I have been offered a GRX Cervelo Aspero from a friend of a friend at a pretty decent price ( I think it was a covid purchase that never got used!)
I know quite a few folk in the club have them and wanted to get peoples thoughts on it given the local conditions. I’m thinking maybe just for gravel, some racing (P2A, Dusty Nostril if I get it in time!) and maybe backup for my main road bike. I heard it might be a bit stiff compared to other gravel bikes but then I ride an aero bike on the road and I find that perfectly comfortable. I’m not bike packing or going really long distances so speed is more important than comfort for this.
It is absolutely fine for riding around here, it is a race orientated frame. Biggest downside for me is that it is too race focused and they didn’t put fender mounts on it.
Stiffness and compliance is over hyped on gravel bikes. A change in pressure/tires and you will have a bigger impact. Sure if you are a sprinter or racer you might prefer a stiffer bike, at the same time being rattled around doesn’t help you over a race.
+1 to @Francqlife’s comments on the gravel rides. This season, I’ve been riding with the intermediate gravel group and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve found it pretty laid back and inviting and the routes are often stunningly scenic. And, ironically, some of the hard-packed gravel roads feel smoother than some of the ignored pavement in the Region! Or maybe it’s the tires (I’m on 650x47)!!
I had a steel Kona Rove on order ('cause steel!) and it was due to come in May. I contacted McPhails and they said that it was not coming in May and they didn’t have an ETA, but their Kona rep was interested in selling her personal 2020 Rove NRB. It was pretty mint, has pretty paint, and I liked the way it rode (despite being AL), so I bought it!
I’ve put about 1600 kms on it so far. It’s definitely an in-betweener – not light/racy like the Aspero, and not as ‘bikepacky’ as some other options. But, as my first gravel bike, that’s what I wanted and I’ve been really enjoying riding it. Did a slow-but-steady ride on G2G to Goderich to meet my wife at the beach last weekend!
ah the classic nice bike, nice weather vs old bike, bad weather conundrum. Something to consider since if I’m riding gravel I’m normally doing it in bad weather. Don’t want to get the nice bike mucky
It is winter that destroys bikes, if you are riding when there is salt then it is worth considering how much you want to spend on maintenance. Guaranteed to need a chain each year at a minimum. Discs and rotors will get contaminated, and you should probably strip the bike to the frame each year.
Rain on the other hand isn’t so bad if you have fenders and dry the drivetrain afterwards.
There is only one problem with riding old crappy winter-rain bikes that are over a decade old.
They are a harsh ride and break down constantly.
We spent more time on the side of the road reattaching crank arms that came off, kicking front derailears, checking for flats, mis-shifting gears and listening to the screetch of barely effective canti-brakes.
In the immortal words of @gmerritt , “You’re not made of sugar…and neither is your bike”.
It’s going to be great.
Playing in the mud, rain and snow is half the sport of cycling.
It’s why we all rode MTB bikes in the rain when we were young.
Think of your most memorable P2A? It was epic mud and wet weather.
And we always look forward to the rain (and snow) when the CX season starts. How else do we justify bringing 3 different wheelsets to every race with “Super Muds” being the “go to”.
