Gravel for beginners, Ornot

[@acetylcholine3]

Thumbs up for that MONSTER on the unicycle! Thanks, guys!

[@jcsrst]

Beginner gravel biker already demoralized by that dude on a unicycle 🤣

[@Mark_L]

I’ve been to the country you are riding in. Unfortunately I was in a car. The area is phenomenal. You are truly blessed to have such a cool area to ride in. I live in New England so I too have a.truly beautiful area to ride in. Wherever you live, get out and enjoy your ride.

[@jitterspec]

I almost didn't click the video because the word "beginner". I'm so glad I did. Riding for over 30 years - avid road and mtb - but new to gravel. This video was concise, great tips and great production. Great job guys! I would have added a shoe/pedal section. Next video?

[@ankushshirsath2666]

Thanks for very helpful beginner tips guys, just bought my 1st gravel bike :) to ride in the northern mountains of Portugal. Cheers :)

[@ornotbike]

boa! divertido! (I lived in Lisbon for a year)

[@jorgepinto2797]

@@ornotbike this puts a smile on my face because I'm also from Portugal ahah

[@gamaro74]

Well, me too! And looking to sell my e-bike and get a Gravel one. Nice tips!

[@adrianburns7975]

gravel bikes are wicked .. u will love it

[@kpj5]

What did u get?

[@imagistatheimagista1870]

Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing your depth of knowledge and experience in a palpable format! Very well thought out. 🙏🏻 The breathing part was a great bonus!

[@jcsrst]

That was perfect! Clear and concise. Great information that is the most helpful I've heard. Thank you!

[@dreyn7780]

Lots of it was wrong information. They haven't even balanced their weight on both tyres. Flat straight road riding, both tyres must have even weight distribution.

[@rguitarist]

I’m a mountain bike skills coach just getting into gravel riding and this was a great video!!! Thanks for the post! 🤘🏼🤙🏼💪🏼

[@danielmagana5125]

I have to say it, beautiful explanation very polite lenguaje, straight to the point, and above all great, great attitude..... Cheers from NYC

[@jhowardsupporter]

Now time for la cocaina y putas amigo!

[@fischetg]

Clear, concise and informative for the beginner. Awesome job!

[@mikese4]

Thanks for calling it dirtriding. In the UK, we have trails predominantly made up from mud/flint and some Grv. I call it either dirtbiking, or adventure riding.

[@albertokusmic9239]

Very well explained and documented. Really a great job. Thanks from Italy

[@manabiker]

Michigan is a whole different animal,, we have more dirt roads, then anyone can believe, but decents an climbs are short n mean, I ride an work on MTB trails during warm weather, gravel riding in winter on snow packed roads. Great vid thanx... I should make a vid on our snow pack roads they can be challenging..

[@craighenry7915]

Awesome video for the first time gravel riders.

[@AaronDana626]

I’ll say a prayer for you my man!! God is good and He will show you His plans in all of this.

[@igniaulfsborg8946]

Really impressed! Concise, but all the most relevant bits clearly addressed.

[@linouzz1732]

wow best video I found so far for gravel!!! really really hope y'all could host bike session on some platform and allow n00b bike with you!!! looks so much fun already just v. this video!!!!

[@georgeshoemaker6872]

lol good to see that mtn unicycling is still a thing in the bay area

[@bitsandgigs]

Thanks for all your tips guys. Great for a middle aged dad just getting started. You can see my adventures at gravel @Bits and Gigs

[@jacobwilson7739]

Y’all what a great video. Thank you for the effort it took to make this. I just got into gravvy bikes this year and it’s been a lot of fun.

[@krisvanaut]

Great video. Lots of good tips:-) thanks for sharing! Maybe onze thing you could add in... tyre pressure....

[@johnsonjay60]

Bro yes the breathing steady while climbing I do this too!!

[@nassirnassir4872]

Great review, Im thinking of choosing a gravel bike, Specialized diverge E5 base, Cannondale topstone 2, Canyon grail 6 .. can you guide me please which one to buy

[@wcf4831]

I try to learn more about Gravel, very interesting!

[@bonvaicu]

Do you recommend specialized diverge e5 evo / flat bar gravel bike ? I’m looking for gravel bike and I’m finding mostly drop bar ?

[@Ropetable]

nice tires. mezcal and terreno. my favourites too.

[@obeyken]

Really great video, thanks. Can you say again what those tires are?

