CRUST BOMBORA - Gravel Bike? Touring Bike? Rando-Cross?

Review of the Crust Bikes Bombora, a supple steel rando cross bike!
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[@masonfreedman]

I was looking at your online stores to support the channel, and I stumbled across the sold watercolors that were listed. I just wanted to say that I'm really impressed, they look amazing!

[@danmathis4046]

Hope you are doing well with this...because, you are the only site with such honest, interesting, perfectly informative content!! Keep at it, Russ (Laura)!!!!

[@ChrisHouseHobby]

Great review Russ I am diggin the banana shirt too :) Keep up the great work

[@johnnyloco11]

woah under 10kg I was not expecting that! looks the bomb

[@denverllewellyn671]

Great review! I have been following Crust for a while now and was undecided about which frame was right for me. The Bombora just came to my attention via Team Brooks during Dirty Kanza. Now that I have watched the interview with Anton and having seen this review I am sold. Thanks again for the great review. Keep up the great work! Cheers!

[@colbito]

I have a Crust Clydesdale front fork that I’m building up for the second time. Matt was amazing answering all my dumb questions for a relatively minor sale. When I have some more $$$ I’m giving it to him, lol

[@llewxammilyt8768]

Hoping for another Clydsdale run soon.

[@UnconsciousCompetence]

Thanks. I've been looking forward to this review since you gave us a peek at this bike awhile back. I've been looking hard at the Crust frames, and I probably have a bike build in my future.

[@2amRendezvous]

Great job on this channel. Think I need to upgrade my Cross Check for the Bombora. I was just in the northern side of Philippines, visiting my family, and wished I had brought my bike along. Lots of potential unpaved trails.

[@pbskater3]

I'm thinking the same thing. I love my Straggler but i think the Bombora would be more versatile and more fun to ride.

[@gilerd77]

Appears to be the closest thing Ive seen to a 1 and done bike. Nice!

[@cameronbracken6223]

Nice review Russ! Based on that interview you did with Matt, I ordered an Evasion frame and fork back in Feb/March this year. Also happened to use the Yokozuna brakes, and they are just as you said; amazing feel and they also do stop like crazy! I have been wondering if you would be going as nuts over this bike as I have been, and now I know.... Yes! Mine is all White Industries, 1x, Schwalbe G1 Speed, etc. etc. The only negative that I've found is all the attention it gets everywhere I go, Hah ! From random strangers on the streets (probably fellow PLP'ers or Radavistas) to the mechanics 2 and 3 at a time, literally, in several local shops who stopped what they were doing to give it the once over. Matt, you're onto something mate! And Russ, thanks for the introduction. No it"s not a Breadwinner, but the Crust brings home the baggette

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Nice! Yeah, been following his progress and stoked to finally try a bike. Its tough with small companies, but I hope he sticks it out. He's coming out with some of the most interesting bikes in the biz IMO.

[@cameronbracken6223]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Interesting is a good word, I just did the STP ride from Seattle, and let me tell you; "awash in a sea of pacelines, carbon, and lycra, there sailed the Crust" and it was interesting! Lots of positive comments though as I was being dropped like a bag of dirt all day ( hey, I'm over 60 ) Maybe we can all get along after all!

[@tjtower]

Real cool bike, if I were building one up from skratch - this is probably one i'd seriously consider. Nice review. If you liked this bike, you should take a look at the Ragley Trig if you get the chance. Not many reviews for it online sadly, but the geometry is very similar to this bike. Fully Cromoly frame + fork, 700c and 650b versions, 425mm chainstays and a longish front-center/reach, with a slightly slacker head angle of 70 degrees. Coming from Mountain Biking to all-road/gravel riding, it's the bike that intriques me the most that I've seen so far - since Ragley is known for their rowdy steel hardtail MTBs. (also, a reviews for the Vitus Substance are strangely missing from the internet, if you can get your hands on one)

[@waisinglee1509]

Nice review! One of the biggest gripes with Crust is that they are always out of stock of one thing or another. So, it will never be one big order but a whole bunch of orders.

[@danielledispaltro4728]

In love with the Bombora, thank you for the review! I probably would have bought this bike had I know about it! As it stands I bought the 2020 Space Horse. Would love to see you review that bike! Awesome job and review!

