A Flat Bar Gravel Bike That Makes You Faster
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2023
- This could be the Funnest Gravel Bike I’ve ever ridden.
What do you preferL Drop Bars or Flat Bars?: bit.ly/Santa_Cruz_Skitch
🔗Links to Everything Below👇
---⛓️Links From the Episode ⛓️---
🔋Bike I was riding: Santa Crux Skitch: bit.ly/Santa_Cruz_Skitch
🎧 Ron was riding this Bike: bit.ly/S_Works_Creo
😈Micro Climate Jacket(Is really good!): bit.ly/3LuJiq6
🫒Micro Grid Jersey(also Rules & Made in 🇺🇸) bit.ly/44ZQvp5
🪖 Camo Helmet: amzn.to/3KMB3Fr
🩳 Over Shorts: bit.ly/3Ql4QbR
🩲Today’s Bibs: Distance Bibs: bit.ly/41swI0h
🧦Ornot Wool socks: bit.ly/472laEu
🥑Green Gravel Shoes: bit.ly/3RtMAhe
👓 DK’s Glasses:bit.ly/3EK1iZZ
🌞This Sunblock(Ocean Friendly): shrsl.com/48h27
🧌Gravel Goblin: dustinklein.com/shop/gravel-g...
👨🏻Ron: bit.ly/omtm_IG
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🎞️ Animation by: bit.ly/Drew_Insta
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-------🚵DK’s (Usual) Riding Gear-----
(Shopping these supports the channel)
🚲Gravel Bike: Wilier Triestina Jena x lЖLEIN bit.ly/Wilier_Jena
🛞Zipp XPLR Wheels: bit.ly/3mv97wY
🚜 Pirelli Gravel Tires: bit.ly/3zURNEM
:Soft Goods:
🎽Wind vest: bit.ly/3GDXvOV
👖GORE Trail pants: bit.ly/3BhDWt6
🩲 Bibs: Distance Bibs: bit.ly/41swI0h
👓 DK’s Glasses: bit.ly/3hWGEdq
👟Adidas Gravel Shoes: amzn.to/3lQprYK
📱Garmin Computer: bit.ly/3Kold0A☔️Packable Rain Jacket: bit.ly/3H7qAS3
📜 All Other Riding Gear: amzn.to/3SpEV1R
--------Host info--------
Dustin Klein: Working Artist, Lifestyle Cyclist, Maker.
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Gravel Goblin Exclusively at The EBD Gear Shop: bit.ly/EBD__Gear_Shop
*Oregon Timber Trail has entered chat*
Bike mechanic here: just a heads up to people, the Fazua motors SUCKED last year. Constant warranty problems, random shut offs etc. Hopefully they’re way better now (the motor size and performance is cool) but just wanted to give people a heads up of some real world experience.
Thank you!!
Thanks! I agree with you, out of experience.
Just picked up my Bike from the shop today, had a broken Fazua Unit fixed.
The plugs connecting the drive unit to the control unit are very delicate, super small copper pins. They are installed directly at the bottom bracket area with no protection from the elements. So over time the connectors get brittle and finally break. There is the option of a bottom bracket cover, but that you have to buy as an extra.
The result is shut offs as you explained.
Fazua is very bad with warranty and communications. You HAVE to bring your bike to an authorized dealer. No way to get the parts by yourself and fix it. So talk about Right to Repair.
I had the bike in the bike shop for the last 4 months, 2 repair bills, one abou 230 EUR, the other from today 490 EUR.
Sucks big time.
You should be able to get parts to do repair jobs by yourself.
Also, connectors should be WAY more sturdy when exposed right at the bottom bracket where all the mud, dirt and salt gets in.
Hope they have improved their product. (I have the Ride50 from 2021)
I've been riding my whole life and recently diagnosed with DCM. Now my cardiologist allows me to still exercise but I have to keep my heart rate within a moderate level. Anytime it gets above 130ish I have to back it down. A bike like this allows me to continue riding and hang with my friends. Without it riding most places with elevation would be out of the question.
Go for it, we only live once
Dilated Cardio Myopathy
"It puts me into the stuff without having to chuff to the stuff" nuff said
Exactly 💯 💯!
That's it, the industry has managed to come around completely to reinvent the mountain bike.
Right? I mean, how much longer must we pretend gravel bikes are not evolving pretty much in the same ways that MTBs did?
