Could a gravel bike be the ideal Audax Bike?

[AfricaMike]

Apologies if this has been discussed before.......

So I'm in the market for a new bike and with so many options I've realised that shopping-paralysis is a real thing.....My budget is around the R30k mark and my intention, as an older rider, is distance over speed, meaning that comfort for long days in the saddle is a priority.  I used to be an enthusiastic Audax rider and my heart wants to get back into that space again.......I have a mountaibike for the offroad stuff.

So initially I was set on a Merida Scultura and there is good value on offer in the pre-owned market.......until I watched a Youtuber say that he reckons a gravel bike with a 2x gear setup is the way to go for ultra endurance road riding........

I would really appreciate some opinions here......

 

[NC_lurker]

Gravel bikes generally have more endurance focused geometry making them ideal for long days out. I'd say keep your eyes open for a 2x gravel bike with hydraulic discs and don't look back. 

Look out for an older Titan Racing carbon switch (mechanical discs) and then upgrade the shifters & crankset. Should be possible within your budget.

Otherwise buy this:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/821414/bicycle-for-sale

Or perhaps this:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/779534/giant-revolt-1

 

Edited Monday at 02:16 PM by NC_lurker
More options

[W@nted]

Just to add...Since I bought my gravelbike, my road bike mainly sits on the trainer. The comfort benefit, even on the road, is just so much better for me. With good rolling gravel tires, the speed sacrifice of the gravelbike is not too severe. Especially when not racing.

[Zebra]

Sample of one, AND subject to confirmation bias, but here goes:

I recently bought a Giant Revolt Gravel bike, reduced nationally from R33k to R29,995, but found new at ONE store for ‘just’ R25k; hydraulic brakes, 10 speed (way cheaper to replace cassette and chains than 12sp, but identical gearing ‘spread’ to the newer, 12-speed model…), and it seems to tick MANY of your boxes;

more relaxed geometry/greater ‘stack’ than most road bikes…

space for FIVE water bottles, else 3, with then front and rear luggage carrying mounts, etc.

its a large, if in CT, and you wish to test-ride it, just shout.

Cheers

Chris

[ChrisF]

7 minutes ago, Zebra said:

Sample of one, AND subject to confirmation bias, but here goes:

I recently bought a Giant Revolt Gravel bike, reduced nationally from R33k to R29,995, but found new at ONE store for ‘just’ R25k; hydraulic brakes, 10 speed (way cheaper to replace cassette and chains than 12sp, but identical gearing ‘spread’ to the newer, 12-speed model…), and it seems to tick MANY of your boxes;

more relaxed geometry/greater ‘stack’ than most road bikes…

space for FIVE water bottles, else 3, with then front and rear luggage carrying mounts, etc.

its a large, if in CT, and you wish to test-ride it, just shout.

Cheers

Chris

 

Sample of 2 when you add this Chris

 

Pretty sure @BuffsVintageBikes and a few more Revolt owners would add their support for the Revolt.

[W@nted]

Ditto on the revolt. Great bikes!

 

Bought my Revolt Advanced 2 second hand, upgraded the wheels to zipp 303 firecrest. Removed the dropper post and installed narrower handlebars. With these upgrades, the bike is currently on 8.3kg, which is good on the road and great on the gravel. (With 45mm pathfinders installed)

Edited Monday at 05:07 PM by W@nted

['Kaze Pete]

My next Audax will definitely be on the gravel bike. More comfort, less pothole / rut anxiety.

[NotSoBigBen]

I have done a 200 and 400 on a road bike and a 300 on my Monstercross 'gravel' bike

Given the choice I'd do it on my Monstercross every time! As @'Kaze Pete says certainly more comfortable care of the fatter rubber as well as less worry about road conditions. I didn't then, still don't, have the luxury of road tubeless so not having to worry about punctures was also a bonus!

