don’t know if you saw this, but i think a lot of you will like it. shimano GRX. gravel-specific groupsets all up and down the price range. (pardon if there’s already a thread. i didn’t see it if so.)
I was just getting ready to post this. After appearing to be sitting by quietly on the sidelines, Shimano has gone full “LeRoy Jenkins” into gravel today with 4 levels (including Di2), 1x and 2x (with specific, optimized RD’s), 10 and 11 speed, dropper post control levers, “gravel” specific crankset gearing, +2.5mm chainline (for more tire clearance to the FD), and cross-compatibility with existing road groups (with the exception of a recommendation that cranksets and FD’s match, due to different chainlines). There’s some unique stuff here, too, like 48/31 chainrings and secondary hydraulic brake levers for riding on the tops.
Interesting. I am in the middle of trying to build an all-roads bike. I was thinking Ultegra Di2, but I guess I’ll have to investigate and see if this would be a better option
48/31 chainrings (assuming they shift!) sound awesome.
Those hydro cross top brakes look nice. I’d be keen to try those. I also like what they did with the brake lever axis on the “gravel” hoods.
Those hydro cross top brakes look nice. I’d be keen to try those. I also like what they did with the brake lever axis on the “gravel” hoods.
I thought their reasoning that most people ride the hoods during technical sections a bit odd.
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
I agree with you and think the reason is wrong but the solution is right. The higher lever axis would be welcome (for me) in everyday riding.
Those hydro cross top brakes look nice. I’d be keen to try those. I also like what they did with the brake lever axis on the “gravel” hoods.
I thought their reasoning that most people ride the hoods during technical sections a bit odd.
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
i agree with you.
Hmm, I think I am almost always on the hoods on technical uphill sections. Flats and descending, usually in the drops.
I thought their reasoning that most people ride the hoods during technical sections a bit odd.
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
I wonder if the actual reason was just that it was mechanically convenient to make the change. The typical brifter pivot location isn’t just a matter of ergonomics, it’s heavily influenced by the need to attach the brake cable and give it the desired pull ratio.
They need an XTR level 11-36 11 speed cassette.
Those hydro cross top brakes look nice. I’d be keen to try those. I also like what they did with the brake lever axis on the “gravel” hoods.
I thought their reasoning that most people ride the hoods during technical sections a bit odd.
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
I’d say its more optimized for cross. But increased height on the hoods and better braking are a good thing for gravel too. While you should be in the drops on descents, you’re often on the hoods in bumpy straight terrain as well. Was never an issue on my SRAM HRDs, but I’ve definitely had a hand bounced off the hoods in gravel in a paceline and its a puckering experience, and I always keep at least a pinky wrapped under the lever
Those hydro cross top brakes look nice. I’d be keen to try those. I also like what they did with the brake lever axis on the “gravel” hoods.
What I don’t like is the re-shaping of the hood that effectively makes the lever body 1cm or so longer.
And I’d love it if they got down to 28 or even 26 for that small ring. SRAM doesn’t seem to have a problem doing it with a 80mm inner BCD.
They need an XTR level 11-36 11 speed cassette.
Well, that would be 12 speed. They need to finish getting their current xtr out anyhow. It took nearly a year to get the entire group set out and they didn’t even release the hubs they initially showed. The crank was missing most of a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if this gravel group didn’t show up for a bit. Probably a little late to be found on 2020 bikes. Hopefully I’m wrong on that.
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
Yeah, no.
Higher axis on the shifters would be amazing. I’m kind of surprised they don’t do it to their road group set.
Now for the dropper post option? Not sure if the geometry of gravel bikes are made for that…
All in all…I will look at this for my next bike, which hopefully will be in a year or two.
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
Yeah, no.
https://youtu.be/XO_UG5A0UXE?t=1057
Why do they even have drops on those bikes? They appear to never use them…(fashion?)
Besides, I didn’t see too many flared bar ends on those bikes either…
…and, that course didn’t seem to have very much downhill…and due to the thick mud, even the flat sections required “uphill” type effort.
So…not really an apropos example of what I was talking about. Nice try though 
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
Yeah, no.
https://youtu.be/XO_UG5A0UXE?t=1057
question. would like your opinion on this. i’m not a cx racer. but i watch it. and it’s clear that cx riders may as well almost not have drops, to the point that the hoods-exclusive position informs the geometry of the bikes. but, is this one difference between gravel and cx? because, cx racers are constantly on and off the bikes, and it’s much easier to mount and dismount, push the bike, etc., from the hoods position. gravel is a different use case. if i’m on and off my gravel bike that much, i’ve got the wrong tires or i’m in the wrong race or something.
Really? I thought you were talking about “gnarly” descending? Roughly 95% of the folks on this forum would be walking every one of those descents, so seems pretty gnarly to me. Walking “in the drops” though, I guess.
That was just the first race that popped up on Google, but let’s go with the Koppenberg. 600m + of descent per lap and no mud.
https://youtu.be/kd8OjXhd5SI?t=2237
Why do they even have drops on those bikes? They appear to never use them…(fashion?)
It must be fashion! Certainly has nothing to do with the bike handling advantages of the position for off-road riding. Funny thing, we’ve recently seen plenty of road race footage of the guys who won both of these off-road races, and WvA and VdP both ride in the drops plenty…
https://youtu.be/NkztcnSKzfk?t=29
On the road. Where it is advantageous to do so.
FWIW, almost all of the bars in that previous vid have at least 2cm of flare to them, but you’re probably referring to the trendy super-wide dirt drop style bars. Like the WTB ones on the Ibis frame that’s been sitting in my storage unit for about 30 years. It’s been kind of amusing to watch those reappear as gravel bikes continue to recapitulate early Mtb development. How long do we have to wait for someone to re-invent the gooseneck stem, so that folks can start putting the dropped part of those bars in the plane of the current hoods position, as wound up happening the last time around?
If you’re not in the drops when things get gnarly (especially with flared bars), then “you’re doing it wrong.”
Yeah, no.
https://youtu.be/XO_UG5A0UXE?t=1057
Agree, i race cat 1 CX and never ride in the drops. Same for gravel, 95% of the time on the top.