Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

I quite liked the idea of one…. Until they also seemingly didn’t make them in large sizes…

I think they've been a bit less radical than they used to be, but 10-15 years ago they seemed to make bikes that didn't fit anyone. I had a CAAD5 track frame which was great, rode really well, was very stable at speed on the track, then bought a SuperX cross bike, and it rode like shit, the head and seat tube angles were weird and the BB drop was all wrong for a cross bike, so pedal strike was an issue.

One of my fave bikes ever was an early 2010s CAADX - rode beautifully and I loved how the massive top tube made a ringing resonance whenever I went over bumps. Cleared 40mm (just) too! Sadly it was a size too small and eventually some lowlife nicked it.

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These do actually look pretty good.
With 2x and road gearing and narrow bars they’d be a good all rounder

Peak retro gravel?

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That’s fucking great.

Just made out of boar anchors.

Frame, fork, headset and BB £300 for any buyer with Planet X purchase history

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Bargain!

are you actually watching these? if so, plz blink if mr verdone is holding you hostage

No! But that one is my absolute fave.

Managed to get out for a quick one around the canal and forest trails near me. Absolutely chuffed with how this bike is doing so far. Need to track down a cheap 2nd wheel set to put some more road friendly tyres on.

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Why oh why did they not put mudgard mounts on this?

It does seem like a hugely missed opportunity doesn’t it

This has been my intrusive thought for about 6 months now

I think the way is :
thru axle mounts
Shoelace for the rear
Velcro patch under the front fork

Designed in California

Even I would buy one if it had guard mounts.

Arkose has full mounts.

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Why do buy a £1500 frame and bodge mudguards in with a shoestring when you can just buy a sensible bike in the first place? The Checkpoint is basically identical geometry and spec with mudguard/rack mounts added. The difference in frame weight is 90g.

Frames without mudguard mounts should be banned in the UK

mudguards are for winter road bikes, this is the GRAVL thread

because America

shut the fuck up about checkpoint ffs

Trek is lame, not as cool as Fairlight, Mason

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🤷
Doesn't hurt to have the mounts, I'm not into guards on my off-road bikes though, so, unbothered personally. Would rather have the clearance, either for extra tyre or the inevitable claggy peanut butt-er fuckmounds.
A Win-Wing keeps the buttonhole clean enough in the winter.

You aren't being forced to use the mounts if you have them (for the time being anyway)

Nice stance…with the rear wheel 25mm off the ground.