As mentioned speed is of minor concern, comfort is king when you spend that amount of time on a bike 😎

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I'm just echoing what everyone else is telling you, gravel bikes are great for audax events 🤙 

For last years Double Century, I slapped a set of 28C road tires on my spare set of wheels and rode the event on my Revolt. It proved perfect, despite my concerns that the bunch might ride away from me on the high speed sections due to the compact gearing. This wasn't the case and I could tuck in behind and sit slip comfortably and then on the big climbs, the lower gearing was an added bonus
👍 I intend doing the same this year but I'm going to go for 32C tires this time for an even more comfy ride 😊

[W@nted]

1 hour ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

I'm just echoing what everyone else is telling you, gravel bikes are great for audax events 🤙 

For last years Double Century, I slapped a set of 28C road tires on my spare set of wheels and rode the event on my Revolt. It proved perfect, despite my concerns that the bunch might ride away from me on the high speed sections due to the compact gearing. This wasn't the case and I could tuck in behind and sit slip comfortably and then on the big climbs, the lower gearing was an added bonus
👍 I intend doing the same this year but I'm going to go for 32C tires this time for an even more comfy ride 😊

Completely agree. I think the 32mm tires on a gravelbike on the road are perfect. 

[AfricaMike]

17 hours ago, Zebra said:

Sample of one, AND subject to confirmation bias, but here goes:

I recently bought a Giant Revolt Gravel bike, reduced nationally from R33k to R29,995, but found new at ONE store for ‘just’ R25k; hydraulic brakes, 10 speed (way cheaper to replace cassette and chains than 12sp, but identical gearing ‘spread’ to the newer, 12-speed model…), and it seems to tick MANY of your boxes;

more relaxed geometry/greater ‘stack’ than most road bikes…

space for FIVE water bottles, else 3, with then front and rear luggage carrying mounts, etc.

its a large, if in CT, and you wish to test-ride it, just shout.

Cheers

Chris

Thanks Chris - alas I find myself within the confines of Johannesburg (but there's some good riding here too 🙂 )

[Spinnekop]

So here's the thing.

'n Gravel bike is esentially a road bike with fat tyres.
Will your audax be more comfortable on fatter tyres?  Yes.  
Will your fat tyres make you work harder?  Yes.

Ideally I would go with around 35mm tyres in a full slick or semi slick tyre. 
Doing audax this will give you more comfort and not kill you with say 50mm fat heavy tyres.
If you go semi slick, you can tackle one or two easy gravel sections around home also without fear.

Perfect example is where Cannondale went with the new Synaps.  
It has almost exactly the same frame as their SuperX gravel bike but with skinny tyres on.
You can buy anyone of these two frames, chuck 35mm (I'd go for Spez Pathfinder) tyres on and you have the perfect allrounder.

[DieselnDust]

The flip chip in the rear dropout of the newer Giant Revolts makes a very compelling business case for a do it all allroader. In the short position with road tyres and gearing you could sub 3 the Argust.

flip the long position, add 50c tyres and any gravel race can be added to your calendar.

Tweener tyres will be ideal for Audax. I can't see how you can go wrong.

I'm considering hanging up my road bike for a Cannondale SuperX because it can do almost everything so well but at the racier end of the spectrum

[Zebra]

8 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Tweener tyres will be ideal for Audax. I can't see how you can go wrong.

In support of what you say, the older 2022/2023 Model Year Revolt is fitted with 38mm tyres as standard, and allows for 43mm tyres without flipping the chip, and up to 52 mm with chip flipped.

Edited 19 hours ago by Zebra

[Spinnekop]

56 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

The flip chip in the rear dropout of the newer Giant Revolts makes a very compelling business case for a do it all allroader. In the short position with road tyres and gearing you could sub 3 the Argust.

flip the long position, add 50c tyres and any gravel race can be added to your calendar.

Tweener tyres will be ideal for Audax. I can't see how you can go wrong.

I'm considering hanging up my road bike for a Cannondale SuperX because it can do almost everything so well but at the racier end of the spectrum

With the SuperX you can do the Prins Albert Grand Fondo on Thursday and then 3 days later a 2:47 Argus all on 47mm gravel tyres.
Good in my books.  😉

But staying on topic, I think on an Audax, you would want the least resistance and it will be a couple of more hours in the seat than just world funride champs

 

Edited 18 hours ago by Spinnekop

[NotSoBigBen]

1 hour ago, Spinnekop said:

With the SuperX you can do the Prins Albert Grand Fondo on Thursday and then 3 days later a 2:47 Argus all on 47mm gravel tyres.
Good in my books.  😉

But staying on topic, I think on an Audax, you would want the least resistance and it will be a couple of more hours in the seat than just world funride champs

 

Ja ja Flippie ... But that's not the bike 🤪