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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Gravel Bikes

    General Chat
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    • RobeOfTheMagiR
      RobeOfTheMagi
      Haraki san Expert
      Joined:

      I'm thinking about getting a Ritchey Swiss Cross, however I'm not sure whether the geometry is too racy for me.

      last edited by scarfmaceS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • scarfmaceS
        scarfmace
        Haraki san Expert
        @RobeOfTheMagi
        Joined:

        @RobeOfTheMagi said in Gravel Bikes:

        Ritchey Swiss Cross

        I don't know the brand but a quick search shows a max tire clearance of 40mm, that is low by current standards. Now it should be at least 50mm. Wider is better in gravel. Both for comfort and speed.

        I'm running 34's right now and I will increase to 45mm with my next set for sure!

        Loads of people are experimenting with MTB tires even.

        "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

        last edited by RobeOfTheMagiR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • FlavourFadeF
          FlavourFade
          Raw and Unwashed
          Joined:

          Got myself a Canyon grizl 5 a couple weeks ago to add a little diversity to my workout routine. Total newbie

          PXL_20250622_162227961.jpg

          Insta: free_the_fades

          wtb:
          The Pale Rider XXL

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
          • RobeOfTheMagiR
            RobeOfTheMagi
            Haraki san Expert
            @scarfmace
            Joined:

            @scarfmace said in Gravel Bikes:

            @RobeOfTheMagi said in Gravel Bikes:

            Ritchey Swiss Cross

            I don't know the brand

            Here's an introduction to the Legend Tom Ritchey:

            ❤

            But you're right. Since it's a cyclocross frame, the tire size is smaller than we'd expect in a gravel bike. To me 40mm tires are still quite big. I'm more concerned about the lack of braze-ons and the more racy geometry. I'm by no means a racer.

            last edited by RobeOfTheMagi 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • scarfmaceS
              scarfmace
              Haraki san Expert
              Joined:

              @RobeOfTheMagi
              Cool guy, thanks for sharing! I'm new to cycling so basically everything I know is from deep diving the internet and I'm more into the technical part then the people part of stuff.
              I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of braze-ons because most bags these days come with straps or Velcro mounts, just look at brands like tailfin, they can get you in full bikepacking gear without using a single bolt.

              The geometry is something a lot of people talk about and it all depends on your own style, I think that if you get the proper frame size it wouldn't matter all that much, a lot can be compensated by seat height, stem length and selecting the correct drop bars. A bike fit would be something I would recommend, I've done one myself after riding about 3 months and the difference is massive in comfort and performance.

              "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

              last edited by scarfmace 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • BalticBobB
                BalticBob
                Raw and Unwashed
                Joined:

                Does this count as a gravel bike? 😄

                IMG_2835.jpeg
                IMG_2837.jpeg
                IMG_2838.jpeg

                last edited by BalticBob Denimhead 0D derek111D 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
                • Denimhead 0D
                  Denimhead 0
                  Iron Heart Deity
                  @BalticBob
                  Joined:

                  @BalticBob looks like a bad @ss one to me 👍

                  IG - gratefuldenimhead (jeans and boots), Norseamerican (bicycles)

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • derek111D
                    derek111
                    @BalticBob
                    Joined:

                    @BalticBob beautiful rig. I have the same sticker.
                    1000001380.png

                    Get outside, feel small

                    last edited by BalticBobB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • BalticBobB
                      BalticBob
                      Raw and Unwashed
                      @derek111
                      Joined:

                      @derek111 awesome, I love that sticker! Fit's perfectly to my part pace style of riding.

                      Another topic, I normally don't ride my bike in boots because my pedals smash my boots and it feels like trash. Sometimes however, it's required when it's really cold and I choose to ride to work, because riding bikes rules. Does anyone have some suggestions of boot friendly pedals which aren't extremely slippery?

                      last edited by derek111D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • mclaincauseyM
                        mclaincausey
                        見習いボス
                        Joined:

                        I feel like RaceFace MTB pedals would fit that bill @BalticBob https://www.raceface.com/products/chester-pedal-2020?variant=31913986490450

                        Think it, be it.

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • derek111D
                          derek111
                          @BalticBob
                          Joined:

                          @BalticBob I love my OneUp Components composite flat pedals. They are affordable (in Canada) and do the trick. I swap out for them on any of my bikes when I don't want to clip in, be it gravel or mountain bikes.

                          Get outside, feel small

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • scarfmaceS
                            scarfmace
                            Haraki san Expert
                            Joined:

                            I have the Crankbrothers "Stamp" and they grip anything that touches them, including your shins

                            https://www.crankbrothers.com/collections/stamp

                            "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

                            last edited by scarfmace 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • derek111D
                              derek111
                              Joined:

                              Fun rip today in the sunshine.
                              DSCF0594 (1).jpg

                              Get outside, feel small

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                              • BalticBobB
                                BalticBob
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined:

                                I have the stamp pedals on my MTB and they rule, big fan. Anything with metal pins generally has a bad relationship with my shin but it recent years it’s been my boots taking the brunt of the beating. I attribute this 100% to my improved bike skills, rather than the fact that I bought boots 😄

                                I’m leaning toward some plastic pedals for the winter / boot season. If Crankbrothers makes a plastic stamp, well, that might to the answer.

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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