The gravel bike will indeed do the job. But for those like myself who live in the city, and can only occassionally venture into back country, part of the experience is the enjoyment of the outdoors. I do not want to do that on a skinny tire, high top tube, non suspended ride. I might be slower on a mountain bike when compared to a gravel, but for myself, it is not about the speed. Its about participating and enjoying the outdoors, with surefootedness and comfort, which in my opinion, can only be done on a mountain bike. This is in no way a put down of the gravel bike. Thank you for the clip.
I have a Trek Domane AL5 which is a true road bike. Replaced the stock 32mm tires to 35mm tubeless Terravail Connonballs and it rides great on both gravel and the road. Best of both worlds.
Very cool video. I found myself using 28 on the road bike and having flats so I just went full gravel, it isn't as optimal but if you want a real all rounder and like the off road it's quite nice.
Interesting fact that no one talks or shows about Merida Scultura Endurance. I have put 40c Schwalbe tires G one speed (or smth like this) without any problem. And I am riding proper Lithuanian gravel on it. The best frame ever, never thought that such bike would be a win. And frame works comparatively to the cheap china copy branded frames which we are getting nowadays from the famous brand (Ridley, Bianchi and etc - theu have some cheap gravel frame)
As a person that primarily rides on tarmac but likes to have the option of light off-roading, this video confirms that my decision to turn an old crossbike (specialized Tricross) into a winter/gravel bike was correct.
I also chose a CX, just enough clearance (I always had stuff stuck between the front tyre and fork behind the rim brake, and I like how they handle, more lively... I also think it was the best choice for me.
I was considering purchasing an endurance road bike to complement my Salsa Cutthroat - it is comfortable, but not quick. After watching this - watching you struggle to point out the mild differences - I will just get a road wheelset with boost spacing for times I am interested in tarmac. (Hopefully the cranks will not strike the ground coming from 2.3” tires). Thanks for saving me thousands! A mid-level Trek Domane is $7k.😢
I have a Cutthroat as well. Don’t do it. It doesn’t help that much and it’s really difficult to find a 700c Wheelset with boost spacing. I just got an endurance road bike. The geometry of the cutthroat is too much like a mountain bike to make it really good on the road.
You still can get a snake bite on low pressure tubeless tyres. And it will be worse because it won't be tube snake bite. I mean be careful with low pressure on thin tyres
If i have a gravel bike with a slack geo the same 2x setup i would use on road bike and already have 2 sets of wheels (44mm knob for gravel and 32-35mm for road), is there any reason for me to get another *Endurance road bike (with slack geo) that i would use 32-35mm tires? I can see a case for another road bike if i wt anted a more aggressive aero bike with 28mm tires, but my road rides are catered for long distance/ audax type rides. Would i benefit from an endurance road frame? or should i just stick with my gravel bike?
Great question Nico, I'm just resolving this same dilemma by just upgrading my wheels and running 2 sets, one set with 40mm and a good climbing range cassette (111-36) and one set with 32mm tyres and a tighter rear cassette (11-32) (running 50/34 chainring). This ends up a much less expensive option that anew bike! What did you end up doing
Yes! I did this on my diverge sport 2021. Carbon wheelset and 28 mm tires for the road. Stock 38mm tires and stock wheels for gravel and it's working out great. 😊
Also no one talks about handling, for example Cannondale Top stone hadle better on loose surface that Merida Scultura Endrnce., but at the same time Merida is amazing everywhere: in the woods, on gravel, and on the road. I would love it to be handling a little bit better in slow corners on loose gravel, but otherwise it would be shitty on the road. So, the best frame ever, no one knows about it, everyone buys Canyon bike. I also wanted to switch, but then I realized how good Merida is. Now I am curious to ride Canyon just to compare it.
I chose a CX bike, I love how they handle.... and I'm using it mostly on the road. Some people hate them, too nervous, too high, some roadie called them "borderline"! At this point it's mainly about personal preference, they all come with more tyre clearance, disk brakes. Maybe GRX on the gravel/cross, or at least different gears, but most people don't need 53 x 11 anyway, while lower gears are often handy.
Thanks a lot for the test and comparison! Helped me to make a decision to sell my gravel bike and get an endurance bike
Great review! You're right about mounts on Riverside, and I think this type of bikes must be suitable for bikepacking
Have gone 38 on my Scultura Endurance 6000. Trim the nibs and it's awesome.
The gravel bike will indeed do the job. But for those like myself who live in the city, and can only occassionally venture into back country, part of the experience is the enjoyment of the outdoors. I do not want to do that on a skinny tire, high top tube, non suspended ride. I might be slower on a mountain bike when compared to a gravel, but for myself, it is not about the speed. Its about participating and enjoying the outdoors, with surefootedness and comfort, which in my opinion, can only be done on a mountain bike. This is in no way a put down of the gravel bike. Thank you for the clip.
I trust everything you say because you wear the professional black gloves 100%. Anybody that fingers bum holes and then rides is legit.
