Pikey

The ASRc is such a good bike,I reckon it has tallboy like status or should have . As for my beloved RLT, it may be u for sale this week with my habit. Am outta here in 2/3 weeks hopefully ????

Traction for days & no dust !

Heal up dude ????????

Here’s my take on it . I have recently been asking myself the same question. Hence me riding them back to back and over the same terrain and mostly the same distance except a longer rode on the dual suss to see if it can handle the distance . We both know the stache & gravel can. Bearing in mind the ds is a 130/140 66* deg trail bike than isn’t very light , 13,7kg I think . Here’s my thoughts . If you can only have one bike the stache has to be it as the gravel grinder and the mnt bike . But,and a big but,if you dong mostly outrides and not bothered about bike park type rides then the gravel bike with wider bars can ride 80% of what the stache rides with no bother and a a damn site faster with a lot less effort. Yep the 3.0 tyres are boat anchors in comparison to a gravel bike and over distance. The fatigue is definitely tangible and to some degree. The stache vs the ds= The stache is more efficient and faster over flat dirt roads,not gravel fast but definitely faster than a ds. Going down the stache is quite capable as I am sure you are aware ,but compared to a 130 ds it’s obviously needs more attention to keep up the speed. Climbing up semi smooth ascents it’s close . But, add some rocks and corrugation or roots and undulations and the ds even at 130 seems more efficient to me . Less getting bucked out of the saddle,less paying attention to to line choice and generally easier. Time wise not much in it , but it’s the fatigue factor here that counts. You have to think less on a ds. If you had a 100/120 ds it could be the one bike to rule them all. Not the best at everything but very capable . I recently on a ride with a mate jumped on his yeti asr c and he had spin on the stache . It was immediately apparent how much less effort the yeti took to propel it forward . I was genuinely surprised at the difference. Over a 100 plus kilometres it would be huge for me personally. My ds vs the gravel bike is almost the same difference again if you can take the harsher ride. Over the yeti it’s still quicker and with less effort. For me personally I love my gravel bike more and more . Even though I know can do marathon type distances on my ds I am more and more leaning away from this bike and the type of riding it yearns for . Maybe it’s an age thing but enjoy my gravel bike more than any other bike. I think it’s the freedom thing combined with the speed you can hit on the dirt . Apologies for the waffle

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Showing my gravel bike some love this morning.....damn I love the speed on the dirt that a gravel bike gives you ✊ Taking a break to scoff down some homemade banana bread the missus so kindly made for me ????????

That Ritchey is just so drool worthy.... I like your work sir ????????

Early (well for me) morning ride with nsbb & Don. The wind was a bit relentless near the end, but a well deserved cold water break courtesy of rand water near the end so welcome . An awesome ride with good lads .

The freedom on a bike in the uk Countryside is so peaceful and stress free. Had some awesome rides in summer 2019.

Was a scorcher this morning ????

Ditto

I know i’m not hip or funny my kids tell me all the time . And you right nsbb sounds like an old man,tsk tsk oom ????

Can’t really argue there...you know my take on it.

Agreed,can bomb through rough sections with the flared bars. As for packing/ touring not sure I will get there,although if it’s staying in b&b etc then i’m In.

Am so used to my flared bars now I don’t think I could go back to standard bars. Took a few rides, but you were so right Wayne ????????

Good to hear,was 2nd guessing my sanity. The wind was kind of Saturday, you must of enjoyed your ride slightly more than tother day .

Steel Gravelling with NSBB... very little wind,perfect day ????

Best I pay more attention. Although,riding alone my pea does wonder a lot about nothing .

The wind has been consistently cr@p for the last month plus. I can only recall one ride in the last while with virtually no wind. And it’s always in your face on the way home,always. The mx track is still there . Well at least I think so ????it is on my blindside going out though ????

Always seem to have a Cannondale of sorts ????

100% if you love the bike then all is well with the world ????????

So wish I had bought a super six instead of the Merida ????

Gawd damn that super six is hot....just drooled on myself ????

Was told by a mechanic from a reputable bike shop that the 12 spd xt Shimano cassette is well made and pretty damn tough . It’s at least on a par with XO and better than GX. Not talking weight but longevity. This is obviously subjective and he wasn’t selling me anything . Was actually removing xt cassette for my preferred set up.

I can’t speak from personal experience with sunrace but I believe it offers value . Not sure about longevity and shift quality compared to Shimano & Sram.