This Might Be The World's Best Gravel Bike

[@MitchBoyer]

Should I name my other bike too?

[@kathyclemente9850]

Absolutely!

[@davidparrott2090]

absolutely! maybe with another insta poll? All of my bikes have names .. my road bike is named after the power puff girls villain, mojo jojo

[@MitchBoyer]

@@davidparrott2090 good idea!

[@Horstelin]

In a way it already has a name. Urs is a swiss first name.

[@michaelplunkett315]

If the purple gravel is Barney, then the red road has to be Clifford

[@theproscloset]

We can't wait to tag along on your trip to Bolivia! Great choice on bike, glad we could make it happen.

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks y’all! Excited about all the adventures to come!

[@mikehodgson183]

Man, I switched to flats on my gravel bike, from SPDs, after coming back from breaking my shoulder (in a clipless accident where I was paying too much attention to what my kids were doing and not what I was doing - big mistake) and have never wanted to switch back. Unless you are doing out and out power riding, chasing KOMs or racing up hills, personally I find the advantage you gain from not having to reduce speed / clip out as an insurance policy when you approach obstacles or hazards makes up for any small efficiency loss in putting down power. If you have some properly stiff flat MTB shoes like Five Ten Freerider Pros, paired with some decent pedals with strong pins, you'll be fine and climbing will be more comfortable because you can shift your feet around. Gaerne (Italian company) also make some lovely flat shoes.

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Mike! I have the Five Ten’s and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by them. They stick to the pedals really well. and it’s nice to be wearing flats when I hop off the bike for a picture haha

[@Pastamistic]

​@@MitchBoyer flats are definitely the way to go for what you're doing. The only thing you give up with flats is a little bit of sprint power. Glad you got some proper cycling shoes though. The stiffness is important since the pedal pressure isn't just going through the arch of your foot like it does in a soft shoe. Which can get painful or even lead to an injury. In very technical terrain, like mountain biking through rocky terrain, being clipped in can be helpful but still not necessary.

[@unluckymirror1]

XT M8000 Trekking Pedals and some Freerider Flats here on a URS 01 Three, can confirm I'm getting power transfer across the pedal transfer through my hams just like I would in some cleats, if not slightly less efficient ofc!

[@jevgeniardassov]

My advice as always, run whatever your comfortable with. I personally run Shimano SPDs on my gravel bike, but like I said, it is a matter of personal preference. Ride on! 🤘🏻

[@SoManyMiles]

What a beauty and a beast (low weight, great mix of SRAM groups, geometry), definitely a great choice for a gravel bike. BMC‘s fully features built in the frame are amazing too. …and this color is fantastic. 💜

[@mghallock]

I'm an internet keyboard warrior here to tell you that SPD is going to be fine if you wanted to do it, and you'll be able to bail out and clip back in still. With flats on very long climbs you'll be relying exclusively on your quads to get you through - it's not impossible, but it will be harder not having the upstroke engaged. Shimano makes a pedal that is flat on one side and has clips on the other if you're worried about clipping back in on an incline. Also, just have a look at the weather before you go and bring a second set of tires that are more rain / mud oriented. It's very different climbing up steep stuff that's dry vs wet, mud can add an extra 2-5kg to the bike.

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha thanks for looking out for me, Matt 🫡

[@rolffuchs2737]

I got the same bike. Instantly I thought I can ride it nearly anywhere, even to the bakery (what I do with pleasure). I use Vitoria terrine dry (38mm) for the summer and Vitoria mescal (44mm) during winter. I only changed the saddle for ans Selle Italia SLR, the WTB is to soft on longer rides for me. Really good choice you made. It's not a racing horse, but takes you anywhere and It is so reliable.

