Ok I bought this bike but haven’t given it the time yet cause I got busy mountain biking. But I have a big gravel ride coming up. So I’ve been riding it! It’s awesome on rough gravel. Spots that were so rough I’d have to slow down I can now power through. It’s so smooth on that washboard stuff. I’m loving it. Better than McDonald. I think I could ride most the things I ride on my mountain bike with this.
A couple weeks ago I knocked out the Los Padres Traverse. It’s a long point-to-point gravel route through the Sierra Madre and San Rafael mountains of the Los Padres National Forest, made popular by Christopher Blevins’ successful FKT attempt/film from a few years back. The route was long, rugged, and isolated with the only water available along the route coming from a spring 50 miles in. 10/10 recommend.
I’m just under 5’10” with a 31.75” inseam (book on wall measurement technique).
The Trek website says medium and I usually am a medium in most brands/bikes (ie 54cm in road and current gravel). But the stand over clearance seems like it’d be tight and the long reach and eff top tube have me slightly worried.
BTW, I I rode a M/L at my LBS (only one they had) and know it’s too big but it seemed close enough that a medium might work.
Just need some reassurance.
I went with the medium and couldn’t be happier. It’s perfect. I even love the stock saddle which never happens.
I will probably ditch the Betassos and go with either the Tufo Gravel Thunderos 48mm (which I’ve been rocking on my other gravel) or the Schwalbe G-One R Pros 50mm.
Anybody running the G-Ones?
Have you ever bought a bike and then been in trouble with your spouse? I have, but it wasn’t this one. I once bought a Trek Madone back in the 2000s and learned my lesson. Silent treatment for 2 weeks. So now I always let my spouse know, that I’m buying this. lol how about you? Yeah you’re going to say you are single and do what you want. Ok ok. Made this funny meme for this group. Peace out. Get out there.