Posted in Components Reviews Wheels

HED Eroica GP Disc Brake Wheels: Checkpoint

So, with many wheels in this price range what sets these Eroica GP’s apart? That wider internal width, decent weight, and the unique feature of the bead interface all are great features here, and do make your tires a bit more versatile.

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Posted in Components Handlebars Reviews

A Tale Of Three Bars: FSA K-Wing AGX – Part 2

So here is the thing with drop bars. We have been used to riding bars that are basically round tubes bent into a shape and formed for their intended purpose. Now the reach and sweep and width and drop, etc, may vary, but what you are grabbing with your hands is basically a round tube. And that is both good and bad.

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Posted in Components Reviews Tires

Three Tires From WTB: Getting Rolling

What do I expect from these new bits of rubber? WTB has a nice casing on their tires, or at least all I have been on. They ride well and have decent durability, running well tubeless. I expect the Byway to be a solid all-road tire, the Venture to be a grippy little thing on hard dirt and I have a 70 mile mixed surface loop in mind with tons of climbing that the 36c Exposure ought to be excellent for.

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Shimano GRX equipped GT Grade Carbon Pro
Posted in Brakes Components Drive Train Parts Keepers Reviews Wheels

Shimano GRX Components: Checkpoint

Without a doubt, one of the hottest stories of 2019 in the gravel world is the introduction of Shimano GRX. Today, we’ll share Guitar Ted’s impressions of the 1x GRX group he’s running on his Noble GX5, and I’ll give my thoughts on the 2x mechanical and Di2 versions of the group.

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Posted in Components Reviews Tires

Hutchinson Overide Tires: At The Finish

I just do not feel that they hook up exceptionally well on dirt paths, although as a mixed surface tire, and on smoother surfaces, they do OK. The strong points of the Overide are what seems to be a long life to the tread and a fast rolling nature.

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Posted in Components Reviews Wheels

HED Eroica GP Disc Brake Wheels: Getting Rolling

Another surprising thing- the free hub seems to be very quiet when coasting. I guess the over-all theme here so far is “quiet strength”. We’ll check in on reliability and ride feel in our next post.

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Posted in Accessories Apparel Components Gravel Riding Nutrition/Supplements Reviews Tools

Riding Gravel’s Gift Guide

Hello there gravel riding folks and anyone else out there that loves a bit of off-pavement adventure. The time of year when gift giving is on our minds is right around the corner. We have a list here of items which might make you happy to unwrap, or you know……..to give to someone else who rides gravel like you. To those ends, here our some good ideas for gifts that might make the gravel traveler happy.

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Posted in Components Handlebars Reviews

PRO Discover Big Flare Bars: Checkpoint

With its massive 30 degree flare and 35 degrees of sweep, the new Discover Big Flare handlebar from PRO Bike Gear is one of the more radical gravel drop bars available today. Guitar Ted and I received early samples for testing, and here are our impressions of the bar after two months of riding.

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Posted in Components Pedals Reviews

TIME Cyclo 6 Pedals: Getting Rolling

I could feel that I was a bit more “connected” to the bike, if that makes any sense. You cannot roll your foot laterally without pressing the pedal platform whereas on an SPD pedal, there is some free movement there. The cleat had some float, so this felt similar to the SPD’s I was so used to, but in terms of control laterally, the Cyclo 6 was a more secure feeling pedal.

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Posted in Components Reviews Tires

Donnelly Strada USH 700 X 40mm Tires: At The Finish

Put these tires on if you have a lot of paved road in your gravel loops, or if the bike you have needs to do double duty as a commuter, or touring bike. Give the Strada USH smooth, dry, dirt of finer crushed rock to run on and you won’t be disappointed. In these scenarios the USH is at home. Plus, with the choice of a tan sidewall, it can class up the look of just about any bike.

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