[@richhughes77]

Loved this review. Thanks for getting a crust bike and spilling your views on it

[@zombpocolypseiscomin]

Banana shirt! I'm SUPER intrigued by this! Not entirely sure what I wanna save up for but this one is on my radar. Thanks for the review 😁

[@stillshunter]

Damn, damn, damn! I was really hoping you’d give me a decent con to put me off the buy. 😫 Soooo well analysed, thanks Russ 👍🏼

[@maxmichelson5649]

Great review and GREAT bike. I believe Matt has done the right thing not building the bike up as cyclists we are spoilt for choice in running gear we have our own preferences so in turn this becomes customised bike especially for you .and it sometimes depends on how you would like to use the bike so good on you CRUST .

[@jonlouis2582]

I startled the cat yelling "Suuuweet". Low trail fan here.

[@MrRaney661]

I was looking forward to this video! Thanks

[@adamb7426]

Absolutely love those forks! They must flex nice. And I definitely want to try those bars.

[@bnorberg988]

The very old Bridgestone MB-1 had very similar double crown forks

[@joshmccullock4996]

Thanks Russ and Matt! Been watching this frame for some time. I want one so bad!!

[@kimrice394]

Love Crust! You pay a little more, you get a lot more!

[@velo.voyageur]

Looks like a sweet frame. I was staring at those bars so hard until you finally said they were 56cm haha. Suddenly it clicked, yes they are crazy wide.

[@scandyflick]

Sweet review! Been stalking this frame for a while... I guess it's time to pull the trigger :) Keep the opinions coming, they are much appreciated!

[@martineden6038]

Great review! I would like you to review the Soma Wolverine even though it is not a new frame. It would be interesting to hear what your experience with Gates belt + internal gearing would be. Thanks for a great youtube channel! Best wishes from Stockholm, Sweden.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Got a Wolverine to review a couple of days ago!

[@peterbaskind9872]

My Velo Orange Campeur build has that same drivetrain. SRAM Force 1 with a 42T chain ring. The traditionalists disapprove, but I really like it. No discs, though. The brake choices are much more - um - traditional.

[@joeumbrell8774]

Nice review. Good to see an east coast company get some love.

[@certainperfectratio]

Sounds like your geo wishes are like MTB geo last few years...slacker HTA and short stays. I've often wondered about a short stem/wide dropbar combo on a gravel/cx bike. Cool to see it.

[@jerbienmanawatao3879]

i like the tag line "pretty light for a steel bike" :)

[@fancytyme]

Great review. Thanks, Russ. I still need to build up my Romeo...

[@robinheil]

Awesome review, awesome bike. Thanks for pointing out those brakes. I'm sorry, but what does Ultraromance know about tire compounds...?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Don’t know. It might just be a funny.

[@robenglish416]

Great review. The handlebars seems interesting, ditched my dropbars because they felt to narrow on in tricky terrain, less control.

[@piotrlisowski472]

What other bike can you compare to the Crust Bombora, including: light steel frame, sloping, crown forks, wide tires and many mounting points?

[@nickkent7164]

Great review, thank you. Love your shirt too!!

[@kennoon7177]

Thorough review, thanks Russ

[@dcmsr5141]

Nice review. Bike is definitely on wish list

[@ericpmoss]

Those bars look like they are trying to escape the sides of the camera frame. :) Cool to hear about a new cable brake. BB7s are fine, but options are good.

[@Biketouring]

Enjoyed the video! Keep it up :)

[@HerrmannHinz]

hey russ. thanks for the review. i wonder how does it ride like compared to the all-city cosmic stallion u once reviewed? just checked the geometry and they look pretty similar.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Pretty different. Bombora way more sprightly in the rear. Also more springy tubing.

[@biking261]

Talking of Hybrid brakes, I can recommend the TRP HY-RD brakes 10,000miles on my and I think they are great.

[@tomr862]

Richard Clements same.

[@jonathanhalevah2561]

Pretty cool. So this is Matts bike. Whats the size of the frame if you don't mind me asking.

[@cd3990]

Thank you for this review! Hope to see more from Crust bike. Such cool bikes on their site. Any comparison with the VO Polyvalent?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

More stable steering but quicker rear than the VO. Lighter and more lively steel. Better optimized for off road loads.

[@cd3990]

@@PathLessPedaledTV you also mentioned that it's good for front loading even if with high trail? How does it compare to the Polyvalent's low trail with a front load?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Chino Datu over time I’ve come to prefer low trail for paved riding with a load to keep nimble steering and highish trail for off road to keep from getting bucked around. Different. Neither better than the other and depends on terrain.

