Gravel bikes - what do you have and where did you buy it?

[Breezer]

I was just about to ask, do you really need hydraulic disk on a gravel bike?

 

I am looking to build a bike, but want to use an old groupset and mechanical brakes.

 

Is it worth investing in new hydraulic shifters?

[Ttocs]

Canyon have cracker deals at the moment , I would go that route if I was in the market .

 

https://www.canyon.com/road/inflite/2018/inflite-al-slx-8-0-pro-race.html

Just pulled the trigger on one of these Inflite deals

 

I feel sorry for the local bike shops as it was delivered in 4 days from Germany and I assembled it in an hour.

[Patensie]

My lovely cotic escapade

don't you have a couch? Bike deserves a PROPER pic...

[Raf]

I'm riding the Giant Anyroad 2017, very relaxed geometry.

 

40c tubeless tyres of the OEM wheels

ZTR 29er wheels, where swop between 32c or 28c tyres depending on the intended ride.

50/38 crank, with 11/32 cassette. 10speed. Excellent all round bike

 

 

Also have the Giant Fastroad.(flat bar).  Somewhat similar but different. Both can handle the dirt & give the roadies some horns as well.

 

Giant have a few gravel bikes in reasonable spec

 

Anyroad (aluXX & carbon frames)

Fastroad (aluXX & carbon frames)

TCX (aluXX frame)

 

Have a look the Comax versions in all 3, just under R30k

 

 

[Raf]

I was just about to ask, do you really need hydraulic disk on a gravel bike?

 

I am looking to build a bike, but want to use an old groupset and mechanical brakes.

 

Is it worth investing in new hydraulic shifters?

It really depend what you want to spend

 

Some of the cable versions are really good and as effective as the hydraulic brakes.

 

That said, hydraulic range varies considerably as well

[Raf]

pics not uploading fully..

Edited March 23, 2018 by Raf

[NotSoBigBen]

I was just about to ask, do you really need hydraulic disk on a gravel bike?

 

I am looking to build a bike, but want to use an old groupset and mechanical brakes.

 

Is it worth investing in new hydraulic shifters?

I've done almost 5000k's on my 'monstercross' with mechanical disk brakes ... Can't think of a single time I thought oh jeez I wish I had better brakes.

 

Only the real 'cool kids' would ride a gravel bike where that kind of braking is needed I guess?

 

Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk

[Tankman]

- Scott Speedster 10 Gravel (looks like a nice option, comes with Hydro disk brakes for a really nice price)

 

Photographed it yesterday!  :thumbup:  It might be available as a demo in a few days.

 

[worriesnot]

Just pulled the trigger on one of these Inflite deals

 

I feel sorry for the local bike shops as it was delivered in 4 days from Germany and I assembled it in an hour.

 

That is a really good deal!

What size did you get and what is the final weight (approx)?

[eddy]

I was just about to ask, do you really need hydraulic disk on a gravel bike?

I am looking to build a bike, but want to use an old groupset and mechanical brakes.

Is it worth investing in new hydraulic shifters?

You van run mechanical shifters and get cable to hydraulic converters so you can run hydraulic brakes.

 

Hope and TRP both make these. I have used both and both work well. Hope are bigger but work slightly better. Running TRP now and it makes no sense to change.

[Mongoose!]

Mechanical is good enough.

[Mongoose!]

Once the "cool factor" is over, there will be a desire for front suspension and higher volume tyres...haha

Specially after a ride on a "sink plaat" road...

 

[Myth]

Thanks guys, all pretty solid replies. Really liking most of what I see...

 

I guess my beef with mechanical disks are not about stopping power or coolness factor, but rather ease of setup. In the past I have always struggled in getting them set up properly with no brake rub (which seem to be easier for me to get right with hydro’s). Now this is from experience many years ago, could be that mechanicals have gotten better and this in now less of an issue? Perhaps getting the mechanical to hydraulic converters could also be a good workaround.

[Myth]

Photographed it yesterday!  :thumbup:  It might be available as a demo in a few days.

 

Insta-4472.jpg

Let me know your impressions of it please!

[V18]

Thanks guys, all pretty solid replies. Really liking most of what I see...

I guess my beef with mechanical disks are not about stopping power or coolness factor, but rather ease of setup. In the past I have always struggled in getting them set up properly with no brake rub (which seem to be easier for me to get right with hydro’s). Now this is from experience many years ago, could be that mechanicals have gotten better and this in now less of an issue? Perhaps getting the mechanical to hydraulic converters could also be a good workaround.

Don't overlooked the trp mechanicals. I've never set up mechanical brakes before these and these took me 10min. They wear evenly. So barrel adjuster only from there.

[Underachiever]

I was just about to ask, do you really need hydraulic disk on a gravel bike?

 

I am looking to build a bike, but want to use an old groupset and mechanical brakes.

 

Is it worth investing in new hydraulic shifters?

For normal gravel grinding, no.  Mechanical more than ok. 

 

Not sure if you need more when descending Swartberg pass at speed for example.