I started mtn biking in 1980. When suspension bikes came out in the early '90s, I jumped on that. I'm not going back to get beat up on rough trails. It's all about what works for you.
@@timking2822 I started a decade later. I agree that trails have gotten rougher (brake bumps etc) and I thought I needed full suspension when I came back but discovered hardtails again and they are way my compliant than the old 26er fat tubed Cannondales/Kleins. My Chameleon plus bike is more compliant than my old Bontrager. If you ride chill trails at a chill speed hardtails are great . And modern front suspension keeps the joints together👍
Great stuff! I freaking love that you’re open minded , experimental, and trying out different ways of riding. I’m a huge fan of rigid bikes and riding out my back door. Keep it up!
He does thing's that other's have done, and tries to take credit for it. He acts like he's the only person that rides a Breeze or steel frames. Joe Breeze was making frames before this dude was born.
The Drop bar rigid adventure/mtb-ish style bikes are just fun. Adds a little more spice and challenge to XC trail riding, and still efficient enough to ride to and from trails- and they’re just super comfortable. I am definitely a fan…..
Matty, welcome back to the future! The Hunt wheels are a little more than that and drop bar mountain biking, we did that in the 1990's. I did it on the trails you are riding with 26" wheels and drops. I am running a Salsa Journeyer in very similar configuration and have been for two years. ATB is back and we have been bamboozled. Hunt wheels are great. I have won gravel races on them, but they don't sponsor many Americans. I would love to ride with you, you are on the right track
Looks awesome man! I recently converted my 2020 Schwinn Taff over to gravel. Running some 29x2.25 Maxxis Rekon’s front and rear, rigid fork and corner bars. I really love this bike. I have some Bucklos wheels on it now running tubeless. But new wheels are on order and should be here in a couple more weeks. Keep shredding brother. Great content!
@@brandonsoubayou can also use some alt bars or inner bar ends. They give you different hand positions plus the control when you need it. Also, flat bar components are much cheaper and more simple.
I'm on an early vassago bandersnatch rigid, basically a modern gravel bike that can fit mtb tires. I bought it used and set it up with Jones bars, a few bags, and fast cross country tires. I like it so much that I have thinned the heard, it's mostly all I ride.
The more I watch some of your videos the more I see the similarities between you and my twin brother. His favorite bike is a Surly Grappler. He has is equipped with wide drop bars, XC wheels and tires, dropped post and many other things you see on a MTB. He loves it and takes it trail riding around Atlanta and up to Western NC.
Another great one Matty and I agree with what you are saying about your gravel bike. I got my first real gravel bike last fall (Giant Revolt X) I couldn't stay off it, I love that bike. I'm riding that bike on long 30/40 KM road rides to fire roads and straight up trail riding. I have several bikes and I'm very lucky to be so fortunate but if I had to just keep one, it would be the gravel bike but I'm not sure I could give up my Orbea Rise so maybe I could have 2? I'm going to go wireless on the Revolt as I have a GX AXS kit but wheels are on the radar now.
perfect timing. been thinking about converting my 29" into a monstercross type build, swapping the fork out for a rigid carbon fork and putting steel drop bars on it
My favorite bike is my 2012 rigid steel MTB that I put drop bars on. I’m running 2.2 sparwood tires, and my favorite addition was a redshift suspension stem. Makes the hoods position insanely comfortable
Thanks for the info I just bought a redwood gravel bike and I was going to pick up a MTB but after watching your video I am just going to upgrade the redwood keep on keeping on my brother
Just wait til you put a dropper post on that thing... then it'll really be your favorite bike! Sick ride, it reminds me of my Stooge Rambler quite a bit.
Since I don't do jumps, big drops and super tech--my $600 budget hardtail with quick release does everything I do--ya, I upgraded to a better fork , better brakes and combo dropper & suspension seatpost but that's it--tbis bike has served me well--I've take it to the Lake Tahoe area, Downieville, Everstoke, Mt Hough--so you can do it too
My ATB is the most versatile bicycle in my shed - and often the most ridden. I found that I can ride most if not all of the same trails as my hard tail and was more efficient / fun to do more casual / urban rides.
I use my monster gravel for everything from commuting, chill rides with non Mountainbiker to light XC riding 🤩 it also has some meaty tires and DT Swiss hubs 💪🏾
Love your videos, there's so much great riding in Colorado...just built up a 29er wheelset for an old Pugsley with i35 rims and 2.8" Terrene tires. I tried to buy a Kona Unit but they've been out of stock, Breezer appears to have a similar model in their lineup.
