The Gateway Gravel Bike | Ozark Trail G1 Explorer

[@raulmedina6223]

Majority of us don’t need 5-10k bikes, I know I don’t for sure, that’s my struggle I get sucked into the world of high end bikes, this video just showed me with a few mods a Walmart bike is fully capable 🎉 on gravel

[@rocco.mbb.zoccoli]

Man... I wish I had roads / trails like that in Northern IL. Nice edit bud

[@MILTONATOR]

@@rocco.mbb.zoccoli thanks man

[@gregnowak2492]

I bought my wife the flat bar version. Upgraded a lot of things and still have less than $600 all together invested. It now weighs in at 25.28 lbs. So it is very capable.

[@keithrad64]

Keep it . Always good to have a back up bike

[@MILTONATOR]

@@keithrad64 True. It’s also extremely difficult to sell bikes at the time.

[@landematt]

Selling mine soon to help fund the restore of my 91 rockhopper

[@Wannaridebikes]

I bought two. Small for my wife med for me. I did not change anything yet. But want to change the freewheel and brake levers. This summer I might do that on both. But I’m working on a steel frame drop bar mtb. Right now

[@MILTONATOR]

@@Wannaridebikes Nice. The price tag make it a no brainer. Similar to you, considering a build of a hardtail XC with drop bars.

[@tomatostakefabrik9429]

I just got one on marketplace for 100 bucks. Excited for spring and training

[@MILTONATOR]

@@tomatostakefabrik9429 Congrats! Thats a steal

[@rauli386]

Fabulous bike

[@MILTONATOR]

@@rauli386 thanks

[@peterbedford2610]

Pretty good commuter, too

[@Stoopheadfred]

Great video! Can you link to the carbon fork?

[@MILTONATOR]

@@Stoopheadfred thanks! Bought it off FB Marketplace but here’s the amazon link tinyurl.com/mucxsvnf

[@Stoopheadfred]

@MILTONATOR thank you!! What are your thoughts on the fork upgrade? Did it change the ride feel much, and do you happen to know how much weight was saved?

[@MILTONATOR]

@ the stock fork weighs 4lbs and the carbon fork 1lbs. You absolutely notice the weight savings in the front end.

[@Stoopheadfred]

@MILTONATOR Really appreciate the info, thank you again. Debating this vs a Poseidon and your input is hugely helpful. Cheers!

[@Stoopheadfred]

@MILTONATOR did you replace the headset as well? The fork you linked is tapered, and I just checked my G1 and it's a straight tube.

[@carlcolorado3549]

Bought one for the same reason. Just want to try gavel and see how I like it. So far after 300 miles it's been a fun bike. I run 40 psi in the tires for smoothness. Seen others say 70 psi. Tried that once on a ride and was pretty rough on my wrist and butt 😂. What's your thoughts on tire pressure for the stock tires?

[@MILTONATOR]

@@carlcolorado3549 on the stock tires I ran 30 front and 35 rear. I weigh 175lbs. Running 70 must be crazy harsh. On this ride I was at 25 front and 28 rear. To each their own, tho

[@carlcolorado3549]

@MILTONATOR Just getting an idea with these small tires. Thanks for the information.

[@marksandoval5361]

I honestly think that most recreational Gravel riders would be happier with a full-sus XC bike with a set of fast rolling Gravel tires. Get something like a full-sus Specialized Chizel FS. Put on some 700x47 Pathfinder Pro tires. Cut the flatbar narrow or install dropbars. If you've got big bucks, do the same to a Trek Supercalber or Spec. Epic World Cup. Way more fun than than a full rigid Gravelbike.

[@MILTONATOR]

@@marksandoval5361 The Chisel is the one I’m looking at building next, almost exactly how you described it. Can’t wait

[@marksandoval5361]

@@MILTONATOR I had owned a 1999 Redline cyclocross bike but I found that it was only good for pavement and champaine gravel. When things got the least bit rough the CX bike was quickly overwelmed. When Gravelbikes came out, I was not a believer. About 7 years ago, I saw this guy going down the road on his XC bike with Gravel tires and a light turned on. I took my old 100/100mm travel full-sus 2009 Epic, which was collecting dust in my basement, and mounted up some 700x43 Gravel King SK tires. One ride and I was sold. Recently, I bought a 110/120 travel full-sus 2023 Epic Evo and mounted up some 700x47 Pathfinder Pro tires at 26psi. The new Epic Evo is magnitudes better than the old Epic. On both bikes I cut the handlebars narrow to 25 inches. I now honestly think that the best Gravel bike is an XC bike, at least for recreational riders. Check out the Dylan Johnson KZbin page. He's a pro Gravel/XC racer who has been narrowing the boundries between Gravel and XC. He raced the 200 mile Unbound Gravel race with a Lauf suspension fork and 29x2.2 Conti Race King tires and took 10th place. He also raced the 100 mile Leadville XC race with dropbars on his 120/120 travel full-sus XC bike. If had the money, I take an 80/100mm travel full-sus Epic World Cup and install Zipp XPLR i32 aero Gravel rims, 29x2.2 Race King tires, and a dropbar. That would be my Gravel bike.

[@SucculentDoorbell]

Are 700x44 really 29" diameter? Sites do not mention diameter

[@MILTONATOR]

@@SucculentDoorbell 700 and 29” are basically the same.

[@Tooooobzz]

700c and 29” are the same tire diameter. General rule of thumb is if the tire is 2” or wider then its labeled 29”. If the tire is less than 2” wide, then it’s usually labeled 700c. (There are exeptions) For example, I run 650b on my bikepacking bike, but I’m using 27.5 x 2.25” tires. 650b and 27.5” are also the same thing, but 2.25” is wider than 2” so it’s labeled as a 27.5 instead of 650b.

[@SucculentDoorbell]

My 700x40mm are 28" diameter.

[@hoobash]

The bike computer cost more than the bike

[@MILTONATOR]

LOL