7 Things We Wish We Knew When We Started Gravel Riding | Cycling Weekly

New to gravel riding or just looking for ways to increase your enjoyment of offroad riding? Let us take you through the seven most important bits of advice we wish we were given when we first started out. Follow these and maximise your ride!


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[tamask]

I'd say before getting a bike, do make sure the gear ratio is sufficient on it. As gravel is all the rage these days, they are trying to sell everything as gravel or gravel-ready, but on many bikes the chainring and cassette combination is more suitable for fast paced road riding (looking at you Shimano). That will make it very difficult to tackle steeper terrain, especially on gravel or poor quality roads, if you are not in excellent riding condition. Unfortunately these components can be really expensive to switch out, so it's better to just get a bike that already comes with the ones that are best suited for your needs (and abilities).

[runcmt]

I tried to take up mountain biking and in my 60s it was too challenging. So I started using my mountain bike for gravel riding.

[bensachs]

Lesson #3: regularly check to make sure your chainring bolts are tight

[doriankelly]

So, basically, do what mountain bikers do: Optimal tire selection, lower psi, carry a larger kit, drop the saddle, shorten/raise the stem...

[JohnSmith-bxzb]

One good tip is ride at a speed that allows you to stop if a pedestrian is using the track just around that corner.

[KowalskiVanishing_Point]

Think I have made every mistake you've described and all your suggestions are bang on....except for tire pressure. I run tires pretty hard all the time as I was getting sick of pinch flats. I'm running more of a monster bike in the Salsa Fargo and run 2.5" wide Maxxis Hookworms. Surprisingly good traction off road and roll well on road although, with a 30 lb.+ steel bike I'm not winning any races! I went to a flat pedal and shoe after years of clip ins- just more into more relaxed style of riding as I get older.

[TrailsofCalifornia]

I'm interesting in getting into gravel riding like this. Thanks for the video!

[bluetelecaster]

If you need to have a high pressure when you’re riding to your gravel trails, then a low one when you arrive, just let some air out and pump them back up for your ride home

[ironfrogpress]

My favorite bike for gravel war a 89 Ceturian Dave Scott Ironman, witn 28mm Continentals at 70 psi
Super fun on hilly loose river rock...❤️

[kalebbarant]

Here are 2 things I learned from personal experience...

Don't run road level tire pressure and a mtb stem & mtb bar when you're planning to speed down a gravel trail at 25mph lol

Rear tire was drifting and the front tire was skidding with every quick counter steer.

The mtb stem and mtb bar might not be that bad, but the tire pressure cost me some traction.

[Paddyhudson]

I'd like to add: Don't push it too far when it comes to tire clearance with your bike. The big gravel tires are going to puff out when hitting bumps much more than a road tire will. If your tires are cutting it a little close when standing still, they may actually rub when in action.

[philparatrooper]

Put a bell on your bike because you will be travelling fast on tracks with many walkers

[colinmcdonald]

I tend to overpack. But if you are lucky enough to live someplace with 200, 300, 500 or even 800 meter ( in elevation) descents, be sure to inspect your brake pad thickness often. I carry a new pair of spare brake pads, next to my replacement chain link. You never want to find out that you're on your last mm of disc brake pads with 700 meters of elevation still to descend!

[rodrigolizarraga]

I just bought an entry level gravel bike. I would love a video up which upgrades or modifications are good to make to a "cheap" bike. As I'm starting I didn't want to buy an expensive bike, if I end up loving it, I will sure upgrade to a new bike

[ZulkifleCheAbdullah]

Love your experience tips, it's really help! Great video...khemah!

[Simbostyle]

Dropper seat posts are great if you are on a ride with a big variation in terrain.

[darrylandrewerciaa]

When you love mountain bike & road bike you ended up buying a Gravel bike 🥰

[costasmandylor]

Biggest mistake I made: if you're going to ride proper trails the semi slick "gravel" tires that are so popular are useless on technical trails. Get knobby tires!!

[sepg]

If traction and comfort are the priority over speed, then an XC hardtail would be the better choice for "gravel" riding. And even an XC bike would still be sufficient even if you have to ride on pavement; i can ride my XC bike comfortably for 100 KM on a combination of good and bad pavement even compared to my road bike, no need to buy a gravel bike.

Only use my road bike if i know that i will be riding on good pavement.

[walterblanquio]

I would see this on my YouTube feed after my first gravel ride lmao.thanks for the tips