What’s gravel all about?
Gravel bikes have become very popular in the last couple of years and there is ever growing range and specifications.
So what is gravel? Where did it come from? Is it morphing into an alternative mountain bike with drop bars similar width tyres?
Many claim gravel bikes have evolved from cobblestone Rubaix riding or traditional cycle-cross racing, and this is evident in the light weight, engaging and generally fitness orientated design. Recently modern gravel bike designs and innovations have significant similarities with mountain bikes.
Whether you are talking bikes, or hiking gear, the old saying: you can have it “light, strong or cheap but you can’t have all three” still rings true.
For me though, a gravel bike gets close: for many years hardtail mountain bikes were heavy and almost tractor like, able to ride over anything but unless you’re descending they could be sluggish to ride and hard work on the flat. I always thought I didn’t need a mountain bike, however I’ve probably crashed and broken my bike too often, and, not to mention, had plenty of experience changing flat tyres due to pushing my gravel bike beyond it’s limits. Honestly I’ve really enjoyed it, even my most recent 7km walk in the rain after breaking the rear hanger.
Gravel to me is the all-rounder compromise. Not super-fast on the road, sketchy on single trail, crap going up hills on loose stuff, terrible on soft sand and chaotic while descending.
It just seems the mountain bikers love to break things and design cool stuff to make things better stronger and cooler. I wish I was one of the cool kids, fearless and brave willing to commit to downhill single track. But I’m a chicken, I just want to have fun and try not to hurt myself. My greatest fear is coming off my bike and breaking a collar bone. To be honest I’ve never really enjoyed going flat stick on single trail, I’ve never had the confidence, skills or the reaction time to relax and enjoy it. The majority of my riding has been on an early gravel-cycle cross 700 x 32 maximum clearance, quick release wheels and old school cable disc brakes.
The recent build of the Monstar Gravel bike: A heavy duty 29er drop bar gravel bike.
I wanted to learn how old stuff goes together. It is very easy to walk into your local bike shop, drop a tonne of cash and have something generic that works, but what if we could create our own design, a Frankenstein bike
Take a beautiful old XC hardtail carbon frame, add some 2017 reverse Rockshox, cutting edge in their day - find some matching wheels and then butcher the whole project by adding drop bars.
I love the cycle cross but what if we created a heavy-duty version for upcoming ride to French Island, weekend trips away.
Author
Andrew | Store Manager at the Dandenong Factory Outlet