[@Gravelmisfit_]

You won’t regret the gravel man! Might even find yourself riding it more! I’m ordering a Hardtail this summer as well but my gravel has taken over my life! #groadie life forever!! 🤙

[@pierrewitz]

After a 1200km Bikepaking Trip in Canada, I only can confirm that URS is close to the best bike for trips in the world😮

[@slaughter950]

I very much like my URS! It’s surprisingly capable off road! I live in the Lake District in the UK and it performs well on all of our ‘gravel’.

[@unluckymirror1]

Took mine from Windermere to Carlisle over both the Garburn and Nan Bield Passes then up over High Street to come down into Penrith and then followed the A6 to Carlisle, what an epic ride. 52 Miles in around 7h with 6000ft of climbing!

[@kingaroykid]

Loving your videos Mitch. Thanks for doing these.

[@rangersmith4652]

Flat pedals for sure. The Chesters are an excellent choice. I have them on my Poseidon Redwood, a much lower spec'd and heavier bike than the URS, but for my infrequent forays onto the gravel and dirt, it's just fine.

[@Dom_Signorile]

Yo that Bolivia trip's sick, dude!! Over the moon for you - looking forward to seeing tons of videos on it!!

[@Aspireonthego]

I run and prefer flats on my gravel bike as well. Less to worry about with clipping/unclipping when the terrain is less predictable!

[@TheKjlongtine]

For bike packing I do flats with some good walk about shoes - when I do training rides and an occasional race I do clipless. Pedals are easy to swap out (even for me).

[@ArelEnglish]

I LOVE the color.

[@klerk034]

Hi Mitch, what is the size of your Roadmachine and what is the size of the URS 01? Looking forward to hear from you, Thanks, KR Rien

[@MitchBoyer]

Hi! My Roadmachine is a size 56 and the URS is a size L. I'm 187 cm tall.

[@Gufolicious]

i have shimano xtr with the short spindle on my new xc bike, i can highly recommend them if you want to mimic your road q factor. i just cant ride unclipped anymore.

[@MitchBoyer]

I’ll check them out, thanks dude!

[@johnstypa8974]

Good luck with the new ride. I love that you named it Barny 😅

[@timifaehrtfahrrad]

I'm getting the URS One (Grey frame and red/blue fork) with Rival groupset soon, I can't wait, first bike I get myself and not a present, and first time I'm really going for sport riding!

[@MitchBoyer]

Congrats! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It’s a great bike!

[@colinm2082]

I would recommend spd or crankbrothers. I personally run crankbrothers and love them

[@MitchBoyer]

I’ve never tried crankbrothers. Might have to try them out. Thanks, dude!

[@hubchicago6961]

I love the bike. As for changing stuff up, that’s your call. I have egg beaters for my Specialized diverge.

[@christianlilleb451]

great content.:) Looking forward to watch your trip.. keep up the good work

[@NateMX92]

Have a look at the Shimano PD-EH500, flat on one side, clips on the other a good balance. Not the lightest of pedals but tough.

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks Nate, I'll check 'em out!

[@zaferahmed4371]

That's what I'm currently using and I love them. Easy to clip into and quite good for use with flats

[@johnfilicicchia1651]

As an older (experienced) cyclist (Raced on the velodrome, crits, road, and mountain bike - and I still race at 64 yrs old), I made the switch from "flat" pedals when they used to be combined with toe clips and Alfredo Binda toe straps. "Clipless" was so awesome. That was 40 years ago! I've never looked back - I run clipless on my gravel and mountain bike. I like being connected to the bike; allows you to pull up on the backstroke, and unclipping has never been an issue. Being clipped in has never caused me to crash - I've always been able to eject.

[@MitchBoyer]

Thats awesome dude! I’ve always worn clipless on my road bike and straps on my fixie back in NYC. It’s a weird feeling to be riding flats but I’m pleasantly surprised by the MTB pedals with pins + MTB shoe combo. We’ll see if I stick with it or not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@gur262]

That's not the same thing. The flat pedals a grandma bike or many normal bikes come with are small and not grippy. The big Surface of flatpedals and the screws dig into most normal shoes so much you can actually kinda pull up.

