While today’s gravel bikes see a range of component and gearing options, ranging from compact road to subcompact wide gravel, this was not always so. Just a few years ago, gravel road bikes all included a “compact” 50/34 crankset that was the same crankset as a dedicated pavement road bike had. In 2017 Praxis Works…
The latest crop of gravel specific road drivetrains offer lower gearing than a typical road bike. Groups like Shimano GRX, SRAM Force AXS Wide and Campagnolo Ekar are designed to help you deal with steep dirt roads with loose surfaces as best as possible through wide range gearing. In the case of 2x gravel groups,…
Shimano introduced their first “gravel specific” group over a year ago, so writing about Shimano GRX 800 is not new news. This being said, we wanted to get a little time with the new Shimano GRX 800 components before providing an overview. With this in mind, here is what GRX does and doesn’t do after…
From bikes like Niner’s MCR and Moots Routt YBB to Lauf’s Grit forks, suspension is an emerging trend in gravel road bikes. Gravel roads can often be rough on their own and going off-road on your adventure bike means encountering even more jostling. Suspension on a gravel bike makes sense for many riders. One of…
At the turn of the century, we published an article about rolling resistance on bicycles works. The article points out three main things: Rolling resistance is a valuable enough performance variable that you should pay attention to it. Narrower and higher pressure tires are not always better. Suspension and compliance help reduce rolling resistance. While…
By Jim Weaver, Service Manager Emeritus, Fit Werx, Vermont I retired as Service Manager at Fit Werx in Waitsfield, Vermont at the end of 2018. Shortly before retirement, I acquired a Parlee Z-Zero XD frameset. Spending just shy of 10 years building hundreds (if not thousands) of bikes, and servicing an equal number of client…
Shimano introduced their first “gravel specific” gruppo in 2019, so some of this is not new news. This being said, we wanted to get a little time with the new Shimano GRX 800 components before providing an overview. The “gravel group” parts from Shimano are designated GRX and are available in three levels – 400,…
Ceramic bearings are often represented as the ultimate way to minimize rolling friction on your bike. The influx of ceramic bearing development into the bike industry sparked needed focus on reducing rolling friction in bearings. However, the reality of why some bearing designs are faster than others doesn’t always align with what is presented. With…
In the beginning, there was the cyclocross bike. Born in racing, but more often ridden in recreation, the cyclocross bike’s wide tires opened up roads previously unexplored by narrow high pressure tires. As time passed, the cyclocross bike evolved to adapt better to the gravel road riding thrust upon it. Wheel bases lengthened, head angles…
I started writing my review of the Garmin UT800 smart headlight as part of a review of the second generation Varia RTL510 rear radar system – one of my favorite cycling accessories of recent years. As I got deeper into it, I realized that while the UT800 is a great companion to the RTL510. It is…
“Gimmick.” “Life saver.” “Over engineered mirror.” “Best product I’ve bought for my bike.” “Expensive.” “Bargain.” “No one should ride without one.” I’ve heard all of the above said about the Garmin Varia radar system. A bit like ebikes, the Garmin Varia RTL510 is a polarizing product – especially for those who have not tried it. …
Over the past two years, Cervelo dealers have been almost begging Cervelo to bring some of the features, especially disc brakes, found on the P5-Disc down to the P3 and P2 level. Thankfully, Cervelo has responded for 2020 with the introduction of the Cervelo P-Series Disc platform. While the in-line caliper brake equipped P3 and…