I have been using this bike for gravel – but it just isn’t that comfortable for longer ride (it is professionally fitted). Aluminum frame and carbon fork. I’d like to upgrade and kit it out to be more gravely and less cyclocrossy.
I’d appreciate recommendations and ideas of where to go with this. Any recommendations regarding wheels, tires (brands? Size?), tubeless? Stem? Seatpost?
Thanks in advance for any ideas and recommendations. Also advanced apologies for the currently dirty bike – she is due for a bath.
by FionaTheFierce
7 Comments
You can try :
– check the tire pressure. Too high may be uncomfortable
– suspended seatpost
– a stem angled upward
– suspended stem
– rotating back the whole handlebar, that will put the levers a bit higher
– cyclocross brake lever (exist in mechanical and hydraulic now). That will allow you to spend more time with the hands on the center of the handlebar, thus to have your back upward.
What makes it uncomfortable? Too aggressive of a position? Shorter stem might help.
Fit the biggest tire the frame can take.
Go tubeless so you can run lower pressure.
The best bike is the one you have. There is a lot of upgrade potential.
Get the fattest tires the frame can fit. Run them with low pressures preferably tubeless. New lighter wheels with a wider rimbed and faster engagment can also be a gamechanger.
Get some nice flared handlebars with thicker bartape/ double wrap it.
Get a redshift suspension stem if its Not comfy enough.
Carbon seatpost for more compliance.
I had nearly that exact bike, used for gravel. I put Redshift components on – seatpost, stem, handlebars and grips, decreased my tire pressure, and it became much more comfortable. I also had it pro-fitted. The gearing was not great for long, hard climbs, but it would have been $$$ to change out, so I just gutted it out. I had a lot of toe overlap but got used to it and eventually it rarely bothered me. I also felt it was not super comfortable on long rides. I wanted fatter tires but they wouldn’t fit – I put the fattest ones on that would fit, though. I rode it a lot and would have stuck with it, but someone decided they had to steal it.
My new bike is gravel-specific and much more comfortable, though a little less nimble in some single-track situations. It’s a moderately priced bike – a little less than 2K + upgrades – so nothing super fancy as far as bikes go. I don’t miss that little bit of maneuverability. Very surprisingly to me, my new bike seems faster. With less effort and without making it a goal to race myself, my times on some Strava segments are going down. It’s an objective comparison, thus worth the mention. The longer lower frame just suits me better, I guess. FWIW I put the same cockpit on my new bike, minus the shock seatpost. With fatter tires I don’t feel I need it, so far.
That will fit 38c with clearance for mud. Get a cheap set of wheels with wider rims. I use a similar model for 100 mi gravel races and works ok. Just a bit twitchy due to geo
How much space you got between the rear stays? Looks like you could get a wider tire up front. Maybe a 38mm.
I have the [2020 model](https://www.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/s/LBnHhu2lrZ) and use it frequently for mostly gravel. I am running a set of Specialized Sawtooths at 38 wide and have done many 50+ mile rides without discomfort. I’d consider some of the suggestions in here but if you don’t like the geometry or ride, there’s no harm in trying a different bike.