Gravel Bikes Get Attention From Manufacturers

Kona Rove Prototype

The gravel road racing/riding scene continues to grow, and with that growth, some manufacturers are taking note and developing products for the genre.

We've chronicled the bikes by Salsa Cycles, Kona, and others here. Tires by Clement and Challenge Tires are now specifically aimed at gravel road racing/riding. But that isn't all.

Take a look at this link which will take you to "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" website and there you can read the recent story they published in the paper version which tells of several ideas being bounced around for product aimed at gravel riders.

Since that article was researched, Interbike happened and this reporter has learned that even more companies are looking at this genre. Products are in development now which will be offered to gravel aficionados and should expand choices from their current levels.

Banjo Brothers frame bags

Also it is evident that many companies are seeing the "adventure/touring/racing" angle to back road riding/racing and are offering accessories targeted at folks riding gravel and dirt back roads. This is most evident in the frame bag/top tube bag market where several new entries into this niche were presented recently at Interbike.

Even what is arguably the first modern gravel road tire, Bruce Gordon's Rock & Road, has seen sales re-invigorated due to the growth of gravel riding and "all-road riding" across the nation.

But it is in the category of tires where the gravel specific designs are lacking. Perhaps with continued industry interest and growth in this category, that will change.

Funk Bottoms 50

The Funk Bottoms 50, (which is actually 60 miles, but who's counting!), is an event taking place soon in Ohio. Looks to be a fun and challenging event. Plus- it's free, (with the exception of lottery ticket purchases to verify you've been on course), and based on rules from the Pirate Cycling League.

Good stuff here, so check out the link for the October 6th event here.

Gravel Grinder News Interbike 2012 Report

Continental's Country Plus

Gravel Grinder News was at Interbike this year and on the lookout for anything worth seeing for you back road/gravel grinder riders out there. Here is the report:

Tires: Tires are still mostly a category where gravel riders are borrowing city/urban technology. Of course, Schwalbe offers some touring tires that will, (and have), work well. Continental showed this "Country Plus" model, which also shows some promise. However; this category really is owned by the aforementioned Schwalbe, and now Clement with its X'Plor series tires. Beyond that, all that was shown was commuter tires that were far too heavy.

Banjo Brothers Frame bags

 Banjo Brothers has been and ardent supporter of gravel events all across the Mid-West. They have decided to introduce some useful accessories for gravel riders and here we have the frame bags in two different sizes. These are nicely made, zippered on both sides so you Lefties out there won't feel discriminated against! Another nice touch is the reinforcement at the point where the frame bag nests into the head tube. Reflective piping rounds out these bags which should be in shops by springtime.

Cell Phone case

Another useful item shown by Banjo Brothers is this electronics case with a clear cover. Not just for cell phones, because it is big enough that a Garmin device should also fit in here as well.

The case is zippered and the construction is high quality, and it should be pretty good against showers.

Again, look for this to come out sometime early spring in shops.

Velo Orange's "Campuer"

Velo Orange showed this "Campuer" bicycle model in several configurations at the show, but this one caught the camera's eye as being close to the gravel rider's heart.

These are offered as frame/fork combos from Velo Orange and can be fitted with pretty good sized tires. The only possible negative here is the kickstand plate.

This isn't quite available yet, but should be in at Velo Orange very soon now.

Co-Motion's "Divide" adventure rig.

For the well-heeled gravel aficionado, Co-Motion's "Divide" was shown at Interbike with this bomb-proof drive train set up featuring a Rohloff hub and Gates Center Track belt.

Not only that, but Co-Motion made its own Rohloff shifter to mount next to the stem, instead of the bar end mount usually seen with drop bar Rohloff bikes. This keeps the overall look cleaner, and obviously routes the cables in a tidier way. This rig doesn't have to stop at night either with its self contained lighting set up centered around a Son hub generator.

That's it from Interbike this year!

Clement X'Plor USH: Final Review

Clement X'Plor USH: 35mm wide

The Clement USH tire is one of the three sets of tires sent out to me in the spring of this year. You can check out the introductory post here. I have already posted my MSO review, which you can check out here.

The Clement tire has a unique look compared to the MSO. The raised center section is flanked by groups of pyramid shaped micro-knobs that might be best described as a file tread on steroids.