[@JWhitdog]

Looks Great!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks James!

[@DontGetDroppedCycling]

BROOOOOOOOOOO straight up the gravel bike and colour I would get if I was getting a gravel bike!! Shout out to the Pro's Closet as well, that's where my winter project frame came from. Need to get going on Purple Pills because spring is comingggggggg.

[@MitchBoyer]

If you'd get it, than I know its good 🙌 Thanks Bro!!

[@Stealthwealth1001]

Definitely a cool color

[@MatheMattical]

Love the look of the bike! Congrats!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks!

[@valerieen]

Yay!!! Good job! Cute bike!!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks qt ❤️

[@dmoore4520]

Damn, nice to see PJamm. Don't hear it used a lot. Found Clingman's Dome on the east coast because of it. Beautiful Climb in TN! Good luck in Bolivia, that will be so badass.

[@MitchBoyer]

That's great to hear! I have to say the team behind the site is just as wonderful as the site

[@mellissanash7517]

The updated version with slightly more clearance and 20mm of travel up front may have been the better option. Would really smooth out the roads and would work great with some 43mm GravelKing SS+

[@MitchBoyer]

Yeah that LT version definitely looks cool!

[@ThatGuyWearsZebraz]

is that a Le Club café Cycliste cap i spotted?

[@MitchBoyer]

Yep! Love Le Club 🔥

[@hardmtnbiker]

Personally I use spd pedals on my gravel bike and my mountain bikes. I have the Garmin Rally XC pedals on my gravel bike now and they are great!

[@andrewsteavpack9079]

I live in Boulder near The Pros Closet HQ/Warehouse and they’re awesome!

[@robd003]

I'd be really curious to see what you think of the Lauf Seigla

[@mikekent9488]

I love this. Thanks for sharing

[@polarbear3417]

Great video thank you. What is the name/model of the frame bag you are using?

[@TysRides]

I think you made a great choice!

[@AntonioDiaz]

Beautiful bike! 🚴

[@bama95]

"1/4 of a centimeter" must be the most american thing I've ever heard 🤣Good luck on your trip!

[@MitchBoyer]

😂😂😂 I have no idea what was going on in my head

[@JDRVP]

I have a 2022 01 two in blue. Love the color better than the purple, sorry. I agree of how smooth it is. It’s like riding an S Class Mercedes. The drive train is oh so quiet and I live the integration of the bars and stem concealing the brake cables. Why do you have a cable showing in your vid?

[@andrepetit1443]

For your trip may the URS is the best bike, but why no Kaius🥰for other gravel rides?

[@ziraga]

griffith? head out to topanga or in a couple of months go up to big bear even idyllwild they have some great gravel/trail riding. Also, what's the reason for the flats? I've found my self unclipping mid air but I keep my clips 2 turns tight out of the lower setting

[@MitchBoyer]

There a lots of proper gravel rides ahead of me for sure! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@RestlessGambler14]

That Bolivia climbs sounds brutal. I got altitude sickness while hiking Mt. Whitney. Can’t imagine climbing that high on a bike.

[@MitchBoyer]

Yeah it’s gonna be a tough climb. I told John, the guy running the trip, there’s a chance the video will be “I Tried climbing the Death Road and Failed” 😅 I’m hopeful though, been on a good training plan!

[@EntropyOCD]

I don't get the rear suspension in conjunction with carbon fiber. It will soak up power for both climbing and sprinting. Or does it spring back in sync with the forward propulsion?

[@unluckymirror1]

It doesn't spring, it pushes down to find traction.. These is no bob when pedalling, ya can't notice it's there.

[@wizkidcyclist9968]

Hey Mitch, congrats on the new bike.. looks really cool; Great choice and purple looks really nice. I was just wondering - do you have plans to re-do the steepest slope challenge on Barney and compare the efforts? that could be a fun video .. :) Happy Riding..

