Gravel/Bikepack nerds enter...

[climberevan]

The Outback is an interesting frame, but it's a bit of an outlier in the current gravel world. The chain stays are super long, and it's really heavy.

But if that geo is your bag, it will be a cool and indestructible choice.

The Grizl is (IMO) right in line with what most people are looking for, unless they want a bike specifically for racing or heavy bikepacking.

[alfajores]

Twice now my front wheel has started getting a bit loose over the course of multiple rides, probably 400 miles between both instances. Thru axle, carbon fork (Kona Libre if that matters). Is this just something to check occasionally? Anything to do to make sure it doesn't happen? Never had it happen with my MTB, but it has a different type of axle.

Try adding a little tiny thread of locktite on the end of the axel threads. Let it dry before re-installing it. I am talking .5 threads of coverage, nothing serious. That should keep you tight for a while.

[alfajores]

Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5? frame/fork ~$1600. Would definitely set you up for all manner of bikepacking configurations....

This is a spectacular bike. Also, look at Flaanimal 4.1 as a very different but same sweet spot with trade offs option.

[Sandbox]

Is the Campagnolo Ekar worth the upgrade?? I know little about road / gravel groupsets. Looking at the Canyon Grizl 8 Ekar.


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[kathleenturneroverdrive]

It seems like most of the Ekar reviews bring up some annoying issue(s) the rider had with the drivetrain. I have heard good things about the brakes. Would I ride it if it came on a frame I was stoked about? Sure. Would I buy it/pay more for it? Nah.

And I'm a broken record about Lauf by now, but if you're looking at $3200 for the Grizl 8, you can spend a bit less on a Lauf Siegla Rigid Weekend Warrior with wireless shifting, a powermeter, and carbon bars. No fork mounts, though.

[Sandbox]

It seems like most of the Ekar reviews bring up some annoying issue(s) the rider had with the drivetrain. I have heard good things about the brakes. Would I ride it if it came on a frame I was stoked about? Sure. Would I buy it/pay more for it? Nah.

And I'm a broken record about Lauf by now, but if you're looking at $3200 for the Grizl 8, you can spend a bit less on a Lauf Siegla Rigid Weekend Warrior with wireless shifting, a powermeter, and carbon bars. No fork mounts, though.

It appears the Lauf is $3200 US where as the Grizl 8 is $3300 CAN (which is where i'm at).

i'm not committed to any brand but i don't want to break the bank, 3K would be max most likely. all of my bikes have been used and i'm happy buying used but a lot harder to find a used one in my area as opposed to a MTB.

[kathleenturneroverdrive]

oh sorry - I didn't catch you're in Canada. You'll be stoked on the Grizl too. Saving some money by skipping Ekar seems wise

[Sandbox]

oh sorry - I didn't catch you're in Canada. You'll be stoked on the Grizl too. Saving some money by skipping Ekar seems wise

Again… I apologize for my gravel ignorance. Is a salsa warbird more designed for gravel racing? There is one local at a decent price. I want large tires, a couple of bags and perhaps do an overnighter at some point. Winter it will be hooked to a trainer.

I’ve had a trek Cronus in the past and I really enjoyed it but it was a touch too small and it couldn’t handle very large tires so I dumped it.


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[Skistack]

I ride a Warbird. Salsa markets it as their race bike, but the geo is pretty relaxed compared to other gravel race bikes. It’s got all mounts you’d want for bike packing. I don’t recall tire clearance, but 43’s fit with plenty of room.

I think it’s a good do it all bike.


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[joetron]

Hey nerds, I do a weekly radio show in Durango with my buddy on Fridays at 9am on KDUR.
We’re gonna have Lael Wilcox on this week. She’s taking on the CO Trail Race starting this Sunday at 4am. Should be a fun show.
You can stream live it at KDUR.org and we usually get our shows up within a few days here https://www.durangocyclery.com/cycle-squawk
We’ve had some pretty awesome guests on over the past two years(Sep, Blevins, Sturm, Payson etc), dig in to those archives.


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[kathleenturneroverdrive]

I think it’s a good do it all bike.

Totally agree. It's a great "race bike" if your races are really long/you want something a bit more relaxed.