Tubed up look.

Clement rates this tire as a 35mm wide tire, and set up with tubes on narrow-ish road rims, I measured the tires as being at 33.2mm @ 50psi. The wheels were then put to a lot of commuting use and some gravel roads.

On paved roads and commutes, the high crown and pronounced center section made for fast rolling, but a tendency to feel quick off center of the handle bar into turns, which could catch you by surprise. Cut resistance seems to be really good. I was able to run these through plenty of trash and broken up glass debris with no flatting issues, and no major damage to the tire casings at all.

Out on the gravel, the tubed set up on the narrower rims proved to be a handful. Only on the best, smoothest gravel roads would I have wanted these on my rig. The stiffness of the casings with tubes inside and the narrow, higher crowned profile conspired to make the USH feel skittish and required a bunch of corrective moves in the chunkier stuff which has typified the gravel around here of late.

Switched wheels and went tubeless.

Wheel Change And Tubeless Set Up: So with the set up on gravel not to my liking, I swapped the tires over to some new, U.S.A. made A-23 rims, built up by Velocity U.S.A. These rims are wider than what I had the USH's on before at 23mm outside width. This helped reduce the crowning effect, flattening out the tire a bit. But the big difference here is that I set the tires up tubeless by utilizing Velocity's tubeless kit, (tape, valve stems), and my own sealant. Set up tubeless, I reduced the air pressures to 40psi front, and about 43psi rear.

The tires were now so different as to be almost like a different tire completely from before. The ride was super smooth, confidence inspiring, and stable on pavement. The "quick" feel off center going into turns was now completely gone. I suppose I should also point out that the wider rims probably help tremendously here as well. Finally- a technical data point- The USH ended up being 35.7mm wide set up tubeless on the A-23.

On gravel, the two personalities of the tire tubed to tubeless continued. I saw much less deflection issues, which made the tire far easier to keep pointed straight in the chunkier gravel. Cornering improved, and overall vibration damping was increased by a wide margin.  The USH was a different tire tubeless than before, no doubt about it.

NOTE: The Clement USH is not a tubeless rated tire. Setting up the Clement X'Plor USH tires tubeless is done so at your own risk and voids all warranties.

All right- with that put out there, I can not fathom why I personally would not run the USH tubeless. The difference in performance is so great that the benefits can not be denied. I also would suggest that a rim of a similar width to the A-23 should strongly be considered for use with this tire, as it mitigates the high crowning effect narrow rims have on the USH, which I feel detracted from its potential performance.

The X'Plor USH tires on the A-23 Velocity wheels

Conclusion: The USH started out as a tire I was not very excited about. Tubed it was stiff, narrow, and on narrow rims, it exhibited a high crown which was all right on paved roads, but not very good on gravel.

However; once I took the risk to set it up tubeless on the tubeless rated A-23 rims, (again- not recommended by Clement),  I found a different tire. A tire that was supple, stable, comfortable, and performed at a much higher level than before.

So, with the MSO and USH, which would I go with? That's a great question. Clement has come out with two versatile, intriguing tires for gravel aficionados. My answer would be this: "Where will you be riding next?" Rougher tracks, fresher gravel, or wetter conditions would call out for the wider, more voluminous MSO. Faster, smoother, drier conditions seem to be more in favor of the USH. Your weight, load on the bike, and riding style also play into the decision. But if you choose the USH, and stick it on a wider rim, I think you may find a tire that excels on a lot of gravel, and shines just as brightly on pavement. Plus- it will fit almost any cross bike with its 35mm width, which isn't the case with the MSO. (Until Clement widens the sizing choices, which they have indicated they may do in the future.) 

Note: Clement sent these tires for evaluation and review at no charge. I am not being bribed, nor paid to give my opinions and thoughts on these tires. I will strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout this evaluation.

The Heroic 2012

Got an old, vintage road bike? Got a wool jersey? Got an itch to ride with both on 60 miles of Cannon River Valley gravel?

Then maybe the "Heroic" is right up your alley. It is happening again on October 6th, 2012. The course will be pretty, and it will be pretty hilly!

Need more info? Hit the site up here.