[@MitchBoyer]

Have you been looking at my content calendar? 😜 I guess great minds think alike. Keep an eye out in about a month or two

[@johnreid7965]

Bolivia will be incredible! What number I'm left wanting to know, the disc rotor diameters!?

[@MitchBoyer]

180mm in the front and 160mm in the read. I’m in Bolivia right now and it’s been the perfect bike! Excited to edit the video

[@VictorIsaienko-rl4mk]

daaaaaamn. so confusing now...should i go with URS 01 ONE LAVENDER HAZE / ORANGE( do like the colour) or still have a bad sleep with choosing the TREK checkpoint versus Domane((((((( bmc is the cheapest one from all 3)))))

[@PabloMollAN]

I’m super biased but I also think the same thing. I bought it because it doesn’t look like all the other gravel bikes (except for the new diverge). Geo fits me like a glove and the mtt rear end is crazy smooth. I also added the mtt stem and voilà. I think gravel bikes should be a little bit more capable than an all road bike but not for trail riding.

[@JoshuaMarcAragon]

Purple is awesome!

[@Oakpathetics]

I would take it on a test run on chunky gravel.. similar to the death road.. then see if you’ve made a good choice. No suspension up front may be a killer on the wrists for the descent?

[@MitchBoyer]

We’re only doing the climbs, not the descents because we’re a bunch of road cyclists and we’re masochists 😂 but I am looking forward to trying out on some descents here in LA!

[@chrishunt2835]

do you have a promo code for TPC for buying or trading in bikes?

[@ryanthomasRCA]

Great size cassette!! Not sure about the flat pedals though haha. I would go SPD for sure!

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha looks like I’m getting SPDs 🫡

[@willcurry5661]

Dude, great video! What’s the brand of the bag on your top tube?

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks dude! It's the BMC Integrated Top Tube Bag

[@sszibler]

How will you carry stuff? It doesn’t seem to be big on attachment points other than the top tube for the “perfect gravel bike”, but it’s hard to see the non-purple front fork. I’ve never tried one of the newer rear packs I see gravel riders using these days, but they appear to swing around a lot, which would seem to be annoying.

[@MitchBoyer]

I have a Tailfin AeroPack! I used it while riding across the state of Nevada and it was fantastic. There’s a bike check video I made with more info on it if you’re curious. Fortunately, it works on this bike too. It uses a system that connects with the seat tube and the thru axle.

[@bloddyelbow8043]

Naaaaa my favorites Ridley Kanzo fast and the Basso Palta. ❤

[@williamforbes7156]

thoughts on some form of fenders to keep the debris down?

[@MitchBoyer]

I haven’t ever tired fenders-didn’t need them. But if it keeps raining here in California I might have to… 😅

[@danielwason1184]

Hey Mitch, what top tube bag do you have?

[@MitchBoyer]

It's the Dawn To Dusk x BMC Integrated Top Tube Bag. Works on my Roadmachine and the URS 🎉

[@k_kossa]

change the handlebars to narrower, my gravel was 44mm and after a few hours of riding my wrists always hurted

[@MitchBoyer]

I might so that too. It’s kinda nice to have a wider grip for extra stability. So far the wider handle bars don’t bother me, but it’s only been one ride 😜

[@maritimezombie7684]

that purple makes it look like Skeletors steed Panthor!

[@josuem2853]

Sick bike!! I like the color

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks!

[@Fango925]

If you ride flats, get good flat shoes like 5.10s. They make a HUGE difference

[@MitchBoyer]

100% im wearing Five Tens in this video. I picked them up for my Crocs vs MTB vs Road shoes video and they’re great!

[@Fango925]

@@MitchBoyer didn't see that! I'm excited to see how you do climbing on this bike, I've been surprised how I've been able to climb on a gravel bike compared to a mountain bike - and the 40x52 gearing with the low weight is the best of both worlds.

[@notpablo8369]

Why not the URS LT?

