Gravel a Gimmick? I beg to differ

 Some commentators suggest that Gravel is a gimmick. Sure, I don’t subscribe to all its nuances, but lightweight drop bar builds with the ability to traverse unmade roads have been cemented in my psyche, since 1986. I suddenly found myself contemplating another bar switch, this time to some On-One Midge. A flared design that I was initially sceptical about but stealthily grew on me, back in 2005 However, I quickly recalled that these Soma Fabrications Condor 2 SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) shape was great for the fixed and optimal for Ursula. 

Gravel clothing also lends itself very nicely to other genres- touring and indeed everyday riding thanks to its rugged materials. I’ve switched from my defaults, the Shimano RX600 Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) back to their more compliant, less racy MT701 GTX Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Primarily since I’ve stubbed my toe and the GTX are a little roomier at the toe box. Soles are more compliant, so lack the RX600’s razor-sharp power transfer but still offer excellent support and are a little more comfortable sans bike.  

A good bet for touring, commuting and general riding. If you’re on a relatively tight budget, FLR Rexton Touring/Trail shoe FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are another rugged, versatile choice. Laces and Velcro lack the refinement and convenience of the boa systems and the emphasis is more on the lighter side of trail/gravel duties. However, they’ve stood up to wintry roads and other, not-so-balmy weather very well.     

Arguably, Polaris Bikewear’s discontinued Challenge range stole a march on this mixed terrain clothing narrative. POLARIS CHALLENGE NEXUS SHORTS TEST AND REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com)  POLARIS TRAVERSE MEN'S JERSEY REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com) not forgetting the Pioneer jacket, POLARIS CHALLENGE PIONEER WINDPROOF JACKET REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com) I still wear these during spring and summer months.  

Pearson Cycles Adventure range and specifically, their red adventure long sleeve Cycling Jacket is my new favourite. It’s a bridge garment, in the jersey cum jacket vein. Reckoned to withstand a fast-paced encounter with a Hawthorne hedge, there’s a great blend of retro and modern.  

The main fabric is 65% recycled polyester, 25% recycled Coolmax and 10% Lycra.  The chest panel is overlain with Millerain. There are two deep breast pockets and a further two at the rear. One big poacher type for generic capture-all, the other for a mini pump. 

Gravel helmets also bridge the gap between genres very nicely. Bell Muni Urban Sport Helmet was another, now-dropped design ahead of the trend. Peak, 21 vents and LED lights at the rear ensured it performed well on and off road, touring and commuting. It also blended nicely with road and mtb threads and didn’t look out of place on a road-biased touring lorry, either.  

Looking at the current catalogue, the Bell Trace LED helmet looks the closest comparator. Madison Cycles Madison.co.uk – The UK’s largest cycle parts & accessories distributor sent me this Lazer Chameleon, which is another design intended to cross between gravel, touring, commuting and light trail duties.  Ours is the medium, which tips the scales at a respectable 283g and is the “lowlier” non-MIPS version (£20 cheaper).  

It features a crash replacement program, meaning a replacement can be bought at a discount, which hopefully you’ll never need. The Advanced Rollsys adjustment system is designed for a precise fit- crucial if a helmet is to do its job effectively. Rather than the big thumbwheel, there’s a smaller, splined dial at the top, and the cradle system avoids pressure points, while ensuring a clear, unhindered exit for ponytails.  

A peak, 13 large vents continue the versatile narrative. Ours is the two-tone matt blue, but there are other matt colours- black, white and red. Matt colours require a little more care and dedicated “polishes” but nothing outlandish, in my experience. Finish and specification are pretty much what I’ve come to expect from this end of the market.  

The polycarbonate shell doesn’t extend around the rim, leaving it slightly more vulnerable to the usual everyday carelessness but no more so than similar designs. In common with the Bell models, it is designed to accept a dedicated (aftermarket) light, but I’ve also found several others, including the Magicshine Seemee (100, 180 and 200-lumen models) a perfectly good fit, ditto the slightly heavier and now discontinued Xeccon Mars 60 TESTED: XECCON MARS 60 COB REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Thirteen vents might not sound particularly airy but thus far, they’ve been gulping in a decent and continuous flow of cooling air, without the painful “ice cream” headaches that can strike on long, fast, chill descents. Wind noise is also reassuringly absent and I’m forming a fondness for it-as if you couldn’t tell.  Same goes for Ursula’s new 2x10 Deore setup... Ending on a related note, here's my review of the Feedback Sports Cassette PliersFeeback Sports Cassette Pliers | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).    

