Posts tagged gravel
New Cane Creek Invert Gravel Fork
April 15, 2024 2:55pm
by
rob
Today Cane Creek officially announced their new Invert gravel fork. They are calling it the "World’s First Gravel Fork." Not sure about that, but ok. Still, I don't hate it.
IMO it does look better than the other gravel-oriented forks that have proceeded it, in part because of the inverted design, which is more or less standard on motorcycles.
The new fork features a "carbon fiber crown & steerer bonded to aluminum upper tubes" to help keep down weight, and it comes in two flavors:
Invert CS (Climb Switch, 40mm, 1113g): $1,199.99
Invert SL (No Climb Switch, 30mm, 990g): $1,099.99
What are your thoughts?
Learn more at Cane Creek and check out the video below.
IMO it does look better than the other gravel-oriented forks that have proceeded it, in part because of the inverted design, which is more or less standard on motorcycles.
The new fork features a "carbon fiber crown & steerer bonded to aluminum upper tubes" to help keep down weight, and it comes in two flavors:
Invert CS (Climb Switch, 40mm, 1113g): $1,199.99
Invert SL (No Climb Switch, 30mm, 990g): $1,099.99
What are your thoughts?
Learn more at Cane Creek and check out the video below.
Flats vs Clipless on a Gravel Bike
February 26, 2024 11:12am
by
rob
On Friday I went for a ride with my buddy who has pretty burly Otso gravel bike. There is a lot to take in on his bike, but the main thing I noticed was that he was using flat pedals. He's a mtber at heart, so that made sense.
When I built up my DeSalvo last year, I went with Speedplay Frogs, which have been my default pedal for ages. For whatever reason I'd never considered putting flat pedals on my gravel bike. But I was definitely pondering it now:
...and what do you know, I like it!
Maybe flats aren't quite as efficient spinning along or on non-technical climbs, but they are definitely confidence inspiring when the going gets sketch, and much easier for hike-a-bike sections. Also, my feet stay warmer in my Five Tens than in my tight fitting Shimano mtb shoes.
What pedals are you using on your gravel bike?
When I built up my DeSalvo last year, I went with Speedplay Frogs, which have been my default pedal for ages. For whatever reason I'd never considered putting flat pedals on my gravel bike. But I was definitely pondering it now:
I made the swap before my ride yesterday...
...and what do you know, I like it!
Maybe flats aren't quite as efficient spinning along or on non-technical climbs, but they are definitely confidence inspiring when the going gets sketch, and much easier for hike-a-bike sections. Also, my feet stay warmer in my Five Tens than in my tight fitting Shimano mtb shoes.
What pedals are you using on your gravel bike?
Cross vs Gravel!
September 25, 2023 11:05am
by
rob
I thought it would be fun to compare my 20 year old IndyFab cross bike to my new DeSalvo gravel bike.
Steel fork vs carbon fork
Canti studs w/v-brakes vs disc brakes
1 1/8th head tube vs tapered head tube
2 c-rings vs 1 c-ring
13-26 8 speed vs 11-42 11 speed
QR vs thru-axles
Clearance for 35mm tires vs clearance for 50 mm tires
35mm tires with tubes vs tubeless 48mm tires
42cm road bars vs 44cm flared gravel bars
Standard seat post vs dropper post
What did I miss?
Shop gravel and cross bikes on BikeList!
Steel fork vs carbon fork
Canti studs w/v-brakes vs disc brakes
1 1/8th head tube vs tapered head tube
2 c-rings vs 1 c-ring
13-26 8 speed vs 11-42 11 speed
QR vs thru-axles
Clearance for 35mm tires vs clearance for 50 mm tires
35mm tires with tubes vs tubeless 48mm tires
42cm road bars vs 44cm flared gravel bars
Standard seat post vs dropper post
What did I miss?
Shop gravel and cross bikes on BikeList!
Gravel 80s Style!
January 27, 2023 9:29am
by
rob
The 1989 Specialized Rock Combo build kit listed on BikeList yesterday got me thinking about the evolution of "gravel" riding in this country.
I grew up in Palo Alto and worked at Palo Alto Bicycles from 1985 to 1990. This was a big Jobst Brandt era and all the cool kids rode their road bikes in the dirt. Here's a classic pic of Jobst on the washed out section of Alpine Road--we used to hit this dirt road on our road bikes several times per week, which would connect us into a network of other paved and dirt roads between Palo Alto and the ocean.
BTW, there is a new book coming out on Jobst. Check it out!
Back then you'd still see drop bars in mountain bike races. Here's my good buddy Dave Mac racing at the 1985 NORBA Nationals (pic via Road Bike Action). I wonder what ever happened to that pink Specialized?
So the whole gravel thing isn't really that "new" is it? The more things change, the more they stay the same?
Right now my "gravel" bike is an old IndyFab Planet Cross. But I'm planning to build up a new Ritchey Outback in the next few months. Sure, the drivetrain, brakes and tires are gonna be a lot better than what we had in the 80s, but the spirit is the same!
Shop gravel bikes on BikeList!
Feeling retro? Shop vintage on BikeList!
I grew up in Palo Alto and worked at Palo Alto Bicycles from 1985 to 1990. This was a big Jobst Brandt era and all the cool kids rode their road bikes in the dirt. Here's a classic pic of Jobst on the washed out section of Alpine Road--we used to hit this dirt road on our road bikes several times per week, which would connect us into a network of other paved and dirt roads between Palo Alto and the ocean.
BTW, there is a new book coming out on Jobst. Check it out!
Back then you'd still see drop bars in mountain bike races. Here's my good buddy Dave Mac racing at the 1985 NORBA Nationals (pic via Road Bike Action). I wonder what ever happened to that pink Specialized?
So the whole gravel thing isn't really that "new" is it? The more things change, the more they stay the same?
Right now my "gravel" bike is an old IndyFab Planet Cross. But I'm planning to build up a new Ritchey Outback in the next few months. Sure, the drivetrain, brakes and tires are gonna be a lot better than what we had in the 80s, but the spirit is the same!