Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

I guess that is a 'not quite a CX bike'

Is that how you shift on SHRAM?

Yes. And also what to do when it's not shifting. They've thought of everything.

My Sram derailleur shifts under the heavy weight of disappointment

I usually just put in an application, wait 48hrs for it to be processed before getting approval for works to get underway.

My SRAM front derailleur takes its name all too literally a lot of the time. Pressing the left lever can either shift the gear, do nothing except make graunching noises, or throw the chain off the chainrings entirely. It's a bit of a lottery which happens. And before anyone asks, it's set up perrrerrfectly, though I say it myself.

Does anyone have anecdotal evidence about the Conti Terra Hardpacks? They seem suspiciously cheap...

Why is that frame so big, or the saddle so low? It makes my brain hurt.
Does no-one need standover height any more? It looks like a 1980s road bike.

I assume the droppers down, else there’s not much point in having it

that's #scherrit approved gravel geometry imo

If anyone reading this thread is still coherent, this Sonder frame is on discount and clears 700 x 50mm

https://alpkit.com/products/sonder-camino-al-frame-and-fork-2021?utm_campaign=862963_Spacemaker%20Sale%203%20Espresso%20-%2017th%20March%202022&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alpkit%20Ltd&dm_i=57MB,IHV7,10ZXB6,25C2S,1

I think I want a CX bike

You have one

but not reaaallly

No. They don't. They never have.

Denied

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goodison tonight - some people will do anything to further their agenda

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Literally the first line of that review :')

Also my comment was more in response to this whole thread.

Any input on how a bike with slacker head angle (69 vs 71) and longer reach/taller stack and longer wheelbase will have on the ride. I know in theory from the marketing blurb it's supposed to offer better everything, but in the real world is that the case?
Looking at the new Camino, but see last year model is on sale so wonder which of the two to go since there's a £50 difference in price
@Belagerent I just saw that and almost got the newer one for the £50 price bump

Slacker in theory more stable off road, extends the wheelbase and puts a touch more of your weight toward the rear which again helps steering off road. The trade off is if you want to use it as a winter road bike or do a lot of tarmac miles, it will feel like steering a boat and a lot less fun

Thanks for the input. Most of my riding will be on the road, with the occasional foray off road on tame paths along the river, nothing too gnarly so looks like I can save the £50 towards getting a 46/30 crank and new fd

If you think that road bikes have steeper head angles, it doesn't make them go any faster but it makes the steering feel more direct and agile, which makes it feel faster and more engaging

I had an “all road” bike with a steep HTA that was twitchy on steep off-road descents and through sloppy mud. I now have a “gravel” bike with slack HTA and +70mm wheelbase that is much faster off-road. I love it.

It’s a bit more boaty on road, but I like that in contrast to my road bike that I’m on 90% of the time. If you can have separate bikes, it’s much better to have specific geo. The myth of the quiver killer is just that.

The grip isn’t there to dodge things (steep HTA) off road, what you need is the confidence/stability to roll through and over things. #IMO