I have a favourite ride at the moment that include approx 1-1.5 km of unsealed (gravel) road. I have no problems riding over this every other day in terms of comfort but would like to know the pros and cons of such an exercise. Whilst I try to stay on the smoothest portion of the road there's still a bit of "juddering" as I traverse this section. What are peoples thoughts on potential long term damage to the bike/tyres/knees etc. or am I worrying too much?
I have a favourite ride at the moment that include approx 1-1.5 km of unsealed (gravel) road. I have no problems riding over this every other day in terms of comfort but would like to know the pros and cons of such an exercise. Whilst I try to stay on the smoothest portion of the road there's still a bit of "juddering" as I traverse this section. What are peoples thoughts on potential long term damage to the bike/tyres/knees etc. or am I worrying too much?
Thanks in advance, Brad
If my experience is anything to go by, you don't have anything to worry about. Dirt roads tend to have more rocks, so you have bigger chance of a puncture if you're using narrow tyres. Narrow tyres also give you less grip in the dirt so that a sudden change in direction could leave you on the floor.
Brad Hubbard I have a favourite ride at the moment that include approx 1-1.5 km of unsealed (gravel) road. What are peoples thoughts on potential long term damage to the bike/tyres/knees etc. or am I worrying too much?
It would have to be pretty rough to do anything bad to you or the bike. I ride my expensive road bike over unsealed roads occasionally and wouldn't hesitate to do it more. Assuming you don't hit large potholes it should be totally fine. I'm 100kg's... properly built road wheels are tough man! 🙂
I have a favourite ride at the moment that include approx 1-1.5 km of unsealed (gravel) road. What are peoples thoughts on potential long term damage to the bike/tyres/knees etc. or am I worrying too much?
It would have to be pretty rough to do anything bad to you or the bike. I ride my expensive road bike over unsealed roads occasionally and wouldn't hesitate to do it more. Assuming you don't hit large potholes it should be totally fine. I'm 100kg's... properly built road wheels are tough man! 🙂
hippy
I'm thinking of getting a new full carbon fibre bike. I'm a bit concerend about stones kicking up from my bike (and that of other riders) and nicking my frame. I can't imagine stones doing to much damage to compromise frame strength but I was wondering about other people's opinions or experiences.
Brad Hubbard I have a favourite ride at the moment that include approx 1-1.5 km of unsealed (gravel) road. What are peoples thoughts on potential long term damage to the bike/tyres/knees etc. or am I worrying too much?
It would have to be pretty rough to do anything bad to you or the bike. I ride my expensive road bike over unsealed roads occasionally and wouldn't hesitate to do it more. Assuming you don't hit large potholes it should be totally fine. I'm 100kg's... properly built road wheels are tough man! 🙂
How about the tyres Hippy?
Would the potential for damage to the tyres be prohibitive? The cost of tyres is non-trivial, at least to me ;-)
hippy wrote: It would have to be pretty rough to do anything bad to you or the bike. I ride my expensive road bike over unsealed roads occasionally and wouldn't hesitate to do it more. Assuming you don't hit large potholes it should be totally fine. I'm 100kg's... properly built road wheels are tough man! 🙂
How about the tyres Hippy?
I have much more trouble with glass than with rocks. If you can pick a good line whilst off the road you shouldn't have much more of an issue than road riding. It will depend, of course, on the surface, your speed, your weight and your abillity to pick a good line through any potentially sharp rocks. So long as you can dodge or unweight the bike over the really sharp stuff you should be fine. Try it for a while and collect some puncture stats 🙂
Is it mostly dirt with a few rocks or lots of rocks? Unsealed "roads" are still usually pretty smooth and you'll only puncture if you hit a sharp edge somewhere.
I have much more trouble with glass than with rocks. If you can pick a
good line whilst off the road you shouldn't have much more of an issue
than road riding. It will depend, of course, on the surface, your speed, your weight and your abillity to pick a good line through any potentially sharp rocks.
In combination with my ability to remain upright whilst doing the eight basic balletic movements right? :-P
Quoted message said:
So long as you can dodge or unweight the bike over the really sharp stuff you should be fine. Try it for a while and collect some puncture stats 🙂
OK, I'm a believer, so far punctures = 0 after several weeks riding this particular route. I will let peoples know if I have dramas.
I have a favourite ride at the moment that include approx 1-1.5 km of unsealed (gravel) road. I have no problems riding over this every other day in terms of comfort but would like to know the pros and cons of such an exercise. Whilst I try to stay on the smoothest portion of the road there's still a bit of "juddering" as I traverse this section. What are peoples thoughts on potential long term damage to the bike/tyres/knees etc. or am I worrying too much?
Quoted message said:
Thanks in advance, Brad
I ride a lot of gravel roads on a very expensive bike (Hand made Titanium) and never had much trouble with punctures. I personally use Armadillo tyres but they are expensive and a bit heavy, but real puncture resistant. The biggest thing about going reasonably fast on gravel is balance, it is a bit like riding cobbles in Europe, you select the biggest gear you can handle and put as much weight over the centre of the bike as you can and keep even power on ALL THE TIME. It seems to me that every time you slow, stop pedalling or brake, off you come, at least I seem to. The forward lean may look a bit queer, but if you are not balanced, you will hit the deck. And you really do get real gravel rash. I have yet to hurt my bike and I do use it on some real bad gravel roads. I find that if the road is completely covered with loose gravel you can still steer the bike if you keep a steady power on and by leaning forward a bit (Not too much) the front will turn quite well. The main problem is that you half expect the front not to respond and end up turning too quickly and then the back comes around, and I am yet to respond to that senario quickly enough to know how get away with it. Hope this helps Ro.