Try putting bar ends inside your shifters closer to the stem on your handlebars on your Roscoe. Its the best of both worlds. Nice aggressive riding position for uphills and flats, but you can switch to a mtb hinge stance with wide bars and have front suspension on the descent
welcome to the club. i think you'll like that bike even more after you add a dropper post. also, consider a faster tire on the rear wheel next time, like the xking or race king. knobbies are great for the front but speed is nice on the rear, esp for a gravel bike.
I love Contenental tires. Went through several sets back in the day but switched to Maxxis for a few years. I was never able to get completely comfortable on them. Switched to the Kryptotal last summer and it was like coming home after being gone for years😎👍
Love Hunt wheels.They were my first pick for my Decathlon GRVL520 at the time. Had a slight issue where the rim tape was untaped (no biggie, just peel it off and put it back correctly). Wrote an email to them just to tell them, they sent me an extra roll of rim tape, a water bottle and a hat and the CEO (i think) wrote to me after to ask if everything was OK, if I needed anything else and invited me to a gravel event near me (couldn't go :-( ). That's how you make a loyal client. Now have 2 pairs and probably a carbon one soon ^^.
Good call on the wheel upgrade-I’m thinking about some of those for my rigid Surly Krampus. On that trail I’d probably run around 16-18psi in a 2.35” XC tire…(Mezcals on my bike…)
I put a number of years in on a dropbarmtb and I love them, they are fun and challenging in different ways. The only issue I have is that the pounding your wrists take by the end of a few runs is worth mentioning especially if you ride any technical terrain on them. I think with a suspension fork you could take some of that beating out of the equation. I would actually prefer to continue with dropbarmtb but I have relegated it to a once in a while thing because my old body just can't take that beating anymore, so I will just ride hardtails until I get too old for that and move on to full sus.
@@hippymtnbkr More cost effective to go with a suspension fork honestly. When descending I don't sit on my seat so I use a dropper to get it out of the way. The Redshift stems have such limited range of motion that on high speed tech they would be useless and change my body position and weighting too much ending up doing more harm than good.
I installed a Chinese rear hub off of Aliexpress that came with a freehub that, and it turned out to be a great replacement for my handlebar mounted bell. All I've got to do is backpedal for half a second and people's basic instinct is to just scoot out of the way before they turn their heads and look to see where the noise is coming from.
Matty, have you tried out a Poseidon redwood? I picked one up last week. It's my 3rd gravel bike, but the other 2 were ones I built from an MTB (Kent trouvaille) and a hybrid (giant escape). So far I'm loving it. Just ordered some new tires that are more gravel and road friendly than the chunky ones it's currently got on. This bike has been a lot of fun so far. Way nicer than my other 2 gravel rigs
Fun is good, but don't forget your riding position is way out over the bars and the geo on that head angle and no dropper will send you OTB on anything steep or too chunky. Just know your trails and limitations.
This reminds me of the Specialized cyclocross bike i used to ride everywhere. At first i thought that guys got to many clothes on for cycling but then i saw the snow. Im in summer in New Zealand 😀
another thought... now that you've been initiated with dropbars on singletrack (so wrong, it's gotta be right!) and you've also seen the light that is single speed mtn biking, you are now ready for singlespeed gravel. take a look at Salsa and Niner, maybe you can come up with a press bike.
@@ABFPV584 i'm right there with you! i have a SIR9 SS in the garage and an RLT9 SS under construction. i would do it your way and dropbar the mtn bike if my back could handle the reach. still, single speed a pure joy, no matter how yo do it.
I just got a gt grade ordered. The only mtb i have do e last year is enduro racing and double black trails, nothing else. This gravel bike is gonna get some flat bars and diff tires and i will be racing XC this year with it. I soent time on ATB bikes of the late 80s early 90s… have ridden drop bar mtb before, gonna throw some old hilarious bars (25.4) and diff things on it… gravel boys got wayyytoo road bike puffy, got to stop that.
I love this bike. Insaw one in a local bike shop. It wasnt my size. Ive gotten into ebikes. But im thinking about buying this to make me go under my own power. Lol.
The drop bars push your upper body weight over the front tire. This is potentially very dangerous on steep descents or rock rolls. Flat bars will enable you to move body position farther back to the rear while not compressing breaking capability. Much safer ride IMO. I do fifty plus mile gravel rides with drop bars, there are pros and cons for sure.
