In 2021 i cycled Lands End to John O Groats. An end to end in Great Britain of about 980 miles. I rode on a Genesis Croix De Fer 725 frame and chromoly fork. Blooming lovely, comfortable and stable. I fitted a GRX 46:30 chainset and 11:32 cassette. My bottom gear was too high so when i got home i fitted a 42:26 chainset and recently fitted an11:34 cassette. 42:11 is a tall enough gear on this bike. The bike is relatively heavy at 13 kg thats with rear rack, mudguards and Schmidt dynamo and front lamp, that said, im a stone overweight. Ive cycling mates riding 8 kg roadbikes whilst packing a big gut. Fair play to them, but whats the point?
Great video, I wish more companies were willing to offer 2x10 -2x11 setups because sram apex is probably my least favorite drivetrain on the market yet its found on the majority of gravel/bikepacking bikes. It's not that I don't like the 1x systems, its the range they offer (usually having an 11-42 with a 36-40t tooth chainring in the front). It would be great to see more companies offering bikes with mullet drivetrains already installed, 11-50 with a 38t would work just fine for most people offering tons of range in the low end but also lots of power on the high end.
Poseidon bikes from California has a bike called redwood with a 1x10 drivetrain with 38t chainring and 11-48 cassette. Maybe not exactly what you need, but I think it appears to be quite nice for some 800ish $
Hi Codey, a very interesting overview of steel options. The Mason that Josh Ibbett won the TCR on was actually the aluminium Mason Definition, but many have raced on the steel 'Resolution'. One interesting Mason bike that you hadn't included is the new Exposure. It's the steel version of the Bokeh but with a slightly slacker geometry, more mounting options and slightly wider tyre clearance. Probably the best option where the routes planned don't require the ISO and will enable you to go quicker if on hard pack or sections on road. I think it's the most versatile of the Mason options for most people's general uses.
Hey Mark thanks for mentioning the Resolution mate. I want to make another video like this again featuring some other versatile steel gravel adventure steeds. And will make sure to include this one!
G'day Cody, great to see you're still in the bicycle game......have you recently checked out the newer Vivente World Randonneur bikes? Now only available in Rolhoff Gearing and Gates belt drive and there's now 3 Models pending what handlebar set up you want. Drops, Trekking or now a Straight bar that flexes slighly to give a more suspension feel. Whilst the steel frames still come from Taiwan, all the bikes are built and assembled now in Tasmania by founder and bike builder Noel McFarlane. He will build a bike to order. whether it's a 700c x 50mm or 27.5 with wide trekking tyres, he can even offer a lower gearing with a smaller front gear but the rider must've be over 100kgs. He just ride his newest creation the Diamontina names after the QLD river and he just completed a tour from Albury to Mildura following the Murray river to give it test before officially releasing the model. All bikes now retail between AUD $6,500-$6800 fully equipped except with bags of course. It's the Rolhoff hub gears and Gates belt drive that sends the price up but i think it's still very competitive to the higher end of touring or trekking bikes viventebikes.com/our-bikes/diamantina/
Any of the steel bikes equipped with a UDH and sold as a frameset? Itching to setup a mullet build Adv/Gravel with T-Type Transmission Derailleur at the back.
I actually like the old mtb look. It’s a simple and (imo) nice looking design. These bikes now are offensively priced though. But you can just buy an old frame and out drop bars on it. Old frames are better quality steel generally anyway
Having only ridden carbon and alloy for the last 20 years, could someone with experience please confirm that steel is actually more comfortable? Is this generally considered fact or is it romance?
Ive had steel (Torelli), Titanium/Carbon (Canago Titanio bstay), and aluminum (Cannondale). I definitely didnt like going to Al from steel on long rides. Went titanium, and that was majic carpet.
You have to dig deep to find facts on frame material's vertical compliance - big bike makers don't test this because it's counter to effective cycling marketing and the testing is too expensive for zero gain for smaller builders. In essence, there is little to no difference between the top frame materials, including steel. For vertical compliance, you have to look at 1. tires, 2. wheel material, 3. seat post material, and 4. seat. Steel is cool, but virtually no difference in vertical compliance than aluminum. Or titanium. Or carbon. Tour Magazine (Germany) did a scientific study (about 4-5 years ago) on frame deflection and found that the only real deflection was in the seat post (a post was needed for the test), not the frame. As for vibration dampening, carbon is the only material that actually dampens effectively. Therefore, find the bike with geometry that fits you perfectly. Then invest in the widest possible compliant tires, consider lower pressures for your riding preferences, consider quality carbon fiber seat post as well as CF bars. I don't feel a difference in wheels and seats are highly personal. So, look for fit and comfort first and foremost, and don't worry sweat the frame material - it truly does not matter for comfort.