Curiosity...

Left to my own devices, I became curious regarding the new Deore crankset’s suitability and wanted to check chain length, before introducing front mech, bar end shifter and cables.

 

Off came the 1x10 deore (switched to the Dawes Edge frameset for safe keeping GRAVEL ON A DUSTBOWL BUDGET: HARVESTING COMPONENTS (sevendaycyclist.com)). Plenty of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) graced the Shimano XT Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) pedal threads.  

The Juice Lubes Bearing Juice was still clinging to the Hollowtech II axle. Pleasing, given its primarily designed for bearings SIMPLE SERVICE: CUP 'N' CONE HUBS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). . With the new, 2x10 Deore , I opted in favour of the Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Everything back together and buttery smooth, 110 link chains seemed correct- no hint of straining at the lowest gears.  

Confirmed beyond reasonable doubt on the following morning’s twenty-mile test run. Nonetheless, I had plenty on, so the front mech and shifter could be fitted at my leisure. Sometimes things need to be works in progress, rather than rushed.  

Quitting while ahead some might say. Besides, the Crane Cousins sacrificed a front mech and shifter to save precious grams on their Special Products Raleigh Bikes for their epic tour...Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Richard Crane, Nicholas Crane - Google Books Ok, let’s not get too carried away...Who was I kidding???  

Saturday morning, I returned from a 430am ride and decided I’d get busy in the methodical, offer stuff up and check sense. I managed to retain the “child at Christmas” sense of urgency until 7am. Yup, that I’ll just do some preliminaries went out the window too. In for a penny... 

 

Chain split, the biggest challenge was the front mech.  

The Deore was proving a non-starter with the MPart Mount, so I decided to save time, cut my losses and reach for the STX. My hunch that the 24-year-old mech would save the day proved so. I also needed to remove the serrated panel from the rear Blumels Shiny Mudguards SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to allow unhindered cage travel. 

Cable outers cut, everything connected, I needed to adjust the travel but despite being designed for a 3x7, it slipped back and forth very snappily-without any cage manipulation. Although being a triple, I was meticulous, borderline neurotic when adjusting the limit screws.  

Having ensured it wouldn’t drop off either side, I reintroduced the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), checked everything shifted reliably and popped the old girl away.

4.40am on Sunday morning, the acid test. Better quality inner wires tend not to require intervention but either way, I leave inner wires eight hours (or overnight) and then pull through once, if needed. I’d toyed with leaving things another day or so and switching to the fixed meantime but 440am came around and a shakedown ride called.  

No nasty surprises, the old STX shifted impeccably in both directions with no hint of cage rub, or similar teething troubles. That said; the Merida cage gracing the seat tube bottle boss chose this opportunity to expire- without warning. The tool caddy was ejected onto the front rings, causing a moment’s anxiety.  

In the darkness, I thought the worst-broken derailleur cage, popped chain... I had spare links and replacement magic links in the tool caddy in any case. I packed the cage into Ursula’s Axiom Ocean Wave City+ Seat Pack AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and rode home. I’d considered this Zefal Pulse Z2 Zefal Pulse Z2 Bottle Cage | cycling, not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com) before settling on the winged carbon fibre Boardman.  

While I understand and appreciate magic links, I’m not completely at ease with them. I much prefer a pin of some description and that’s on a derailleur transmission, let alone single speed, or fixed setup.  

A 2x10 transmission has given me a range between 26.9 and 84.3 inches some added power on the road with greater torque offroad, or when a trailer’s trundling behind.  

Staying with chains, the Muc-Off Wet lube seems to be holding its own, despite rains of biblical proportions. The sort that creates deep, lingering puddles, which can conceal a multitude of nasties-potholes are extremely fertile right now.  

John Moss has been developing a mount for the TRP HYRD calliper. Although I’m not in a rush for it (am planning to fit to coincide with cable and/or pad replacement), I'm getting quite excited...