Thinking of giving a gravel bike a crack
- Thread starter johnny
- Start date
beeb
Dr. Beebenson, PhD HA, ST, Offset (hons)
I would keep my roadie, CX, and gravel bikes totally separate to avoid confusion. At least once I could work out which one was which...
leitch
Feelin' a bit rrranty
Don't pretend like you wouldn't reserve the first three posts in your gravel bike PYR to write an essay about how it's totally different from the CX bike that preceded it because the BB is 5mm lower.
beeb
Dr. Beebenson, PhD HA, ST, Offset (hons)
Spoiler alert please!
hpatches
Likes Bikes
Very much enjoying this thread. Anyhow, I reckon small wheels are the go for "gravel" - allows you to run bigger tyres without big weight penalty, or the centrifugal issues that 700c + big tyre suffers from on the road*. I have used 26*2.1 and 650b*1.75, 1.9 around Canberra region a lot (I live near Bungendore) and only wished for bigger wheels when I was on extreeeeemely rough fire trails in Brindabellas, Tallaganda etc. Underbiking is fun anyway.
*Disclaimer - I have drunk the Jan Heine Kool-Aid
PJO
in me vL comy
ozzybmx
taking a shit with my boobs out
Good that roadies get to experience the same bullshit as we do.
Has it been OK'd by the UCI, that's their saving grace.
So I was hoping to go for larger wheels given that around 60-70% of this bike's usage will be commuting on tar surfaces. My, likely ignorant assumption is that larger wheels = greater efficiency.
You're saying that larger wheels suffer diminishing returns because of stupid physics?
Tried to get away from work at lunchtime to sit on one of these in the shop. Didn't work out for me. Trying again on the morrow.
cammas
Seamstress
a friend of mine has the search picked up cheap off Gumtree, he absolutely loves it for commuting and even gets out for ride on the weekend along the Yarra trails. I set it up tubeless for him and it hasn't missed a beat, I remember him saying that compared to mtb, it wiped 10-15 minutes off his commute and he should have done it sooner.
The Duckmeister
Has a juicy midrange
That's more to do with the fact that grovel bikes are basically the road equivalent of fatbikes; 12x100 is a UCI-dictated roadie thing.
beeb
Dr. Beebenson, PhD HA, ST, Offset (hons)
Ah, there's the problem.
So I'm going to try and push the budget a bit and am looking at these two bikes at the moment:
Norco Search XR S1 Gravel Bike Warm Grey
$3,999.00 $2,799.00 ?
Norco Search XR A1 Gravel Bike Orange/Grey
$2,799.00 $2,340.91 ?
I'm keen on the alloy frame as I want to keep it as light as I can within my constraints. But there are some trade offs:
The only part that concerns me is the fork, I don't want to skimp on them. A dropper would also be nice - I know it's a weight cost, but I can also use some of the savings on price to buy one at a later date if I feel I need it.
Norco Search XR S1 Gravel Bike Warm Grey
$3,999.00 $2,799.00 ?
| SKU | 20NorcoSearchXRS1WarmGrey |
|---|---|
| Season | 2020 |
| Sizing SKUs | XS: NOAD2003310822, SM: NOAD2003310823, MD: NOAD2003310824, LG: NOAD2003310825, XL: NOAD2003310826, XXL: NOAD2003310827 |
| Click & Collect | Yes |
| Colour | Grey |
| Frame | Chromoly |
| Frame Material | Chromoly |
| Fork | Search XR Mid-Modulus Carbon |
| Fork Material | Carbon |
| Speeds | 2 x 11 |
| Front Gears | Double |
| Groupset Brand | Shimano |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX |
| Rear Gears | 11 Speed |
| Crankset | Easton EA90 46/30T |
| Pedals | Not Included |
| Chain | Shimano CS-HG700 11-34T |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Brakes | Shimano GRX BR-RX400 Hydraulic Disc |
| Shifters | Shimano GRX RX600 Hydraulic |
| Brake Levers | Shimano GRX RX600 Hydraulic |
| Derailleur Front | Shimano 105 FD-R7000 |
| Derailleur Rear | Shimano GRX RD-RX810 |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-HG700 11-34T |
| Wheel Size | 700c |
| Tyres | WTB Resolute TCS 700x42c, Tubeless Compatible System, Tanwall |
| Rims | WTB ST Light i23 TCS 2.0, Tubeless Ready |
| Hubs | F: Sealed Bearing 12x100mm TA R: Sealed Bearing w/Alloy Freehub 12x142mm TA |
| Spokes | Sapim Race Butted, Black, Black Brass Nipples |
| Bottom Bracket | Easton PressFit BB86 |
| Handlebar | Easton EA70 AX Aluminum, 16deg Flare |
| Headset | FSA 44mm Cartridge Bearing |
| Grips | Norco Griptacular Shockproof |
| Stem | Norco SL Aluminum - Custom Painted |
| Saddle | Norco SL Race, Cromo Rails |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic Gravel 50mm Dropper, Drop-Bar Remote |
Norco Search XR A1 Gravel Bike Orange/Grey
$2,799.00 $2,340.91 ?
