bootsie_cat wrote:
I agree with this-
Part of this is forks- Enve and Parlee only make 47mm rake forks in cross/gravel models with the most clearance.
For me, the 55mm rake Seven Matador fork was a game changer. Handles so nice with a 71 degree head angle- And I was able to design all of the toe clip overlap out of the bike-
Other two things that bug me are:
1.) Components/groups. SRAM is firmly in the 1x camp, Shimano 2x.
There are problems with both of these approaches-
SRAM doesn't make clutch derailleurs for their road type derailleurs- So no Red or ETAP for wide range cassettes.
SRAM ETAP front derailleur runs into large tires (in some cases).
Shimano doesn't make the cassette sizes that they need- They need an 11-36 for gravel.
Shimano RX derailleur can be challenged when it is run with a large cassette (like an 11-40)- This is stupid, you want to be able to use low gears!
Lastly, the fact that you can't mix DI2 road and mtb front and rear derailleurs for a 2x setup. If you could do this, you could just use an XT or XTR rear derailleur for z 2x gravel setup. This is only a software hack, doesn't even take new parts.
2.) Frame parts to allow for short chain stays, big tires and 2x all at the same time.
Framebuilders needs tubes and/or yokes to allow for this to happen. Already happening, but a lot of bikes have really long stays to accomplish both-
clearance is a big deal. i run eTap and my bike is built with a 425mm chainstay. luckily. or, fortuitiously - because i chose the geometry ;-)
you mentioned groupkits. i think the single biggest issue now is gearing. gravel bikes need to be geared low. but they are built with a road motif. if you want to stay with a road stance width, a road crank, 110bcd isnt small enough. 34t isn't small enough.
in january a bunch of stuff is launching, i think, that should speak to forks, steering geometry, shoe overlap, gearing, etc., for gravel.
Dan Empfield
aka Slowman
