Gravel Bikes Options...

[ChrisF]

3 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

He did tell me but I can't remember. I do know he hasn't ridden it since he fitted it because it's still covered in the dust of the Canola Roller that we did year 😄

 

I was just too happy to pick up his "granny gear" setup his bike came with originally.  Also did not ask what he put on.

 

With the speeds you two were doing at 36one-half it certainly has enough top-end for the average rider 👍

['Kaze Pete]

 I'm willing to let go of my Shimano / 2x fetish after playing on https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html

Something like this Titan Racing: https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/switch-carbon-pro-my24/

Or, this Trek (which seems to have some funky pivot point / weird tech stuff going on): https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/checkpoint/checkpoint-sl/checkpoint-sl-5-axs-gen-3/p/47071/?colorCode=black_grey 

Any other ideas?
 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

13 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

I was just too happy to pick up his "granny gear" setup his bike came with originally.  Also did not ask what he put on.

 

With the speeds you two were doing at 36one-half it certainly has enough top-end for the average rider 👍

It'll just means that he'll push me even faster up the hills now 😉😄

['Kaze Pete]

The Scott has a very neat cockpit (apologies to any workshop that need to work on it!), but has 'only' 45mm tyre clearance
https://www.scott-sports.com/za/en/product/scott-addict-gravel-30-bike?article=293251049

[ChrisF]

3 minutes ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

 I'm willing to let go of my Shimano / 2x fetish after playing on https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html

Something like this Titan Racing: https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/switch-carbon-pro-my24/

Or, this Trek (which seems to have some funky pivot point / weird tech stuff going on): https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/checkpoint/checkpoint-sl/checkpoint-sl-5-axs-gen-3/p/47071/?colorCode=black_grey 

Any other ideas?
 

 

Just order your @Titan Racing Bikes 👍

 

 

 

Heaven forbid ou buy from a trek "concept store" .... best check the bike properly !!!  The one in Paarl sure as heck dont to QC before delivery .... checked my friend's new bike last month, many loose bolts, even the crank was loose.  This is when checking the bolts with a torque wrench.

['Kaze Pete]

Talking esthetics:
This looks good (Scott)

This okay (shiny black in the dust?)

And these colours remind me of those MTB Quebeka bicycles:


@Titan Racing Bikes:
I do not see the Titan Switch Carbon Pro listed at some of the big online bicycle shops?
Are the bicyles colours as on your website the only option per model, or can different colours be ordered, eg the orange on the pro model?

Edited 11 hours ago by 'Kaze Pete

[Furbz]

i can get you a ENVE Mog or Parlee Taos?

 

https://enve.com/products/mog

https://parleecycles.com/products/taos

Edited 11 hours ago by Furbz

[guidodg]

the Titan Racing is unbeatable for value… otherwise I would consider the Giant Revolt

The Scott is quite rigid.. not the comfiest ride

 

[Spinnekop]

1 hour ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

Must admit, I'm thinking more about top end speed. I know... pedaling down a mine shaft!
No road compact crankset 50/34 then?

I got 74km/h on my gravel bike at CTCT, running 47mm tyres and a 1x setup shimano 105 Di2.
44 at the front.

That is, to me, more than enough on a GB.  
I suppose it will depend on what type of cadence you can do.........

That said, you wont stay long on these types of speeds riding gravel.  Maybe club road rides around 40 yes......

Edited 11 hours ago by Spinnekop

[DeanWort]

@'Kaze Pete Have a look at the options from Cube Bikes. They come in at a great price. 

This option is R50k it comes in black as well 

https://www.cubebikes.co.za/products/nuroad-c-62-one-tealgrey

[SSCC]

1 hour ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

Love the "need" 👍
On Giant's website they refer to some 'unwanted complexity':

ADAPTABLE TO THE TERRAIN

A flip chip on the rear dropout adjusts the wheelbase short for quicker handling, or long for improved stability at speed. The long setting allows for larger diameter tyres up to 53mm.

Super easy to set it in the long position and just leave it. Zero failures in this area of the bike. Frame comfortably fits 2.2 mountain bike tyres. 

[Titan Racing Bikes]

2 hours ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

 
@Titan Racing Bikes, are your frames 2x friendly?
 

Yes.

 

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Their entry level gravel bikes are 2x.

 

According to sales staff at 3 of our bigger bikeshops they dont do 2x in the higher spec bikes.

 

 

Sure would be interesting if @Titan Racing Bikes confirms it can be done ....

Our top-spec gravel bike, the Titan Racing Switch Carbon Empire, comes with a 2x drivetrain. 

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/switch-carbon-empire-my24-25/

[Titan Racing Bikes]

1 hour ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

Talking esthetics:

SNIP

And these colours remind me of those MTB Quebeka bicycles:


@Titan Racing Bikes:
I do not see the Titan Switch Carbon Pro listed at some of the big online bicycle shops?
Are the bicyles colours as on your website the only option per model, or can different colours be ordered, eg the orange on the pro model?

Not quite 😎

 

Also some shots of it here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEkk35JP-eG/?img_index=1

 

1 hour ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

@Titan Racing Bikes:
I do not see the Titan Switch Carbon Pro listed at some of the big online bicycle shops?
Are the bicyles colours as on your website the only option per model, or can different colours be ordered, eg the orange on the pro model?

Most Switch models are offered in two colours, it is only the Carbon Pro and Limited Edition models that come in one colour only. Your local Titan Racing dealer will most likely be more than willing to swap out parts or a frame for you. 

['Kaze Pete]

15 minutes ago, Titan Racing Bikes said:

Not quite 😎

 

Also some shots of it here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEkk35JP-eG/?img_index=1

 

Most Switch models are offered in two colours, it is only the Carbon Pro and Limited Edition models that come in one colour only. Your local Titan Racing dealer will most likely be more than willing to swap out parts or a frame for you. 

My local can’t even set gears, or cable tension 🫣

I’ll go out of town to a LBS with some volume 👍

[Tomik]

FWIW, I have a '21 Trek Checkpoint SL7 AXS and while it's great for bikepacking, I feel it lacks punch for racing. The frame is heavy (new ones are also quite heavy) so even with lots of carbon bits, it'll never be a light bike. It is very comfortable though with the rear flex stay (with is elastomer based as far as I know so not really a failure point). 

I am in the same boat as you - but going to go with 2x for a racing gravel bike as I'm very sensitive to cadence and love my DA DI2 on my road bike. The 1x AXS drivetrain (40T chainring, 10-51 Eagle cassette/derailleur) just feels like it has extra drag. It may be in my head but I can get a much smoother/easier pedal stroke on the road bike. And smooth = powerful.  

The Cervelo Aspero was top of my list as my LBS could do a Shimano GRX DI2 setup for about R130k. But I don't think it meets your 50mm clearance requirement. I'm sticking to 42/45 as I am light and find them perfect for WC gravel. 

Hope this helps - good luck with the search.

[NotSoBigBen]

2 hours ago, Furbz said:

i can get you a ENVE Mog or Parlee Taos?

 

https://enve.com/products/mog

https://parleecycles.com/products/taos

Man @Furbz that Parlee is something 😲 - one day when I'm big!