I just bought a Crux Comp for half the prize new, from an end of season blowout sale. And this would be my advice: buy at the end of the season (right now, in October), get massive discounts on gear. Also applies to motorcycles, windsurfing, sailing etc.
As a former road racer I went for the Cervelo R5cx. I was initially leaning towards the FACTOR, but it's very expensive and the Cervelo is very similar and can be had for thousands less (I've seen some sales where it's literally less than the sum of its parts). Still not cheap - it's not a beginner's bike - but it's an under-the-radar gravel race bike that doesn't get a lot of coverage because it's marketed as a cyclocross bike.
First time gravel rider from MTB (Stumpjumper EVO), went with Trek Checkpoint SL-5. Good value and great tire clearance. Want to upgrade wheels/tires. Thinking Reserve 40/40 or Zipp?
I literally just went through this thought process to identify a gravel/winter commuting bike. Think I've ended up on Cervelo Aspero RX610: - 45mm clearance, enough for anything in the UK - 2x gearset so I can share wheels with my road bike - mechanical GRX so I don't have another bike to charge, plus easy upgrade path in future! - racy geo - looks awesome! Also considered Crux and Revolt
Spot ON- My recent gravel build pretty much ticked all the boxes you captured here and concur....I would agree on good tire choice, and gearing (1x / w 11-46T cassette) . ,,,,Aethos coming back ?
Get the entry/used level frame built to or close to the drivetrain, bar/stem, wheels, seatpost/saddle you want then when have the money. Get the higher frame and transfer build all over. Old frame can use backup parts or serve as just commuter, errand, bad weather, short ride, trainer use, or even single speed bike then saving the new frame with old build on it most rides, long days, events/races.
Brilliant advice. Needed to hear this 2-3 years ago hahaha. Although I have 2 gravel bikes now . Aspero ‘21, which I got first (not the 5) which has become my all road bike and a Ritchey Outback for the gnarly stuff (not crazy gnarly but joined “chill” ride and it was 1/3 super single track, the Outback took all in stride)
My first set of gravel wheels were the aluminum Hunt 4 season disc with WTB raddler 44s, and then bought a set of enve foundation 45 wheels as a second set for 30c road tires. Ended up using the enve's as my main gravel wheels for a year and thought it was nice, but then I ended up putting back on the cheaper Hunt wheels and found a much smoother ride over the fast dirt roads in my area. I'd suggest to try a shallower aluminum wheelset to start, but now with cheaper carbon options popping up everywhere it's almost a better value to go carbon. Send it!
Makes me laugh all the riders fitting carbon rims and thinking it makes the ride smoother, a stiffer wheel is smoother? You're one of the smarter ones.
I enjoy your content very much! I live near Emporia, KS and have done Unbound a number of times. I have two gravel bikes. A titanium Eriksen (aka Moots) and a Crux. I currently have GRX Di2 2x on both bikes, but I have also really liked SRAM XPLR too. Kind of a toss up for me. I have also always enjoyed your LOTOJA content. We spend time in Midway, Utah and I have done the LOTOJA event several times. Let me know if you get the itch to do Unbound. I would be happy to help you with advice and logistics.
What are your thoughts on the Canyon Grizl AL? It's around the 1600 price mark which is closer to what I'm looking to spend on my first gravel bike and seems to have great components.
THANK YOU for saying to get a bike fit! I see it far too often people are looking for recommendations on which bike they should get. The answer is truly to get a bike fit and get one that you can easily match your dimensions to. I get it, its expensive but if its done right you will have to make next to no changes as you go. Also, you are reasonable and didnt suggest spending ungodly amounts of money on a bike! Great video and thanks for staying down to earth for us normal people.
How would you build your 1st gravel bike? 👇🏻
Life without a Crux just ain’t the same ;)
the one and only
just replaced my topstone with a crux and holy moly!
Chris gives some very practical and sage advice…take it. He is one of the best at evaluating and applying the technology to the person.
I just bought a Crux Comp for half the prize new, from an end of season blowout sale. And this would be my advice: buy at the end of the season (right now, in October), get massive discounts on gear. Also applies to motorcycles, windsurfing, sailing etc.
That's my Aspero for sale in the Pinkbike ad. Someone buy it!
Low-ball offers accepted?