[@cd3990]

@@PathLessPedaledTV makes sense actually. Thank you for the replies and more power to the channel.

[@cd3990]

@@PathLessPedaledTV looking forward to more reviews of the bikes on the Crust lineup! I have a feel you'd like the Lightning Bolt with light tubing and low trail.

[@petermullaney2888]

I like the videos! Any chance you'll be looking at the Kona Libre this year (or next)?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Up to Kona.

[@petermullaney2888]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Well I knew that was the answer... I was hoping my frivolous comment would will it to happen!

[@johncockburn6517]

What about compared to last years winner the Breadwinner?

[@MilyVasquez06]

great detailed review, love it! What is the size of the bike reviewed?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Small.

[@mzerinskas]

Thoughts on how Crust's tubing compares to some of Surly's offerings (trucker, cross-check) i.e. assuming all the fancy parts are the same how would you compare? Thanks! -m

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Surly are over built. Thicker tubes. Heavier and less lively.

[@jabrobbins]

Nice review. Could this fit 700 road or cross tires or is it 650B specific? Two sets of wheels would make this my only drop bar bike.

[@austinp3299]

I was wondering the same. If it could be, I think it'd take the place of a Warbird as my next bike.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I suppose it could but 650b is 38% funner!

[@broadfjord7087]

Hey Russ. I’ve been checking out the Bombora for awhile and want to upgrade to it for my next frame. You and i are pretty close in measurements and was wondering what size you tested and your thoughts on the fit. As far as stand over goes it seems like i should go with a small. Thanks for the review! Any chance of doing a RH juniper ridge review?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Rode the Small. Not sure what the stem length was exactly but the fit was dang near perfect for me. Would have preferred a slightly shorter stem with the Shaka but should be fine with 46cm bars.

[@broadfjord7087]

Path Less Pedaled thanks!

[@withfilm]

Thanks for the review Russ!!! What size frame is Matt riding? Did it fit you well? I'm 5'6 and thinking a small might work out.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It is the Small.

[@withfilm]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks!!

[@climbbikesurf]

How tall are you Russ? I’m 5’-6” too so trying to figure it out

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Mike Tsoi I’m 5’8, 29 inch inseam. Usually ride bikes with a 372 reach.

[@piotrlisowski472]

@@PathLessPedaledTV and for 5'9" and 31" inseam?

[@dazzasp3]

What's your fave wheel size I'm oldschool 26 for me 👍

[@mikethomasbike]

review the evasion next! or whenever you have time!

[@itsacorporatething]

I really want an “all-road” bike in the Path Less Pedaled, bicycle quarterly style. But I have no clue where to start since these bikes don’t come built. Where can I get the bike I want? Who can help?

[@graham4401]

I really like those DT swiss 420 hubs.

[@amandalynndeleo]

What size frame did you get? I know you said it in one of your Bombora videos but I can't find the exact timestamp so I figured I'd just ask you. Also how tall are you? THANKS!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

5'8, 29 inch inseam. Small.

[@amandalynndeleo]

@@PathLessPedaledTV You are the best, you answered so dang fast, thank you. Hope you're enjoying the heck out of Cali!

[@Jacob-cb7pj]

havent watched the video yet but: wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo okay here goes edit: update, good shit, pretty satisfying to finally see someone review these

[@MarlowWhere]

Hey Russ, assuming trips that are a mix of pavement, gravel, forest roads, with some single track mixed in, how do you feel about the bombora vs the polyvalent?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Both can do it. Prefer higher trail of Crust for trails.

[@MarlowWhere]

@@PathLessPedaledTV what size tires are you currently running on your bombora and polyvalent respectively?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

MarlowWhere both 650b x 48

[@MarlowWhere]

@@PathLessPedaledTV thanks for the help Russ! We love you!

[@RideAlongside]

Crusty! Been waiting for this one. 😃👍

[@RideAlongside]

You’re really making me want to throw a leg over a Crust now Russ. Good review. The philosophy of the wide drop bar is super interesting. Having interruptor levers with hydraulic modulation at the wheel makes me wonder how far we could head in the drop bar mountain bike direction. Having a chill front end definitely helps, but what about a 100mm suspension fork? Especially one with a good lockout? I love my drop bar El Mariachi, but often wonder about these things when taking it on singletrack that I more often ride my hardtail MTB upon.

[@richcower]

Great shirt!

