Show me your gravelbikes....inspire me.

[Jad]

Originally Posted by joosttx

mosaic in the mist
(snip)

Wow--what a place and bike to ride.

[firerescuefin]

Originally Posted by Peter B

Run what you brung I say.

Peter...Really liking that Stoemper!

[Jad]

Originally Posted by split

Can't go wrong with a Hunter. It works really well in the gravel.

I'm making my way through this great thread. Here's a beauty from the archives--really nice Hunter.

[joosttx]

Some more inspration. Thanks for the positive feedback!



In the far left corner you can see the Golden Gate Bridge

[rides2slow]

Originally Posted by joosttx

Some more inspration. Thanks for the positive feedback!



In the far left corner you can see the Golden Gate Bridge

Gorgeous!!!

[Jad]

[QUOTE=joosttx;1920283]Some more inspration. Thanks for the positive feedback!

Awesome. Inspiration is a good word for it--must be fun to ride through that landscape!

[DrSpoke]

Shakedown ride last Wednesday

[alembical]

DrSpoke,

What are your initial thoughts? Stiff? Interested to hear how this and the Ridley X-Trail compare. I know they are quite different, but the decision on which one to ride on what rides surely will not always be so clear cut.

[DrSpoke]

Originally Posted by alembical

DrSpoke,

What are your initial thoughts? Stiff? Interested to hear how this and the Ridley X-Trail compare. I know they are quite different, but the decision on which one to ride on what rides surely will not always be so clear cut.

Hey Alembical - nice to see you over here. It's quite different from the Ridley but my 1st impression was quite good. And that's after taking a couple of months to get the Ridley dialed in and to get comfortable on it. I usually don't focus much on stiffness, especially on the shakedown ride, but am sure it will be adequate. And I agree that though they are quite different there is a lot of overlap in purpose.

What I did notice was a smoothness on the gravel road I climbed. I'm sure it's the combination of the bigger tires (40c vs 30c) and the steel frame. But it was very plush. It's also my first bike with the SRAM 1x system. I swapped out the 42t front for a 38t but with the OEM 10-42. Also, I set aside the OEM wheels/tires (Stan's w/G-One 35c) and used a pair of Easton EA70 XCT wheels w/WTB Nano 40c TCS tires. It reminded me of when I went to a 29er mtn bike from a 26" bike. When I did that, it was important to always be in the right gear as it was more difficult to power over/through some sections. At least initially as later I got stronger and more used to the gearing. So the Niner needs to be in the right gear. And that's not that hard just fewer double shifts. Surprisingly, the front end was a little quicker than the Ridley, almost twitchy, and with a bit more toe overlap too.

So it will be nice to have options on any given ride. In addition, I'll have a bike for some friends to try out an adventure bike - and a spare if needed. That said, the Niner is both heavier and can run much bigger (and heavier) tires so I'm sure it will be a little slower. But with the bigger tires it will be more suitable for rougher roads and more rocky singletrack - what I call wilderness adventure rides. And it came with bikepacking bags so it should be well suited for that. The Ridley will be more for packed trails and mixed pavement/trail rides - urban adventure rides. So the Niner will have more of a trail focus and the Ridley more toward the road side.

I also plan to used the Ridley for century/endurance/fondo type road rides. Also for rides with a lot of climbing as it has much lower gearing than my road bikes. That said, I plan to try the Niner with some smaller (lighter) tires and maybe even with a set of road tires. Tomorrow we're riding the Belgian Wafer route and think I will take it and see how it goes. It's a route probably more suited for the Ridley but I think it will be fine even if a little slower on the road.

[cp43]

Originally Posted by cp43

I have an incoming gravel bike, on which I spec'd a third bottle cage.

I'm curious, what's the container you have under the downtube? I may pick up something similar.

My (incomplete, but very close to being done) bike:

Thanks

My bike has been done for a while now. I picked it up in early December of last year. I've only gotten a few rides so far, but it's been enough to know that I really like it.

Chris's Huntsman "Super Trail" by Kristofer Henry, on Flickr


Full picture gallery here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/44bike...57658158335155

Chris

[Jad]

Originally Posted by cp43

My bike has been done for a while now. I picked it up in early December of last year. I've only gotten a few rides so far, but it's been enough to know that I really like it.

Chris

This bike is so cool and the build report was impressive. Super Huntsman Plus. I love the white w/black. If you ever get a chance, would be great to see some ride shots.

[cp43]

Originally Posted by Jad

This bike is so cool and the build report was impressive. Super Huntsman Plus. I love the white w/black. If you ever get a chance, would be great to see some ride shots.

Thanks!

Here's some photos from one of my rides:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/463401...57662227748772

Chris

[Jad]

Right on--thanks. The Quabbin's an incredible place.

[ajhapps]

Coastal Trail in the Marin Headlands, GT Grade, Schwalbe G-one 35s

[stephenmarklay]

Originally Posted by DrSpoke

Shakedown ride last Wednesday

Appreciate the write ups on this and the Ridley. These are two bikes I have been looking at. I think the Ridley is the one but I love the RLT.