Adventure bike, gravel bike: what's that?

February 14, 2017

In this article, we will demystify a new category of bicycle that is increasingly present in catalogues and in the Quebec cycling landscape.

If you plan to travel here or elsewhere; leave for the day, for a few weeks, or even a few months; go to work by bike, this new feature will undoubtedly appeal to you.

Whether you prefer asphalt, gravel, or even lichen; whether you want to ride fast sometimes but also take it easy at other times, or you simply want to stop wondering and discover a bike that would allow you to go in all directions, whatever your mood or need at the moment.

This Swiss Army knife of pedals – which would allow you to climb the forest roads of northern Quebec, travel the west coast from Vancouver to San Diego with your equipment or simply do a 100 km ride with friends in the Joliette area – exists!

Semantics

It is sometimes called an "adventure bike," sometimes a "gravel bike," others refer to it as a "light touring bike," but the result remains the same: a bike whose only limits will be those you set for yourself!

Why bother?

The demands of road cyclists have shifted in recent years, with the majority now viewing the sport as a recreational activity – their priority is enjoyment. As we know, comfort is an integral part of that enjoyment, unless one has masochistic tendencies (which we respect), hence the growing popularity of endurance road cycling.

Then the term versatility appeared: people wanting to be able to ride both on the road and off the beaten track, with the same bike.

Budget and materials?

Depending on your budget, you can get an adventure bike in most known materials, whether it be steel or titanium , aluminum or even carbon.
Maglia Rosa offers 4 options in this area: Cannondale Slate – GT Grade – Norco Search – Felt V

Yes, it's now possible to get a high-performance adventure bike with disc brakes that weighs less than 20 pounds! That's a far cry from the heavy triple-chainring touring bikes made several years ago!

What are the differences compared to a road bike?

Defying all conventions governing the style and design of road bikes, the adventure bike offers possibilities that no other bike has been able to offer until now.

Technically, this type of bike shares the geometry of an endurance road bike, with a slightly more upright cockpit, longer chainstays to increase comfort, and a relatively low center of gravity to increase stability.

Also, the traditional rim brake system is being replaced by the disc brake inherited from mountain biking.

For two reasons: the first is physical – a tire wider than 28mm would not fit in a traditional brake caliper; the second is environmental – the increased dust in off-road riding would accelerate the wear of the brake pads and rim.

Since the disc is less sensitive to these elements, it is ideal in these conditions and also offers powerful braking with very high modulation.

This modification also offers the possibility of installing wider tires, from 28mm to 40mm, smooth or semi-knurled, which allows a higher air volume, thus making it possible to ride on irregular surfaces without suffering excessively.

Finally, the overall robustness of the bike is calculated to meet the specific constraints of off-road riding: more robust wheels, tear-resistant casings for the tires and a frame more resistant to impacts.

It's like cyclocross but with slick tires?

Not quite. The geometry of a cyclocross bike is generally much more aggressive and wouldn't usually allow for pain-free long-distance riding. While some do use them for that purpose, the emergence of adventure bikes makes them much better suited to long distances.
Confusion ?

Accessories, light touring?

As for gear, forget heavy and cumbersome luggage racks; now companies like Arkel , which manufactures its bags right here in Quebec, or Apidura , offer lightweight and durable self-supporting bags, so you can bring all the necessary equipment for multi-day trips without excessively weighing down your bike.

So, if you have plans for a two-wheeled trip or want to go on an adventure this summer, come see us for advice, a bike and/or the best equipment on the market to make your journey a success.

Finally, remember that the journey is always more important than the destination!

The advantages and disadvantages?

The most appreciated aspect of this discipline is the contact with nature and the absence of traffic, a real breath of fresh air, plus the variety in the courses is easier to obtain.

However, finding water or supply points is less easy, so plan accordingly. Access for emergency services in case of an accident can also be difficult, so extreme caution is advised.

Where to do it?

It is a discipline in its early stages, the network of trails is still to be discovered, word of mouth is essential to find your next weekend destination, searches on Strava or RidewithGPS can also help you, or there is always the option of trying blindly with google maps.

There are more and more events with a high percentage of gravel roads, with conditions that put the human body to the test.
Here is a mini list, some of them are very far away, however the first on the list is local and very well known.
100 B7 – Battenkill – Rasputista – Dirty 40 – Grinduro

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