Built up a bike last year after getting tired of dealing with cars. Kind of regretting the clipless pedals, though - curious about others' experiences, and any lessons learned to pass down.
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Most of my gravel is the katy trail. Advice...Banjo brothers waterproof paniers make great coolers. Cans of rolling rock blend in with the weeds when you litter. If you drink while you ride, you only have to pedal half as far before you get giddy on a hot day.
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I didn't know a gravel bike was a thing until I got a suggested video about one on YT the other day.
I've been looking for a new form of cardio, and it's definitely peaked my interest.Originally posted by Terry A. DavisComment
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I mean if you really break it down, it's like going back to the roots of mountain biking. I see a lot of gravel cyclists in my local state forests. The only thing I don't get down with is the spandex suits 😆. -
JeeperCreeper you don't know what you're missing. Rubbing your balls with chamois cream and squeezing into bibshorts is half the fun of riding.
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I’ve got a Niner RLT 9 and Ibis DV9 that I enjoy riding on the Georgia gravel fire roads. Gravel and mountain biking are like hiking but faster. You can see so much nature to disconnect from life. I love it.
Not much advice other than to ride, and ride as much as you can. It’s easy to get caught up spending money on cycling stuff (I know far too well).Comment
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Redshift stem is a game changer for Gravel.. takes a lot of the buzz out of the road if you don’t have the volume in your tires to do it for youComment
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I finished building my gravel bike. Well it is a multipurpose bike as I'll swap tires for using it on the road.
I'm so used to riding with road clipless pedals that I put them on this bike. I've had to hike a bike in my road shoes and it isn't to bad. Rocks get slippery but I'm not usually in rocky terrain.Comment
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Sounds like a good excuse to get some mtb clip less shoes that match your new build. Some of them have decent grip, and are designed with walking and working on the trails in mind. -
I don't have to walk often so it isn't really an issue. When I wear out my current shoes I'll consider mtb shoes. The downside to switching is needing to buy 2 new sets of pedals on top of the shoes.
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I got a second pair of shoes pretty quick after my first hike a bike. I think what really gets me about clipless pedals though is being locked in on climbs and descents. I haven't quite gotten the hang of doing both with confidence. I tend to worry I'm just gonna flop over climbing (much more so than road riding) or skid out when trying to control a descent and I want a quick exit. Just wasn't sure if it was a 'get used to it' thing or if people did indeed go clipless here. Looks like I'll be doing some more practicingOriginally posted by BLachance75 View Post
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You definitely get used to clipping in/out. At this point it is second nature for me. It doesn’t take long to get used to it either. Most pedals have the tension adjustable so you can make it really easy to unclip at first until you get used to it.
I don’t see how going uphill would be a problem while clipped in. It actually makes it easier to ride since you can push down with one leg and pull up with the other. It may take you a few rides to get used to riding like that but after you do it really makes climbing easier. I can see apprehension about descending on sketchy roads but again it isn’t hard to pop a clear off to put your foot down. -
I got the Shimano Eh500 pedals.. SPD on one side, and flats on the other.. so if I ever find myself in a sketchy situation, I can unclip before I get to the feature and ride on the flats and only a minor weight penalty. The only bike I don't have those pedals on is my XC race mtb. -
I think climbing gravel just psychs me out. The combination of low speed and occasionally kicking a rock loose causing further loss in speed... I need to find some trails to ease into it. Unfortunately, everything that wasn't moderately technical around me is getting paved over >:C The search continues.
@ Frmrspec - that's a good call. I had similar on my first road bike. Was always nice having the option.
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In sand, dirt, mud or grass road cleats actually grip in while walking in them. The only time they sucks is on rocks.Comment
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Love all these bikes... I need to start riding. It's been many years.
Also, k_obeastly had me freakin' dying in this thread. "Of course I'm joking. I would never drink rolling rock." sent me to gonesville. xDComment
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I’ve got a steel framed Bianchi Volpe, it mostly gets used on bike trails, but I get it out on gravel roads occasionally.Comment
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This thread inspired me… so I bought a bike.
I figured I couldn’t really go wrong for $20. Lol.
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