Off Road on an S40?

Yes, I ride on gravel roads from time to time. I generally don't have any problem unless it turns up too steep to keep traction, although you can't bunny hop a pothole. With the lower center of gravity, my S40 feels more stable than my upright gravel bike, but I can climb all the hills on that bike. So horses for courses.

Here's my last long run on fairly smooth gravel:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/...e-and-c-o-dc-to-pittsburgh.12399/#post-158095
 

bladderhead

Zen MBB Master
I agree with Doug Kline. My Silvio is okay on gravel unless it is too steep. You cannot bunny-hop, so go slow enough to avoid the holes. I do not keep up with all the modern subclasses of DF, but if the Silvio had been invented 50 years ago they would have called it a racer-tourer.
 

Ken Rudd

S40, Apex, NC
I avoid low traction conditions, because:
1. I don't feel I can get my feet out of the clips fast enough in bad situations;
2. Steep hill + low traction = front wheel spin, which is hard to manage and can be painful;
3. It's hard enough to keep the bike clean

But I am curious as to others experience. I'm thinking appropriate tires may mitigate #2 above.
 

paco1961

Zen MBB Master
When I was racing gravel on dfs it was always on 35 or 38mm tires w pressure in the neighborhood of low 40s. On hard packed gravel the more aggressive tread patterns were good in wet conditions. Didn’t matter much when dry. In loose gravel tread didn’t matter. It was just a surf fest no matter what tread pattern used. The only thing that was significantly more stable on loose gravel was a fat bike. But in that case more stable did not go with faster finish. Weight penalty.

Climbing on gravel on a CB is just like doing same on a df. Smooth and steady cadence makes all the difference.
 

RBW1938

Active Member
Thanks for the info guys, think I'll keep my gravel bike and stay on the road with my S40 and Vendetta.
 
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