[chaka]

Hey nerds, I do a weekly radio show in Durango with my buddy on Fridays at 9am on KDUR.
We’re gonna have Lael Wilcox on this week. She’s taking on the CO Trail Race starting this Sunday at 4am. Should be a fun show.
You can stream live it at KDUR.org and we usually get our shows up within a few days here https://www.durangocyclery.com/cycle-squawk
We’ve had some pretty awesome guests on over the past two years(Sep, Blevins, Sturm, Payson etc), dig in to those archives.


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cool! thanks for the pointer

[Peruvian]

Totally agree. It's a great "race bike" if your races are really long/you want something a bit more relaxed.

So good for “bikepacking” but not for cycle touring. 🤪

[plugboots]

We take our Helinox zeros everywhere we go as well.

[kathleenturneroverdrive]

So good for “bikepacking” but not for cycle touring. ��

Whatever you do, never, ever attempt to Randonneur on them. All hell will break loose.

[alfajores]

Whatever you do, never, ever attempt to Randonneur on them. All hell will break loose.

[Sandbox]

Well I did it…. Grabbing a Salsa Warbird later this afternoon I found on PB. My moustache is already starting to grow nicely.

Need to grab some pedals and shoes now. Any recommendations? Entry level shimano pedals seem to be decent ( I run flats on my mtbs) and it seems Specialized is running a sale on their shoes right now


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[Skistack]

Congrats! Yeah, basic SPD’s are great, and whatever shoe that’s comfortable.


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[Name Redacted]

Well I did it…. Grabbing a Salsa Warbird later this afternoon I found on PB. My moustache is already starting to grow nicely.

Need to grab some pedals and shoes now. Any recommendations? Entry level shimano pedals seem to be decent ( I run flats on my mtbs) and it seems Specialized is running a sale on their shoes right now


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I like my Warbird. I just use some Chester flat pedals but I don't take the gravel as serious as some.

[bagtagley]

Anyone riding a Cyclosys? As a long time homer, I’m weirdly tempted.

https://turnerbikes.com/collections/...s-2-0-frameset

Off topic, but the new Scrub is pretty sexy as well.

[joetron]

Who’s been dot watching the CTR?!
The field is cruising this year.
Katya made the pass on Lael last night, the Tarryall wilderness bypass is gonna be a drag race.


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[beaterdit]

Damn looks like Lael hit a wall and really slowed down, still about 15 miles out. She was in 3rd just behind the two leaders for the first two or three days, incredible. Maybe pushed a bit too hard though. She did mention she was having breathing problems with her asthma. Pretty impressive to push through that.

Looks like the leaders came in at about 4 1/2 days. I guess it's slower going eastbound? Either way, fukkin impressive.

[joetron]

Yeah. This was her first CTR and I think the altitude caught up with her lungs after a few mega days. She apparently also took a wrong turn somewhere in Summit County in the middle of the night where some trees were down and she missed the ride-around or something. Went an hour downhill on an old road grade in the wrong direction.
But after the pass by Katya she really seemed to slow down.

The new FKT was set eastbound just a few weeks ago. 3 days 16 hours. Mind boggling.

I’m gonna honk my own horn here and mention that I gave Katya’s bike a final once over last Friday and made some brake/shift adjustments….probably really what made the difference. Lol.


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[Tailwind]

I think Lael will still beat the previous women’s FKT. So yes, got passed, slowed down but… still very very fast. I did the Colorado trail in 8 days with my wife and while I thought that’s would be a casual pace it kicked my ass.

More than anything Katya had a hell of a ride. Nice job on the bike tune.

Yeah. This was her first CTR and I think the altitude caught up with her lungs after a few mega days. She apparently also took a wrong turn somewhere in Summit County in the middle of the night where some trees were down and she missed the ride-around or something. Went an hour downhill on an old road grade in the wrong direction.
But after the pass by Katya she really seemed to slow down.

The new FKT was set eastbound just a few weeks ago. 3 days 16 hours. Mind boggling.

I’m gonna honk my own horn here and mention that I gave Katya’s bike a final once over last Friday and made some brake/shift adjustments….probably really what made the difference. Lol.


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[Jax]

Any of you nerds doing SBT? I'm the chick on the red Niner with blue floral camelbak, blue course. Kinda not happy with the 9am start but whatevs. Only goal is for course PR.