Ratrace Coast to Coast
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
I have decided to do the coast to coast next year. Figured it was a good challenge and something a little different.
However, it has off road cycling combined with on road. I have never done any offroad cycling, so this is a bit new to me. I ride a Cervelo R3 and I am guessing it wouldnt do well off road.
Ratrace recommends a Cyclocross or Gravel bike. I had never heard of a gravel bike before so have been reading up.
So, it would seem these bikes are road bikes, but with chunky tyres and disc brakes and maybe are in some way stronger?
This got me thinking, that a bike like this would be a good replacement for my boardman hybrid, which I use for general bombing about in all weathers.
Does anyone have any recommendations on good ones to look out for? I have had a browse through the Evans / Wiggle clearance models for deals. I am going to need something fairly quick as I am a slow runner and the bike would hopefully be a good way of making up some time. Happy to pay around £2k for a good one.
Many thanks
Andy
I have decided to do the coast to coast next year. Figured it was a good challenge and something a little different.
However, it has off road cycling combined with on road. I have never done any offroad cycling, so this is a bit new to me. I ride a Cervelo R3 and I am guessing it wouldnt do well off road.
Ratrace recommends a Cyclocross or Gravel bike. I had never heard of a gravel bike before so have been reading up.
So, it would seem these bikes are road bikes, but with chunky tyres and disc brakes and maybe are in some way stronger?
This got me thinking, that a bike like this would be a good replacement for my boardman hybrid, which I use for general bombing about in all weathers.
Does anyone have any recommendations on good ones to look out for? I have had a browse through the Evans / Wiggle clearance models for deals. I am going to need something fairly quick as I am a slow runner and the bike would hopefully be a good way of making up some time. Happy to pay around £2k for a good one.
Many thanks
Andy
A few of us here run Planet X London Roads in exactly this guise. Basically a Cyclocross with slightly fatter tyres, and maybe slightly more relaxed geometry.
My gravel bike!
Specs:
Sram Apex1 drivetrain
Hope V1 / X2 brakes
Sunrace 11 - 42 cassette
Shimano Tiagra cranks set up as 1x with Absolute Black 38T chainring
40 C Vittoria tyres (and still have room for mud guards.
If you want the slightly beefier side, this thread on Singletrack cost me hours (and money).
Or have a look at Gritcx (Singletracks sister site) cover them often.
Six Pot Belly has a Canyon, so might be along to tell you about it, and he's put some serious mileage on it!
My gravel bike!
Specs:
Sram Apex1 drivetrain
Hope V1 / X2 brakes
Sunrace 11 - 42 cassette
Shimano Tiagra cranks set up as 1x with Absolute Black 38T chainring
40 C Vittoria tyres (and still have room for mud guards.
If you want the slightly beefier side, this thread on Singletrack cost me hours (and money).
Or have a look at Gritcx (Singletracks sister site) cover them often.
Six Pot Belly has a Canyon, so might be along to tell you about it, and he's put some serious mileage on it!
Edited by Celtic Dragon on Saturday 27th October 15:55
I don’t think there is one, not a direct one at least. Closest would be the R series designed for cx, but they don’t do a 1x system, nor a large range cassette (34t max on the ultegra version)
I moved to Sram because off road I didn’t like the brakes pivoting inwards after trying my Tiagra road setup on the bike first. Everything was bought over a 4 month period. Brakes were a compromise as I couldn’t justify £300 a lever for hydros!
I moved to Sram because off road I didn’t like the brakes pivoting inwards after trying my Tiagra road setup on the bike first. Everything was bought over a 4 month period. Brakes were a compromise as I couldn’t justify £300 a lever for hydros!
Edited by Celtic Dragon on Saturday 27th October 19:51
I’ve recently bought this s/h for £275 as I wanted a disc based frame for Winter.
It’s a 2016 GT Grade. Full SRAM Apex, but with double chain ring on the front.
Needed a new freewheel (which I was aware of) and new BB (which I didn’t).
Upgraded the brakes from TRP Spyres to Hy/Rds.
Position geometry virtually the same as my Canyon Endurace, but the steering is a lot slower (read more stable).
Comfy, currently running on 28s. May look at 32s with a bit of tread to use in my local woods.
It’s a 2016 GT Grade. Full SRAM Apex, but with double chain ring on the front.
Needed a new freewheel (which I was aware of) and new BB (which I didn’t).
Upgraded the brakes from TRP Spyres to Hy/Rds.
Position geometry virtually the same as my Canyon Endurace, but the steering is a lot slower (read more stable).
Comfy, currently running on 28s. May look at 32s with a bit of tread to use in my local woods.
Are you aiming to win/podium this? For 21 miles off-road (and c60 miles on road) I'd say just stick with the hybrid. Fit some semi slicks (32c) and you'll have something more than capable of covering both the road and off-road sections at a decent pace. Or possibly look to hire a CX bike. Blowing £2k seems bonkers to me, unless you plan to use the CX/Gravel bike for future rides?
Just for a different spin, i did this route a couple of years ago Whitehaven to Tynemouth on a hardtail mountain bike with pressures pumped up to about 40-45 psi & it was ideal. Admittedly its quite light 10kg 20lb carbon framed bike so about the same as a gravel or CX type of bike.
If i had to do it again i would do the same despite being a prominent roadie. There are some quite muddy sections and very hilly areas around the Pennines the extra 2x gearing was very welcome. Low rolling resistance narrowish MTB tyres were fine for the job 2.1-1.25 and the front suspension welcome.
Having said that you could always do it on a road orientated bike but i wouldn't crash 2k just for this specific event as its only around 130-40 miles with some good bikes like the London Road for a lot less money.
If i had to do it again i would do the same despite being a prominent roadie. There are some quite muddy sections and very hilly areas around the Pennines the extra 2x gearing was very welcome. Low rolling resistance narrowish MTB tyres were fine for the job 2.1-1.25 and the front suspension welcome.
Having said that you could always do it on a road orientated bike but i wouldn't crash 2k just for this specific event as its only around 130-40 miles with some good bikes like the London Road for a lot less money.
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