Cycling Thread 2

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Which model did you get? I think the $2,799.99 E5 Elite with GRX is probably the minimum because the $1,849.99 one is spec'd with Claris.

Stock of course is always going to be a problem, probably won't be until next year.

I don't have space for 2 bikes so a gravel frame + road tires/wheels (maybe even carbon wheels) seems like the best option for me and a wheel swap can transform it into a different bike.

Factor LS would be a great bike then, higher end for price but it'll do pretty much everything

[Khel]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Which model did you get? I think the $2,799.99 E5 Elite with GRX is probably the minimum because the $1,849.99 one is spec'd with Claris.

Stock of course is always going to be a problem, probably won't be until next year.

I don't have space for 2 bikes so a gravel frame + road tires/wheels (maybe even carbon wheels) seems like the best option for me and a wheel swap can transform it into a different bike.

I got the carbon expert with etap, it's glorious

[Treycal]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I don't have space for 2 bikes so a gravel frame + road tires/wheels (maybe even carbon wheels) seems like the best option for me and a wheel swap can transform it into a different bike.

This is exactly what I did as well. Got a Giant Revolt Advanced 2 that was kitted out with 105. Added a lighter Giant carbon wheelset for the road and I'm golden. I tend to look at gravel bikes as an "endurance" style road bike with wider tire clearance. Love the bike and can ride for miles and miles in comfort.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Khel

I got the carbon expert with etap, it's glorious

Electronic shifting is definitely a nice to have, not a need to have, but it is reallly nice to have. I have it on my new road bike, and when I upgrade my mountain bike in the next year or 2, now I want to get electronic shifting on it.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Khel

I got the carbon expert with etap, it's glorious

$8K bike! Man we should do a CP poll on how much our bikes cost. I've yet to break the $2K barrier. Maybe next year.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

$8K bike! Man we should do a CP poll on how much our bikes cost. I've yet to break the $2K barrier. Maybe next year.

Going over $2k can be a noticeable difference. It's what flipped the switch for me from liking cycling to loving cycling.

Kind of like flying first class or driving a luxury car. It makes flying coach or driving your 10 year old beater a lot less fun.

[Khel]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Going over $2k can be a noticeable difference. It's what flipped the switch for me from liking cycling to loving cycling.



Kind of like flying first class or driving a luxury car. It makes flying coach or driving your 10 year old beater a lot less fun.

Absolutely, this was the first bike where I really treated myself, and it's definitely noticeable.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

The actual quick fix is just to swap wheels and keep the same frame. That way you have a gravel + road.

I am actually thinking of going to the Diverge as my next bike and using it to fit both needs. Gravel bikes have wider forks and rears to fit wider tires whereas road bikes don't necessarily allow you to go the gravel route.

The Diverge is on the trainer now for a long time and I wanted to have another bike that sat on the trainer without taking it off and on. The other thing is when I bought the Diverge I was really clueless and grabbed a 58 size frame. While I've never had major discomfort riding, the Cube is a 56 and just feels like a better fit all around. I stand by decision for N + 1.

[bossy22]

I have a 2022 Diverge Pro. Size 54 that I’m thinking of selling. I’ve got neck issues. I essentially need the stack of a 56 with the reach of a 54.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by bossy22

I have a 2022 Diverge Pro. Size 54 that I’m thinking of selling. I’ve got neck issues. I essentially need the stack of a 56 with the reach of a 54.

There’s a variety of modifications you can do to accommodate. Some examples include higher rise stem and maybe shorter too (redshift suspension stem is fantastic), different bar options (some have a riser, yes even on a road bar), different fork (ie compliance, stack height), larger tire (like a 28 or 30), seat position (for/aft, tilt), then there’s also all the physical/bio mechanical work you can do too. Such as hip/pelvic flexibility, core and shoulder strength, posture work. Anyways that’s a bunch of ideas that I know has worked for myself and some friends, and a lot cheaper than a new bike.

[RichieRich]

Regarding dual wheelset gravel’ish bikes - make sure you’re extra picky on your crankset and cassette and free hub capability. Nothing worse than an undergeared road bike or a gravel bike without climbing gears. Generally that’ll put you into a double chainring (48-31), running a wide range cassette (10-40’ish).

Also pick tires appropriately… such as don’t go with a skinny 30 or 33 cross/gravel tire and a 28 road. Do it right and go ~38 gravel and 26-28 road. I’m loving my 43 gravel but will revert soon to a 43 front/38 rear gravel. Make sure you gravel wheelset can handle bigger tires too (and your frame too). I can also run 29r mtb tires which is a lotta fun sometimes out in the smoother trails ripping around.

[bossy22]

I'm looking at ordering a Naked Ti gravel bike. Custom build just for moi. Problem is, I won't get it until next year.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by bossy22

I have a 2022 Diverge Pro. Size 54 that I’m thinking of selling. I’ve got neck issues. I essentially need the stack of a 56 with the reach of a 54.

54 is about my size (53.5 currently). What color is it? Feel free to PM me! Wait that bike MSRP is like $11K?

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by bossy22

I'm looking at ordering a Naked Ti gravel bike. Custom build just for moi. Problem is, I won't get it until next year.

We deal with naked all the time. It will be quicker than the qoute eta more often than not.

That's quick for a custom frame .

[cral12]

For those interested thought I'd share the journey of my now friend David - he was a friend of a friend who we hosted for 3 nights as he passed through yyc on his bike-book tour from Montreal to Vancouver Island.

As you scroll down the main page, you'll come to his blog entries (and links to his social). I meant to post when he was here in these parts and went to a couple of local book store signings. He just finished the adventurous section of the TCH through Golden and wrote about:
https://www.davidmwallace.ca/

(he's also a talented musician and actor - glad to have made his acquaintance)

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

We deal with naked all the time. It will be quicker than the qoute eta more often than not.

That's quick for a custom frame .

I know someone who has that frame and has been very happy with their gravel
Ride. Very nice looking frame. Good choice.

[Wormius]

The Little Elbow loop. Has anybody done it, and is clockwise or counter-clockwise better? It looks like from the terrain that it is pretty much uphill each way until the mid-point.

[bossy22]

we were just talking about that. The old rides we used to do and haven't done in years. Elbow Loop was a yearly ride but I haven't done it in about 13 years now. We usually did it counter clockwise, but both ways work. I think we liked counter clockwise because at the time the climb was a little easier. The final punch to the summit going clockwise was loose rock and our crappy bikes meant walking up it. It was easier to ride down that section. I couldn't really say what it'd be like now.

Some of the other older rides I want to go back out and do is Wildhorse, powderface, and prairieview. I did Sulpher last year and it's still a ####ty ride.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Wormius

The Little Elbow loop. Has anybody done it, and is clockwise or counter-clockwise better? It looks like from the terrain that it is pretty much uphill each way until the mid-point.

I haven't done yet this year. I did twice last yr - once on mtn bike and once on fatbike. I prefer counter-clockwise.

[Northendzone]

I am in Fernie this week and this morning roads parts of montane and ridge mount.

Everything is dry.