Is this gravel biking?

[@returnedfrompanama]

I think gravel bikes are made for gravel roads - unlike the single track shown in this video.

[@elroobike]

@calledtoserveinpanama - I agree with that! It was a challenge to find the perfect dirt road, but I will keep trying!

[@joskoevoet9569]

Underbiking is fun! I changed to a suspension stem on my road bike which made a huge difference for my wrists.

[@elroobike]

@joskoevoet9569 - You just blew my mind! I never thought about it as "underbiking". But that was totally what this was, what a cool concept! What brand of stem did you find? My wrists are still sore from my tests rides. Thanks!

[@ericpmoss]

Underbiking is great for 5-10% of a ride. Much more than that, and it is just not having the right tool for the job. But that's me...

[@ericpmoss]

@@elroobike I'd get the Vecnum Freeqence. But first I'd get a bike with clearance for 700x55, and a nicely curved steel fork (or a Lauf). 99% of problems people face are from starting with a race bike of whatever kind and trying to use it everywhere.

[@elroobike]

@ericpmoss - The Lauf looks so fancy! I agree with you on having a specific bike for the ride at hand. It's like a SUV, there good but not great.

[@ericpmoss]

@@elroobike I would try something completely different --an "all-road" bike, like what Jan Heine recommends. It's basically a bike with lots of tire clearance, flex in fork and frame that are tuned for the rider's weight, and various practical bits like fender and lightweight rack mounts. With supple 50mm tires, it is good for road (though not a sprinter), great for bad road, and tolerable for anything short of technical routes and jumps.

[@johnconarty3762]

I put a bigger front ring on my Giant XTC and slapped some 700x50 gravel tires on it. Did 2 gravel races (1st one being my first ever race) on it last year, next week I take it in to have drop bars and a even bit bigger chain ring on it, I am currently committed to 3 gravel races this year and will be using it from them all. I am pretty stoked to get the drop bars on there and see how that feels.

[@elroobike]

@johnconarty3762 - The XTC is a hardtail, that would be way more comfy than my converted road bike. My local shop is a Giant dealer and they suggested I put the bars from the Revolt on my bike. I think I will do that next. I started xc MTB racing last year, and I'm totally hooked on it. I would love to try a gravel race this year too!

[@johnconarty3762]

@@elroobike yep XTC was my first MTB and I figured it would become my gravel rig after I got a Stance full suspension bike. Talked to my local shop about an article I found where someone did the drop bar conversion on the XTC and they were like heck yea that would be an awesome idea. We are going with wireless shifting so I could convert back to flat bars pretty easily if I wanted to.

[@elroobike]

@johnconarty3762 - Sounds very cool! Let me know how you like the drops when you get them.

[@johnrichardson7195]

Looks like you were on some single track? From the video that was boarder line Mtb trails, I consider gravel bike riding to gravel or dirt that cars can still drive on.

[@elroobike]

@johnrichardson7195 - You bring up a good point. I rode and shot about 150 miles of footage for this video, but for the sake of time I could only show a small amount of the rides I did. I struggled on the dirt roads near me, most were terribly washboardy. I will keep trying to find better routes near me. Winter is a challenge.

[@Khalidazizphoto]

i replaced my gravel bike with a road bike Canyon Grizl 7 AL witch a Specialized Roubaix SL8 Shimano 105 ( with ahead suspension and seatpost flex)

[@elroobike]

@Khalidazizphoto - Which bike are you liking the best?

[@Khalidazizphoto]

@@elroobikeI like the Roubaix SL8 better, way more comfy and faster

[@nealh999]

Great video. Try some 45-50mm tires with pressure on the lower side for more cushioning, and make sure not to carry too much weight in a backpack. Other than that ibuprofen and cold beer will help.

[@elroobike]

@nealh999 - Thanks! I was wondering how much improvement 10+mm of extra tire would give. Sounds like my next move should be rent a "full" gravel bike and fill the cooler with ibuprofen and beer. I can handle that!

[@Bike4adventure]

HAHA! I'm going to be taking my spare rims for my MTB (Norco Fluid FS) and sticking gravel tires on them and using that for roads and gravel trails lol

[@elroobike]

@dems_mtb - That's a way better idea than what I did. No suspenion is brutal on the bones.

[@TheRickysee]

As long as it wasn’t muddy 😂😂😂😂😂

[@elroobike]

Thanks!! This was a fun project.

[@Cloudhayabusa07]

Where are biking in?

[@elroobike]

@Cloudhayabusa07 - All the rides for this vid were in southern Utah, St. George