I've done the last two, which were run in pretty good conditions. On a windy Nebraska day, which could be typical weather that time of year, I'm not sure I want something more to throw me off a good line. There's competition enough for a smooth safe line at relatively high speeds. I ran a slightly wider tire last year, up from the previous year, and will probably go a little wider even again this year (36C), when most of the route is renowned for good fast gravel. It's such a long event, that I feel relative comfort, stability and safety possibly trump small, questionable performance choices. But then again, I wasn't on the podium either!

Besides losing style points... would it stand up to the pounding of gravel riding?

Gentleman's unofficial agreement. No disk rear wheels...ha.

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24 Hour World TT Champs-American record holder
Fat Bike Worlds - Race Director
Insta: chris.s.apex

Isn't that what they said about aerobars? Then someone bucked the trend and look at it now.

Yes sir..

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24 Hour World TT Champs-American record holder
Fat Bike Worlds - Race Director
Insta: chris.s.apex

This stuff at some point will turn the looser easier going atmosphere and rules of gravel stuff into another USAC/USAT/UCI rule book style bike event. We had a guy on TT bars show up to a local event in December.

Do what you're gonna do, but don't expect people to play nice in a group working together. It's part of the game. If you show up with aerobars and a disc, people will see your advantage for when working alone.........and subsequently make you work alone.

You already know the answer in terms of aero.

I wish they'd get it over with and go ahead and have gravel events say "no aerobars, no rear discs".

It's going to happen at some point. I think if you were able to paint it to look like John Tomac's old disc, people would be much friendlier about it. Here's a replica of that bike to give you an idea. I would love to do that with more time and money on my hands.

I have been at spring gravel races here in MN - especially Almanzo where can be WINDY. 30 mph sustained on race day has happened. Riding Jet 6 wheels in the crosswind is fast, I overtake people quickly and lots more of them than I feel like I should. But, saying they can be sketchy is putting it mildly. I've clocked around 100000 miles on aero wheels so I have some experience. Still... in spring wind on gravel there have been times when both wheels were noticeably inching sideways toward the ditch. I wouldn't attempt those conditions on a disc. Less wind, sure. Lots of wind, not for me.

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Andy Tetmeyer (I work at HED)

I know what Paul Curley would say...

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I can see where you are coming from, but in that line of thinking, then why allow aero road helmets, deep aero wheels, or even aero bike frames like a 3T? Do you work with those people? if yes, then that's a hypocritical statement your making. I think from a purist standpoint, yes I will get some dirty looks if I decide to go forward with this idea but I would bet most people would race their own race and not worry much about me. You said "it's part of the game". I say don't hate the player, hate the game.

I agree 100% wind conditions on the day would make my decision. Not sure how many miles I've clocked in aero position with a rear disc, but it's a lot. So, I'm not inexperienced in that regard. On gravel, I'd have to test it out in training..

I don't think riding in a group with a rear disc is a great idea, especially on gravel. If you get pushed sideways in a TT no big deal if you recover and you only affect yourself if you go down. You get pushed sideways in a group, on gravel while with others, a lot more people can be affected. (Did I use affect correctly? Even after looking affect/effect up I'm not sure)

I saw one at a gravel race I did two weeks ago. No idea if the rider found it helpful but he definitely stood out!

Not hate, but breaking down and destroying your competitor is the deal.

I've no pity for someone on aerobars or a disc wheel who gets ganged up on by folks skipping pulls and doing roadie style things to make that person work harder.

That's what they do to the better sprinter in break away, they make them work more.

The safety aspect isn't about someone being alone in a gravel race, it's about the inevitable of idiots trying to use aerobars and disc wheels while in a big group and causing crashes. It won't be the winners on the pointy end that wind up getting it into the rules, it'll be the MOP and BOP Freds showing up to gravel races with aerobars and discs crashing out a group that'll ruin it.

Gravel racing isn't individual time trial. It is still a group activity. Disc wheels, trispokes.....they catch wind and aren't group racing items (indoors on a track there is no wind). Same for the TT bars.

Even with shorties, your hands are on the TT bars........they ain't on the brakes, and one or both have to come off to grab one.