I also replaced the crank with a 50/34 and have appreciated it when climbing steep grades. I also had to remove a couple of links from the chain because of the smaller chainrings.
I love the flair on the handbars. I will never replace them.
I went with the Clement tires and am running them tubeless on the Grail rims.
Henry,
\nClearly ideal for gravel riding. What about road riding and Gran Fondos? I thought I narrowed down to the Trek 720 or Specialized Crux Evo. Both would be about $1900 out the door while this would be about $1500 out the door. That's a big discount. All three have the 11 Speed 105 and HY/RD brakes so it comes down to frame design/function. I'll do about 90-95% road but want the ability to go off road and not have to worry about tires. Thanks
Walt Brown wrote:Henry, Clearly ideal for gravel riding. What about road riding and Gran Fondos? I thought I narrowed down to the Trek 720 or Specialized Crux Evo. Both would be about $1900 out the door while this would be about $1500 out the door. That's a big discount. All three have the 11 Speed 105 and HY/RD brakes so it comes down to frame design/function. I'll do about 90-95% road but want the ability to go off road and not have to worry about tires. Thanks
It's just so hard to say, Walt. If I were to go with a set of lighter wheels and maybe a supple 700x27/28c road tire (Vittoria Open Pave or Compass/Grand Bois come to mind) I would not hesitate riding the Grade on a road century or fondo. But to be honest, I love my Serotta for rides of that ilk so I've fashioned the Grade as a dirt/gravel-centric bike for now. That said, I think that the 5800/HyRd combo is a very solid setup.
Walt Brown wrote:Henry, Clearly ideal for gravel riding. What about road riding and Gran Fondos? I thought I narrowed down to the Trek 720 or Specialized Crux Evo. Both would be about $1900 out the door while this would be about $1500 out the door. That's a big discount. All three have the 11 Speed 105 and HY/RD brakes so it comes down to frame design/function. I'll do about 90-95% road but want the ability to go off road and not have to worry about tires. Thanks
I was looking at similar bikes and ended up going with the CruX Evo. For me it came down to the CruX and the Diverge, due to no one having a Grade and not knowing when they would. The CruX allows me to have more tire clearance over the other two, although I think either would be good as well. If all 3 would've been available it may have been more difficult due to the price point of the Grade. I was able to get the CruX, with an extra set of wheels, for less than the Diverge Comp. Now a simple wheels swap allows me multiple ride options!
Gunter--- I have been running the Grail wheels tubeless on my Carbon Grade and love them. I have ridden them full speed over baby-head sized rocks at full speed and they are still true.
Craig wrote:Gunter--- I have been running the Grail wheels tubeless on my Carbon Grade and love them. I have ridden them full speed over baby-head sized rocks at full speed and they are still true.
So, for those that have the Aluminium GT Grade. Do they have eyelets for a rear or front rack? I have hear that the do and don't. Anyone that actually owns one can you please answer. I really want one of these. TIA
Whitehare wrote:So, for those that have the Aluminium GT Grade. Do they have eyelets for a rear or front rack? I have hear that the do and don't. Anyone that actually owns one can you please answer. I really want one of these. TIA
No bosses on the seat stays or fork blades for a rack. There are eyelets at the fork ends and rear dropouts, but I believe they are for mounting fenders. Perhaps the rear could be used for a rack? Someone please correct me if this is wrong. I will post a picture when I can get around to it.
Whitehare wrote:So, for those that have the Aluminium GT Grade. Do they have eyelets for a rear or front rack? I have hear that the do and don't. Anyone that actually owns one can you please answer. I really want one of these. TIA
Hey,
I have the Aluminum 105 Grade, and as henrypretz stated, it has eyelets for mounting fenders on the fork and the rear dropouts. I put a rack on my bike using the rear eyelets and a seat clamp that has rack mounts to attach the struts. I attached p-clamps to the rack stays, and used the mounts at the seat stay bridge and bottom bracket area to then attach a rear fender. Maybe not ideal for everyone, but this setup has worked well for me.
Whitehare wrote:So, for those that have the Aluminium GT Grade. Do they have eyelets for a rear or front rack? I have hear that the do and don't. Anyone that actually owns one can you please answer. I really want one of these. TIA
Hey,
I have the Aluminum 105 Grade, and as henrypretz stated, it has eyelets for mounting fenders on the fork and the rear dropouts. I put a rack on my bike using the rear eyelets and a seat clamp that has rack mounts to attach the struts. I attached p-clamps to the rack stays, and used the mounts at the seat stay bridge and bottom bracket area to then attach a rear fender. Maybe not ideal for everyone, but this setup has worked well for me.
Thanks for this. What brand/type of rack did you use?
![[IMG_3402]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/17843554/IMG_3402.jpg)
![[IMG_3411]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/17843554/IMG_3411.jpg)
![[IMG_3738]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/17843554/IMG_3738.jpg)