cm,pinnacle-arkose-2019-m/

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Arkose will have more flex through the seat post.

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Ooh…
But then this made me hmm as well.
I still maintain that 99% of people can only tell the differences on a bike when those differences are tyre size and pressure, and if they are going up hill weight.

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Very good. I take it the thread title is still relevant then...
I don't think it was the gravel, I think it was how the bike was handling it, and in my opinion, not well enough for me to spend 3k+ on it.

The midnight special feels very different. I have one. It handles like a road bike but with huge tyres.

The MS is a fantastic bike but it’s noticeably different to the Arkrux.

That’s because you are part of the 1% :D
I love my MS, but with the wrong tyres it’s awful .

Arkrux

I've had the craziest idea for a new bike company

Mekk got there before you.