[@MitchBoyer]

Didn’t have one in stock. Super happy with this one though!

[@Xhadp]

Nice first look review! Surprised you say that it feels more comfortable than your road bike given you got BMC's endurance geometry bike. Maybe it is just the wider tires?

[@MitchBoyer]

Oh yeah, the wider tires and lower pressure make a huge difference. The little shock thing in the back seems to do more than I anticipated too

[@dariolofino]

Hello Mitch, great bike! I’ve bought my URS, the basic black model, in june 2021 when I knew nothing about cycling and gravel was a trend. I still know nothing but as of today I found myself riding 80% of the time with roadies on roads, and i’m wondering if i made a right choice. I would be slow even on a road bike, that is clear, but i’m always questioning how much i’m loosing with the MTT at the back, especially when climbing. Do you think it absorbs many watts? or is just a thing of a slow guy? 😅

[@unluckymirror1]

I have compared my URS with the performance of a Cannondale SuperSix Evo and a Beacon B80 both endurance road racing bikes and the differences for me as someone who can maintain 15mph over an hour on either style of bike is negligible, in fact I frequently outperform my road bikes on the URS due to the comfort and enjoyment of riding it I believe.

[@dariolofino]

Comfort is certainly a big plus of the URS. I was new to cycling as a sport and in two and a half years now I have never had any problems. From this point of view, I would never change it, if not for the appearance, because it doesn't look fast! (I know, it's the legs that count)

[@rozdee1780]

Thought you were in Bolivia already with the state of the roads. Jesus.

[@MitchBoyer]

Los Angeles 🪄

[@TheMd1975]

Clips and only clips. From Leadville to Unbound and almost any other ride. You want clips. Unless you just want to ride a ride and not race. Flats allow you to move around more. However, you sacrifice the smooth pedaling efficency of clips

[@marcusvaldes]

I like the name. Barney. I thought for sure BMC sent you a bike. You've already made one sale for them--me.

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha, maybe one day! Thanks Marcus 🙏

[@Bo_Meirhaeghe_]

I think you should remove your flat pedals because you can get a lot of more power if you have road pedal

[@ThatGuyWearsZebraz]

Also i freaking love My urs, i got it in bot road and gravel setups and i follow my friends on crazy 2k+ elevation 160km rides ez

[@MitchBoyer]

It's a beast for sure 💪

[@spektrumB]

I think when you go to 17000+ feet in altitude, the last thing you have to worry about is the bike. At such low oxygen level, just walking uphill is hard. Make sure you have crazy low gears for climbing, as you have less than 50% of oxygen available compares to sea level. You can't produce as much power as you normally do. 40T chain ring could be too big.

[@MitchBoyer]

Yeah that’s the big thing I’ve been preparing for. The altitude is no joke. The massive 52t in the back will definitely help. I’m also doing some altitude training and there’s an exciting study about ketones coming out that I hope to talk about in a video soon!

[@BrianRPaterson]

@@MitchBoyer I prefer flat bars with bar-ends on my gravel machine - an old Cannondale XS800 crosser with a Headshock (25mm of comfort). Also in a 1 x set up. I can run MTB brakes and shifters, which are easy to install and I think a bit cheaper. Works for me.

[@MitchBoyer]

@@BrianRPaterson sounds cool! I think you’ll like the other bike I have coming up in a few weeks! 🤫

[@BrianRPaterson]

@@MitchBoyer Excellent. I'll keen an eye open. BTW: One tip for bar-end users -- wrap them in bar tape. It makes them far more comfortable to use. I'm surprised that the mountain bike world never did that. Everyone seemed happy grabbing on to bare metal.

[@marcusvaldes]

I don't know why, but I am not a fan of the look of gravel handlebars, but I've never ridden them.

[@MitchBoyer]

The flared drop takes a bit of getting used to. It feels super wide.

[@nedt]

Just put mine on my Zipp 303s last night

[@studgerbil9081]

Team Stumpjumper here.

