Well said. However, his need to be always right likely developed long before this thread. Time for me to move on and cease further interaction as it only ends up expending energy talking in circles in an attempt to defend one’s POV.
dirtdispatch.substack.com
I don't see anything in the rules about it, so I think it's up to you. Just make sure your outfit is completely dusty or has artistic mud splatters on it when you go for your required post-ride micro brew.
The Many Rules of Gravel
They aren’t any more unwritten rules, because I just wrote them here.
The many rules of gravel is genius. I’d paste them on here but reckon that’s not cool as it’s a substack etc. Very funny very true.I don't see anything in the rules about it, so I think it's up to you. Just make sure your outfit is completely dusty or has artistic mud splatters on it when you go for your required post-ride micro brew.
The Many Rules of Gravel
They aren’t any more unwritten rules, because I just wrote them here.
My friend Marek T. (PhD) is back from one of his so many travels. He had a little bit of time for a chat last night. That is what he told me:
'No Jeremy. You cannot ride without the throttle. And the e-bike is certainly not suitable for riding the beach
This source is wrong.
Ha ha. But nobody gives a s*it! Only you.
Complain to AHOTU a prestigious French site renowned for their excellent extreme sports calendars. Guess nobody bothered to check in with Poland
Now, before any Mazovian Gravel, people jokingly ask Cezary: 'What tyre size now?'
Enjoy Donegal, the weather not looking too bad, bit of rain, sunny spells 15-17c. If you get to Derry, have a walk on the famous walls and check out the Bogside for the living history. On my way to the other end of the country - the annual family expedition to The Kingdom (Kerry) packing body boards and swimming togs and warm fleeces and raincoats, the usual 'pack everything' summer in Ireland. Can't wait.Ras, I'm actually tired with all this quarreling and would be happy if we could come to some peaceful terms.
The fact is, gravel cycling is an American sport. The gigantic Motor Country (where a pedestrian stands no chance in many places!) also has the biggest number of gravel roads in the world. To avoid riding dangerous pavement (an American term), American cyclists started riding long adventurous trips on gravel based on the self-sufficiency principle.
Europe (including the UK) has followed the fashion. Gravel bikes are the bestsellers in many countries (with a notable share in Poland). However, many European countries are heavily paved, so the "adventure cycling" enthusiasts have to look for places where rough terrain actually exists (but it is still not the MTB domain). That makes European and British gravel cyclist ride in forests, national parks and in less developed areas. "As a tailor cuts as much fabric he gets" -- this Polish proverb can explain the situation.
Back to e-bikes:
Creo 1 was designed as a road bike. Yes, the Creo 1 EVO was intended to be a gravel bike but that only involved a dropper seat post and the Shimano GRX drivetrain. Users hated the 12x148 mm Road Boost rear hub (making it hardly possible to install standard gravel wheel with a 12x142 mm hub), the bike geometry, poor clearance for wide tyres, and lack of bosses for the equipment. Creo 2 has come as a 100% gravel e-bike with all the deficiencies removed: gravel bike geometry, generous clearance for wide tyres, multiple bosses, 12x142 mm rear hub, and of course a dropper seat post and the only available electronic drivetrain suitable for gravel bikes.
If anyone is attracted to the idea of a lightweight road racing e-bike, there are many respected brands outside Specialized as Mark correctly pointed out.
You correctly said Ras I don't own a gravel bike. However, I'm riding with the gravel cycling community and know very well what my mates think.
@mschwett said a road bike can ride gravel. True. A man by name Cezary Urzyczyn started in the first edition of Mazovian Gravel on a Specialized Roubaix bike on 33 mm tyres and he came in the second place. He was almost two hours past the winner but come on! all other competitors were behind him! (Cezary had learnt the lesson and next year he started on a proper gravel bike)
View attachment 179110
He was 2nd of 117 racers of that early edition.
Just to finish other matters. I have been to the most beautiful places of England (except the Lake District or Cornwall) and Wales (except South Wales). I haven't been to Scotland yet. On July 21st, @Brix and I start our vacation in Donegal Ireland, and we might visit Derry in Northern Ireland as well. I wish you Ras you could visit the most beautiful places of Poland, too
@Brix please read the advice from Ras. You and me like it cold
but the suggestion of taking a warm fleece or your Irish cardigan and a raincoat is sound!It's a gravel e bike
but from my creo 1 experience, and comparing it to the ride of the similar aluminum vado SL, ride quality is the main difference. for non-electric bikes, aluminum frame tubes can be more carefully sized and shaped to give the right balance of damping, stiffness, and flex, but aluminum e-bikes are limited by the huge tubes needed for the battery, the mid-drive, etc. to me, and this is very subjective, they seem extremely harsh and buzzy, which is why so many people go down the road of shock stems, shock seatposts, and really big tires. carbon fiber is a much more forgiving material for engineering crazy shapes, and i always felt the ride quality of my carbon e-bikes (creo 1, scott addict) was closer to the ride of a good traditional road bike, with relatively small tires. whether it's worth $2k to you, who knows!!
