I have been mountain biking for a while and want to get into gravel riding/commuting to work a few days a week. My commute is about 20 miles each way on pavement but would like to cut through the hills and hit some steep fire road climbing to mix up the pavement commute. Does anyone have any experience with the Willard 1? It looks like a great deal with the corporate discount $729.99. https://www.raleighusa.com/willard-56011#
I don't have any experience with the Willard. I do have some experience with the Tamland 1 though. I see the Willard is Shimano Sora and says 18 speeds so guessing that means a nine speed. The Tamland is 105 which is an upgrade and a 11 speed and thinking close to the same price. Good luck in getting a bike. I will also say that you can use a code save5 for more of a saving.
Thanks for the extra save5 code! With that code and the corporate discount I am left with two choices in a 62cm gravel bike: Roker Comp $1652.99 Wilard 1 $693.49
I like the Tamland 1 and 2 but they are not available in my size. They have a 60cm but the rep thought it would be too small for me. I am 6'4" and 205 lbs with a 36" inseam.
Nothing really wrong with the Willard. Its got rack and fender mounts for commuting. It's only 9 speed in the rear but by the time the shifters get rattly and the drivetrain wears out you can upgrade to 10 or 11 if you want. Or leave it at 9 and enjoy a wide range of cheap compatible parts. You get all Shimano and TRP brakes, no "mystery meat" substitutions. It's also got through-axle front and rear so you're future-proofed there. Seems hard to beat for a commuter.
langdalek wrote:Thanks for the extra save5 code! With that code and the corporate discount I am left with two choices in a 62cm gravel bike: Roker Comp $1652.99 Wilard 1 $693.49
I like the Tamland 1 and 2 but they are not available in my size. They have a 60cm but the rep thought it would be too small for me. I am 6'4" and 205 lbs with a 36" inseam.
Any thoughts on either bike?
If you have the money the Roker Comp is a sweet bike. I had the Tamland 1 and was concerned that it wasn't a light enough bike for racing. Given I wasn't in very good shape this last year because of some medical problems. I bought the Roker Comp for that $1652.99 price and the bike is sweet. It's too cold here in Pa. for me to go ride the bike but I am super impressed with it. At my end in 56 cm size it came in at 20 lbs. 12 oz. with the wheel reflectors on it and a Garmin mount. Full loaded with my pedals 2 carbon bottle cages and a lezyne mini pump the bike weighs 22 lbs. 1 oz. The bike really has good reviews from everybody that I have read about. I didn't know if you knew this but Raleigh is not making the bike for 2018 and the reason there are still some left is they had a late production run on them. I don't think you will be not happy with the Roker. You won't need to upgrade the Roker. My Tamland 1 weighed 25.13 lbs stock. Good luck
After reading the most recent article "good vibrations" I am a little concerned about the "stiffness" of the Roker Comp verses the Wilard 1. The Wilard has an aluminum frame/carbon fork with antishock stem and seatpost with vibration dampening elastomers. The Roker Comp seems to not include any of the vibration dampening stem or seatpost. I know that the carbon frame will be "stiffer" just because of the nature of the material, but will it also dampen bumps and shocks as well as the aluminum frame with the vibration dampening stem and seatpost?
I would bet that the "shock absorbing" stem and seatpost are more marketing than actually functional, intended to assuage people who are worried that the aluminum frame is too stiff because that's the reputation the material has.
The carbon frame might be stiffer, but it might not. It's hard to say without riding them back to back and then cutting up the bikes to check to see how they're built. Carbon fiber material has a reputation for muting certain types of vibrations but given the price point difference I wouldn't make assumptions about either frame.
[QUOTE=langdalek]After reading the most recent article "good vibrations" I am a little concerned about the "stiffness" of the Roker Comp verses the Wilard 1. The Wilard has an aluminum frame/carbon fork with antishock stem and seatpost with vibration dampening elastomers. The Roker Comp seems to not include any of the vibration dampening stem or seatpost. I know that the carbon frame will be "stiffer" just because of the nature of the material, but will it also dampen bumps and shocks as well as the aluminum frame with the vibration dampening stem and seatpost?
langdalek Read squak ride report on his Roker that will give you a little bit better feel on the Roker. I can't give you any input on it as I haven't ridden mine yet but hope to ride it this weekend as it is going to warm up here some.
