Road Racing On A Gravel Bike
Each race has different logistics to consider and there s less standardization in the gravel racing community compared to road track and cross country mountain bike racing.
Road racing on a gravel bike. Gravel bikes have now truly opened up a new genre that fills the gap between lightweight mountain bikes and carbon road bikes end. A gravel bike opens up new routes new terrain and new experiences on familiar road like equipment. Cross gravel road that s what the cgr initials stand for on ribble s all rounder a bike with solid gravel bike dna that s also up for adventure road bike riding. Races have slightly different rules different philosophies on feed stations and mechanical assistance and of course different terrain.
Gravel bikes and road bikes are very similar. 700c vs 650b is one of the most hotly debated topics in the gravel world. Just a few years ago gravel bikes were often no more than endurance road bikes or cyclo cross bikes that had a bit extra tyre clearance. There s an entire category of bike called the all road bike which overlaps with gravel bike and road bike at the same time.
The best gravel bike shoes are an amalgamation of road cycling shoes and mountain bike shoes cherrypicking key features from each to create the perfect mix of weight stiffness durability and grip. A gravel bike is often a little bit heavier than a road bike because it s built to be sturdier. It s designed to be fast and efficient and also burly making it the perfect option for those who want the option of exploring dirt roads forest roads and the occasional bridleway as well as riding on tarmac. So what exactly is the difference between a gravel bike and a road bike.
So you might feel the difference riding with friends on the uphills but it shouldn t be a huge deal. Companies are leaving no stone unturned and are experimenting with gravel specific geometry componentry and even suspension. This disc brake equipped mudguard shod do a bit of everything machine that makes a lot of sense for the rider who doesn t always want to stick to the tarmac. 3 reasons to buy a gravel bike instead of a roadie as the all road market booms bikes are becoming more capable and more niche the canyon grail cf slx 8 0 di2 photo.
A gravel bike is in many ways a combination of an endurance road bike and a cyclocross bike. A road bike is best fit for traveling on paved paths while the other is built for comfort and can handle all sorts of terrain.