E-bikes = Further,faster, longer and more frequent rides. Love them! Sold my car and bike commute 100% now.
Carl knows what time it is!
lies
I lived 37 years of my life without a car… let’s say I’ve asked people with cars for a lot of favors across the years. Unfortunately for the average American choosing to go carless is not a viable/realistic option, unless of course you know a lot of people with cars that are nice and will do favors for you. Bikes rule, and this includes e-bikes, I just get a little tired of hearing people claim they are carless and it’s wonderfu. It’s like saying you’ve divested from capitalism, it just isn’t a real thing and you’re leaving out the sad reality part of living and commuting in a country that prioritizes motor vehicles.
Sold my house, now live in an e-bike.
LOL
Ive demo'd a few over the years and i have to say your final assessment is spot on. True there not for everyone but i agree with Ron it gets you out to the fun stuff with fresher legs, and you feel fresher after the end of the ride so your recovery is even faster. So youll probably ride even more. In the end they're a hell of alot of fun!
Us old heads will remember that in the mid 90’s, the hottest trend in mountain biking was semi slick tires with cornering lugs only.
It was actually perfect for most of the trails people were riding at the time. The sport has changed immensely though and these days I’m less concerned about being fast on non-technical terrain than I am getting maximum stoke out of the gnarly sections when I’m riding actual singketrack.
I think I'd commute more if I had one. It would get me over those days where I'm just not feeling it on the way home. Definite consideration.
This is what i bought one for. i can boost to work and not sweat and grind home top get the workout. One thing i think Dustin missed talking to people about e-bikes is make sure you got more mountain bike gearing if you plan to climb a lot with electric assist. If you are geared too low it will burn the battery faster. Great video though and i do think if we could get a law passed to say every new road requires a dedicated bike lane these would blow up in the US.
I bought a Vado SL for this exact reason. It's my primary form of transportation at this point.
I think e-bikes are awesome in the aspect of someone slower (maybe older riders that want to keep up with young guns) being able to ride further more easily for people without the endurance/conditioning (me FOR NOW), and faster, more effortless commutes. Awesome video!
I think the two categories that make the most sense to electrify for bike-loving folks (like, excluding the weird and wonderful varieties of e-commuting/e-city bikes) are:
Super-Enduro/Mini-DH: they're the most capable form of mountain bike, only held back by being the slowest to pedal.
Gravel: they're the most capable form of road bike, only held back by being the slowest to pedal.
For quite a while I was considering getting an eGravel bike, probably a Creo, but then ended up going analog with a Stigmata. I just picked up a Kenevo this summer and it is everything to analog MTBs that an eGravel is to analog road bikes.
Hey Dustin, great videos - so entertaining & very wacky (& really informative!) - keep them coming.
Love the look at ride food - dig those tubas / sweet potatoes - I’m tempted to try those myself! ! Especially for winter riding.
Btw - ‘Big’ Ron is mad as a box of frogs - love him! & all your ride crews - seem like great guys. Your ride routes & terrain look genuinely epic!
I would love to join one of your rides one day - I’d travel out to Oregon just for that!! & to experience the State & Portland & all the cycling culture…
Keep up the good work - Alan (Norfolk England, UK)
think you called it a switch at the end there, is it skitch?
Best channel on biking by far, keep going (boosted or otherwise)
🤜❤️🤛
Loving how you quote Charlie's Colorforms City in your videos.. If you have young children, you'll know!
Love your videos 👊
With e-bikes like these I tend to use the boost like a front derailure. Adjust as needed. Always fun to cut the power a lot so you can re-enjoy that boost more often.
Gravel + Flatbar FTW. Awesome!
yeh....its called a mountain bike buddy.
love the skateboard and mirror shot!
Looks fun for sure. We bought e mtbs last year along with our regular bikes.
Kinda a different sport. Both very fun
Great vid as always
I would take it to The Mid South Bike Race next March in Stillwater Oklahoma.. March 17th would be my daughter's 26th bday. But she took her own life Oct 2021.
I plan to register for the 50 mile when registration opens up. To celebrate her missed birthday by living life as best I can for her. But alas, I'm gunna be riding my MTB/gravel wanna be, Trek Marlin 8 for that race. Because it's the only bike I've got. Unless I find the funds to upgrade my bike before then. Which is my current goal. But I don't know what I'm going to end up getting yet. Thanks for showing us the Santa Cruz Skitch. I'd really like something that can do both roads and trails. And the Skitch just got added to my try it out list.