[@njuiafrica]

Am new to gravel knowledge thanks 👍

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Thanks. That was useful information even though I don't have a gravel bike (yet but maybe that will come) just a 'hybrid' that will never win any road races nor be faced (ever!) with a really rocky, steep mountain track. I've only just heard of tubeless tyres for pedal cycles and the idea has some appeal. Hydraulic brakes too...a bit of a mystery to me as yet. Thanks again for intriguing advice.

[@lordfarquaad2723]

Se uphill has to give way here in Australia as the downhill has worked for the reward vs up hill is working for it yes I have crashed at well over 60kmh on the downhill as a ebiker thaught he was smart trying to slow me down we both got broken ribs and I had to walk out 1.5kms

[@MTBAlex]

Do you have a link or specs on the drop bar from the light blue bike?

[@aeromtb2468]

i like the dance analogy. i gonna use for my mtb.

[@buckroger6456]

I have a flat bar gravel bike and I thrash the heck out of it. Guys on Mtb trip out on me since I take the bike into places it really should be in.

[@lakishaweaks9784]

I want 2 build flat bar gravel cannondale slate or Poseidon red wood

[@buckroger6456]

@@lakishaweaks9784 do it! I personally feel that a flat bar gravel bike is the way to go. It will cost a little more money since you will need to switch out the brakes and shifters but it's worth it.

[@abhisheknath5363]

Great video! There’s a couple of super steep sections between Old railroad grade and Eldridge grade where I inevitably have to get off the bike. Any beta for those sections in particular?

[@ornotbike]

The ones right around “Indians fire road”? Those are tough and require the combo of balance, weight transfer ( over the rear wheel ), and straight up pedaling hard. I’d call those double black diamond climbing sections.

[@gdwlaw5549]

Looks very much like the countryside around Montpellier, France

[@Bipbiprna]

Hey ! Do you live there (I do) ? I wonder how a gravel bike would perform here, especially in the hills, where even the best maintained fire roads seems to have sections covered with big pebbles. On my old fully rigid mountain bike,they are pretty shaky to ride ! Eastward, though, it seems to be different, way smoother with lots of gravel and dirt tracks.

[@therealsugarking]

Just got back from San Francisco yesterday. Such a beautiful city. I hate to see how so many homeless people run downtown. I thought LA was bad. But Monterrey wow that place is Heaven.

[@treestotrails]

Great info and well presented! Get out and ride that dirt...ornot

[@StrongOver40]

great video! Tons of good info. Thanks for sharing!

[@kpj5]

Love to know ur bikes n tyres setup

[@eduardoblount4544]

Thanks. I totally appreciate your intro.

[@Bikesikol]

Very helpful tips. Keep it coming guys.

[@chillrobots]

thank you for this video, great tips and nice people. cheers.

[@monjesmedia]

Excellent tips. Thank you!

[@KellyGreytok-v4p]

This was great - thank you!

[@blarakadventure8165]

Hello,greetings from graveland borneo🇮🇩🤟

[@lightracer8632]

Stumbled on the video and I was, “hey, I use to work there!” As a former Tam Ranger I can say the poison oak and I had a special relationship. Especially after every 🔥, unavoidable and don’t miss it here in the PNW.

[@AmarT097]

Really helpful video, thanks guys! I hope you make more videos like this one :)

[@ornotbike]

You're welcome! Let us know if you have any specific video requests.

[@siriosstar4789]

"Gravel for beginners " lol 😂🤣

[@marksanchez67]

That was helpful, I plan to get my first Gravel bike soon

[@a.joseph4233]

Which brand...looking for one here but rather confusing...am a beginner gravel person

[@smike677]

@@a.joseph4233 So did you choose? Cause i`m looking for gravel too. Dont know maybe will buy triban rc520 gravel, seems cool for its price.

[@a.joseph4233]

@@smike677 No decision as yet...have been doing a lot of road cycling this Summer....will let you know when i decide...thanks for helping

[@HeartPumper]

Damn, you realize that, by having access to such absolutely amazing place, you're blessed!? I'm freakin jealous !! :D

[@fiftyfreestylin]

That was awesome! Thanks guys!

[@brandosfilms]

Thanks guys! Super helpful 🤟🏼

[@FollowThomas]

Lots of good tips, thanks.

[@weisun433]

Thanks for the video and it’s very helpful for a newbie like me. One question I would ask is what kind of clipless pedal was installed on Jake’s bike? I always find it a little scary to ride with SPD SL on a loose gravel ground, would appreciate it if you could provide some suggestions on pedals for gravel riding.