Titanium frame and wide tires for sure
As a former road racer I went for the Cervelo R5cx. I was initially leaning towards the FACTOR, but it's very expensive and the Cervelo is very similar and can be had for thousands less (I've seen some sales where it's literally less than the sum of its parts). Still not cheap - it's not a beginner's bike - but it's an under-the-radar gravel race bike that doesn't get a lot of coverage because it's marketed as a cyclocross bike.
Would be dope to make your new Crux internal cable routed. (Clean Crux) Its been done before on utube if that intrigues U.
Form and content of your videos are in the class of their own.
Pleasure to watch.
🎉🎉🎉
Would really enjoy your review of the Poseidon Redwood!!
First time gravel rider from MTB (Stumpjumper EVO), went with Trek Checkpoint SL-5. Good value and great tire clearance. Want to upgrade wheels/tires. Thinking Reserve 40/40 or Zipp?
Panaracer has a new formulation tread and rubber good in cold and hot.....Gravel-King........Cheap and Super Fast!!
I literally just went through this thought process to identify a gravel/winter commuting bike. Think I've ended up on Cervelo Aspero RX610:
- 45mm clearance, enough for anything in the UK
- 2x gearset so I can share wheels with my road bike
- mechanical GRX so I don't have another bike to charge, plus easy upgrade path in future!
- racy geo
- looks awesome!
Also considered Crux and Revolt
I spent 2800 on my 1st Diverge. Love that bike.
Spot ON- My recent gravel build pretty much ticked all the boxes you captured here and concur....I would agree on good tire choice, and gearing (1x / w 11-46T cassette) . ,,,,Aethos coming back ?
Get the entry/used level frame built to or close to the drivetrain, bar/stem, wheels, seatpost/saddle you want then when have the money. Get the higher frame and transfer build all over. Old frame can use backup parts or serve as just commuter, errand, bad weather, short ride, trainer use, or even single speed bike then saving the new frame with old build on it most rides, long days, events/races.
Brilliant advice. Needed to hear this 2-3 years ago hahaha. Although I have 2 gravel bikes now . Aspero ‘21, which I got first (not the 5) which has become my all road bike and a Ritchey Outback for the gnarly stuff (not crazy gnarly but joined “chill” ride and it was 1/3 super single track, the Outback took all in stride)
Well said and great points made.
My first set of gravel wheels were the aluminum Hunt 4 season disc with WTB raddler 44s, and then bought a set of enve foundation 45 wheels as a second set for 30c road tires. Ended up using the enve's as my main gravel wheels for a year and thought it was nice, but then I ended up putting back on the cheaper Hunt wheels and found a much smoother ride over the fast dirt roads in my area. I'd suggest to try a shallower aluminum wheelset to start, but now with cheaper carbon options popping up everywhere it's almost a better value to go carbon. Send it!
Makes me laugh all the riders fitting carbon rims and thinking it makes the ride smoother, a stiffer wheel is smoother? You're one of the smarter ones.
I told you so.
Just kdding, excellent video as always, thanks!
I enjoy your content very much! I live near Emporia, KS and have done Unbound a number of times. I have two gravel bikes. A titanium Eriksen (aka Moots) and a Crux. I currently have GRX Di2 2x on both bikes, but I have also really liked SRAM XPLR too. Kind of a toss up for me. I have also always enjoyed your LOTOJA content. We spend time in Midway, Utah and I have done the LOTOJA event several times. Let me know if you get the itch to do Unbound. I would be happy to help you with advice and logistics.
What are your thoughts on the Canyon Grizl AL? It's around the 1600 price mark which is closer to what I'm looking to spend on my first gravel bike and seems to have great components.
Specialized Aethos ?
THANK YOU for saying to get a bike fit! I see it far too often people are looking for recommendations on which bike they should get. The answer is truly to get a bike fit and get one that you can easily match your dimensions to. I get it, its expensive but if its done right you will have to make next to no changes as you go. Also, you are reasonable and didnt suggest spending ungodly amounts of money on a bike! Great video and thanks for staying down to earth for us normal people.
Do you work at specialized? Great videos.
You just figured this stuff out now?
What's with that piggy bank? American bills but Canadian coins.
Are you forklift certified?
4:26 Terra trail, one of the worst gravel tires on the market. If
"I'm in L.A" ..... no, seriously?