Gunnar Hyper-X -- 650b mode (Parrot Green)

[Radius PNW]

Gunnar Hyper-X


Hi all, Just finished setting up the Gunnar Hyper-X as a 650b setup. Delightful bike this way.

Initially a 700c build, I am trying various 650b all terrain options, which has been a great experience for mixed quality roads...

When the pavement ends, 650b really lets the rider keep cruising.

I am finding 650b incredibly comfortable. Handling -- the bike is quicker to turn in, so feels lighter to the touch, and more agile than the 700c variant.



Initial thoughts:


I think the 650b size feels like it is a size that wants to go all-road... while possibly the Switchback Hill could be that tire for some, in my case the roads deteriorate into chunky logging roads, and I may need something a bit more substantial.

I noticed that the Ridge series from Rene Herse has a bit more raised knob spacing, so the on-street roll is definitely slightly compromised.

EDIT: Now on the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M...



So far the build:

• Steve Potts Type II (R) fork
• SRAM Red 2012 2 x 10
• Shimano GRX 30/46
• 11-36 10sp
• SRAM Red Yaw FD
• SRAM GX RD
• Wheelset - 650b take-off -- custom build set forthcoming
• TRP Spyre brakes (180f / 160r)

Geo is custom (73-SA // 72-HA) with 75mm BB drop.

Rides will be suburban / rural mixed surfaces.

Many thanks to the kind folks at Gunnar.

-R

[xnetter]

Cool bike. Jeep vibes

How do you find the braking with the Sram levers and the Spyres? I just finished building a bike with that combo and, inspite of much nay-saying from folks on the interwebs that the cable pull wasn't enough, the braking feels pretty nice.

KJ

[Radius PNW]

Originally Posted by xnetter

Cool bike. Jeep vibes...

How do you find the braking with the Sram levers and the Spyres? I just finished building a bike with that combo and [...] the braking feels pretty nice.

KJ

Thanks for the comment -- yes! It certainly feels all terrain capable. I suspect the BB height (resultant from the BB drop of 75mm) could possibly a bit low for truly rough single track...

RE: Braking: I find the SRAM / Spyre combo to be quite effective. The cable pull feels appropriate to me, and the power is certainly acceptable.

I moved to a 180f rotor, and am appreciating its additional power.

-R

[truth]

Cool bike! What do you think of the fork?

[O.Moss]

Looks comfy, right on.

[Radius PNW]

Originally Posted by truth

Cool bike! What do you think of the fork?

Thanks…

Re: the fork —

I like it. I like that it’s through axle. And steel. It noticeably smoother than a carbon fork. There’s something unmistakeable about a good steel fork.

It is not, however, as compliant as a curved rake steel fork, as this one is clearly straight bladed.

Considering that design, I think this one is amazing.

No regrets.

-R

[Radius PNW]

I am finding a fairly significant riding experience distinction between the 650b experiment (all-terrain) and the 700c wheelset...

My impression is that I feel faster with more road feedback with the 700c ... while I think I actually like some road feedback, the 650b insulates the rider from mixed quality roads.

This bike can take 650b/48, which I may try some time with a Rene Herse Switchback Hill...

The Gunnar is also superlative with 700c x 35c... that's now the blue one.

[Radius PNW]

Built up the blue Gunnar with the 700c wheelset, so Parrot Green is claiming 650b status...

[Radius PNW]

Originally Posted by O.Moss

Looks comfy, right on.

Thank you! It really is... great road noise insulation, and the fit is pretty dialed now...

Also, it's amazing how much easier it is finding a line through rough road shoulder boundaries with the 650b tires...

Really has reduced stress in rough road / unpaved areas for my rides...

-R

[Radius PNW]

Checked out a bike at Kirkland Bikes (ti frame, no logos), set up 650b...

Based on some measurements of my Gunnar, and a mind to experiment... I decided to try that same tire setup.


Works like a champ:

Rear: Rene Herse Juniper Ridge 650b x 48c
Front: Rene Herse Umtanum Ridge 650b x 55c

These are relatively fast rolling tires given they have a burly knob pattern.

They are quick to respond to a maneuvering lean, happily taking corners at whim.

Highly recommended for ride quality and handling....



EDIT: Recommend for off-road use primarily. Evident tread pattern vibrations through the handlebars on-road with these. They are supple, though, and if use case is off-pavement, I think these should be a strong contender.

These are going onto the Kona Rove.

-R

[acckids]

Fun build

[Radius PNW]

Originally Posted by acckids

Fun build

Definitely, thanks! It really has been. A true pleasure to experiment with.

This bike inspires to keep switching things up...

-R

[Radius PNW]

UPDATE: I can't seem to end the 650b experiment with the Gunnar.

There's so much I love about this bike as a 700c geometry, but there's ALSO so much I love about this bike in 650b mode.

Of note: the Gunnar's head angle of 72 / fork offset of 47 makes for a medium trail figure, that handles with confidence inspiring grace on 700c.

Even with similar trail figures when this bike wore 650b wheels, the handling quickens noticeably, requiring a much higher level of attention to hold a line.

After some consideration, this feels rewarding and fun, and in longer excursions could become a bit fatiguing, for day time jaunts, it is absolutely invigorating.

And for the time being, I'm going to ride the heck out of this bike as 650b for the next few months and see where we land...


-R

[Radius PNW]

So I decided to try another tire on the Gunnar, after some trial runs with the Rene Herse Ridge series...

Enter the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M

This is quite a tire -- interrupted-solid center tread strip, flanked by rounded profile medium tread depth knobs.

It is a bit stiffer than the RH -- but smoother on tarmac, due to the closer tread spacing down the center.

This could be the best tire for me on this bike.

Will update...

-R

[Radius PNW]

The Gunnar at 650b x 50 is a revelation...