Looks super nice. Why one would ride that and not an mtb on single track is beyond me, however. On a totally unrelated note, you and I look VERY alike!
Pretty much the main reason is that a modern MTB makes my local trails too easy, there's no challenge or adrenalin rush the bike is so efficient at its job. The grav gives back that hint of peril that you might not make it to the end of the trail still on the bike. Pretty much what mtbing was like back in the late 80s
That's a lovely looking bike. Very brave riding one handed through bracken...that stuff always tries to grab the bars. At least it wasn't a corridor of teazles (which I had to ride through last ride out🤕
At this time of year if the nettles don’t get you, the brambles will. I had (well still have, but haven’t been on for a while) a mk1 topstone carbon, which may have a similar rear end feel. I wouldn’t describe it as suspension, but it’s a springiness/zing that encourages you to go faster (that’s if fit enough to 😂). I personally am not that keen on the front suspension for gravel bike. I understand why will suit some, but I’ll just take the mtb if going that rough terrain. The 45mm tyres on current bike supply so much more comfort these days.
I think suspension fork is the wrong name for this type of fork. It makes you think it's the same as an MTB, which it really isn't.it just does the same job as a redshift or cane creek stem and dampens some vibrations
Geometry is very aggressive - the stack to reach ratio for this frame is 1.42:1 which is more aggressive than for example spec crux, this is why the stem is short.
Yes! I have a first gen grade and was thinking about getting a new one, but I usually ride an XL and comparing this gen it’s crazy aggressive. I’m @6’3” with a 34.5” inseam and I’m now leaning towards a large instead of xl.
What size is it? I’m thinking of getting one, they are on a great sale right now. The geometry is curious though, I’m 6’1 so a large maybe but when I see the reach and effective top tube, I start to wonder…
I'm 6ft and this was a large, a medium felt too low at the front so using the drops would have felt uncomfortable. I'm not the most flexible back wise though
@@ukgravelco That's interesting... i'm 6'1" and also ride a GT Grade in size L (the Comp model with the aluminum frame, not Carbon). As far as I know the geometry of the Carbon and Comp is nearly identical, but your reach looks so much shorter than mine. You look quite upright compared to me. Did you make any modifications or adjustments to the bike to change your position?
@@MarmiteFerret I got the large and it feels fine. I swapped the stem out for one 70mm 30 degree. Feels great. Medium might be better but hard to say. If you look at geometry the jump from medium to large is pretty significant.
Suspension forks not working as it normally would because your not weighting the front as much as you would otherwise if riding and filming one handed 😅
Looks super nice. Why one would ride that and not an mtb on single track is beyond me, however.
On a totally unrelated note, you and I look VERY alike!
Pretty much the main reason is that a modern MTB makes my local trails too easy, there's no challenge or adrenalin rush the bike is so efficient at its job. The grav gives back that hint of peril that you might not make it to the end of the trail still on the bike. Pretty much what mtbing was like back in the late 80s
I can't unsee that the front GT badge looks like it's slipped down, I don't like the bar end GT plugs, I have now seen it for £2500, which I do like
I have this bike with the Rudy fork. The fork is adjustable, and it does have a lockout switch on the top of the right fork leg.
This one definitely hasn't, it's the base model though
Got the top end LE one. Outstanding gravel bike.
That's a lovely looking bike. Very brave riding one handed through bracken...that stuff always tries to grab the bars. At least it wasn't a corridor of teazles (which I had to ride through last ride out🤕
At this time of year if the nettles don’t get you, the brambles will.
I had (well still have, but haven’t been on for a while) a mk1 topstone carbon, which may have a similar rear end feel. I wouldn’t describe it as suspension, but it’s a springiness/zing that encourages you to go faster (that’s if fit enough to 😂).
I personally am not that keen on the front suspension for gravel bike. I understand why will suit some, but I’ll just take the mtb if going that rough terrain. The 45mm tyres on current bike supply so much more comfort these days.
I think suspension fork is the wrong name for this type of fork. It makes you think it's the same as an MTB, which it really isn't.it just does the same job as a redshift or cane creek stem and dampens some vibrations
Fascinated by the rear end. Does it not flex in the wrong direction as well?
I can't feel it flex or hear any tyre rub however hard I try to make it move laterally
Geometry is very aggressive - the stack to reach ratio for this frame is 1.42:1 which is more aggressive than for example spec crux, this is why the stem is short.
Yes! I have a first gen grade and was thinking about getting a new one, but I usually ride an XL and comparing this gen it’s crazy aggressive. I’m @6’3” with a 34.5” inseam and I’m now leaning towards a large instead of xl.
What size is it? I’m thinking of getting one, they are on a great sale right now. The geometry is curious though, I’m 6’1 so a large maybe but when I see the reach and effective top tube, I start to wonder…
I'm 6ft and this was a large, a medium felt too low at the front so using the drops would have felt uncomfortable. I'm not the most flexible back wise though
@@ukgravelco thanks!
@@ukgravelco That's interesting... i'm 6'1" and also ride a GT Grade in size L (the Comp model with the aluminum frame, not Carbon). As far as I know the geometry of the Carbon and Comp is nearly identical, but your reach looks so much shorter than mine. You look quite upright compared to me. Did you make any modifications or adjustments to the bike to change your position?
I am also looking at one given the sale prices... I'm 5'11 so I think medium is probably the better option...
@@MarmiteFerret I got the large and it feels fine. I swapped the stem out for one 70mm 30 degree. Feels great.
Medium might be better but hard to say. If you look at geometry the jump from medium to large is pretty significant.
Suspension forks not working as it normally would because your not weighting the front as much as you would otherwise if riding and filming one handed 😅