[@DarthJabba504]

Nice! How about Romanceur with quill stem? Or Lightning Bolt for very thin lively tubing!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yeah. Hoping to get a few more Crusts in to review.

[@PuffinPass]

I am interested in the braking setup and wondering whether or not boiling the fluid is an issue with such a small reservoir?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Haven't had issues with it so far under normal use.

[@wayofthehike]

Which would you choose, the Crust Bombora or the Breadwinner G-Road?

[@mikedeal7457]

Food for thought the Crust frame is 925 bucks and Breadwinner frame is 2700 bucks

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

that's hard to compare. I think for the money, the Crust is pretty sweet. But with a Breadwinner you get exactly what you want.

[@tinyadventuresbybike9796]

@@PathLessPedaledTV is the frame welded in Taiwan? Or US? Thanks.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Tiny Adventures By Bike this particular Crust in Taiwan.

[@bpatton4109]

Sounds like a fun bike! I was wondering if you had toe overlap with this bike?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

No.

[@Sapemies58]

They really need an importer in Europe, these are impossible to get into Europe :( shipping costs almost double the price of the frame. I would really want to build a scapegoat, but nope. Not possible

[@fre2045]

True... I had an Nor'Easter in the basket. Shipping was 720 + custom fee. had to delete the order. worst day of the year :)

[@rickyk8177]

Crust is still very small, and the frames that come to the US or go to Australia go very quickly as it stands now. I hope Matt and Crust grow into something that will eventually be able to be distributed overseas like that.

[@donbosco9789]

i think you should send them a direct message; most framesets from other brands sent from the US to Europe are around 100$...

[@Eric-Red]

Would love to get your thoughts comparing this bike to the Space Horse Disk. I have a SHD and love the comfort just not the weight.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Had the OG Space Horse. Would say the crust has a quicker rear and slacker front. To me a more interesting handling bike but the SH is a solid execution. Weight diff won’t be that big unless u go carbon wheels.

[@jfspurlin1]

What is the small handlebar bag shown at 12:28? And, where did you get that shirt?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Ruthworks Brevet. We made a vid about it.

[@TimCalvin]

I'd really argue it's not on the pricy end for steel *at all.* Anything hand built is going to cost $1800+ (with lugged custom stuff easily in the $3-4k range). At $925, it's a pretty good deal on a significant step up from a Surly.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I think it’s good value. Ppl just complain and expect steel bikes to cost $400 or something.

[@TimCalvin]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Totally with you on it being good value. The undervaluing of good steel is baffling to me- it's not like these things are made from sewer pipe, you know? And then there's the oft-trotted-out trope of "just buy a 90's mountain bike" that's not really true- those don't have through axels, or manything mounts, or disc mounts, or or or. Anyway. Not to rant. Nice review!

[@cesargarcia5974]

Between the Bombora and the Packrat, which did you think carried the front load better?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Hmm. They carried it different. Packrat stayed more normal and light handling. Bombora stayed fairly stable.

[@jstruchy5356]

I may be a bit too late to ask this question, but how do you think this bike would do with brevet / randonneur style event? Basically, when time is of issue on pavement? I’m still searching for that bike that would allow me to go « fast » and far on pavement with the occasional or more than occasional gravel, dirt road and / single / double track that finds me while bikepacking. I had too many bad surprises with my roadie that sports 28mm on wide rims.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Would do great.

[@jstruchy5356]

@Path Less Pedaled Awesome, thanx Russ. I've been looking at Crust bikes all week, even more, they all look so good but this one seems perfect...

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It's great. It shouldn't be just pigeon holed as a "gravel bike". Its a fun fast bike that also happens to have the wide tire clearances that you need for gravel.

[@rickyk8177]

Your best and most accurate review yet, Russ. Matt just always seems to knock it out of the park. The handlebars are revolutionary. If I didn't already have 2 Crust bikes, this would be the one I'd order. Great work.

[@cd3990]

What 2 Crust Bikes do you have? By any chance is one a Lightning Bolt? Been thinking of getting one once it is in stock.

[@rickyk8177]

@@cd3990 I have the Evasion and the Romanceur. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the Crust frames. I suggest you pull the trigger the next time they're in stock.

[@hamishhamilton3331]

Great review. Does anyone know what size rotors the bombora takes?

[@automat8]

Looks great.

[@diegoaguilar8789]

Which brand and width are those awesome dropbars?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Crust x Nitto Shaka bars.

