MariposaLand
Active Member
Anyone have any experience with their S40 on gravel? If so, what are your observations about handling, climbing, and steep descents? Thanks.
S40 on gravel?
- Thread starter MariposaLand
- Start date
And what wheel setup do you use for gravel?
MariposaLand
Active Member
I am not sure. I’ve got my local Salsa dealer looking into various options. It appears I could do a 38 700c not sure about 650b Max. Have you any experience on gravel riding the S40? If so, what is your setup?
MariposaLand
Active Member
Oh, I’ve never taken the S40 off pavement
The S40 does pretty well on gravel. Of course climbing and descending are going to be are combination of maintaining grip on the road and rider skill - that goes for any recumbent bike not on a paved surface.
This also depends on what constitutes the gravel surface - if it is very loose this is going to be a challenge on any recumbent - they simply are not the right tool for the job sometimes. But on a gravel trail without anything too loose the S40 is a great machine.
I would run nothing less than 32c on any kind of gravel.
This also depends on what constitutes the gravel surface - if it is very loose this is going to be a challenge on any recumbent - they simply are not the right tool for the job sometimes. But on a gravel trail without anything too loose the S40 is a great machine.
I would run nothing less than 32c on any kind of gravel.
MariposaLand
Active Member
Thanks Robert. What is the max tire I could stuff in there at 700c and 650b?
paco1961
Zen MBB Master
I run Challenge Gravel Grinder 35s at about 35-40 lbs of air w tubes on Novatec CXD cross wheels. Have also run 35mm Panracer Gravel King SL tubeless. Both tires are an excellent combo of gravel traction, durability and reasonable road rolling for those inevitable sections. For drivetrain I run 46/36 w 160 cranks, 11 Speed 11-36 cassette. TRP mechanical discs.
Robert is correct on loose, deep gravel. Better off on my mtb. Same on rutted roads. Can you say white knuckle decent!? But in my area there’s plenty of hard packed gravel roads - a little loose center crown but firm and tight tracks and on those the S40 rocks. I figure I lose about 5% on max climbing grade compared to pavementbefore slipping.
I do insert an extra 1” pad under the lower part of the seat for longer gravel rides. Helps reduce the chattering of teeth!
Robert is correct on loose, deep gravel. Better off on my mtb. Same on rutted roads. Can you say white knuckle decent!? But in my area there’s plenty of hard packed gravel roads - a little loose center crown but firm and tight tracks and on those the S40 rocks. I figure I lose about 5% on max climbing grade compared to pavementbefore slipping.
I do insert an extra 1” pad under the lower part of the seat for longer gravel rides. Helps reduce the chattering of teeth!
Balor
Zen MBB Master
Sitting up completely vertically helps immensely.
By the way, shouldn't 26" wheels with wide tires (say, 2") fit S40?
In my case, 650B 40mm tires are kind of adequate for packed conditions, but only 2.0 26" tires (that can just barely fit my bent) with relatively low pressure makes riding loose(r) stuff doable and even enjoyable.
MBB fat bike seems like a great idea if you ask me, but have some unique 'packing' challenges.
P.S.
I'm talking traction, not suspension. My bent have full suspension, but I'm a bit of a sybarite
By the way, shouldn't 26" wheels with wide tires (say, 2") fit S40?
In my case, 650B 40mm tires are kind of adequate for packed conditions, but only 2.0 26" tires (that can just barely fit my bent) with relatively low pressure makes riding loose(r) stuff doable and even enjoyable.
MBB fat bike seems like a great idea if you ask me, but have some unique 'packing' challenges.
P.S.
I'm talking traction, not suspension. My bent have full suspension, but I'm a bit of a sybarite
bladderhead
Zen MBB Master
My Silvio is fine on hard gravel on 23mm tyres. Unless the ascent is too steep, then wheel-spin, but I have learned to cope with a small amount of wheel-spin. As we all must.