[@p0ddie]

Those look like Time Atac XC4 pedals. Shimano SPD (non SL) is good to go, too. I can highly recommend the XT or even XTR pedals, they will last a long time. I have a set of 25 year old PD-M737 in my spare box just in case. In other words: use MTB pedals, not road pedals. There are excellent gravel shoes out there - very stiff but with a sole that's walkable. Dustin Klein made a video about gravel shoes a while back.

[@ginkgom]

Hi. What's the brand of your green bike ? Thank you in advance. 🙏

[@ATAHUALPA867]

Hey. I like his tire size and design . What kind ? Please and thanks. I have a hybrid but on dirt slips a lot.

[@mannyadriano]

Jake ~ where did you get those cool scarf?

[@user-fht3ndbr56jy]

one question. why you do not use MTB for trails like on the video?? flat handlebar and suspension is made for those routes. it is just faster and safer on mtb.

[@adrianburns7975]

because gravel bikes are versatile .. I ride to trails from my house along the road and it's still fun. I think on an MTB it would be not so fun and slow. Some people like to feel they are slightly "under biked" too

[@zumezoom9593]

getting up a lot of steep climbs should i consider a 2x12 system instead of the 1x11 that most gravel bikes include in their package? should I also run tubeless, but carry tubes and repair kits anyways? what's a really reliable with better puncture resistant tires would you recommend?

[@patrickmuralt5348]

4:53 about breaking if i drive down a forest road, it can get bumpy quite quickly. with my hands on the hoods, sometimes everything seems to get out of control, because the gravel bike quickly gains a lot of speed. so i have to brake constantly. but that causes me pain in my fingers :-/ because like katie, i don't have long fingers. do you have similar issues and / or what do you do about it?

[@dawsdep]

Moving to the drops will make braking easier and more controllable while the more locked in hand position might also allow you relax your grip slightly which can help with hand discomfort

[@photorockbar471]

Use straight mtb bars. Easier for braking

[@jasonrucker3143]

Great info, great video ✌🏻thank you

[@bergbryce]

This is a great video, thanks.

[@kuau714]

Which tires do you recommend? I could not understand what you said in the videeo

[@abhishekc1285]

Is it better to avoid using cleats and use regular pedals when riding on trails ??

[@ornotbike]

"clipless" pedals (spd / crankbrothers) will always be more efficient, but if you're not comfortable with them yet, flat pedals are a good idea. Then, once you are used to riding on different surfaces you can move over to clipless pedals.

[@astrayagrarian]

More important than what she mentioned, is having the correct gearing so you don’t have to grind up climbs. Most people still ride way too big of gearing whether on the road or not.

[@ornotbike]

True! Having the correct gearing is crucial. Luckily with all of the options between 1x and 2x it's pretty easy to get it right.

[@johnsonjay60]

Waiting on my first gravel rig I ride mtb so the bar change and shifting and braking is going to be the strangest I feel. Atleast I'm getting a 2021 bike in 2021:) 6 month wait

[@johnsonjay60]

@@leagueofotters2774 gravel bike is for long long rides for exercise.. cute comment

[@markbudd8432]

Great advice and so succinct 👍

[@Rlaplante73]

Great informative video!

[@prithviraj2354]

Y does gravel cycle headset has big ring ( bearing ) size then above

[@falcoperegrinus82]

What bike is the dude riding? Also, how much does having a 1X limit your speed on pavement?

[@ornotbike]

He's on an OPEN. 1x doesn't really limit your speed. Most people top out in the 30mph zone when riding, any faster than that, and your probably costing. The downside to 1x is the jumps between each gear, they are much bigger than a 2x setup.

[@UloPe]

The 1x 2x segment could have used some more detail. For example that you usually trade the simplicity of a 1x against a massively reduced gear ratio. Common 1x have ~3.8 while 2x are usually well above 4.5

[@ornotbike]

Agreed, we kept that segment pretty short. I think the biggest difference between 1x and 2x is actually the jumps between each gear, especially with the huge range in gearing.

[@attybong]

what handler bag do you have there?

[@mb19842002]

Excellent content

[@MrTrav36]

its like mountain biking in the 80s

[@jjsuggs4321]

all good info, thanks!

[@viajandodebike2022]

Thanks for sharing.

