Road Bike on Gravel
07-20-12, 03:09 PM
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Road Bike on Gravel
I just moved to Iowa from a heavily paved region of the country, and, unsurprisingly, the area has a ton of gravel roads. I ride a pretty traditional steel road bike with fairly tight geometry and I was hoping some folks might have advise for the preservation of bike and body on this new terrain.
07-20-12, 03:23 PM
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You might want to try a tire wider than 23mm, maybe 25 or 28, but beyond that, there is really nothing all that hard about riding on unpaved roads. I have an 81 Trek 614 with 23s that is awesome on dirt roads.
07-20-12, 03:59 PM
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Riding on gravel is fine, unless you want to take turns @ speed.
07-20-12, 04:25 PM
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As long as you don't make sudden movements in the front end of your bike (steering), you should be fine on 23's.
07-20-12, 05:14 PM
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07-20-12, 05:16 PM
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Cyclocross bike with 32's. Go big or go home.
07-20-12, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Dean V
^ +1
and if the many of the roads are very loose, deep, or big gravel you really need a mountain bike with 2"+ tyres.
and if the many of the roads are very loose, deep, or big gravel you really need a mountain bike with 2"+ tyres.
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07-22-12, 01:08 PM
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You can go with a 25mm, over even a 28-34 CX tire if your frame will allow. To be honest though, i ride 23mm on gravel roads around here all the time; it's ranks somewhere between hardpack - small pea gravel. Its a whole lot of fun to mix it up and improves your overall handling skills too.
Just have at it and see what works.
Just have at it and see what works.
07-22-12, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 2005trek1200
You can go with a 25mm, over even a 28-34 CX tire if your frame will allow. To be honest though, i ride 23mm on gravel roads around here all the time; it's ranks somewhere between hardpack - small pea gravel. Its a whole lot of fun to mix it up and improves your overall handling skills too.
Just have at it and see what works.
Just have at it and see what works.
07-22-12, 11:35 PM
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28's are good and 32's better. it may also help to ride with a little less air pressure.
07-23-12, 12:54 AM
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I roll 28's, & 38's on my CX's & do fine. I find 23's can get sketchy if your not careful.
07-23-12, 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by AlphaDogg
As long as you don't make sudden movements in the front end of your bike (steering), you should be fine on 23's.
07-23-12, 01:17 AM
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The 23's should be fine but 25's might be better.
As far as technique goes put it in a gear bigger than you would normally use, drop your heals and drive the gear. Speed is your friend.
Stay off the brakes and don't try to steer the bike; Too much rider input is the cause of most crashes on loose surfaces. Keep your hands and arms relaxed and let the bike bounce around a bit - it knows where to go.
As far as technique goes put it in a gear bigger than you would normally use, drop your heals and drive the gear. Speed is your friend.
Stay off the brakes and don't try to steer the bike; Too much rider input is the cause of most crashes on loose surfaces. Keep your hands and arms relaxed and let the bike bounce around a bit - it knows where to go.
07-23-12, 01:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina
Stay off the brakes and don't try to steer the bike; Too much rider input is the cause of most crashes on loose surfaces. Keep your hands and arms relaxed and let the bike bounce around a bit - it knows where to go.
07-23-12, 12:07 PM
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I should have said:
Riding on 23's in dirt on any incline or decline can get sketchy.
My 23's are slicks so traction gets loose, I find staying in the saddle I leaning into turns rather than steering keeps things stable.
Moderate speed, & be easy on the brakes if you can.
Riding on 23's in dirt on any incline or decline can get sketchy.
My 23's are slicks so traction gets loose, I find staying in the saddle I leaning into turns rather than steering keeps things stable.
Moderate speed, & be easy on the brakes if you can.
07-23-12, 12:22 PM
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23s are not much fun on gravel, hard packed or otherwise. You can do it...if you have to. I wouldn't do it for fun, certainly. Put the biggest tires possible on your bike, and run them at a reduced pressure.
My "all-roads" bike, for example, uses 42mm tires. Very nice ride.
My "all-roads" bike, for example, uses 42mm tires. Very nice ride.
07-23-12, 01:22 PM
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Fit the largest tires your frame/fork/brakes can safely clear. Don't run them at max psi. Try to remain relaxed, and steer the bike as little as possible. Keep your weight centered between the wheels, and stay off the front brake. Don't hold the bars with a death grip.
07-23-12, 01:28 PM
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Cross bike and cross tires. Riding on gravel is a pretty common way to ride around here. I mean if you're talking a mile or 2 to get to pavement sure road tires are fine. I'm talking about 30 mile gravel only ride. Your body will thank you for bigger tires and lower pressures.
07-23-12, 01:49 PM
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BDop's got the answer. Smooth, steady pedaling. Loosey-goosey on the bars.
07-23-12, 02:01 PM
#24
Longing for a Tail Wind
First, gravel from region to region, state to state, county to county, heck even mile to mile can be very, very different. Type, size, road usage, maintenance, moisture can dramatically change the road surface.
I ride 25s and 28s, but I actually do most of my gravel riding on a CX bike with 32 CX tires. Works much, much better.
Right now, in my area with drought conditions and farm traffic the roads have 2-3 inches of loose gravel on top and are treacherous for road bikes. If we got a nice rain that would all change in a hurry.
Also, gravel roads in the midwest often mean rural residential sites -- so beware unleashed dogs. Unless getting chased is part of your heart rate training plan.
I ride 25s and 28s, but I actually do most of my gravel riding on a CX bike with 32 CX tires. Works much, much better.
Right now, in my area with drought conditions and farm traffic the roads have 2-3 inches of loose gravel on top and are treacherous for road bikes. If we got a nice rain that would all change in a hurry.
Also, gravel roads in the midwest often mean rural residential sites -- so beware unleashed dogs. Unless getting chased is part of your heart rate training plan.
07-23-12, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Stickney
I ride 25s and 28s, but I actually do most of my gravel riding on a CX bike with 32 CX tires. Works much, much better.
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