| SKU | 21NorcoSearchRA1OrangeGrey |
|---|---|
| Season | 2021 |
| Sizing SKUs | SM: NOAD2106011823, MD: NOAD2106011824, LG: NOAD2106011825, XL: NOAD2106011826, XXL: NOAD2106011827 |
| Click & Collect | Yes |
| Colour | Orange |
| Frame | Alloy |
| Frame Material | Alloy |
| Fork | Search XR Carbon |
| Fork Material | Carbon |
| Speeds | 2 x 11 |
| Front Gears | Double |
| Groupset Brand | Shimano |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX |
| Rear Gears | 11 Speed |
| Crankset | Shimano GRX FC-RX600, 46/30T, 170mm (50.5), 172.5mm (53, 55.5), 175mm (58, 60.5) |
| Chain | KMC X11 |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Brakes | Shimano GRX BR-RX400 Hydraulic Disc, Resin Pads |
| Shifters | Shimano GRX ST-RX600 |
| Brake Levers | Shimano GRX RX600 Hydraulic |
| Derailleur Front | Shimano GRX FD-RX810 |
| Derailleur Rear | Shimano GRX RD-RX810 Shadow RD+ |
| Cassette | Shimano 105 CS-R7000, 11-34T, 11 Speed |
| Wheel Size | 700c |
| Tyres | Vittoria Terreno Dry, 38mm |
| Rims | WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 32H, 650b (45.5, 48), 700c (50.5-60.5) |
| Hubs | Shimano HB-RS470, 12x100mm, Center Lock |
| Spokes | Sapim Leader Stainless Black |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB-RS500 PF86 |
| Handlebar | Norco Super Flare Aluminum, 16deg Flare, 42cm (45.5, 48, 50.5), 44cm (53, 55.5), 46cm (58, 60.5) |
| Grips | Norco Griptacular Shockproof Tape |
| Stem | Norco SL Aluminum |
| Saddle | Selle Royal Vivo, Mag Rails |
| Seatpost | Norco Aluminum, 27.2mm |
I'm keen on the alloy frame as I want to keep it as light as I can within my constraints. But there are some trade offs:
- Components on the steel frame are better (cranks, brakes, seat post, etc.)
- Tyres on the steel frame are wider
- I'm not sure if the fork is different, but may be better on the steel frame (although it might just be the way the webpage is written)
- Orange is not an attractive look....
The only part that concerns me is the fork, I don't want to skimp on them. A dropper would also be nice - I know it's a weight cost, but I can also use some of the savings on price to buy one at a later date if I feel I need it.
That's the point where I'm starting from. Hoping the shop has both in stock. If the weight difference is negligible I might give the steel some real consideration though.
I'm just about to start a new job, which comes with a decent raise. And I leave my old job with 8 weeks annual leave being cashed out and 7 years long service, which may be transfered to the new employer or get cashed out as well. So the funds are there, it's just whether I spend it on stuff that I should (like house repairs, etc.) or whether I spend it on stuff I want (n+1).
leitch
Feelin' a bit rrranty
I'd go steel just because I like the look better, but the alloy is probably the better bet for the reason's you've listed already @johnny.