[@diegoaguilar8789]

Thanks!!! Do you have a sponsored link? I'm about to order them!

[@Alex_564]

Can you review the soma saga and/or new Albion drake plz?

[@alexanderrigda7002]

are there ways to put 700c wheels on this frame

[@SnakeBitesTattoo]

Love ur shirt

[@jonamcc]

has anybody used both the TRP HY/RD and the Yokozuna? I've been saying everything Russ said about the HY/RD for years now. But these brakes look way sleeker.

[@WordupG]

john smith are you using the two piston Yokozuna Motoka or these newer four-piston Ultimo?

[@jonamcc]

@@bfvcrank9306 i use TRP HY/RD with 10 speed shimano and it works marvelously.

[@jonamcc]

john smith you literally didnt. why dont you tone the salt down a little bit, we’re *literally* talking about niche bike parts.

[@hawk2million]

Woah, sweet!

[@fahrradra6856]

again....what kind of stem is that? where can i buy it?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Check out the Crust bike site. It’s on there.

[@thhhx]

How does it compare to the Gorilla Monsoon?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Lighter, quicker, snappier.

[@edencalgie1996]

What tyres ya got on there? V cool

[@edencalgie1996]

Found em ! Ultradynamico Rose Race

[@stheunis]

How does it go loaded with racks?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Dunno.

[@Carrierbuilder406]

What is the price? Kinda dancing around that. Just wondering.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Dancing? I say the price and show a big picture of it at 1:14.

[@Carrierbuilder406]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Thats the frame price. I know that one. The total price of the build is what I was after.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

michael warman I don’t know. It’s a custom build he put together from industry parts. My guess is 5 to 6k? Wheels alone are probably 2-3k

[@Carrierbuilder406]

@@PathLessPedaledTV OK thanks....

[@OakFlooringDirectCoUk]

Cool bike

[@garybird8646]

It looks pretty retro to me.

[@nsuster]

Any chance we can get an NFE comparison?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Been trying to get one for the last 2 years. No luck yet.

[@nsuster]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks for the quick reply Russ! Good to know. I'm kind of torn between the Bombora and NFE maybe a Nor'easter and Dreamer (if ever in stock again). Too many options! I like the fork on the Crust bikes but like the MUSA of the NFE for close to a Crust. How do you think the Bombora would work as a daily commuter (15 miles each way, over a pretty big hill) and weekend gravel/fire road bike?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Bombora would be perfect for that.

[@nsuster]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks Russ!

[@klunker289]

Buy it Russ!!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Gotta sell some watercolors!

[@bfinoradin]

Nor’easter next please :)

[@dakotafalkenroth417]

The Surly Midnight Special can go toe to toe with this.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Similar but different.

[@melanipelaezj.440]

You guys should come to Germany, here are many bike companies and the community is growing!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Would love to review some German bikes!

[@melanipelaezj.440]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Patria bikes www.patria.net/ Fahrrad Manufaktur www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/index.php , Riese & Müller www.r-m.de/en-us/ Rohloff gearing www.rohloff.de/en/ Pinion gearing pinion.eu/en/ etc.! Biking possibilities galore!

[@MrMarumari]

The .8/.5/.8 tube spec is not the tube diameter, it's the butt profile. In other words, the wall thickness of the ends and the center of the main tubes (likely top tube and possibly downtube also).

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Gee thanks for correcting me! I misspoke.

[@SayklistTV]

nice bro.

[@billybuckmusic]

damnit now I need one

[@chipsandsalsa2520]

cost?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It’s not sold as a complete build. My estimate for this in particular is 5k.

[@PinoyBikepacker]

Banana shirt!

[@piotrlisowski472]

@Path Less Pedaled Does the frameset allow the 2x drivetrain? I need to build a commuter bike in and would like to use a 46/30T (minimum) crankset

[@Mediarahan003]

Oh wow. That frame costs just a liiiiitle bit more now. Yikes.

[@EastofSublime]

7:48 wait-did you just call that a mullet bike?!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

New term :)

[@danielebergonzi8461]

Them Campagnolo disc rotors sure are pretty

[@scottsmith2971]

I figure this will cost me about $300k, plus the cost of the bike. It's going to be an expensive divorce . . .

[@davidwestwood6850]

DUDE!?

[@chunkylover54]

i was looking at this or the scapegoat. thinking of selling my fargo for one