I think that is correct…he was borrowing someone’s CX bike from what I saw on various videos (I think it was on Drew Dillman’s or Joe Goetz’s BWR Kansas recap).
And Brendan Johnston second with Revolt… While I’m somewhat happy with my Revolt, I’ve been wondering if it’s worth to try TCX as a gravel rocket? Anyone having both of these?
Personally, I would avoid the TCX as a gravel bike, unless you also do a lot of true CX racing and don’t want a bike for each discipline.
The BB drop on the TCX is very short…the Revolt is a full 2cm lower. This will have a major impact on how stable the bike feels. One of our riding buddies (who already struggles with a high CG because he is so tall) rides a TCX for gravel and has taken more than a few spills in turns that really shouldn’t have happened.
I run a Blue Norcross (Force AXS XPLR) for CX and use it for gravel as well. They claim it can fit 45 - the max I’ve run is 40s and those had plenty of clearance. 33 and 38 during cross are no problem at all of course. With 40’s on have done a number of long gravel rides and it has handled them very well.
Feels snappy enough for CX and managed to grab some podiums with it, so overall its been a good bike for me and have been pleased with its versatility. It’s my third Blue (I have their road bike and a much older AL cross bike) and have been happy with them.
Re-reading the thread I couldn’t pick up on why you stopped considering the Scott. Only availability or was it something else?
I don’t have both, but I use my TCX as my roadie, gravel and CX. The geo works well to do all that. Gravel bikes tend to be not racey enough for me to use as a roadie as well.
I do swap the stem out for Crit racing so I get a bit longer and lower.
Availability and also. Given that I bough 2 bikes, I wanted the racing bike to be uncompromisingly fast, so in the end I only considered the Kaius and the Factor……The Scott is more of a well rounded bike.
How would you compare the kaius and mog?
Alrighty…What about weight difference, which one is lighter with same (theoretical) groupset aso? Difference in stiffness overall and seatpost particularly?
It’s hard because the wheel setup and the different terrain I ride the bikes in. I’m surprised that they are not MORE different.
While I built the MOG very light, the Kaius is even lighter and more responsive.
While I have 38mm handlebars in the MOG I can feel the 2cm less in the Kaius.
I’ll report If I ever put same tires and ride the same course for a more direct comparison.
It sounds crazy but where I live It could be reasonable to have at least 1 of each.
- Road Bike
- Racing Gravel Bike
- Adventure Gravel Bike
- Down Trail MTB
- XC Racing MTB
- Bike in the Trainer
- Fat Tire Bike.
That means you live in a great area!
Yes, for those of us “n+1 cultists”
can you share where you live (at least the region of the country?)
High Rockies ![]()
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I’m in Seattle and could totally use everything on that list except the fat bike. I actually HAVE everything else but a dedicated trainer bike and a racing gravel bike; currently a Ridely X-Trail is pulling triple duty as a road bike, trainer bike and skinnier-tire gravel bike (it’ll clear 38s), while my Lauf Seigla is the adventure gravel/bikepacking option.
I have vague plans to get a more racy gravel bike that will double as a roadie w/ different rolling stock. I only train on the road, don’t race there, so no real motivation to get a legit roadie.
Not on the list but I also have a Spesh Turbo Vado ebike that I use to commute. Oh and my wife has 3 bikes too. Garage space is at an absolute premium!
I’m also in the high rockies.
At one point I did have 6 or so bikes. Was a bit much haha. I have slimmed the fleet back to four. Great place to live. Will miss it whenever I do decide to leave.
I currently have 11 and my wife has 7. It’s ridiculous. I need to sell some. ![]()
Looks like the kaius has been updated for 2024. Price increase, no more zipps on the Two, and most importantly, lame colors.
Hi all, I’m on the market to replace my 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL5 as I’m planning to do a little more racing in 2024 and although I like the Checkpoint’s versatility and comfort, it’s a little on the heavy side and instead of upgrading it I would rather have something new. I also do not like the fact that I cannot easily run a power meter on the checkpoint with a Shimano drivetrain due the the lack of clearance for a left-side PM. Here are the bike I considering for next season (all bikes are around 7200 CAD with taxes - I have deals on Cervelo and Specialized which explain why they are being considered):
- 2024 Specialized Crux Expert
- 2024 Cervelo Aspero Rival ETAP AXS 1
- 2023 Trek Checkpoint SLR 7 AXS (lightly used)
- 2024 Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1
I don’t think I can go wrong with either of the bikes here and the SLR 7 is obviously the best equipped with Force AXS and a PM. I’m just unsure of the semi-integrated seatmast and geometry wise the Trek is very long which is great for stability but not very agile in singletrack and feel quite sluggish.
The Giant is the most attractive visually with an amazing paintjob in 2024, which obviously is not adding much but nothing wrong with liking how your bike looks I suppose. Seem like this is the most versatile bike of the 4, being fairly light and having a well balanced geometry.
The Specialized and Cervelo are defintinitly the most race-oriented bikes of the bunch. I’ve read that the Crux is the most versatile bike, being the best of compromise between a road and gravel bike ( I already own an SL7 so I don’t need versatility of road and gravel) It’s also incredibly light but the geometry is the most road like of the bunch and the BB height seems on the high side.
The Cervelo is probably the most gravel race oriented with no intention of being a backpacking bike which is ok with me. It also have 40/44 reserve wheels in 2024 so excellent aero wheels also. The most expensive bike here with the Crux. Tire size is also limited to 40-42C which I suppose is sufficient for most gravel races.
Any opinion either of these bikes and how they compare?
Thanks!
I have the SL7 and now the SL9. I’ve taken it on plenty of single track and I don’t find it to be sluggish or not agile, then again, I come from a mountain bike background. I don’t have any complaints regarding the checkpoint, and many of my teammates have the same bike. However, I don’t have any other gravel bikes to compare them to.
I cannot speak for any of the bikes you mentioned except for the crux. I demo’d the lower tier mech equipped crux earlier this year and it was a blast. Currently I’m on a 2018 Diverge sport comp and the weight difference and response in acceleration and handling was night and day. With the current sale going on I’m going to sell my Diverge and get the crux probably this weekend.
This is what I’m looking at - if they don’t have this color I’ll pass…
