Another fantastic post. Much appreciated. Am quite close to pulling the trigger on the Kauis 01 mainly for weight and duo purpose gravel and pavement riding. Still haven't seen anything as of yet to divert me from this direction but keep putting off decision if anything new can dissuade me. Cheers!
I always enjoy your eyewitness accounts, Ben, and you make a strong argument for 2x as a chain-drop resolution. And on that climb, wouldn't high revs and a dropper and a dance between standing and sitting work better than riding tall in the saddle? I don't have a dropper on my commuter bike, but whenever I have to ride in snowy/icy conditions, I prefer to knock the saddle down a bit, not as fast but it feels more sure and steady.
That's a good shout on the dropper. Hadn't thought about that, except for appreciating a lower BB on some gravel bikes to do the skateboard push when struggling along.
What I really like with this channel is all the insights that you give on what works or didn't work. Great job as usual Ben. Also I think why gravel has such a cool vibe is that its not entrenched with all these rules that road has. Road racing has its roots in Europe & when I started out, people were telling me all the time what I need to be doing if I wanted to race & it was all these traditions that were passed on down. Hopefully the road scene will take note.
Hey Ben, love the content and race report. But I must say I was expecting a bit more about the bike as I am considering adding to my stable of bikes. How did it handle? Not accounting for the tire, how was it on the road? And on the descent? Anything you could add, since you have experienced so many different bikes.
Hi Emerson. Did you watch my first review on it? The ‘fast’ setting is middle of the road for trail; the other setting is pretty long. I did the long trail version for the race, and it does feel more sluggish to turn in pavement. On the descent, for instance, it’s not as ‘flickable’ as as a faster handling bike, but like I said in the video there was a lot of sand on the road so I was trying to really rail it. What gravel bike(s) do you have now, and how do you like it/them? Handling is definitely a preference thing!
Ben, I currently have one gravel bike by Obed, the boundary, but I am looking for a new one that is fast, nimble, but stable,not race extreme. I loved your review of the Argonaut, thus my expectation for the Ventum. I watched both videos and it did give me a lot of insight. I emailed Ventum for more information. I appreciate your videos and thanks for the reply.
I def endorse that choice... counting the smart bike I’m running six of their meters and prob have total of 40,000 miles on them. Their customer service is about as good as it gets, also.
Thank you Ben - great seeing the Boulder gravel spirit- even in Winter - thank you for capturing and sharing - keep up the great content.
Another fantastic post. Much appreciated. Am quite close to pulling the trigger on the Kauis 01 mainly for weight and duo purpose gravel and pavement riding. Still haven't seen anything as of yet to divert me from this direction but keep putting off decision if anything new can dissuade me. Cheers!
I am still figuring my budget for my next bike: Kaius is the expensive option and I am seriously considering Ventum GS1 as the other option
@@marciomvp9458 GS1 seems to check off a lot boxes and Kaius big $ no doubt but what other ride comes in sub 17 pds. It’s difficult call for sure.
Thank you for the discount!!
My pleasure. Glad it's useful.
Cool vid n race man!!
Nice to see Ruth Winder mixing it up at the front.
I just purchased a Ventum GS1 frame and so far I'm pretty happy with it. I haven't tried the "flip chip" yet though.
Good to hear.
Great fun! Rode a mini version of the course the day before. Not sure you totally sold me on the Ventum. It's a cool looking bike though!
Not trying to sell you on the bike. I will give you a hard sell for La Mariposa's tortilla chicken soup and their posole, though...
I always enjoy your eyewitness accounts, Ben, and you make a strong argument for 2x as a chain-drop resolution. And on that climb, wouldn't high revs and a dropper and a dance between standing and sitting work better than riding tall in the saddle? I don't have a dropper on my commuter bike, but whenever I have to ride in snowy/icy conditions, I prefer to knock the saddle down a bit, not as fast but it feels more sure and steady.
That's a good shout on the dropper. Hadn't thought about that, except for appreciating a lower BB on some gravel bikes to do the skateboard push when struggling along.
Nice race Ben! How did the fat tire guy do?
Thanks! Alfonso Martinez did great. Placed 165th. There is a lot of climbing and pavement on that course!
What I really like with this channel is all the insights that you give on what works or didn't work. Great job as usual Ben. Also I think why gravel has such a cool vibe is that its not entrenched with all these rules that road has. Road racing has its roots in Europe & when I started out, people were telling me all the time what I need to be doing if I wanted to race & it was all these traditions that were passed on down. Hopefully the road scene will take note.
First comment😅 sure this will be up to your normal great standard
🤞
What happened to the other channel?
Which channel?
Looks like you had a lot of fun out there. After your review, Ventum GS1 became a serious candidate for my next bike.
I’ll tell Ventum I want a commission! 😂 Seriously though, I am glad it was useful for you.
Great video review, good job B! Oh, and 2x drivetrain for the WIN! #slowmojensie
It wouldn't be me if I wasn't messing something up... Cheers, X.
Looks like fun Ben. Thanks for sharing this + love all your content buddy !!
(( appreciate the Ventum review too ))
Thanks, Daniel.
I don't know who he is but the kid in the team USA jersey is crushing it!
Has to Benjamin Bravman. Crushing it at 15!
So is there any reason to go bikker than 45 or 50?
Not for me. A 45 is about as big as I’d want to go. Bigger than that, and I wanna be on a mountain bike.
Why are the only timed sections uphill? Organizers need to toss us big guys a bone
Thanks!
Thank you very much. Happy Holidays!
awesome Ben thanks
Hey Ben, love the content and race report. But I must say I was expecting a bit more about the bike as I am considering adding to my stable of bikes. How did it handle? Not accounting for the tire, how was it on the road? And on the descent? Anything you could add, since you have experienced so many different bikes.
Hi Emerson. Did you watch my first review on it? The ‘fast’ setting is middle of the road for trail; the other setting is pretty long. I did the long trail version for the race, and it does feel more sluggish to turn in pavement. On the descent, for instance, it’s not as ‘flickable’ as as a faster handling bike, but like I said in the video there was a lot of sand on the road so I was trying to really rail it.
What gravel bike(s) do you have now, and how do you like it/them? Handling is definitely a preference thing!
Ben, I currently have one gravel bike by Obed, the boundary, but I am looking for a new one that is fast, nimble, but stable,not race extreme. I loved your review of the Argonaut, thus my expectation for the Ventum. I watched both videos and it did give me a lot of insight. I emailed Ventum for more information. I appreciate your videos and thanks for the reply.
Great recap and great to see ya out there hustlin!
Thanks, Ryan. Good to see you.
Thanks!
Hey, thank you!
Did want to give it a go with Stages, code did not work in Europe....
Shoot, sorry about that. I'll ask them what's up.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney very m,uch appreciated, I've reached out to the office in EU as well.Thanks!
I def endorse that choice... counting the smart bike I’m running six of their meters and prob have total of 40,000 miles on them. Their customer service is about as good as it gets, also.
Okay so I found out that my code does not work in Europe as Stages sells through a distributor install of direct there. Sorry about that!
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thanks for following up and no worries! And really cool insights on your channel!
Your faux interview technique isn't working. Just look at the camera, we know no-one else is there.
😂 There are two cameras. Which one do you want me to look at?
Wished shimano got that super nice ergonomic sti hoods on the mechanical version🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