The Perfect Gravel Race Bike

I'm not much into racing. Nor am I a fan of gravel. But I do like gravel bikes because: - They're the perfect middle ground between road bikes and cross-country bikes - Some gravel bikes are remarkably well-suited for supported or unsupported long-distance tours. For randonneuring and continental tours. Some come with mounts for racks, mudguards, headlight and bento box bosses. This is extremely important to Me as a bicycle tourist. - They are much tougher than most road bikes. - I may not be a racer, but I love speed. Gravel bikes combine speed with ruggedness and comfort. - They're suitable for most terrains. - Some gravel bikes are downright gorgeous!

Great video . I switch from road bike to gravel bike and the video helped me understand the parameters I need to work with .

The thing about Gravel races, at least from ones I've seen, are more about the experience vs winning. This is why you have so many people riding different type of bikes in Gravel events. Want to ride a road bike, cyclocross, gravel grinder, MTB, or a Fat Bike? So long as you enjoy riding it no one except yourself can stop you. That's what's unique about Gravel Grinding vs other riding disciplines.

I really like this video and the comprehensive dialogue that address the sport and the equipment. I love in S. Florida where this sport has just blown up in the recent years as people have taken to the dirt/gravel of the Florida Everglades that allow 10-200mi routes along with some grass root events and an adventure ride called the FAKAWI. My entry into this sport didn't start here though. Over the years I have been doing a charity ride from Pittsburg to DC which crosses the Great Allegheny Passage and C&A Canal which is a common tour route of 310-350mi. The first time I did ride, I suffered on my Cervelo S2, which got me interested in building a specific bike for the event but also because I knew I had the levee back home to train on. Enter the 2009 Specialized TriCross Expert with FACT carbon inserts and vibration dampening....great geometry w/ low BB and room that gobbles up 42c tires w/o a problem. A bike before the times, and still a great bike! I am now on a custom built Trek Boone 5 Disc which is definitely a step up, and great modern geometry. The reason I like this video so much is that even with Brit having a first go into the sport, he picked up things quick. Used solid judgement and justification for his build and preparation. I really think this is a type of riding that really opens up options for riders...especially ones that wish to be in the void of automobiles. And if someone asked me about the sport....I would actually tell them exactly what you've said in this video!

With road riding increasingly getting worse with Caged cell phone users, with near misses, hitting and killing road cyclists, gravel is gradually becoming the only way to go to get your fitness fix. I had Moots Routt RSL built this year and absolutely and hooked. Great content guys, thank you.

About time...so glad to see some coverage on this subject!!!

so awesome to see my hometown on this video, never thought Emporia would be famous for cycling. time to go ride the hills right now!😂

Vintage 26" hardtail and no suspension ATBs are ideal for gravel & heavy load touring on multiple terrain surfaces. 5 terrain bike, asphalt, gravel/fire roads, greenways/trail, dirt/sand & hard beach.

I think the Crux would be an excellent all-around bike, what they call a "quiver killer". Probably could give it a good enough nudge on the road to hang with a decent group ride, can use it as intended for cyclocross, and make it work on the gravel side too. I think that was an excellent choice.

I found that on some gravel roads, rocks can get kicked up and hit the down tube more. You can cover the bottom of the down tube with tape of your choice. Also I attach a cycling bag from rockbarcycling that covers the the bottom section of the down tube to store extra supplies, but also help with protecting the down tube a bit.

Lots of gravel roads in New Zealand. I bought a Pickenflick, as it ticks most of the boxes and is outstanding value for the price.

I wished I had such cool gravel roads in my area! I'd lovel to try gravel biking for sure!

Gravel ridding has heap of potential in Australia. I hope it grow here, because I hate ridding in traffic. Aussies have little respect for cyclists on the road unfortunately.

Another video from our friends at the grav.... I mean, Bike Radar. The bug has bitten you guys hard. Keep up the good work.

I live in Tennessee. EVERYTHING is gravel here!!! I've found that a 29er hard tail is a boss on gravel roads!!!

recently got a lauf true grit and it's fantastic, out of all the gravel bikes i've tried out it's hands down the best throw a set of 28mm slicks on it and it makes a pretty damn good road bike as well, so much so i actually ended up selling my road bike and just using the lauf for all my road and gravel needs

Used to ride when I was young, I missed it at times but as I got older the road bikes were becoming more intimidating and less appealing Purchased a mountain bike first and shortly after seeing these videos realized this was it!! soon after a gravel bike, Comfortable, capable, and looking as cool as those skiny, and fragile looking road bikes but with personality, and a bit more muscle and totally friendly "got a Trek checkpoint" Riding brings beautifully memories. Great video.

There's plenty of gravel roads in the UK: just visit any forest: Kielder, Dalby, Clocaenog, Penmachno, Hafren, etc Sounds like an old RAC Rally route......

Good piece guys...well done.

Check out the Specialized Diverge gravel bike in a carbon frame, future shock, great gearing, 38C sawtooth pattern tires.