@ashleyhouse9690 Nothing wrong with that at all, I had a mid 90s rigid ATB as they were called and it was great fun even if it was a bit heavy. My gripe is the marketing departments selling these as the next big must have and it has all been done before. Can't we have some genuine innovation?
80's steel mountain bike frames were a lot heavier than these frames. The geometry was different as well, longer chain stays for example. Brakes different also, discs versus cantilevers or u-brakes. No mid-fork braze-ons on the 80's steel forks either. I've converted an MTB frame to road, and you pretty quickly run into a geometry issue, because the top tube on the MTB is longer (as compared to gravel or road), the hoods and drops of the drop bars are a very long reach, almost too far, even with the shortest stem you can find. So, anyway, they're not the same thing.
steel as a material i suppose could be considered classic but the modern gravel bike cannot . it is a recent industry invention that has caught on . personally i think it's hype as the gravel leans either toward the road/race bike or an eighties MTB, which doesn't leave much room in between to for a,legit category . anytime there is an "upgrade" to gravel bikes it is usually toward MTB , like flat bars for example . that was tried and failed so back came the drop bars . it's probably more of an old fashioned touring bike where bigger tires was the thing that distinguished them from road/race bikes .
In 2021 i cycled Lands End to John O Groats. An end to end in Great Britain of about 980 miles. I rode on a Genesis Croix De Fer 725 frame and chromoly fork. Blooming lovely, comfortable and stable. I fitted a GRX 46:30 chainset and 11:32 cassette. My bottom gear was too high so when i got home i fitted a 42:26 chainset and recently fitted an11:34 cassette. 42:11 is a tall enough gear on this bike. The bike is relatively heavy at 13 kg thats with rear rack, mudguards and Schmidt dynamo and front lamp, that said, im a stone overweight.
Ive cycling mates riding 8 kg roadbikes whilst packing a big gut. Fair play to them, but whats the point?
Great video, I wish more companies were willing to offer 2x10 -2x11 setups because sram apex is probably my least favorite drivetrain on the market yet its found on the majority of gravel/bikepacking bikes. It's not that I don't like the 1x systems, its the range they offer (usually having an 11-42 with a 36-40t tooth chainring in the front). It would be great to see more companies offering bikes with mullet drivetrains already installed, 11-50 with a 38t would work just fine for most people offering tons of range in the low end but also lots of power on the high end.
Power is in your legs, not in your gears.
Poseidon bikes from California has a bike called redwood with a 1x10 drivetrain with 38t chainring and 11-48 cassette. Maybe not exactly what you need, but I think it appears to be quite nice for some 800ish $
There is a warmth to a steel frame. I have loved the ride my whole life, from bmx to mtb.
Hi Codey, a very interesting overview of steel options. The Mason that Josh Ibbett won the TCR on was actually the aluminium Mason Definition, but many have raced on the steel 'Resolution'. One interesting Mason bike that you hadn't included is the new Exposure. It's the steel version of the Bokeh but with a slightly slacker geometry, more mounting options and slightly wider tyre clearance. Probably the best option where the routes planned don't require the ISO and will enable you to go quicker if on hard pack or sections on road. I think it's the most versatile of the Mason options for most people's general uses.
Hey Mark thanks for mentioning the Resolution mate. I want to make another video like this again featuring some other versatile steel gravel adventure steeds. And will make sure to include this one!
G'day Cody, great to see you're still in the bicycle game......have you recently checked out the newer Vivente World Randonneur bikes? Now only available in Rolhoff Gearing and Gates belt drive and there's now 3 Models pending what handlebar set up you want. Drops, Trekking or now a Straight bar that flexes slighly to give a more suspension feel. Whilst the steel frames still come from Taiwan, all the bikes are built and assembled now in Tasmania by founder and bike builder Noel McFarlane. He will build a bike to order. whether it's a 700c x 50mm or 27.5 with wide trekking tyres, he can even offer a lower gearing with a smaller front gear but the rider must've be over 100kgs. He just ride his newest creation the Diamontina names after the QLD river and he just completed a tour from Albury to Mildura following the Murray river to give it test before officially releasing the model. All bikes now retail between AUD $6,500-$6800 fully equipped except with bags of course. It's the Rolhoff hub gears and Gates belt drive that sends the price up but i think it's still very competitive to the higher end of touring or trekking bikes viventebikes.com/our-bikes/diamantina/
Thanks for the mention, this bike is on my radar
I agree with you 100% Good video.👍👍
Steel bikes need steel forks.