[@watts391]

Thanks! Helpful!

[@Comiconia]

I am looking at a bike with semi hydraulic brakes because of budget reasons. you think that is still a dealbreaker / worth investing in? Thanks!

[@Daniel115XD]

i had to research a bit and to my understanding that type of brake is hydraulic but it's cable actuated. If so i don't see anything wrong with it, but it's weird that u find that cheaper than a fully mechanical brake. I wouldn't mind those brakes along as they are disc brakes, because for gravel/dirt/mud u will want that. On dirt/gravel i think the important thing is not about braking power but more about braking technique and the wheels u have.

[@sammadaminov]

Trails and mountains with FX, isn’t that tough without suspension?

[@rocketssss6]

It is more challenging, but that is why a 40 to 50 tire makes a huge difference, as they pointed out. I ride down hill, enduro, trail, and gravel. Each have equal challenges that make it fun. I find riding my 203mm travel DH and gravel rigid equally difficult in their own way.

[@WalfredoCirne]

Nice video! Thanks!!

[@jeppep95]

Whats the point of a gravel bike if you have really wide tires and and essentially MTB Gears? Why not just run an XC bike?

[@ornotbike]

You can run an XC bike, but if your ride includes a decent amount of pavement, the cross country MTB bike can start to feel pretty slow.

[@backroadsxplorer572]

Love the tips. You show a cycling wallet who's the manufacturer?! Thanks

[@ornotbike]

We were! We've been sold out and haven't made any for a while... It's a product that will probably make a comeback.

[@pault477]

what shoes do you reccomend for gravel riding?

[@adrianburns7975]

MTB SPD shoes for sure. they now have gravel shoes but they are very similar.

[@photorockbar471]

put the pump on the bike. Also, the speed limit on those trails is 15mph.

[@BrentonCollas]

Is it worth sacrificing a little BB height to go to 650bx48 vs 700x40 ( if both fit) ?

[@ornotbike]

Depends on what type of terrain you're riding and "how" you ride. In general 700c will be a bit quicker / lighter. So if you have mellow crushed gravel, that might be good for you. If the terrain you ride is a bit more rocky and technical and you don't have to ride a lot of road miles to the gravel, 650 would be good. The lower bb may actually improve the handling of your bike and make you a bit more stable. Just be careful of pedal strikes.

[@photorockbar471]

not a big deal.

[@werdna1969]

Thank you for the climb advice, it really helps!

[@Dragon1165]

I'm looking at making a gravel bike from a late 70s model Schwinn, finger crossed hope this happens soon.

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

oh man do i need clipless pedals.. i really wanna hop around

[@fliptight]

You don’t need clipless pedals to be able to hop.

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

@@fliptight i know, but i cant hop

[@rm709]

The composure of all these tips is so jumpy and scattered, perhaps best to split into on bike and off bike. Handing and gear and so forth.

[@gdwlaw5549]

Damn, just purchased the Trek AL4.....

[@BrentonCollas]

That's good right? Took my alr5 for the first ride today. The bike rides nice...

[@pault477]

What kind of bikes do you have

[@ornotbike]

We're lucky to have Santa Cruz Stigmatas. I also had a previous generation Ritchey Outback until it was stolen a few weeks ago. The other bike in the video was an Open UP.

[@olleolofsson12]

Such a good video, really appreciate the tips!!

[@fivesfish]

Knobbly tires make's it buzz between your legs!

[@exiledrabbit]

"I love dogs, especially this one here."

[@georgeshoemaker6872]

boooooo, hydraulic brakes are wack. Not necessary at all, especially for the beginner that doesn't want to bleed brakes. There are some decent mechanical disc brakes out there

[@falutak]

Mountain bike it is.

[@m__r1100]

Weight back isn't great advice on loose surface, or cornering... Weight centred and loose means you won't lose front, and you can move over the wheel that skids. Weight low is better advice...

[@DAllan-lz3lg]

Matt R I also thought weight forward was not a good idea as you’ll likely spin out but personally I have the weight on the back wheel for loose, steep climbs. Not too far back, there’s a happy balance... bad pun!

[@Bryan-vz4sz]

One thing I would add for trail etiquette would be to respect trail closures!

[@CogumeloMagico28]

Very cool, just found you, instant subscribe.

[@aquarius9491]

condolences , living in S.F

[@nelvetaer7596]

Yeah I watch bike tips but I don't have a gravel bike Just sharing I don't have a bike