The history of “gravel riding”...

[BobbyJones]

...according to Specialized.

“Born in the American Midwest, gravel riding is one of the fastest–growing styles of cycling. The sense of adventure, conquering new challenges, and simply experiencing a new style of riding are some of its big selling points, but doing so without the proper tires makes the difference between having fun and cursing and hollering on the side of the road”

I’m relieved that we can finally put to rest WHERE this new style of adventure started. I’m hoping the next email promo will tell me WHO “invented” it.

[Joe Remi]

Has Specialized sued anybody for calling it gravel yet?

[93KgBike]

gråvel

[Waldo]

I thought it started about 130 years ago, but what the hell do I know...

[MattTuck]

The one statement of fact in that excerpt is that bigger tires are pretty much all you need.

Assuming your frame has the clearance, throw on some gravelking 32s for $30 a pop from Excel, and go enjoy some gravel "style" riding... There, now you have a gravel bike, for $60.

You don't need a new frame, you don't need new geometry, you don't need new brakes, you don't need a new drive train.

And honestly, even tires are only really important for recreational riders' comfort. You can ride smaller tires on pretty gnarly roads without anything exploding.

[wallymann]

Originally Posted by Waldo

I thought it started about 130 years ago, but what the hell do I know...

...back when gravel was *all* there was!

[El Chaba]

This doesn't look like the Midwest....

[Joe Remi]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

The one statement of fact in that excerpt is that bigger tires are pretty much all you need.

Assuming your frame has the clearance, throw on some gravelking 32s for $30 a pop from Excel, and go enjoy some gravel "style" riding... There, now you have a gravel bike, for $60.

You don't need a new frame, you don't need new geometry, you don't need new brakes, you don't need a new drive train.

And honestly, even tires are only really important for recreational riders' comfort. You can ride smaller tires on pretty gnarly roads without anything exploding.

Underbiking! (h/t to Chris Kostman on his RB-1 28 years ago).

[colker]

Originally Posted by El Chaba

This doesn't look like the Midwest....

Tour de France was invented in Kansas by Specialized and Gary Fisher. I just read it on INstagram.
Is this what they call education?

[goonster]

Kostman did not advocate for wider tires. He said the skinny tires would dig down through the gravel to firmer ground below . . .

[Joe Remi]

Originally Posted by goonster

Kostman did not advocate for wider tires. He said the skinny tires would dig down through the gravel to firmer ground below . . .

Yes, I was responding to the comment that wide tires aren't necessary. Hence, "underbiking".

[colker]

Now seriously... this kind of misinformation from Specialized borders intellectual dishonesty. There must be some law being broken here.

[NYCfixie]

Originally Posted by Joe Remi

Who hasn't Specialized sued for calling it gravel yet?

fixed it for you.

They are probably still on a high for stealing the "roubaix" trademark at the nashbar/performance/whatever fire sale.

[Joe Remi]

Originally Posted by NYCfixie

fixed it for you.

They are probably still on a high for stealing the "roubaix" trademark at the nashbar/performance/whatever fire sale.

"You can't call it gravel cuz it's on a GLOBE."

[KJMUNC]

Sinyard invented it all....he just hasn't got enough attorneys to sue us all....yet.