I ride a Black Mountain Cycles, La Cabra. Rigid steel frame and fork, WTB i-30 with Vittoria Mezcals, SRAM Rival. Very nice riding mtn bike with compliance.
I have two sets, which have been great so far. The are probably lighter then the wtb , which typically are on the heavier side. Proper psi with good tires makes a rigid surprisingly capable.
So when I bought my wheels for my domane sl6, I took the wheels off my other bike and put them on my checkpoint for a off road setup. Once I did that, it replaced my idea for a mountain bike. I don't do heavy mountain riding, so the set I have is perfect
If you put a flat bar on that, you'd basically have a later 80's/early 90's mountain bike. We didn't have disk brakes back then, but lots of bikes had rigid forks, similar frame, etc. I had a Schwinn Sierra MOS, back then. Great bike for its time.
If it wasn't for your mtb experience riding, you might not be enjoying it as much. Suggesting rigid off road to a beginner could very well put them off... Hardtails FTW!
I think the main point that hopefully new folks looking to get into biking get from you is that you don't need a fancy suspension bike to ride trails. You are a somewhat advanced rider, though, so you can handle things better than a new rider could. It's also important to point out that the bike you're riding isn't a "cheap" bike, though it might look like something from WalMart it's not at all built like it. If you took a cheap street bike out on the trails you could get hurt if the wheel or inexpensive parts fail at a bad time. I don't like how the drop bar puts your face probably 6" closer to the neck, and with the forward lean, you could hit your face on that if something happens. Having said all that, it fits you the way you like to ride the kinds of trails you like, so good on you! :)
I am enjoying your content. Like @ruelsmith i am curious how it would do with a flatbar (really with a sweeper bar). I have a radar-the older less extreem brother and am considering trying a sweeper bar swap on that. I have a redshift suspension stem on mine to take the edge off of the front end smaller bumps. The tunable feature allows one to get the amount of give in the bars that blends the give you want with the rigidity you are comfortable with. Do you think the radar x could be run with a double crankset? I am a heavyweight guy and like both the lower gears and moderat e gear spacing on the cassette. My 29er rigid has a 38/26 front and 11 speed 11-40 cassette withe the 11t swapped for a 12t. I hate the jump from 13 to 11 on the top end. All the other gear splits feel just right.
Since I've gotten my hardtail I went single speed but I also lock out the fork... 🙃 only use the travel for chunky downhills. I was sold into FS from bike 1 2 3...enjoying the ridged rides also!!✌🏽🇧🇿🤙🏽♾🚵♂️
There's a frame builder named Nick Jensen who recommends 18-19 psi using mountain bike tires on his take on a gravel bike. What are your tire pressures? Thanks, Matty, for this video and all your videos.
@MattyActive now you have me stoked. I've said it before, you and your channel were one of the biggest inspirations for me for staying with a hardtail. I actually watched your video when you first got it and that's what made me decide to buy it because I saw how much you really enjoyed it.
I like the direction you took with this bike. For me, I like MTB handle bars - but I cut mine down 1.5” on each side (that would mimic your gravel bar) and I’d add a shock fork. Why - because you can always lock it for road and gravel rides but unlock it for MTB. Just a thought. Have a great 2025 and keep those videos coming.
Notice how much more movement you have in each position. For off road you more range, for being in the hoods on tarmac you need to be stationary with less movement for support.
It's a good bike but it depends on how "light" the trails you want to ride are. Drop bars and no suspension are gone be uncomfortable on trails that are rocky. Also that bike cost over three or four times more than a budget mountain bike
If your every wondering where this goes try a Cutthroat with RK 2.2s and a dropper. Your head will explode. I have been running Hunt xc wide race on my monster cross bikes for a few years and they have been flawless.
Here we ride what we can, but we don't put that much emphasis on highly expensive parts. We only have small round trails mostly for going on foot, or tractors or horse and cart and a ride here is maximum 30-40% forest trail, then gravel or fire roads (5-10%), and at least 50% asphalt. So, we care less about the bike, there are mostly cheap HT MTB's. Sometimes someone can afford a full suspension under 1000$, mostly for kids, and older guys will have full suspension or HT carbon bikes. But older guys will just adventure away from the "poor", you just don't feel it's ok. After a life with 90's MTBs and kind of cheap HT's, I'd say a gravel bike is harder to handle through not well-maintained paths with branches that go into your eyes, and honestly, the forest is not satisfying without an E-Bike. It is pretty tough to ride in XC mode. To be able to come home and also survive work, you may need to take a road that has at least 50% asphalt. And that's mostly riding on an MTB. I do have a 2000$ Decathlon full suspension e-bike (50Nm motor) for about 6 months and, to be honest, I've exhausted 90% percent of what I had in mind and it's not exciting any more. And since I had to change the wheels, and it's winter, I started to ride more on-road, also.
