Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Speaking of which, you've just reminded me I need to google how to adjust an XT clutch. IIRC there's a screw on the side that adjusts the tension. I'm getting chain slap even with the clutch on - it's not grippy enough.

https://www.bikeradar.com/features/how-to-adjust-a-shimano-shadow-plus-clutch-rear-derailleur

Nope, that's for older shit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUS0VAKP1Ys

Sounds like you want drop bars on an MTB grand tbh

Looking at that picture one would argue a narrower tyre would have deposited less mud on the FD

I'm getting chain slap even with the clutch on - it's not grippy enough.

Take apart the tension spring, clean and regrease, if that gets caked in crud there is not much the clutch alone would do. The tension spring give you the tension, the clutch just dampens the fast twitching motions.

Something needs to dampen hippy's fast twitching motions

Omnium CXC has 75 degree seat tube angle

Yeah, but a narrower tyre also would've made the other 99% of the ride shitter.

Nah, cleaning is for wimps.

I've just tightened the bastard clutch a little bit. I'll retest it at some point and if it's still clunking then I'll pull it down and clean it.

Benzendrine.

I actually have a feeling it's the freehub sticking so whe I'm in a high gear, cranking and suddenly stop, the cassette is spinning still and the top run of chain slackens off. I have the same issue on my Hope gravel wheels because the green seal is a bit shit so the whole thing grips a bit. You don't notice when pedaling but when wheeling the bike, it acts like a fixed gear.

I'll probably do as you suggest anyway and give it a clean at some point but I'll also have a clsoer look at the freehub.

I very much doubt it’s a loose clutch. IME Shimano clutches come way too tight from the manufacturer. I always loosen them off for the same chain holding ability but much less resistance in the shifter.

Your XT RD has a rubber port that allows it to be adjusted without removing the cover.

Yeah, I tightened the 2mm rubber port allen to see if it made a difference. I'm not sure it helped.
It wasn't at factory tightness anyway, it's been serviced before so I've no idea what it started out compared to now. I reckon the freehub seal clean (assuming there's some kind of seals on the DT wheel) will help more but ain't nobody got time for that.

Recommendations for a budget gravel wheelset? Im thinking Hunt 4 seasons gravel although Hunt seems to get a bad rep on here or DT Swiss g1400/1600/1800 (although I haven’t really worked out what the difference is between the 3 options).

Or am I missing a trick and there are other options out there?

They are going on my alu Spesh Diverge E5 and I tend to attack the trails with an 85kg MTB attitude so can be quite unforgiving on wheels.

Depends on the budget, but Ryan Builds Wheels' 'Club' range starts at £410 and would probably be as good, if not better, than off-the-shelf and with the possibility of custom options too if needed.
Alternatively Stayer Gravalloys at £500+ but usually come with DT Swiss Hubs as standard, so pretty excellent.
The DT 1400/1600/1800 are good, as I understand it same hubs, heavier weights (1400/1600/1800g) per wheelset.

@broken_777 could spec something for your needs

I've been using Hunt wheels both off road and on road for many years and have never had a single issue with them. The freehubs are a bit noisy, but that's a very minor issue.

I'm a bit lighter than you, but they've had plenty of abuse.

Not the biggest fan myself. Have a pair of Aerodynamicst 34 alu wheels. Yes they're road and I did email Hunt for their advice on taking it on gravel for one or two light rides and they said they should cope fine, but not ideal.

Defo not blaming them, but on the first ride they took a dent just descending on some gravelly single-track. No tubeless failure as a result though. Also, when mounting tyres with a plastic tyre lever, the contact points of the levers also left dimples on the wheels.

Granted, that is specific to this wheelset (heard great things about 4 seasons and others) which is meant to be a mid-depth, lightweight, alu road wheel, but the experience still left me a bit dissappointed.

sorry to derail the constructive side of this thread to poke fun

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Had multiple sets of Hunts over the years with no issues.

Have a look at Scribe wheels? Assembled in Ireland, decent warranty.

Thanks for all the suggestions, some more investigation needed on my behalf.

I got a set of kinlin on Bitex 106 from spa cycles for my gravel bike. Good prices for hand built wheels, a few different kinlin rim options depending your preference. Have been great so far, and I’ve had other good experiences with the Bitex hubs on another wheelset previously

Yep certified sick

that factor would be cool if it had mudguard mounts

i agree
…and if it wasn’t two sizes too small

na i know i know… there are people out there who actually have the core strength to ride bikes like this, but maybe i have a bee in my bonnet about gravel bikes that look exactly like aggro road bikes with slightly wider tyres

there’s no way that’s fun to ride down anything but the most champagne-iest of gravel

Based on the front end and seatpost, isn't this a road bike someone has slapped some gravel tyres on because road bikes now have more clearance?