I have a Trek Domane AL5 which is a true road bike. Replaced the stock 32mm tires to 35mm tubeless Terravail Connonballs and it rides great on both gravel and the road. Best of both worlds.
Very cool video. I found myself using 28 on the road bike and having flats so I just went full gravel, it isn't as optimal but if you want a real all rounder and like the off road it's quite nice.
I have not seen your videos in years but subscribe many years ago.
Interesting fact that no one talks or shows about Merida Scultura Endurance. I have put 40c Schwalbe tires G one speed (or smth like this) without any problem. And I am riding proper Lithuanian gravel on it. The best frame ever, never thought that such bike would be a win. And frame works comparatively to the cheap china copy branded frames which we are getting nowadays from the famous brand (Ridley, Bianchi and etc - theu have some cheap gravel frame)
Love your videos. Thanks.
As a person that primarily rides on tarmac but likes to have the option of light off-roading, this video confirms that my decision to turn an old crossbike (specialized Tricross) into a winter/gravel bike was correct.
I also chose a CX, just enough clearance (I always had stuff stuck between the front tyre and fork behind the rim brake, and I like how they handle, more lively... I also think it was the best choice for me.
I was considering purchasing an endurance road bike to complement my Salsa Cutthroat - it is comfortable, but not quick. After watching this - watching you struggle to point out the mild differences - I will just get a road wheelset with boost spacing for times I am interested in tarmac. (Hopefully the cranks will not strike the ground coming from 2.3” tires). Thanks for saving me thousands! A mid-level Trek Domane is $7k.😢
I have a Cutthroat as well. Don’t do it. It doesn’t help that much and it’s really difficult to find a 700c Wheelset with boost spacing. I just got an endurance road bike. The geometry of the cutthroat is too much like a mountain bike to make it really good on the road.
I'm glad to see a new upload! Did I see incorrectly, or are you using a waxed chain?
Most new bike come waxed now, I think?
Niceee ! I've heard about the "catastrophic" toe overlap issue (for the riverside) in french mags ... I'd to know your feeling about it !
You still can get a snake bite on low pressure tubeless tyres. And it will be worse because it won't be tube snake bite. I mean be careful with low pressure on thin tyres
What is the name of the place where you filmed?
Are those shoes/crocks a strategy to win a race OR just happened to be hot day and flipflops are dangeroes to use?
If i have a gravel bike with a slack geo the same 2x setup i would use on road bike and already have 2 sets of wheels (44mm knob for gravel and 32-35mm for road), is there any reason for me to get another *Endurance road bike (with slack geo) that i would use 32-35mm tires? I can see a case for another road bike if i wt anted a more aggressive aero bike with 28mm tires, but my road rides are catered for long distance/ audax type rides. Would i benefit from an endurance road frame? or should i just stick with my gravel bike?
The answer is always yes to another bike.
Great question Nico, I'm just resolving this same dilemma by just upgrading my wheels and running 2 sets, one set with 40mm and a good climbing range cassette (111-36) and one set with 32mm tyres and a tighter rear cassette (11-32) (running 50/34 chainring). This ends up a much less expensive option that anew bike! What did you end up doing
Ciao, Danny 👋🏻👏🏼
Buy 2x gravel bike, buy second set of wheels. Put skinny tires on one set, bigger on the other. Done.
Cappy has spoken!
Yes! I did this on my diverge sport 2021. Carbon wheelset and 28 mm tires for the road. Stock 38mm tires and stock wheels for gravel and it's working out great. 😊
Also no one talks about handling, for example Cannondale Top stone hadle better on loose surface that Merida Scultura Endrnce., but at the same time Merida is amazing everywhere: in the woods, on gravel, and on the road. I would love it to be handling a little bit better in slow corners on loose gravel, but otherwise it would be shitty on the road. So, the best frame ever, no one knows about it, everyone buys Canyon bike. I also wanted to switch, but then I realized how good Merida is. Now I am curious to ride Canyon just to compare it.
I chose a CX bike, I love how they handle.... and I'm using it mostly on the road. Some people hate them, too nervous, too high, some roadie called them "borderline"!
At this point it's mainly about personal preference, they all come with more tyre clearance, disk brakes. Maybe GRX on the gravel/cross, or at least different gears, but most people don't need 53 x 11 anyway, while lower gears are often handy.
please give advise to me for chooseing size！my height is 170cm，inseam is 79cm. i wonder to choose size S or M
S will good from Merida Endurance 😎
Thank you👍
4130 frame is perfect for a gravel bike
I bet in 5 years marketing will come up with a gravel bike with some ultra light suspension which will make this generation of gravel bike obsolete
gravel bikes are just road bikes with more off road tires. nothing more
Mountain bikes are just gravel bikes with suspension,nothing more
@@timdixo and much larger wheels, and very different geometry and handlebars........
Gravel means small rocks for that mtb is better suited,what they call gravel bike is better suited for an asphalt or unpaved non gravel roads
Oh yeah indeed
普通のロードで走るのイカれてるぜｗ
Gravel bikes, a great con job by bike mfgs. Gravel, dirt, rocks are for my Mtn bike.
Γεια
"promo sm"