Re: your 4 points -
- The EA90 cranks are not actually necessarily better than the GRX. Beyond that they have a bit of an aftermarket flavour, a 30mm spindle in BB86 shell leaves f-all space for bearings. Personally I couldn't care less about a dropper on my gravel bike and as you say, it's another ~400g. Brakes are the same.
- The Terreno Dry tyres on the alloy are great. They also size up way bigger than their marked sizing. The 38c tyres actually have a 40-622 ETRTO designation and come up at about ~41mm wide. I put some on my Bombtrack and had to swap them out for the 35c tyre (which is actually ~37.5mm wide) because the rear triangle didn't have clearance for them. They're also light and fast rolling.. they're a great tyre.
- Fork's the same for sure, just different web copy
- Unfortunately the orange is fugly haha.. But it ticks all your other boxes. This is how I ended up with a f*cking red car.
Re: your 4 points -
- The EA90 cranks are not actually necessarily better than the GRX. Beyond that they have a bit of an aftermarket flavour, a 30mm spindle in BB86 shell leaves f-all space for bearings. Personally I couldn't care less about a dropper on my gravel bike and as you say, it's another ~400g. Brakes are the same.
- The Terreno Dry tyres on the alloy are great. They also size up way bigger than their marked sizing. The 38c tyres actually have a 40-622 ETRTO designation and come up at about ~41mm wide. I put some on my Bombtrack and had to swap them out for the 35c tyre (which is actually ~37.5mm wide) because the rear triangle didn't have clearance for them. They're also light and fast rolling.. they're a great tyre.
- Fork's the same for sure, just different web copy
- Unfortunately the orange is fugly haha.. But it ticks all your other boxes. This is how I ended up with a f*cking red car.
The difference in components between those two bikes wont make any measurable difference to your ride experience, except the dropper - depends what you want to ride. Anything that requires a dropper should be ridden on a mtb imo - bouncing down a rough trail on the hoods sucks. And of course the tyres, but thats an easy change to whatever your preference.
The grx 400/600/800group is similar to what I recently got on a Trek Checkpoint SL5 and honestly it shifts gears and stops great. Id go GRX crank over Easton cranks 100% as above.
The SL5 and AL5 Trek build is exactly the same, except the frame and seatpost. Was going to go with the cheaper option until i was given an offer on the SL5 I couldnt ignore. Actually i just looked and the SL5 is on sale for $3500 vs the AL5 $3000 - a bit over what you are looking for but ive been super happy with the SL5. As someone who has never ridden over 75km on the road before I just did a 150km rail trail race on the weekend and loved it.
Checkpoint SL 5 - Trek Bikes (AU)
Checkpoint ALR 5 - Trek Bikes (AU)
Of the two examples you have, I'd get the alloy bike, and spend the balance on some nicer wheels for gravel tyres (CRC had some sweet deals on gravel DT swiss wheels recently), and put road tyres on the stock wheels.
The grx 400/600/800group is similar to what I recently got on a Trek Checkpoint SL5 and honestly it shifts gears and stops great. Id go GRX crank over Easton cranks 100% as above.
The SL5 and AL5 Trek build is exactly the same, except the frame and seatpost. Was going to go with the cheaper option until i was given an offer on the SL5 I couldnt ignore. Actually i just looked and the SL5 is on sale for $3500 vs the AL5 $3000 - a bit over what you are looking for but ive been super happy with the SL5. As someone who has never ridden over 75km on the road before I just did a 150km rail trail race on the weekend and loved it.
Checkpoint SL 5 - Trek Bikes (AU)
Checkpoint ALR 5 - Trek Bikes (AU)
Of the two examples you have, I'd get the alloy bike, and spend the balance on some nicer wheels for gravel tyres (CRC had some sweet deals on gravel DT swiss wheels recently), and put road tyres on the stock wheels.
Thanks for the thoughtful input, appreciated. Really helpful to clarify some of those points, particularly around the fork, brakes, tyres and cranks/BB.
Seems pretty clear that the alloy is the right bike for me to focus on. I can also use the savings to purchase some paint stripper...
caad9
Likes Bikes and Dirt
This is pretty important too.
Bikes are not selling at all, I would bet you could get them even cheaper with a bit of negotiation