Recently I saw a video of a BMC Roadmachine, apparently the perfect bike to combine two wheelsets (road and gravel)
https://youtu.be/54N_ycsuSrs?si=El3ARrrngGrIMD3h
Since I’m not really a big BMC-fan, which bike could be used for the same purpose?
by batsman89
23 Comments
Basically any gravel bike works for this. I’d just get something that’s not too slacked out and has a 2x.
There are a million gravel bikes out there. My advice: compare geometry to a road bike you like.
Bikes in this category that are often brought up are the 3t racemax, specialized Crux, open up, etc.
Synapse with R7100 105? Clearance for 35 mm Gravelkings, fender mounts for wet rides. 50/34 up front and either 11-34 or 11-36 in the back. If I didn’t already have a race bike it would be my only bike.
Specialized Crux is what you’re looking for!
I have a 3T Exploro Racemax and it does both well
Rodeo Labs Flaanimal is SUPER versatile.
Road bike – check
Gravel bike – Check 700 x 50mm tires – check
Drop bar (or flat if you want) mtb – check 650b x 2.4 tires – check
it checked all the boxes for me so I got the Ti version.
They just released v 6 as well.
Open UP or UPPER. If you’re down to run 2 wheelsets, there are no equals.
I used my 07 Jake the snake for cx racing and road riding, including time trials. Finally bought a proper carbon road bike and promptly got slower!
My gravel bike is more early 90s mtb geometry so fun, but not particularly fast or light.
“best” is very subjective. I love my surly midnight special. it’s currently set up for mixed surface rides with 700c wheels but it came with 650b.
I guess I could get a pretty good road bike if I slap some GP5000s on my Grizl.
Does pretty well now anyway.
Crux
I’m probably more budget-focused, but the Poseidon X-Ambition seems like the best gravel/road bike at $749.
Love my Litespeed Cherohala. 38c Gravelkings for dirt, 28c GP 4-Seasons for road. 👌
I’ve been using my Canyon Grail as a hybrid and have been super happy with it. Two sets of wheels take up much less space in a small apartment than two bikes!
[Canyon Grail Road Bike](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanyonBikes/s/G9gDrRJzAV)
Try Rondo
The current-gen, Aethos-based Specialized Crux is often touted for this role.
Scott Addict Gravel. I have the addict gravel 20, and it’s amazing.
My checkpoint feels pretty nice on the road. I believe they have somewhat aggressive geo for a gravel bike.
I don’t really have anything to compare it to though.
I’m building up a Cervelo Aspero-5 that will have a gravel/road focus. I looked at the BMC Kauis and Scott Addict Gravel as well. Lots of love for the Crux, my part of the world is a little saturated with Trek, Giant and Specialized so I wanted something a bit different.
Trek Domane
Grevil
Crux
Aspero
Santa Cruz Stigmata CC
Any gravel bike that has a race-oriented geometry.
And the GCN video is an ad. Just saying 😉