I disagree. I went from riding a hardtail on gravel to a specialized diverge. I feel no difference in comfort and I'm climbing hills faster and my avg speed is up significantly. Carbon fork and 43cm tires, pretty standard setup. To each his own tho.
It's all about the set up. Also not everyone can get to the trails regularly. If you are close to trials then that's cool. I have to drive at least 40 minutes with a family that is not feasible.
The discomfort adds difficulty to easier trails the concept of mountain biking doesn't exactly mean comfortable if you're comfortable with what you're riding ride something harder and gett better
@MaxUrban-kt6fh I don't think we're using the word "comfortable" the same way. When I say uncomfortable, I mean my ass and wrists hurting. I don't mean technicality, fear, nor skill.
@@usernamefromhell fair i ride a old Gary Fisher from 07 it has a modern drivetrain but still really crappy suspension and it's a hard tail I'm young and don't get injured or hurt easily I do think if you want to do the really tough extreme stuff you need a good bike I think the purpose of the vid tho was MTB doesn't have to be difficult and you don't need a good bike to get started
We've officially returned to the ATB from the 80's
So true 😂
I started mtn biking in 1980. When suspension bikes came out in the early '90s, I jumped on that. I'm not going back to get beat up on rough trails. It's all about what works for you.
I agree it’s definitely less harsh on your body.
@@timking2822 I started a decade later. I agree that trails have gotten rougher (brake bumps etc) and I thought I needed full suspension when I came back but discovered hardtails again and they are way my compliant than the old 26er fat tubed Cannondales/Kleins. My Chameleon plus bike is more compliant than my old Bontrager. If you ride chill trails at a chill speed hardtails are great . And modern front suspension keeps the joints together👍
You nailed it. " It's all about what works for you"
Having 29 inch wide supple tubeless tires at low PSI is very comfortable though. Much better than 26 inch hard-ass tube ones from back in the day.
Give me a flat-bar gravel bike with flat bar-specific geometry and I've got all the mountain bike I need.
I love the sound of the hunt freewheel because it will alert anybody on the trail in front of you, without you even trying!
No suspension, drop bars, loud hubs... I couldn't think of a worse bike for me.
Great stuff! I freaking love that you’re open minded , experimental, and trying out different ways of riding. I’m a huge fan of rigid bikes and riding out my back door. Keep it up!
He does thing's that other's have done, and tries to take credit for it. He acts like he's the only person that rides a Breeze or steel frames. Joe Breeze was making frames before this dude was born.
A hradtail is a very good allrounder as well, specially with a rigid fork
I agree, I’m back and forth between my rigid hardtail, my gravel bike, and my trek Roscoe 9. Really the only 3 bikes I ride now
@@MattyActive Perhaps you could do a comparison in the future between those 2 rigids or a 3 way comparison? The pros and cons of each.
The Drop bar rigid adventure/mtb-ish style bikes are just fun. Adds a little more spice and challenge to XC trail riding, and still efficient enough to ride to and from trails- and they’re just super comfortable. I am definitely a fan…..
Matty, welcome back to the future! The Hunt wheels are a little more than that and drop bar mountain biking, we did that in the 1990's. I did it on the trails you are riding with 26" wheels and drops. I am running a Salsa Journeyer in very similar configuration and have been for two years. ATB is back and we have been bamboozled. Hunt wheels are great. I have won gravel races on them, but they don't sponsor many Americans. I would love to ride with you, you are on the right track
Looks awesome man! I recently converted my 2020 Schwinn Taff over to gravel. Running some 29x2.25 Maxxis Rekon’s front and rear, rigid fork and corner bars. I really love this bike. I have some Bucklos wheels on it now running tubeless. But new wheels are on order and should be here in a couple more weeks.
Keep shredding brother. Great content!
Nah. Drop bars are way too uncomfortable for unstable terrain, at least for me, but then I don't even like them on flat surfaces.
True !
You need to try dirt drops, they give you way more hand positions than flat bars and excel on uneven terrain.
@@brandonsoubayou can also use some alt bars or inner bar ends. They give you different hand positions plus the control when you need it. Also, flat bar components are much cheaper and more simple.
Flared drop bars are the answer to the stability issue.