[@adambuczek5878]

It is the best bike!!

[@bprocket]

Break it in at BWR San Diego 😎

[@marcusvaldes]

Geez man, you are making it expensive for me to keep up with you! It will be awhile before I get a gravel bike. Next one will be an eMTB. But for now, I still love my Roadmachine THREE.

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha sorry Marcus 😅 I still love my Roadmachine too!

[@unluckymirror1]

Imagine he would rather get an Emtb than this.. He will never keep up! @@MitchBoyer

[@Charles-wz9sd]

Gotta pull a Keegan Swenson and run SPD-SL on nearly all your off-road setup. There is a certain “fuck you” vibe to other people when you just show up to ride off road and your shoes just scream I ain’t going to unclip no matter what.

[@MitchBoyer]

😂

[@stevemuzak8526]

Every gravel bike is the best. Just buy it and go riding.

[@smAshomAsh]

Bmc are nice, but flat pedals are an instant deal breaker. Want to leave 30-50% of your power at the base? Ride flat pedals. Shimano spd mountain pedals are fine, but ride real shoes with carbon soles. There is no substitute for efficient power transfer.

[@MitchBoyer]

I’m surprised by them honestly. I know on the sprints I lose about 100-200 watts (I have some videos where I test them), but I’ve never compared them on a base ride as a moderate pace. Looking forward to getting the power meter on so I can do some tests!

[@smAshomAsh]

@@MitchBoyer you lose massive efficiency. at the bottom of your downstroke, you should start swping your foot backward and up. You want to pedal circles at speed. You aren't just losing the up-pull, but transitional moment which is where the slop is in most people's stroke. Those with world class pedal strokes would lose more efficiency than you, but you've got to be losing 30+% without clipless.

[@cjohnson3836]

@@smAshomAsh Cite your sources. I'm calling bullshit.

[@quarkonium3795]

@@smAshomAsh Where are you getting 30% from? Most studies I've seen into the effects of clipless vs flat pedals on power conclude that there is very little power to be gained in the pull-up and transition and with proper technique and saddle height, the two systems are very comparable

[@smAshomAsh]

@@quarkonium3795 Decades of bicycle racing experience and basic physics.

[@michaljambor7772]

Bike industry's stubbornness on full diplay here. You have to add mtb compent into into the drivetrain because the stock gravel bikes are so road-ified still and useless for moderate to serious mountains on the offroad side of things

[@khaliljamarr]

I don't think you should be using pedals at all on this thing just tippy toe while on the saddle.

[@MitchBoyer]

😂😂

[@gethinap]

When it's icy I always switch to flats

[@MitchBoyer]

Smart move

[@esteigh]

You SHOULD be running flats 😉

[@peterkim1714]

hey you follow haley cycles!

[@thewisconsingravelcyclist]

Once you go gravel you never go back!!! At least in my opinion...

[@MitchBoyer]

We’ll see I guess! So far it’s lots of fun

[@mdude2023]

The word urs means bear in Romanian

[@MitchBoyer]

Oh that’s super interesting! 🤔

[@keithdeley7236]

Gravel bike is this a American terminology?

[@rangersmith4652]

There's no "best" bike of any genre. There are lots of good gravel bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, etc. The "best" anything is very subjective, and bikes are a very personal thing.

[@MitchBoyer]

100% agree :)

[@dylanl9532]

Pretty sure that bike doesn’t fit you. The position between gravel and road should not be that much different

[@MitchBoyer]

Appreciate the concern dude 🙏 The warped camera angle throws things off a bit so it looks smaller than it is. It’s a size L and I’m 6’1” (187cm). Definitely doesn’t feel too small when I’m on it.

[@Ejstrainingcamp]

FIRST! :P

[@MitchBoyer]

All Star 💫

[@hoodieloom]

The best gravel is a mtb lol😂

[@MitchBoyer]

😂 🤫