Yes, I read the excellent write up from squak regarding his experience with the Roker. Iwas just fishing for others who may have had some experience with both of these bikes or specifically the Wilard. All great feedback so far... Kerry
langdalek wrote:Yes, I read the excellent write up from squak regarding his experience with the Roker. Iwas just fishing for others who may have had some experience with both of these bikes or specifically the Wilard. All great feedback so far... Kerry
I had no complaints about my willard before it was stolen. With low pressure 40mm+(fits 45mm without fenders) tires, there is lot ofcush before the frame even comes into the equation.
langdalek wrote:Yes, I read the excellent write up from squak regarding his experience with the Roker. Iwas just fishing for others who may have had some experience with both of these bikes or specifically the Wilard. All great feedback so far... Kerry
I guess it depends on what you want to do with the bike. If commuting only is the only thing you want to do with the bike you probably would be fine with the Willard. Even if that is the case then the Tamland 1 might be a better option because of the 105 components compared to the Sora on the Willard. I must say that my Tamland was a very sweet ride but because I want to race or ride long distances it was just too heavy for me especially since I was out of shape. From your first post and what you want to do maybe the Willard or Tamland is your best bet. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Looking at the specs I see the Willard is listed at 2 lbs lighter(23.53) than my Tamland 1(25.13)
I have a 2016 Willard 2 that I have set up as a commuter. To me it is perfect for commuting. Very stable, comfortable and can put big enough tires on it to get over curbs and big pot holes. Even though mine has 105 on it, I have another bike with Sora and I would not hesitate to use it for commuting. Sora has been the most trouble free group I have ever used.
Like Sully said, you can fit 45mm tires on the Willard, and if you run 40mm+ at 40 pounds the ride will be nice. I have a Willard 2 I use on gravel, with some really nice wheels and 42mm WTB Resolutes, and the thing is like butter on all but the roughest washboard and chunky gravel.
If you've got some steep fire road to climb the 34t cog with the 11-32 cassette doesn't give you a very low gear to climb with (in my experiance). I've been happier with my Tamland with an 46/30t crank (upgraded) and an 11-36t cassette (also upgraded), obviously you might be much stronger than me but with this setup I'm happier carrying my work stuff up my 12-15% grade on the way home. It should be easier to upgrade the 9sp on the Williard with some mountain bike components so this might be a great option vs. the 11spd on my Tamland where upgrades are expensive.
AlanEsh wrote:Like Sully said, you can fit 45mm tires on the Willard, and if you run 40mm+ at 40 pounds the ride will be nice. I have a Willard 2 I use on gravel, with some really nice wheels and 42mm WTB Resolutes, and the thing is like butter on all but the roughest washboard and chunky gravel.
Yeah, I barely bothered avoiding small potholes, ruts, etc with the 40mm MSO tires running at ~40psi iirc. Most times I'd just mentally shrug and unweight the saddle a bit, and it was fine.
I'm riding the same route on 28mm gravel kings(measure 26mm) at 60 psi on a steel bike now, and it's a lot rougher. I'm 200+ lbs, too. Not exactly a featherweight.
Thanks again for all the great input guys. Sounds like the Wilard is a great option for me and very adaptable if I want to make changes to the bike. At that price, I think it will be a great bike for my introduction into gravel riding and commuting. I look forward to writing up a full review once I pull the trigger and order one. Kerry
langdalek wrote:Thanks again for all the great input guys. Sounds like the Wilard is a great option for me and very adaptable if I want to make changes to the bike. At that price, I think it will be a great bike for my introduction into gravel riding and commuting. I look forward to writing up a full review once I pull the trigger and order one. Kerry
I am not techy so this doesn't apply to me. You know it didn't happen if we don't see a pic of it out in the wild. Enjoy the ride.
I had no complaints about my willard before it was stolen. With low pressure 40mm+(fits 45mm without fenders) tires, there is lot ofcush before the frame even comes into the equation.
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\nJust order a Willard 3..do you think could you squeeze a 29x 1.95 in the front or a 29x2.