Your editing is amazing!
Thanks Player!
I've put nearly 3,300 miles on my Vvolt ebike since getting it end of 2022. Fantastic commuter, belt drive and 28mph. Ebike makes headwind (which I seem to catch both ways most days) an afterthought, and hills are less of a slog.
Does the Skitch have a removable battery? The weight definitely is nice. My Sirius is around 69lbs fully loaded with commute bags/locks, 56lbs stock. The motor being quiet is cool too. I think mine is quieter than your Specialized, but not silent... except for when the motor's off thanks to the belt drive. Lack of rack mounting points might make the Skitch a summer commuter; especially fender mounts, rainy week coming up for us!
Great video!!! Awesome bike!
What a fun ass looking bike. Commuting would be a riot on this thing. Makes it so I don’t have to drive my car but also I can jump stuff and ride like a bit of a doofus the whole way there!
"It is rather addictive, to be honest" -- So very true 😁
FREDO KNOWS!!!
I was an early adopter of 29ers before we had options for forks or tires and most people just rode rigid forks and smaller tires. Other than these gravel bikes coming equipped with carbon frames , forks and super skinny tires, they are slowly becoming what original 29ers were.
Santa Cruz is crushing it rn
I've passed the electric cool aid acid test - my quiver is a Specialized Creo SL Comp Carbon and Orbea Rise H15. Never going back to analog - mostly because I can't go back to 30-years old and 180 lbs...
Such an awesome and fun review! I’m sold!
Cheers!
Wizard Ron is the best Ron.
yes! i generally ride with people who would SMOKE me. I'm talkin' 100 mile rides, 24 hour races, etc and this would definitely make the rides more enjoyable for all of us, when I do ride with them. ( i don't do those big rides by the way )
Poseidon Redwood XL frame size with a Bafang Bbshd mid drive motor! It's a freaking solid build! Bike weight went from 30ish pounds to 80lbs, but I can run wide tires at low pressure, 30psi(puncture resistant tubes & tire liners) and go 26mph with my 48v 17.5ah battery.
How's the power difference between that and Brand Turbo? That's got some seriously long geometry - I'm looking at the drop bar version, how comfortable is it?
I have a moderate commute, and would love this thing to make it easier to get to the train without being too heavy to load it onto the train. I would however love if it had some mounting for bags so I could get some groceries on the way back from work.
Surprised they went with fender mounts but no rack mounts, especially when the marketing is pushing this as a car replacement.
Partner and I test rode the Skitch in Portland yesterday and rode up Tabor. First time on ebikes and we are enlightened! The motor matches the rider's efforts so smoothly. It would be so much fun on OMTM extralight length rides. RCB also had the new CREO 2 which we now need your review on. It's a shootout...CREO 2 or the Skitch. Help us decide DK!
Spec is a great brand too but alas no flat bar options, smaller battery range, no motor nm listed (🤔, that's a major missing spec) and their base model is more expensive.
@@geoleo2597 The nm is listed in every review and on Spesh Creo 2 website. And there's more to range than the size of the battery such as how efficient is the motor. No other bike company has refined the high end ebike experience more than Spesh. They are on gen2 while everyone else is playing catch-up. I purchased a Creo 2 and have put 800 miles on it and can confirm that the future is now.
That route looks amazing.
It is! theres a link in the description if you find yourself out that way.
I have an old QR Trek Crockett I converted to flat bar… it is fun as well.
I'm fortunate to have found a 3T eGravel bike (exploro boost) with flat bars. It is amazing and weighs less than this bike. The battery is silent has an extender that is puts it over 100 miles if used judiciously. I LOVE that bike...all the things you commented about making it more fun is exactly why I have this bike. It would be interesting to see how the Santa Cruz compares to the 3T.
whaaaaa-whaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Where can I find this 3T egravel?
Ohh Italian. Now you’ve got me curious
What are you building up your crust evasion with to hit 30+ pounds? Aren’t those frames exceptionally light for steel?
compliments on the kit to bike matchy-matchy
What Ron said: "It's not if, it's when."
