Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Yes it’s dry and very rideable although it’s the BHF gravel L2B ride on Saturday so you may want to rethink your route as there will likely be thousands of nodders on there too.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/events/bike-rides/london-to-brighton-off-road-bike-ride

I do actually have a route on file called something like NDW way lufguss which finishes in whitstable. I must have nabbed it off here sometime in the past.

Do it, you aren’t going to get better conditions for the next nine months.

Keen on checking out your route - would you mind making Komoot link public thanks

I have one
https://www.komoot.com/tour/1117216451?ref=itd&share_token=aKRorWrsvZHgGVos4LJiEQm6pCFJS2RBygO9FWJSb5eliCMtSW&ref=its

You already have a tendency to get tangled in your bike

I really shouldn't have my hose dangling down by the front wheel like that

I see oj has already shared. It’s not actually my Komoot as I don’t use it as it’s shit but you can still just select the ‘download the gpx file’ without paying for the route.

what are the hive mind recommendations for a more road-inclined but occasional bridlepath 'gravel' bike? must take mudguards and be a nice winter road bike. Bokeh is leading atm, maybe Ti and transfer my Faran parts over, Secan is up there but feels like there should be a new colour coming.

Ah thanks for that. I think I'll do a different loop then!

Crux

mudguards

it do?

It doesn’t have mounts for mudguards. I just posted it before anyone else did.

and I thank you for getting it out of the way

while i'm here: im not getting an arkose

What tyre size are you thinking of fitting? Some of the other Mason frames, i.e. the Resolution or Definition may be suitable? I had 30 mm tyres with guards on the Resolution I had, and it was very capable of less technical off road riding.

I've been assuming 32s for road and then 38-45 for off road? happy to take guards off for summer 'gravel'

Checkpoint

Which one do you want to compromise? Gravel or road riding?

Can’t have both.

Midnight Special?

Crux. No compromise needed.

happy to take guards off for summer 'gravel'

no, you need a summer and a winter gravel bike.

disclaimer - i might have just bought a 'dedicated gravel bike' so i can put guards back on my gravel capable 'commuter bike'...for days when i don't want to ride my gravel capable singlespeed bike.

oh dear, i think i have a problem.

I now have posh new road wheels for my Crux... the same Crux that has, since Dec last year, only served one function and that is to hold a towel.

Bokeh

Compare head tube angle, trail, bb height and wheelbase between whatever you’re thinking of and a bike you have enjoyed riding on the road.

The Midnight Special is one of the few gravel-ish frames that has road geo, hence all-road. But it’s very twitchy descending and harder to track straight on chunky stuff. Fun though.

Like you say the MS is just a road bike, but put on some 27.5 x 2.2 knobblies and send it. Love mine…

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Secan is good as road bike with 32mm tyre below guards. For winter I switch to 650b wheels with 47mm tyres, forgoing guards

fuck off