Gravel Bikes - Should we stop and tell the industry now?

[Farrnus]

After three years of development, Niner’s full suspension gravel bike will be available in late 2019.

 

been watching this one develop over the past 12 or so months - they showed prototypes last Sea Otter 

 

damn nice SUV!!!! 

[Patchelicious]

don't forget the golfers!

They haven’t discovered gravel bikes yet. You can however spot them on high end MTBs wearing Camelbaks, often wearing sleeveless shirts and saying “pale ale” too much like they want you to acknowledge their taste in beer.

[PhilipV]

Long Live the Gravel Bike - the SUV of bicycles [emoji1305]

Maybe one of those front wheel drive wannabe SUVs dubbed crossovers. Like the Qashqai,Sportage and ix35.

 

Good on tar, good on gravel, but not brilliant at either when it gets a wee bit rougher like after harvest season when the roads are corrugated badly by all the heavy vehicles.

 

 

*Does not mean I don't want a gravel bike.

Edited April 17, 2019 by PhilipV

[Jewbacca]

Why the hate?

 

I remember a 'similar' debate when full suss 29ers started popping up. All the armchair experts saying things like 'Totally unnecessary', 'A 29er AND a full suss? I would choose a hardtail, it's way more efficient and the 29er wheels roll over everything' etc etc......

 

This thing looks rad if you can afford it.

 

Corrugated farm roads? pffft.... 'I can sit and pedal while yo plebs look for your eyeballs and false teeth...'

 

I'm not going to buy one because I probably will never be able to afford one, but to me it does make sense. Long gravel road rides smoothed out will make the rider less fatigued and far more comfortable.

 

But who likes practical if it's not traditional!

 

Burn the Witch!

It makes riding gravel roads too easy and takes the skill away and stops progression and makes riders worse and means fat people will pass me wearing ankle socks and helmets with visors! The shame! 

[Fat Boab]

Shock stop stem also works wonders. And perhaps the seat post when they launch it?

[ajnkzn]

Shock stop stem also works wonders. And perhaps the seat post when they launch it?

 

That's a system that to me seems underdeveloped - surely with all the dropper tech and new suspension knowledge a 1 inch travel suspension seat post that's still light is possible?!

 

Or is something like Spaz and Canyon's flex carbon seat post the way to go and makes the above unnecessary?

Edited April 17, 2019 by andrew5336

[Fat Boab]

That's a system that to me seems underdeveloped - surely with all the dropper tech and new suspension knowledge a 1 inch travel suspension seat post that's still light is possible?!

 

Or is something like Spaz and Canyon's flex carbon seat post the way to go and makes the above unnecessary?

 

https://bikerumor.com/2018/04/11/shockstop-seatpost-adds-advanced-suspension-for-your-saddle/

[Skubarra]

 

 

Corrugated farm roads? pffft.... 'I can sit and pedal while yo plebs look for your eyeballs and false teeth...'

 

I'm not going to buy one because I probably will never be able to afford one, but to me it does make sense. Long gravel road rides smoothed out will make the rider less fatigued and far more comfortable.

 

But who likes practical if it's not traditional!

 

Burn the Witch!

It makes riding gravel roads too easy and takes the skill away and stops progression and makes riders worse and means fat people will pass me wearing ankle socks and helmets with visors! The shame! 

 

Don't quite follow your post - a gravel bike is smoother on gravel roads as compared to what?

 

I'm very intrigued by the gravel bike concept - my big concern (similar to what I stated on the 100 Miler thread) is the state of our local gravel roads. Smooth gravel roads its a no brainer but when you get 100 miles of corrugations I want all the suspension I can get

[Jewbacca]

Don't quite follow your post - a gravel bike is smoother on gravel roads as compared to what?

 

I'm very intrigued by the gravel bike concept - my big concern (similar to what I stated on the 100 Miler thread) is the state of our local gravel roads. Smooth gravel roads its a no brainer but when you get 100 miles of corrugations I want all the suspension I can get

A gravel bike with suspension like the one in question vs a gravel bike that has no suspension.

 

Guys are hating on the full suss Niner gravel bike... does it make sense now?

[DieselnDust]

Maybe one of those front wheel drive wannabe SUVs dubbed crossovers. Like the Qashqai,Sportage and ix35.

 

Good on tar, good on gravel, but not brilliant at either when it gets a wee bit rougher like after harvest season when the roads are corrugated badly by all the heavy vehicles.

 

 

*Does not mean I don't want a gravel bile.

 

 

I see what you did there

[ajnkzn]

STILL think that my carbon hardtail MTB on 2.2 or 2.35 semi slick tyres is the fastest proposition with decent comfort on bad dirt roads.

 

Once you factor in more than 30% tar the picture might change.

Edited April 17, 2019 by andrew5336

[Jewbacca]

STILL think that my carbon hardtail MTB on 2.2 or 2.35 semi slick tyres is the fastest proposition with decent comfort on bad dirt roads.

 

Once you factor in more than 30% tar the picture might change.

Why would it be 'faster' than, say, an 80mm or 100mm Spaz Epic? The Epic would give you better comfort over the corrugation as well as traction and the ability to put down power while sitting on said corrugation.

 

Gearing aside, why is a hardtail faster than a bike that offers you comfort = less fatigue and the ability to put even power?

 

I'm genuinely curious. Since moving from a stable of hardtails to a 100mm full suss I can't believe how less fatigued I am. 

[MORNE]

Why would it be 'faster' than, say, an 80mm or 100mm Spaz Epic? The Epic would give you better comfort over the corrugation as well as traction and the ability to put down power while sitting on said corrugation.

 

Gearing aside, why is a hardtail faster than a bike that offers you comfort = less fatigue and the ability to put even power?

 

I'm genuinely curious. Since moving from a stable of hardtails to a 100mm full suss I can't believe how less fatigued I am. 

I guess someone like this (Gunn-Rita Dahle) would probably be best qualified to tell us why a hardtail is faster in certain applications. 

[Skubarra]

A gravel bike with suspension like the one in question vs a gravel bike that has no suspension.

 

Guys are hating on the full suss Niner gravel bike... does it make sense now?

 

OK - with you now. Still trying to wrap my head around the gravel bike thing but a full suss bike above certainly makes sense to me. 

[Jewbacca]

I guess someone like this (Gunn-Rita Dahle) would probably be best qualified to tell us why a hardtail is faster in certain applications. 

An XCO race is not a corrugated gravel road. Here you are out of the saddle, free wheeling over obstacles, accelerating, braking, accelerating for a limited time. It would have great application in this scenario.

 

But on a long gravel ride you want to be able to sit and pedal at an even effort, even HR and even cadence to preserve energy in what tends to be longer distances and more time in the saddle. 

 

So yes, different bikes definitely have relevant application, but I'm still unconvinced that (gearing aside) a HT is better than a dual suss in these conditions. 

 

I do think that gearing (MTB vs Gravel Bike) would have more of an overall significance to speed than suspension, but having the geo, the gearing and a little bit of plushness would surely be a pleasure.

 

I see MOOTS have also been toying with a bike with rear suspension

[MORNE]

snip

 

but then also most touring style mtb's are built rigid if you look at what alot of bike packers ride...as in not even front suspension? a high volume tire can take alot of hurt out i guess.

i think people who ride SS will probably concur it has to be a power to weight to power delivery ratio thing.

 

EDIT: and although not a new concept...refined one's like these solve that problem while seated(when you need it), without compromising on that direct feel a HT gives you when applying power. 

 

https://redshiftsports.com/shockstop-suspension-seatpost

Edited April 17, 2019 by morneS555