Q45 on gravel

[LotsaCruzn]

Hi folks,

Would anyone mind sharing their gravel experience riding the Q45?

I own a V20C, and am contemplating my N+1. I've got a DF gravel bike that I'd love to replace with a recumbent. When I'm on gravel, it's usually country roads that have a combination of fairly tightly packed stuff but with some looser gravel sprinkled in. There are gently rolling hills, with a 10% grade every so often. I'm hoping with the right tires, the Q45 would handle this reasonably well.

I accidentally rode my V20C on gravel once (had committed to a certain route, not realizing the last couple miles were gravel). It was not comfortable, and I kept nearly losing the front end, but I managed to not drop it. Still, I'm hopeful with the Q45's suspension and the right tires, it would be a comfortable gravel bike.

 

[Al E Kaatz]

I’ve ridden on packed gravel and the bike handled it pretty well. But riding on loose sand mixed with stone caused me to wipe out.

 

[LotsaCruzn]

I’ve ridden on packed gravel and the bike handled it pretty well. But riding on loose sand mixed with stone caused me to wipe out.

May I ask what tires you were using?

 

[Bo6]

I have ridden gravel and packed trails on the Q45 with the stock tire with poor results so I went to a Panaracer small knob with 48mm width. I have been reasonably happy with them, though their cousins the Panaracer slicks I tried were incredible flat prone. I would be tempted to look at something like Rene Herse below with the endurance casing if there is a bit of sharp gravel. Have not tried them but they get good reviews. Wider would be better on loose gravel but a bit slower on the pavement.

Unfortunately, I am still recovering from a badly broken ankle and will not in any riding this summer

Let us know if you do try any good gravel tires.

650B x 48 Juniper Ridge TC Tire

www.renehersecycles.com

 

[LotsaCruzn]

I have ridden gravel and packed trails on the Q45 with the stock tire with poor results so I went to a Panaracer small knob with 48mm width. I have been reasonably happy with them, though their cousins the Panaracer slicks I tried were incredible flat prone. I would be tempted to look at something like Rene Herse below with the endurance casing if there is a bit of sharp gravel. Have not tried them but they get good reviews. Wider would be better on loose gravel but a bit slower on the pavement.

Unfortunately, I am still recovering from a badly broken ankle and will not in any riding this summer

Let us know if you do try any good gravel tires.

650B x 48 Juniper Ridge TC Tire

www.renehersecycles.com

Hey Bob, thanks for the insight. I'm also recovering from a badly broken ankle. All this time on the couch, thinking of N+1, will not be good for my wallet!

 

[danhunt56]

I have a motorized Quest 2.0. I recently rode a gravel road that turned into a graveled single track. The gravel on the single track was squareish so they locked together nicely. The bike handled it really well. The problem I had was I had to sit up and have no contact with the seat back, the rough surface bounced my head around so much it was like my eyeballs were bouncing around. For more suspension on the seat part of my seat I upholstered it with a silicon honeycomb cushion material and have the ventisit on top of that. Rough surfaces like this like cobblestone roads are so rough that they are really uncomfortable. I believe the Q45 with it’s longer shock might have partially solved this. My tires are schwalbe marathon tour 26x2.00. They have a low multisurface traction tread. The air pressure was around 4 bar. 2 bar might have helped with bouncing eyeballs.