I'm on an early vassago bandersnatch rigid, basically a modern gravel bike that can fit mtb tires. I bought it used and set it up with Jones bars, a few bags, and fast cross country tires. I like it so much that I have thinned the heard, it's mostly all I ride.
Nicely done upgrade. I really enjoyed this.
The more I watch some of your videos the more I see the similarities between you and my twin brother. His favorite bike is a Surly Grappler. He has is equipped with wide drop bars, XC wheels and tires, dropped post and many other things you see on a MTB. He loves it and takes it trail riding around Atlanta and up to Western NC.
Another great one Matty and I agree with what you are saying about your gravel bike. I got my first real gravel bike last fall (Giant Revolt X) I couldn't stay off it, I love that bike. I'm riding that bike on long 30/40 KM road rides to fire roads and straight up trail riding. I have several bikes and I'm very lucky to be so fortunate but if I had to just keep one, it would be the gravel bike but I'm not sure I could give up my Orbea Rise so maybe I could have 2? I'm going to go wireless on the Revolt as I have a GX AXS kit but wheels are on the radar now.
Or you can go to Costco or Dicks, and get all the bikes you want😜
Pure. Good looking out on Hunt with the wheels. Enjoy!
perfect timing. been thinking about converting my 29" into a monstercross type build, swapping the fork out for a rigid carbon fork and putting steel drop bars on it
My favorite bike is my 2012 rigid steel MTB that I put drop bars on. I’m running 2.2 sparwood tires, and my favorite addition was a redshift suspension stem. Makes the hoods position insanely comfortable
Thanks for the info I just bought a redwood gravel bike and I was going to pick up a MTB but after watching your video I am just going to upgrade the redwood keep on keeping on my brother
Awesome stuff brother! 🇺🇸💪🏼 keepin it simple!
Just wait til you put a dropper post on that thing... then it'll really be your favorite bike! Sick ride, it reminds me of my Stooge Rambler quite a bit.
Since I don't do jumps, big drops and super tech--my $600 budget hardtail with quick release does everything I do--ya, I upgraded to a better fork , better brakes and combo dropper & suspension seatpost but that's it--tbis bike has served me well--I've take it to the Lake Tahoe area, Downieville, Everstoke, Mt Hough--so you can do it too
Nothing wrong with quick release. No need to "upgrade" to a new standard if the old one is working fine.
My ATB is the most versatile bicycle in my shed - and often the most ridden. I found that I can ride most if not all of the same trails as my hard tail and was more efficient / fun to do more casual / urban rides.
I use my monster gravel for everything from commuting, chill rides with non Mountainbiker to light XC riding 🤩 it also has some meaty tires and DT Swiss hubs 💪🏾
Yes, it is shaky 🙈🫨🤣
Love your videos, there's so much great riding in Colorado...just built up a 29er wheelset for an old Pugsley with i35 rims and 2.8" Terrene tires. I tried to buy a Kona Unit but they've been out of stock, Breezer appears to have a similar model in their lineup.
You should check out the Surly Lowside. It comes single speed but you can run it with gears. The geometry is awesome
Try putting bar ends inside your shifters closer to the stem on your handlebars on your Roscoe. Its the best of both worlds. Nice aggressive riding position for uphills and flats, but you can switch to a mtb hinge stance with wide bars and have front suspension on the descent
super fun bike build - so much grip! I've been checking out Hunt wheels, too.
welcome to the club. i think you'll like that bike even more after you add a dropper post. also, consider a faster tire on the rear wheel next time, like the xking or race king. knobbies are great for the front but speed is nice on the rear, esp for a gravel bike.
I love Contenental tires. Went through several sets back in the day but switched to Maxxis for a few years. I was never able to get completely comfortable on them. Switched to the Kryptotal last summer and it was like coming home after being gone for years😎👍
Bro, sweet bike and sweet channel! 👍🏼
I just put a surly corner bar on my trek roscoe and I’m loving it. Feels good and looks cool.
I sold my MTB to get a gravel bike. I do everything I did with my MTB but is way more fun!!!!
Hunt is a great wheel set. I run Hunt with Kryptotal on my D6 FS. Love the setup
Love Hunt wheels.They were my first pick for my Decathlon GRVL520 at the time. Had a slight issue where the rim tape was untaped (no biggie, just peel it off and put it back correctly).
Wrote an email to them just to tell them, they sent me an extra roll of rim tape, a water bottle and a hat and the CEO (i think) wrote to me after to ask if everything was OK, if I needed anything else and invited me to a gravel event near me (couldn't go :-( ). That's how you make a loyal client.