My Grasshopper made me a bit sybaritic. The Rohloff is a lotus-eater's drivetrain. Then I got N+1 disease. The Silvio gave me a proper reminder of the road surface. Partly because I overinflated the Kind shock and it was absolutely rigid.
My Grasshopper made me a bit sybaritic. The Rohloff is a lotus-eater's drivetrain. Then I got N+1 disease. The Silvio gave me a proper reminder of the road surface. Partly because I overinflated the Kind shock and it was absolutely rigid.
MariposaLand
Active Member
Thanks all for your feedback. After much thought I have decided to buy an All-City Gorilla Monsoon gravel bike. I believe the Dirty Kanza is not the correct venue for introducing my S40 to endurance gravel riding. However my neck and shoulders will not be very happy
MariposaLand
Active Member
Thanks Balor, what bikes do you have with full suspension?Sitting up completely vertically helps immensely.
By the way, shouldn't 26" wheels with wide tires (say, 2") fit S40?
In my case, 650B 40mm tires are kind of adequate for packed conditions, but only 2.0 26" tires (that can just barely fit my bent) with relatively low pressure makes riding loose(r) stuff doable and even enjoyable.
MBB fat bike seems like a great idea if you ask me, but have some unique 'packing' challenges.
P.S.
I'm talking traction, not suspension. My bent have full suspension, but I'm a bit of a sybarite
Balor
Zen MBB Master
Well, one on my avatar, diy mbb.
https://imgur.com/gallery/fJYAGQt
Only about 5cm of travel, but eats roots for breakfast so to speak. Rear travel is stiffer, should have put pivot higher.
https://imgur.com/gallery/fJYAGQt
Only about 5cm of travel, but eats roots for breakfast so to speak. Rear travel is stiffer, should have put pivot higher.
bladderhead
Zen MBB Master
Eat more pies.Balor said:
Balor
Zen MBB Master
Not physically possible
Anyway, it is not my butt that takes a pounding, but my back.
It can lead to bad back spasms when negotianing really nasty roads.
bladderhead
Zen MBB Master
I feel sorry for your back wheel.
Balor
Zen MBB Master
Actually, weight distribution is ~30% back, ~70% front. (Major) part of the reason why rear suspension feels stiffer, too - difference in suspended/unsuspended masses.
I rode the annual Seattle Flying Wheels event today. I joined my friends to ride the gravel route. Since this would be my first time, I used the biggest tires that would fit in my S40 with 700c wheels. I got 700cx38 Schwalbe G One All-around.
I rode 47 mi. Overall S40 performed very well when the surface is hard packed. When it's loose gravels and level, it's ok. Going uphill or downhill on loose gravel is nerve wracking.
TRP mechanical disc brakes performed well. However, there was a long stretch of very deep decline. At the bottom of the hill, I could smell the brake. The back brake feels more spongy in general anyway, so maybe I will switch it in the summer to the HY/RD to see if it feels better. Regarding brake pads, any recommendations?
On pavement, S40 is really good on flat or descent. I passed many riders. The G One tires feel fast.
Here is a picture.
I rode 47 mi. Overall S40 performed very well when the surface is hard packed. When it's loose gravels and level, it's ok. Going uphill or downhill on loose gravel is nerve wracking.
TRP mechanical disc brakes performed well. However, there was a long stretch of very deep decline. At the bottom of the hill, I could smell the brake. The back brake feels more spongy in general anyway, so maybe I will switch it in the summer to the HY/RD to see if it feels better. Regarding brake pads, any recommendations?
On pavement, S40 is really good on flat or descent. I passed many riders. The G One tires feel fast.
Here is a picture.
Mathew Fy
GRU
There’s a good discussion here:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/disc-brake-pads.12125/#post-141674
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
TruckerCo.com metalic sintered pads all the way, they'll have the yellow backing plate. If you've unsure give them a call and ask for Greg and tell them you want what Jason Perez runs.
