Show us your Gravel Bikes / committee meeting

[bikeworkshop]

While we're back at the Committee stage, I'd like to bring to the attention of those present that a third of US roads are unpaved, as opposed to perhaps 5% in the UK.

There are only a few areas of the UK where you can ride all day without touching tarmac.

 

[pwebb]

so is this a gravel bike too? - seen here getting dirty on a recent Monsal Head outing ...


...and before I restored it, in near original 1980s spec with deerhead groupo and enough clearance for fat 700C tyres



I looked at it as more of an early cyclo cross bike tbh but it rather fits the descriptions of what people describe as gravel albeit this predates fat aluminium tubing and sloping top tubes.

I dispute the assertion that all UK rides involve tarmac - not if you live in/near a national park like the peak district.

 

[grantoury]

I don't mean Tourers don't exist as bikes and riders in the americas, but as the Marketing Concept.

Early 2000s in the UK, tourers like the Raleigh Randonneur and CB Dalesman were very sporadic, and then the Dawes Galaxy got wound up
- and i don't think there was any marketing of them beyond touring specific publications - I.e. playing to a captive market.

And then US brands like Surly and Salsa brought the steel comfort distance bike back into the mainstream, with new riders encouraging fresh design ideas to get us to where we are today.

Touring bicycles were a bit more recognized in the usa than you make out. Trek started in the seventies and made them. Cannondale made them from the start. Schwinn made them. Bruce Gordon, Co motion, the list goes on

 

[MattiThundrrr]

"Cough cough"
Taps gavel on mahogany tabletop

"Ladies and gentlemen - may I bring this meeting back to the matter in hand"

Thanks for the call to order, was about to unsubscribe

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Since we've decided it's a committee meeting, we need to define what constitutes a "gravel" bike.

Reference: dictionary definition for "80s ATB"
Then remove 50% of its strength and durability, and then add drop bars. Next, add marketing, and a little conspicuous consumption

 

[bikeworkshop]

Ok after long and careful consideration,
I put this to the vote:

650, 70026
Bars: Drops flats risers
Forks: Rigidsuspension
Brakes: disk caliper canti
Tyre: >35mm+ <32mm
Single double triple
Cassette:>36t <32t

I think you're allowed one eception
More than that and you're pushing it.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I think you're allowed one eception
More than that and you're pushing it.

I may have solved why I don't want a gravel bike. I'm on both sides for what I want when I eventually build up an old steel road bike

I guess I'm doing this wrong again.
Here's what I am looking for
27"/700
Flats (one piece bull horn bar ends)
Rigid
Cantilever
Greater than 35mm+ (hopefully over 40)
Double (or if I must, triple)
Will determine gearing based on ride feel. No rule here, working for my legs is the only factor
Can I add downtube shifters as a requirement? Don't currently have any, and I loathe brake lever shifters. Won't even say that word

 

[bikeworkshop]

I may have solved why I don't want a gravel bike. I'm on both sides for what I want when I eventually build up an old steel road bike
View attachment 887984View attachment 887985
I guess I'm doing this wrong again.
Here's what I am looking for
27"/700
Flats (one piece bull horn bar ends)
Rigid
Cantilever
Greater than 35mm+ (hopefully over 40)
Double (or if I must, triple)
Will determine gearing based on ride feel. No rule here, working for my legs is the only factor
Can I add downtube shifters as a requirement? Don't currently have any, and I loathe brake lever shifters. Won't even say that word

I think you are asking to be thrown out of this committee meeting.
"SECURITY! SECURITY!"

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I think you are asking to be thrown out of this committee meeting.

No I'm not

 

[reindeer]

Most mountain bikes have never seen mountains, nobody ever cared if the name or term is correct or if it it should be called a hill, rock, mud or root bike. Road bikes are called racing bikes over here although 95% of them aren't used for racing. I don't get why some people are so exited about the term"gravel"