Build to order. This is the way it should be in the industry, especially at these prices!
Iām running the previous/current gen with a 48t with no issue. Obviously larger rear clearance could take away from that but I would expect to still be able to clear a 48 on the new one if not larger. They run DUB wide cranks which nets you 2.5mm over a standard dub crank
Very nice. I mean, not really as a gravel race bike but would love to run that as a road/allroad bike with slick 40ās or something.
Another Lauf fan boy bike review post Unbound. The bike did everything right at Unbound. I didnāt really hold up my end of the deal and made a mechanical blunder early that cost me a bunch of time, but still managed to chase back for 3rd in AG. I couldnāt have been happier with the bike.
Ran 2.2 Race Kings and they were a big advantage for me early staying in the lead group. Even on the less selective sections, it was a constant fight for position early and the big tires made it easy to jump off the racing line into the rougher gravel or grass to make passes on the sides. And then where we got to the first double track at Kaw Reserve, same deal with making another track to pass people. Made the start much more manageable, made it to Eskride (~40 miles in) in the lead group where I was a couple groups back last year due to positioning. Almost 15 watts easier and 1mph faster to that point compared to last year with similar low wind conditions. Iād attribute most of that to me being able to move up on the sides when I wanted (rather than when it was strung out and going hard).
I had a mechanical at ~45 miles and ended up chasing solo most of the rest of the day. Bike was great on the chunk and solid on the flat/fast stuff, zero complaints. You are always hurting after a 11+ hours of gravel racing, but I felt much better than I did the last couple years and was able to push watts all the way to the end. I attribute most of the comfort to the larger tire volume, but the fork and seatpost help as well on the heavier stuff. I saw quite a few other Seiglas near the front of the race (when I was there early), I guess maybe I just notice them more now that Iām riding one. I also saw quite a few Mogs and a surprising number of new Allied Ables (not that many, but a lot for it being such a new bike). Iām sure the debate over tire size will rage on, but for me the bigger tires make sense on a course like Unbound. There are probably long stretches where a 50mm might roll faster, but for the sections that matter I found the bigger tires worth any penalty.
Thatās a good looking bike! Any idea the tire size he ran?
my guess is it doesnt take more then a 50
Those are Terreno T50ās which only come in 40,45 and 50 and the seattube clearance is already maxed out. So for sure no more than that. From the other pics on weightweenies it looks like the fork has more clearance, but fork clearance is the easy part.
Some very scientific zooming gives a tire height of 3.5 chain links, which would translate to exactly 45mm. The tire also looks like a 45 to me but it could be a 50.
after unbound, which was my first long ride on my new terra, I have decided I really really miss my rudy fork from my grizl. Anyone know if I can put one on the orbea? Otherwise felt very happy with my new ride.
New Ribble dropped. Claims for 50 max which probably means a 2.25 up front and maybe squeeze it in the rear. 2.1 will probably work.
Any thoughts on the Tideace FM GV201 Noah? Looking for a carbon frame with rear pannier mounts for commuting during the week.
I see the title post says the geo is a bit weird but Iāve heard the same about the Yoeleo G21 Altera.
This 40page thread over on Weight Weenies is pretty fun
I love the fun design on the frame!
Do you enjoy it more than the crux?? Iām on the fence between the two.
I do but the caveat is that some of the changes that I am experiencing are related to going 1x and switching to a mullet with newer EXPLR and transmission. Also, the Zipps are amazing and riding with a big fat tire has been a comfort, speed, and handling revelation.
The top tube mounts are really nice as is the internal downtime storage. It is more forgiving from a handling and compliance stand point. It has better tire clearance. In fact people have put Race Kings on it.
At the same time it is about 3 pounds heavier, not as classic looking, slower handling/not as nimble.
I find the new Orbea Terra fairly compelling. Published 50mm clearance but they say straight up thatās conservative and itāll easily fit 2.1 TBs. UDH, big frame storage, round post, reasonable cable routing. Plus mounts for real fenders, which as a denizen of the PNW is super nice in winter. Also nice that Orbea allows you to customize things like crank, stem and bar size to your liking.
It does arguably look a bit like an e-bike with that bulged downtube, but then e-bikes increasingly look like normal bikes by design, so whatever.
Its kinda fugly 
But looks aside seems like a solid option. It does feel like most companies are going to have an āadventureā gravel bike aka Unbound and a āaero/speedā gravel bike for more tame or gravel races with more road.
Honestly even with a few great options coming out I donāt know if anything is tempting me to update from my Crux. I have 50mm Tracers on and it feels great. Still seems like one of the better gravel race bikes on the market even 3 years later.
Yeah I feel the same way about my Seigla. But Iād love a bike that can work as a fast gravel option in summer but take proper fenders in winter. Seems like as this fast/adventure split becomes clearer, only the latter category are being made with fender mounts, so Iām kinda looking for the most ārace-ready adventure bikeā at this point.
The Argon 18 Dark Matter seems promising, but rather hard to find around me and also not available as a frameā¦
Orbeaās other gravel bike just dropped, the āTerra Race.ā Officially 45mm clearance though they say directly thatās with 6mm on all sides and it can fit 50s. (I think it was raced at Unbound on 50s FWIW.)
Seems a solid option in the āraceā category. No frame storage is a bit of a bummer but OTOH it has a round seat post, which I like.