DYI gravel bikes
07-16-23, 03:00 AM
#101
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I have always used my bikes on gravel roads and not had many issues. I concede that some are faster or have a better ride but I am from a place when you bike WAS a gravel bike by default that you would take on the road to get somewhere fast. Maybe it is the SKILL SET of riders that is lacking and need a "gravel bike" to make the job easier? Despite this I do have one bike that I will use if the terrain gets extreme (muddy/rocky singletrack + roads) but that is more because it can accept large tires and I don't really care about beating it up. All the bikes below have been on 60 mile+ in gravel with apologies for the 920 Trek as it is NOT vintage but does have a bit of a vintage vibe for me.
Last edited by daviddavieboy; 07-16-23 at 03:12 AM.
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07-16-23, 07:25 AM
#102
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I am confused . 29" a MTB standard 700c is the road bike standard but are the same size. The tires are interchangeable as long as the width of the rim bed is similar. I do this regularly on my touring bike depending on anticipated route.as the 29" tires (MTB) generally have a more aggressive tred and road (700c) are faster rolling for harder surfaces) Are you sure you didn't mean 650b or 27.5 (Same as well)
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I have always used my bikes on gravel roads and not had many issues. I concede that some are faster or have a better ride but I am from a place when you bike WAS a gravel bike by default that you would take on the road to get somewhere fast. Maybe it is the SKILL SET of riders that is lacking and need a "gravel bike" to make the job easier? Despite this I do have one bike that I will use if the terrain gets extreme (muddy/rocky singletrack + roads) but that is more because it can accept large tires and I don't really care about beating it up. All the bikes below have been on 60 mile+ in gravel with apologies for the 920 Trek as it is NOT vintage but does have a bit of a vintage vibe for me.
snip . . .
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I have always used my bikes on gravel roads and not had many issues. I concede that some are faster or have a better ride but I am from a place when you bike WAS a gravel bike by default that you would take on the road to get somewhere fast. Maybe it is the SKILL SET of riders that is lacking and need a "gravel bike" to make the job easier? Despite this I do have one bike that I will use if the terrain gets extreme (muddy/rocky singletrack + roads) but that is more because it can accept large tires and I don't really care about beating it up. All the bikes below have been on 60 mile+ in gravel with apologies for the 920 Trek as it is NOT vintage but does have a bit of a vintage vibe for me.
snip . . .
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07-16-23, 09:01 AM
#103
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I'm still trying to figure out what DYI stands for--do yourself it?
07-16-23, 10:13 AM
#104
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Oh, going all CDO on us, are you?
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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07-16-23, 09:30 PM
#105
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Did we lose the OP? Was there further conversation after the 1st post?
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07-17-23, 04:17 AM
#106
On the road
I am confused . 29" a MTB standard 700c is the road bike standard but are the same size. The tires are interchangeable as long as the width of the rim bed is similar. I do this regularly on my touring bike depending on anticipated route.as the 29" tires (MTB) generally have a more aggressive tred and road (700c) are faster rolling for harder surfaces) Are you sure you didn't mean 650b or 27.5 (Same as well)
________________________
I have always used my bikes on gravel roads and not had many issues. I concede that some are faster or have a better ride but I am from a place when you bike WAS a gravel bike by default that you would take on the road to get somewhere fast. Maybe it is the SKILL SET of riders that is lacking and need a "gravel bike" to make the job easier? Despite this I do have one bike that I will use if the terrain gets extreme (muddy/rocky singletrack + roads) but that is more because it can accept large tires and I don't really care about beating it up. All the bikes below have been on 60 mile+ in gravel with apologies for the 920 Trek as it is NOT vintage but does have a bit of a vintage vibe for me.
________________________
I have always used my bikes on gravel roads and not had many issues. I concede that some are faster or have a better ride but I am from a place when you bike WAS a gravel bike by default that you would take on the road to get somewhere fast. Maybe it is the SKILL SET of riders that is lacking and need a "gravel bike" to make the job easier? Despite this I do have one bike that I will use if the terrain gets extreme (muddy/rocky singletrack + roads) but that is more because it can accept large tires and I don't really care about beating it up. All the bikes below have been on 60 mile+ in gravel with apologies for the 920 Trek as it is NOT vintage but does have a bit of a vintage vibe for me.
i remember wrong, it was a 27” wheels. It has a slightly larger inner diameter.
might take another look at it and try somewhat bigger tyre size but still using the long reach brake. Hope it can work just fine.,.
07-17-23, 07:54 AM
#107
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Got in a nice ride on the Jane Addams/Badger Trail through NW IL and SW Wisconsin yesterday. It's a crushed limestone trail and fairly flat. I've always ridden it on a road bike. My partner wanted to ride mountain bikes, so we were overbiking a little. Did feel good to glide over the washouts and ruts, though.
Passing into Wisconsin. Here's my partner's version of a gravel bike. Late 80's Schwinn mountain bike I found for $40 and replaced most of the parts with Deore I had lying around. She loves it.
Passing into Wisconsin. Here's my partner's version of a gravel bike. Late 80's Schwinn mountain bike I found for $40 and replaced most of the parts with Deore I had lying around. She loves it.
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