Now have 2 pairs and probably a carbon one soon ^^.
Good call on the wheel upgrade-I’m thinking about some of those for my rigid Surly Krampus. On that trail I’d probably run around 16-18psi in a 2.35” XC tire…(Mezcals on my bike…)
That thing is ready for some bikepacking too
I put a number of years in on a dropbarmtb and I love them, they are fun and challenging in different ways. The only issue I have is that the pounding your wrists take by the end of a few runs is worth mentioning especially if you ride any technical terrain on them. I think with a suspension fork you could take some of that beating out of the equation. I would actually prefer to continue with dropbarmtb but I have relegated it to a once in a while thing because my old body just can't take that beating anymore, so I will just ride hardtails until I get too old for that and move on to full sus.
Redstem and thud buster
@@hippymtnbkr More cost effective to go with a suspension fork honestly. When descending I don't sit on my seat so I use a dropper to get it out of the way. The Redshift stems have such limited range of motion that on high speed tech they would be useless and change my body position and weighting too much ending up doing more harm than good.
I installed a Chinese rear hub off of Aliexpress that came with a freehub that, and it turned out to be a great replacement for my handlebar mounted bell. All I've got to do is backpedal for half a second and people's basic instinct is to just scoot out of the way before they turn their heads and look to see where the noise is coming from.
Converted my 1999 Reynolds 853 Kona Explosif mtb to a monstercross, and it's amazing.
Matty, have you tried out a Poseidon redwood? I picked one up last week. It's my 3rd gravel bike, but the other 2 were ones I built from an MTB (Kent trouvaille) and a hybrid (giant escape). So far I'm loving it. Just ordered some new tires that are more gravel and road friendly than the chunky ones it's currently got on. This bike has been a lot of fun so far. Way nicer than my other 2 gravel rigs
Those are great. Very similar style bike. Love Poseidon bikes.
nice to see another left foot forward person out there.
We are represented......Curious, are you left handed? I am.
I right left handed but do everything else with my right hand.
@@MattyActive Same except I Bat left too but I use a right handed Hockey Stick lol
@ same here
Left foot in the front here 👊
Write with my right, bat both but better from the right, left handed in hockey.
Fun is good, but don't forget your riding position is way out over the bars and the geo on that head angle and no dropper will send you OTB on anything steep or too chunky. Just know your trails and limitations.
Drop bars just feel so good. Been shopping around for a road bike after my Ozark Trail gravel bike croaked, and real road levers are something else.
This reminds me of the Specialized cyclocross bike i used to ride everywhere. At first i thought that guys got to many clothes on for cycling but then i saw the snow. Im in summer in New Zealand 😀
I love riding road bikes on mountain bike trails! good challenge
another thought... now that you've been initiated with dropbars on singletrack (so wrong, it's gotta be right!) and you've also seen the light that is single speed mtn biking, you are now ready for singlespeed gravel. take a look at Salsa and Niner, maybe you can come up with a press bike.
@@kevrider I’m rolling a 2012 sir 9 ss with drop bars. It rips everything
@@ABFPV584 i'm right there with you! i have a SIR9 SS in the garage and an RLT9 SS under construction. i would do it your way and dropbar the mtn bike if my back could handle the reach. still, single speed a pure joy, no matter how yo do it.
I just got a gt grade ordered. The only mtb i have do e last year is enduro racing and double black trails, nothing else. This gravel bike is gonna get some flat bars and diff tires and i will be racing XC this year with it. I soent time on ATB bikes of the late 80s early 90s… have ridden drop bar mtb before, gonna throw some old hilarious bars (25.4) and diff things on it… gravel boys got wayyytoo road bike puffy, got to stop that.
Ok I def want a Breezer Radar now
I love this bike. Insaw one in a local bike shop. It wasnt my size. Ive gotten into ebikes. But im thinking about buying this to make me go under my own power. Lol.
The drop bars push your upper body weight over the front tire. This is potentially very dangerous on steep descents or rock rolls. Flat bars will enable you to move body position farther back to the rear while not compressing breaking capability. Much safer ride IMO. I do fifty plus mile gravel rides with drop bars, there are pros and cons for sure.
I ride a Black Mountain Cycles, La Cabra. Rigid steel frame and fork, WTB i-30 with Vittoria Mezcals, SRAM Rival. Very nice riding mtn bike with compliance.