I've taken by wife's Orbea VIBE (city bike) to the trails sometimes and it's just hard to pedal when you're laughing so hard. I have my eye on you, Santa Cruz Skitch!
Cool you have been taking the VIBE out it will be a night and day comparison to these performance e gravel bikes....they are simply to much fun(as you know)
I’m curious about the fenders on your Turbo Creo. I bought the Specialized Dry Tech fenders (35mm) for my Creo that I think is identical to yours (2021 S-Works EVO model), and I am having a real bear of a time installing them. I’m using Maxxis Rambler 38 tires. Fenders just don’t seem to want to fit. Can you share any tips, tricks, or magic spells?
The new creo 2 is pretty bad ass. Hopefully they do a flat bar evo version. Having the future shock makes it so butter
Battery management is the key to getting maximum range out your e bike. I'm shifting constantly between power settings. And after the ride you"re just as worn out as on a non assist bike, your average speed is just a lot higher.
Yup. This is the fact that most die-hard analog cyclists simply do not understand. I bought a Vado SL last year and got in great shape.....travelled further....and travelled faster. Oh....and had a blast while doing it.
I haven't really mountain biked in years, but when I did I rode a 36lb hardtail. I'm on a Jamis Nova now with years of upgrades. I want something like this so bad but just can't justify the price yet. I'm sure as the tech progresses it'll get to my range some day. I'm 6'6" 220 so hill climbs are grueling. Sure I can manage but even in peak fitness its harder when you're bigger. Especially finding a frame size that goes up switchbacks easy but also goes downhill smooth and fast.
Funny side note: "Fazua" is derived from Bavarian "Fahr zua!" which would roughly translate into "Go!" 😉
Neat! Thanks for sharing
It’s the first e-bike I’ve seriously thought about.
Do a shootout against the new Creo 2!!! (Please 🥰)
I'm currently looking thru the Dave Matthews Band catalog for a song that makes me wanna do the 'funky chicken'. I'll report back when I find one.
🤣😂😭
I think u have the fazua motor. It has an app that gives u ability to adjust power level min and max at various cadence
What's the alloy class I version of this bike? I want an ebike that's truly fun, but for less than 2K because I need to buy a house. The babymaker II? Help me have eFun!
Ron!
These are a lot like the BMC Alpenchallenge Amp Cross series...which they don't offer any more. Guess they didn't take off...I got one for my wife and I've been looking for a used one for myself. It has externally mounted battery but otherwise pretty much same idea as the Skitch...including mid drive motor. They're relatively lighter too, although 5 lbs. heavier than the Skitch.
So this made my decision so much easier. I am sticking to my Orbea Oiz. Swop tires with gravel version on my DT-Swiss1501 25mm internal width and buy some DT-Swiss1200 30mm internal width and use them with my mtb tires. 1600 euros for a massive MTB upgrade and a very high end full suspensuon gravel bike.
uh yeah riding trails with a little boost ist pretty neat. just bought a orbea urrun and its also quiet fun. I like my gravelbike more, tho.
Major fun.
"Loaded sack". 😆🤣😆🤣😆
Very nice. Funny how gravel is a thing but years ago when I put wide cross tires on a Trek FX I thought i was on to something. Before I buy electric I’ll put carbon wheels on my XC bike because Im trying to stay fit. The two folks in this video seem like they dont have to worry about gaining weight. Great bike to explore and looks like too much fun.
Very smart move leaning towards the wheel upgrade. That will transform your bike
"high school cafeteria pizza" 😆
I need that Helmet!
Dude, that reminds me. How did your dad like the ebike? Feels like a good fit for NYC.
what is the difference between a retro hardtail with this gravel?
Hilarious music choice.
A flat bar gravel bike, so a 1990’s mountain bike with a motor. Got it.
4:56 perfect timing of the yell
Great review! Makes me want
Thats how the bike was set up. I it rides well. Might be how the angle make it looks?
Drifted an Ebike this week for a few miles and those sucker haul ass. 🚴🏻♂️💨
Im so stoked you had a chance to try on of these crazy machines!
I knew I liked you, but then you throw in a Simpson reference. This might be love.
From the Jurassic Park episode- where nothing could poosiblie go wrong
Honourable mention please to Igpsport GPS units. I have the cheapest 100 series and it has been amazing. No maps option but at 20 quid delivered I wouldn't expect, or need that. More expressive models do have maps. Battery life is crazy long too. Exceptional value.... Mine is now a year and 5000 miles old, all weather rides, so reliable.