Drooling! Awesome video and thanks
Thanks for watching!!
Any of the steel bikes equipped with a UDH and sold as a frameset? Itching to setup a mullet build Adv/Gravel with T-Type Transmission Derailleur at the back.
Checkout Fairlight!
Who makes the camouflage panniers that feature in the thumbnail of this video?
What's the bike brand in the first 9 seconds of this video ?
Thinking getting one
I actually like the old mtb look. It’s a simple and (imo) nice looking design. These bikes now are offensively priced though. But you can just buy an old frame and out drop bars on it. Old frames are better quality steel generally anyway
Agreed, but very difficult and expensive to mod the rear for discs.
Marin 4C 2
Has to be the Fairlight Secan for a steel gravel bike to be honest
100 %
Faran is Even better!
If someone rides for adventure, the weight of the bike becomes less important, comfort and reliability are the priority
Steel is real
It sure is!!!
I’ve owned alloy and titanium bikes, but will never own anything other than steel from here on out.
Hey what steel bike did you end up getting??
Cotic is pronounced like the last part of Psychotic.
Which is how you should ride one 👍
Ahh haha love it! Thanks for that!
Having only ridden carbon and alloy for the last 20 years, could someone with experience please confirm that steel is actually more comfortable? Is this generally considered fact or is it romance?
Ive had steel (Torelli), Titanium/Carbon (Canago Titanio bstay), and aluminum (Cannondale). I definitely didnt like going to Al from steel on long rides. Went titanium, and that was majic carpet.
You have to dig deep to find facts on frame material's vertical compliance - big bike makers don't test this because it's counter to effective cycling marketing and the testing is too expensive for zero gain for smaller builders. In essence, there is little to no difference between the top frame materials, including steel. For vertical compliance, you have to look at 1. tires, 2. wheel material, 3. seat post material, and 4. seat. Steel is cool, but virtually no difference in vertical compliance than aluminum. Or titanium. Or carbon. Tour Magazine (Germany) did a scientific study (about 4-5 years ago) on frame deflection and found that the only real deflection was in the seat post (a post was needed for the test), not the frame. As for vibration dampening, carbon is the only material that actually dampens effectively. Therefore, find the bike with geometry that fits you perfectly. Then invest in the widest possible compliant tires, consider lower pressures for your riding preferences, consider quality carbon fiber seat post as well as CF bars. I don't feel a difference in wheels and seats are highly personal. So, look for fit and comfort first and foremost, and don't worry sweat the frame material - it truly does not matter for comfort.
@@don_sharon thanks for your detailed reply very interesting 👍
#steelisreal
I'm a fan of steel road bikes but these just look like rehashed 80's rigid mountain bikes with drop bars.
And is there anything wrong with that?
@ashleyhouse9690 Nothing wrong with that at all, I had a mid 90s rigid ATB as they were called and it was great fun even if it was a bit heavy. My gripe is the marketing departments selling these as the next big must have and it has all been done before. Can't we have some genuine innovation?
It's all bikes, don't be so obsessed to put them in a category. Ride it and do skits, it's fun.
80's steel mountain bike frames were a lot heavier than these frames. The geometry was different as well, longer chain stays for example. Brakes different also, discs versus cantilevers or u-brakes. No mid-fork braze-ons on the 80's steel forks either.
I've converted an MTB frame to road, and you pretty quickly run into a geometry issue, because the top tube on the MTB is longer (as compared to gravel or road), the hoods and drops of the drop bars are a very long reach, almost too far, even with the shortest stem you can find.
So, anyway, they're not the same thing.
steel as a material i suppose could be considered classic but the modern gravel bike cannot . it is a recent industry invention that has caught on . personally i think it's hype as the gravel leans either toward the road/race bike or an eighties MTB, which doesn't leave much room in between to for a,legit category . anytime there is an "upgrade" to gravel bikes it is usually toward MTB , like flat bars for example . that was tried and failed so back came the drop bars . it's probably more of an old fashioned touring bike where bigger tires was the thing that distinguished them from road/race bikes .
No gravel bike blows my mind😴
Extremely difficult to find.
Was this video done with AI?
I'll never not think that 1x is just a stupid industry pushed trend.
Video credit to @pathlesspedal on the marin because wasn't seen on any part of this video