That is such a rad bike. I prefer flat bars, but that would still be an epic all-arounder.
I prefer flat bars as well but it’s super fun to experiencing how different they feel on the trails
I have two sets, which have been great so far. The are probably lighter then the wtb , which typically are on the heavier side. Proper psi with good tires makes a rigid surprisingly capable.
So when I bought my wheels for my domane sl6, I took the wheels off my other bike and put them on my checkpoint for a off road setup. Once I did that, it replaced my idea for a mountain bike. I don't do heavy mountain riding, so the set I have is perfect
Now that monster gravel bike just needs a dropper post. Since you ride mostly rigid and hardtail, maybe give clipless pedals a try?
I’m definitely working on that!
If you put a flat bar on that, you'd basically have a later 80's/early 90's mountain bike. We didn't have disk brakes back then, but lots of bikes had rigid forks, similar frame, etc. I had a Schwinn Sierra MOS, back then. Great bike for its time.
The geometry on this bike is much better though
@stevekelly6544 I'd like to see proof of that
If it wasn't for your mtb experience riding, you might not be enjoying it as much. Suggesting rigid off road to a beginner could very well put them off...
Hardtails FTW!
Might be the worst bike for all conditions.
I think the main point that hopefully new folks looking to get into biking get from you is that you don't need a fancy suspension bike to ride trails. You are a somewhat advanced rider, though, so you can handle things better than a new rider could. It's also important to point out that the bike you're riding isn't a "cheap" bike, though it might look like something from WalMart it's not at all built like it. If you took a cheap street bike out on the trails you could get hurt if the wheel or inexpensive parts fail at a bad time. I don't like how the drop bar puts your face probably 6" closer to the neck, and with the forward lean, you could hit your face on that if something happens. Having said all that, it fits you the way you like to ride the kinds of trails you like, so good on you! :)
fully agree with this video!!
I am enjoying your content. Like @ruelsmith i am curious how it would do with a flatbar (really with a sweeper bar). I have a radar-the older less extreem brother and am considering trying a sweeper bar swap on that.
I have a redshift suspension stem on mine to take the edge off of the front end smaller bumps. The tunable feature allows one to get the amount of give in the bars that blends the give you want with the rigidity you are comfortable with.
Do you think the radar x could be run with a double crankset? I am a heavyweight guy and like both the lower gears and moderat e gear spacing on the cassette. My 29er rigid has a 38/26 front and 11 speed 11-40 cassette withe the 11t swapped for a 12t. I hate the jump from 13 to 11 on the top end. All the other gear splits feel just right.
It all depends on how slow you want to ride.
Going fast on full suspension bikes is much easier and more comfortable.
Since I've gotten my hardtail I went single speed but I also lock out the fork... 🙃 only use the travel for chunky downhills.
I was sold into FS from bike 1 2 3...enjoying the ridged rides also!!✌🏽🇧🇿🤙🏽♾🚵♂️
Minus the drop bars, I can see it for multi-purpose use. Hate stop bars😀🤷🏾♂️
Haha it’s definitely a love hate relationship with drop bars for a lot of people
Love it!! Have you tried a Jones Bike??!! Thank you!
There's a frame builder named Nick Jensen who recommends 18-19 psi using mountain bike tires on his take on a gravel bike. What are your tire pressures? Thanks, Matty, for this video and all your videos.
I really wish we could get just one video dedicated to some Roscoe riding... Have you given up on the rowdiness matty?
Haha not at all. That’s the next video actually.
@MattyActive now you have me stoked. I've said it before, you and your channel were one of the biggest inspirations for me for staying with a hardtail. I actually watched your video when you first got it and that's what made me decide to buy it because I saw how much you really enjoyed it.
Still liking Breezer Thunder. Heavy though. Just added a Marzocchi Z2 100mm fork. Looking to test it out with the new fork
My poor full suspension XC got shelved for a rigid drop bar ATB this summer.
I like the direction you took with this bike. For me, I like MTB handle bars - but I cut mine down 1.5” on each side (that would mimic your gravel bar) and I’d add a shock fork. Why - because you can always lock it for road and gravel rides but unlock it for MTB. Just a thought. Have a great 2025 and keep those videos coming.
Nice guy this guy
For biking life, n+1 is necessary. I just a got my Roscoe but I will get a gravel bike later.
I wonder what the difference is between drop bars and the reverse rise stem flat bars the pro’s run? Is it just hand position?
Notice how much more movement you have in each position. For off road you more range, for being in the hoods on tarmac you need to be stationary with less movement for support.
