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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Gravel Bikes

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    • scarfmaceS
      scarfmace
      Haraki san Expert
      Joined:

      IMG_20250515_191515_988.jpg

      Taking the long way home

      "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 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
      • scarfmaceS
        scarfmace
        Haraki san Expert
        Joined:

        Just added another thing to the list of things I didn't know existed yesterday and must have tomorrow:

        Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Edition

        That thing is a piece of functional art.

        Just look at this review: https://pezcyclingnews.com/technspec/silca-superpista-ultimate-pump-review/

        "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 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • 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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