I ride the R&M FAZUA powered bike which looks like the Santa cruz one. It’s a dream to ride.
Who makes your yellow hat??? I want that and a skitch please. Also a skitch sounds like something fun in Dr Seuss' world
me likey likey this bikey bikey
Would you put a suspension fork on ?
How can it be so light? Impressive! 😯
A loaded sack - 😂😂😂😂
What are they going to do next? Fatter tires, droppers and 120-160mm of suspension? Rear suspension too? Now that’s a gravel bike I can get behind.
what bottle cages are those? thanks
It’s a toss up for me between the new Creo (SL 1.2 motor) and this Skitch, though I haven’t ridden either yet. Very interested in you saying you’d take the Skitch over the Creo you own. Is that the Gen 1 Creo? The Gen 2 one sounds quite different. Great vid!
Ive heard the new Creo is Quite!
YOu will def be stoked on either rig(cant go wrong). Maybe more of a choice of Group, IF you want flat bars that would help, and which Brand you feel like is match for you?
One thing about specialized is you have to go to a specialized dealer for updates etc.
Hope that helps. Would love to know which one you end up with.
Hey thanks for the reply! And yeah, you're right - the bells and whistles differ significantly between the two (group, "suspension", etc). I think I am going to have to write down the pros and cons of each and then go have a look/ride. I can ride a Skitch now but the Spesh dealer I was talking to says they won't be able to get me one until March. Maybe that is the determinant right there - if I have to wait until March to spend all that money, maybe I'll forget all about it and stick with my Giant Fastroad commuter! I'll keep you posted. Cheers - mike @@EverythingsBeenDone
I want one. First e-bike that got me curious
That’s the first thing that’s ever gone wrong :)
if I was really careful I could probably get 100 miles out of my giant e-revolt, but it is HEAVY and I generally don't ride that far myself anyway, so I'd make the smaller / lighter battery trade any day. maybe someday this'll be my trade-in next ride
Doing fifteen miles off of surveyor Ridge was a slugfest Come back dead. I can actually enjoy the ride now.
I absolutely love my Trek E bike. It has the range extender and I keep it on full boost all the time.
Bit of an Endor rebel vibe going on with that helmet. Also, which Oakley frames are you wearing in this video please Dustin?
👓 DK’s Glasses:bit.ly/3EK1iZZ
this is the video description
@@EverythingsBeenDone Ah yeah thanks, it's all in the description, although the Competitive Cyclist site is not available in the UK
A flat bar gravel bike is basically a hybrid.
Hmmm now I’m having second thoughts on the Marin DSX FS that I’ve been saving up for😅
I like how clean the motor looks, but it weighs 4 pounds more than a s-works creo, right? I prefer the weight savings and ideally wish my creo was sub 20 pounds.
the Creo is the same weight of 30 lbs
the new MOOTS e gravel bike weighs 4 lbs more BUT has a range of 100mi.
@@EverythingsBeenDone Hmm. My creo weighs a little over 26 pounds? Does yours have different rims?
Yep.... I want one
DK, you gotta try out that Niner RLT E9! I just picked one up and I love it. Not quite as silent but the insanity of an 85nm bosch unit makes the whole 'highway transport' parts disappear so quickly. Plus it's got every mount for bikepacking you could ever want
What Oakley frames are those?
Only one of my analog bikes weights 30 pounds or less. That’s amazingly light.
I have a friend, really, it's not me. He would totally benefit from this rig.
ill be honest, for my first bike i am not looking at any ebikes and electronic shifting shit. I just want a good ordinary Gravel with normal GRX shifting and maybe than after that i would consider buying some sort of a Ebike on Carbon Belt and planetary hub for commuting and casual city rides
what's a cheaper version of this - a e-gravel bike with flat bars?
I’ll save buying an e-bike until I’m too old or too infirm to ride a non assisted bike. Cool for those that enjoy riding them though.
Its a nice bike
I don't know where all this is going, but being an avid cyclist for 23 years,I can't continue watching.
Shout out Surly and Crust 🤣
Bahahaha "loaded sack"
How was compliance/comfort?
Its surprisingly good. THe bike is slightly on the heavy side which takes a bit to get used to. I would set up with tire inserts if it was mine to own.