Matty! Try a gravel suspension fork💪
It's a good bike but it depends on how "light" the trails you want to ride are. Drop bars and no suspension are gone be uncomfortable on trails that are rocky. Also that bike cost over three or four times more than a budget mountain bike
The first gravel bike I got. Bent the frame on the first jump I did. Wonk Wonk. Light trail
Oh wow! This is a steel frame so hopefully It’ll hold up well
I still say you should try fitting some 27.5 x 3.0 or 2.8 wheels on that bike and get back to us.
Sorry but I can’t stand loud hubs. The quieter the better. To each their own.
If your every wondering where this goes try a Cutthroat with RK 2.2s and a dropper. Your head will explode.
I have been running Hunt xc wide race on my monster cross bikes for a few years and they have been flawless.
You should try teravail tires
Sad to see GT gone was wanting a MTB from them but everything is sold out
Careful of injuries on any mountain bike, but especially one without any real suspension… the body adsorbs what the bike doesn’t…
How much does that Breezer weight? Even an estimate would be fine.
Even watching from home, it looks like your bike has quicker and more precise handling.
Are you getting Hunt wheels on the Roscoe next???
We all want Roscoe 9 content. Come on Matt!!!
Next mid: grab a 120mm dropper and Wolftooth lever!
What about a PNW suspension dropper post
I love e ridgid bikes for many reasons. But my broke down 45 year old body isn't tskiuone on the trails. 😂
You need a gravel suspension fork and dropper on that and THEN you are getting somewhere.
Hey mate, how wide are your bars?
Anyone else have a flash-back to "Priority Hot Sauce"?
I just had another thought 🤣
Maybe if videos were altered do much (speed wise) people would consider trying the sport 🤷
No suspension on trails? Great idea dude, numb hands actually feel nice I guess
Maybe I'll get back to full rigid one day, but drop bars are not for me.
Here we ride what we can, but we don't put that much emphasis on highly expensive parts.
We only have small round trails mostly for going on foot, or tractors or horse and cart and a ride here is maximum 30-40% forest trail, then gravel or fire roads (5-10%), and at least 50% asphalt.
So, we care less about the bike, there are mostly cheap HT MTB's. Sometimes someone can afford a full suspension under 1000$, mostly for kids, and older guys will have full suspension or HT carbon bikes. But older guys will just adventure away from the "poor", you just don't feel it's ok.
After a life with 90's MTBs and kind of cheap HT's, I'd say a gravel bike is harder to handle through not well-maintained paths with branches that go into your eyes, and honestly, the forest is not satisfying without an E-Bike. It is pretty tough to ride in XC mode.
To be able to come home and also survive work, you may need to take a road that has at least 50% asphalt. And that's mostly riding on an MTB.
I do have a 2000$ Decathlon full suspension e-bike (50Nm motor) for about 6 months and, to be honest, I've exhausted 90% percent of what I had in mind and it's not exciting any more. And since I had to change the wheels, and it's winter, I started to ride more on-road, also.
Wheels are one of the best places to spend money on a bike.
Good tyres at low pressure make more difference than suspension for most uses
I cant ride with a drop bar , I just simply cant 😂
Matt when are you going to get a road bike?
He just did.
That’s one I’ve never tried but hopefully I will this year!
HARD disagree, "gravel" bikes are terrible, incredibly uncomfortable off road, and slow and inefficient on road, they're the worst of all worlds.
I disagree. I went from riding a hardtail on gravel to a specialized diverge. I feel no difference in comfort and I'm climbing hills faster and my avg speed is up significantly. Carbon fork and 43cm tires, pretty standard setup. To each his own tho.
It's all about the set up. Also not everyone can get to the trails regularly. If you are close to trials then that's cool. I have to drive at least 40 minutes with a family that is not feasible.
The discomfort adds difficulty to easier trails the concept of mountain biking doesn't exactly mean comfortable if you're comfortable with what you're riding ride something harder and gett better
@MaxUrban-kt6fh I don't think we're using the word "comfortable" the same way. When I say uncomfortable, I mean my ass and wrists hurting.
I don't mean technicality, fear, nor skill.
@@usernamefromhell fair i ride a old Gary Fisher from 07 it has a modern drivetrain but still really crappy suspension and it's a hard tail I'm young and don't get injured or hurt easily I do think if you want to do the really tough extreme stuff you need a good bike I think the purpose of the vid tho was MTB doesn't have to be difficult and you don't need a good bike to get started