iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
Surly Cross-Check
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Hi
I have a touring bike (Genesis TdF) but I’m now looking to also buy a bike that would be good for both offroad/gravel rides (nothing very extreme but perhaps some bikepacking trips) and road riding (day rides typically 30-60 miles). Just wondered what other people’s experiences are who use the same bike for both road/gravel.
Do you have a second set of tyres/wheels for different uses? Or are there tyres that can handle both uses quite well?
I was thinking something like a Genesis Croix de Fer would fit the bill quite well.
Any thoughts appreciated!
Do you have a second set of tyres/wheels for different uses? Or are there tyres that can handle both uses quite well?
I guess this is a Micky take? Have read several stories of titanium cracking and really don't see the appeal. Ok, it rides like steel, but cracks like aluminium. Why not just get a good steel frame?
I ride Alu, steel and carbon but do not feel it is necessary to try the compromise that Ti seems to offer....
Of course, if you feel the need to ride a frame that doesn't need painting like aluminium, but feels like steel, then go ahead and try Ti. Just don't complain when it falls short of the life expectancy of a good steel frame painted silver
I guess this is a Micky take? Have read several stories of titanium cracking and really don't see the appeal. Ok, it rides like steel, but cracks like aluminium. Why not just get a good steel frame?
I ride Alu, steel and carbon but do not feel it is necessary to try the compromise that Ti seems to offer....
Of course, if you feel the need to ride a frame that doesn't need painting like aluminium, but feels like steel, then go ahead and try Ti. Just don't complain when it falls short of the life expectancy of a good steel frame painted silver
1 x works well in mud. Tarmac/*gravel* 2 and 3 x is more appropriate.
Reading through this thread, I think I'm in the distinct minority of not seeing the need for separate wheels or tires for road or winter use. My gravel bike is currently running 47mm Terravail rutland tires and before that, 44m WTB Radlers and I must admit I've never really found either of them to be particularly energy sapping on roads or lacking in grip off-road. I like to ride the widest tires I can because in the summer here the soil is very loose and sandy and the wider tires tend to stay on the surface better rather than digging in, the same in winter when it all turns to mud.
I also run them tubeless and typically have them at about 32 - 35 PSI. I have experimented with slightly higher pressures if I'm going to be purely road riding, but mostly they stay in the low 30's. I do a lot of mixed terrain riding year round, as well as longer bikepacking trips and the tires handle pretty much anything that's thrown at them.
There's a world of difference between 25mm slicks and 44mm tyres on the road. If you tried them you'd definitely notice.
I notice that my 32mm tyres take it out of me compared to the same bike on 25mms but unless I'm trying to keep up over a long distance with proper race bikes - it's not an issue.
I have 700x28 on my road bike and 26x50 on my touring bike, both with road treads.There's a world of difference between 25mm slicks and 44mm tyres on the road. If you tried them you'd definitely notice.
There's a world of difference between 25mm slicks and 44mm tyres on the road. If you tried them you'd definitely notice.
I notice that my 32mm tyres take it out of me compared to the same bike on 25mms but unless I'm trying to keep up over a long distance with proper race bikes - it's not an issue.