Mosaic Cycles GT-2X Review: Flat Bars on a Gravel Bike?

"The tangible act of turning practical performance goals into a bike of singular personality and beauty. This is Mosaic Cycles, not confined by self-imposed limitations but rather working to embrace each rider’s aspirations." - mosaiccycles.com
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"Underpinned by Mosaic’s values, each project is an expression of the Mosaic philosophy; one forged over many years of fabrication, right here and now, the limitations of factory bikes no longer exist."
Mosiac Cycles GT-2X:
"The Mosaic GT-2 X doesn't just encourage you to take the path less traveled, it encourages you to ditch that path entirely and find a completely new, un-explored one."
"The GT-2 X uses our straight gauge titanium tubeset which has garnered a reputation for its comfortable ride quality and exceptional durability, both of which are extremely desirable characteristics of a bike as capable of exploration as this one. The GT-2X is designed around a 29x2.25 tire, mountain or gravel-specific groupset compatibility (Shimano GRX, SRAM XPLR or SRAM Force Wide), and geometry that incorporates a longer tube top and shorter stem. The GT-2X gives you the option to spec the frame for flat or drop bars, configuring it perfectly to your particular style. It's time to start planning your next adventure... "
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew runs through the technical features, and riding experience of the Mosaic Cycles GT-2X. Size Small / Medium reviewed.
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[@hansschotterradler3772]

I can see this being a fun bike on single track. However, I said this once, and I say it again: Thou shalt not paint a titanium gravel bike!

[@roadglide]

Wow. What an absolutely beautifully crafted bike. Budget friendly, one would never know. Love Rene Herse tires too. 100% Agree on Flat bars. For me flat bars for gravel or all road purposes lose the stability and sprinting ability I get from a drop/Cow horn style. Always gorgeous stuff JOM. Thank you.

[@whirving]

In the early 90s I raced mountain bikes on the west coast with a Bianchi Project 5 with 700 x 41 with drop bars. It was good for a lot of the course until it got to winding single track, or rough technical riding - but on the fire roads it was a killer. The Mosaic seems more like you say, an early 90s MTB but with some qualities that make it just a little faster, a little more road like? That would make a great ride for certain terrain.

[@davehunt2191]

Truly one of the funniest reviews I've ever seen. Brutally honest but, bloody funny!

[@GravelCyclist]

Not a fan of the flat bars :)

[@120M]

Flat bar with aerobars is good choice even for endurance bike packing gravel.

[@GravelCyclist]

Glad you enjoy them, they are not for me.

[@hardmtnbiker]

A flat bar gravel set up, especially now with the modern Geo is “in my opinion” one of the best bikes for bike packing that has a mix of loose gravel and occasional pavement. It can also be a nice XC trail bike, your obviously going to want flat bars with technical single track. I agree with this bikes versatility a reliable 2x11 would provide you more range and options.

[@GravelCyclist]

I'm stoked there are so many choices for all nowadays.

[@WiseOneSun]

Hi Jom. Please share the location of the gravel road you're riding on in this video cause it is beautiful! Thank you

[@christofs-a1834]

Great bike and a great, honest and humorous review! I must say though, hearing a familiar Aussie accent give the weight stats in pounds only was quite confusing 🤔

[@GravelCyclist]

Many thanks, great hearing from a fellow Aussie! I normally quote weight in imperial and metric, or at least overlay it on screen. May have forgotten to, would need to re-watch my own video 😄 I am originally from Adelaide, how about you? I visited the homeland earlier this year, slowly posting ride experience videos from that trip. I certainly get very homesick at times!

[@cerrol85]

Oh, that looked short. Stock made for dropbars it felt like. You should try the Specialized Diverge Evo. Lovely flatbar gravelbike :)

[@stevengr4]

My observation is that your stem is way too short for a comfortable fit. I ride a small flatbar cyclocross bike for work as a courier, for short singletrack rips in BC and use a 120mm or 130mm stem. I agree with your viewpoint that drop bars are preferable if you're essentially riding in a straight line with no elevation gain/loss worth noting.

[@GravelCyclist]

It was a while ago, but agree, a longer stem would have served better in this application. Thanks for chiming in!

[@dd776]

i noticed that as well

[@FabFilippo86]

I would put on a mustache bar or some kind of touring style bar and problem solved.. that would give you many hand positions, stability and functionality.

[@GravelCyclist]

For certain, but this review bike was returned some time ago.

[@tmayberry7559]

Wow 55s bloody hell. Can you imagine how the bike would ride with 35s bloody hell

[@vongdong10]

Jom, have you had the chance to check out the Classified Powershift Hub? It'll solve your 1x only gearing issues.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey Andrew, I've seen the tech in person, hoping to review the system sometime in the future!

[@erich8258]

99% of the time I disagree with the "just buy a mountain bike" crowd, but I really don't get this configuration, especially at a premium price. With enormous tires and a flat bar, the bike will never be aero or fast, yet it won't be capable or comfortable off road either due to the rigid fork. It seems like it's built for riders who want a mountain bike but are biased against suspension.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Eric, it was a tough slog knocking out 60+ miles on this configuration. The drop bar alone would make a huge difference with the appropriate shifters.

[@erich8258]

@@GravelCyclist Right, so it's also not good for long distance at any speed. I could see some appeal with drop bars.

[@AndyPatterson71]

Yep buy a mountain bike if you ride off road. The beauty of riding a proper drop bar gravel bike with fast geometry is that when you take it on sketchy trails it’s not quite the right tool for the job. That makes it fun.

[@thedownunderverse]

Used to agree but now I’m addicted to flat bar gravel bikes.

[@teunluijbregts2533]

One question: why was this thing built? I am wondering what gap it fills when you look at all the bike designs out there. #justInterested

[@GravelCyclist]

If you mean the spec?, you best pose that question to the folks at Mosaic. This is how the review bike was delivered. Thanks for your question.

[@RicardoRocha-lg1xo]

First like!

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha, thank you.

[@davehause8571]

Those flat bars are calling out for bar ends! But I am a drop bar disciple.

[@GravelCyclist]

Dave, I am 100% with you.

[@davidross8233]

If it wasn’t for the ridiculously low stack, I’d say this bike would appeal to the older rider who can’t utilize the drops. I don’t see the point of the bike with that slammed stem.

[@GravelCyclist]

Bike setup is personal, and besides disliking the flat bars, the bike fit me perfectly. Handlebar height was spot on.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

So a mountain bike?

[@thedownunderverse]

No

[@RicardoRocha-lg1xo]

Not the bike for me, tbh… but maybe it would suit my fiancée…

[@phrixos2826]

That is a MOUNTAIN BIKE!!! Fucks sake! A road bike with flat bars is the same as a mountain bike, this whole thing is one huge pointless circle!

[@GravelCyclist]

Lighten up Francis, take up your issue with Mosaic Cycles.

[@the.communist]

A bit awkard background

[@GravelCyclist]

Your comment is awkward.

[@kristapsberzins6775]

No paint on titanium!!!

[@GravelCyclist]

Lighten up dude, some people like paint on Ti, some people don't. Personally, I like polished Ti, or, half / half like on my T-Lab X3.22.