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I’m needing a clear out of the shed and trying to decide which bikes to get rid of
I currently have a vitus gravel bike and a Croix de fer, which was a winter roadie but has since been replaced by a giant defy so it’s gathering dust. I actually quite like it however, it’s the 725 version with the upgraded carbon fork and looks lovely, however it was no where near as good as the defy for road duties (unsurprisingly)
I’m now thinking that with a few tweeks it may be a good option to use as the gravel bike instead, as it looks to be able to fit 40mm tyres without much problem. I’d always thought it was more ‘road oriented’ than a more modern gravel machine, but having looked it up the geometry is pretty much middle of the road for a modern gravel bike. Is my thinking flawed or would it be a perfect machine for your average gravel route?
I run mine as road currently, but I did run it as 'gravel' before I got the dedicated gravel bike. Worth checking as mine is the Ti frame, and might be slightly different, but its fine with 700c up to 50mm tyres and it was brilliant for mixed surface rides.
I’ve just bought a CDF 20. It’s specced as a gravel bike, it’s what I wanted being able to do gravel and road duties. It’s got 700c x 40mm WTB Riddlers and it was loads of fun on the gravel paths, green lanes, and a few cheeky bits of single track in the FOD last week. It also coped well with the local road club social ride the day before.
It’s perfect as a gravel bike, but I’d probably put some slimmer, lighter wheels with some 28mm or 32mm tyres on for pure road.
I got one for Mrs FH,feels like a bit on an anchor tbh,but she only uses it on road and canal paths,so it's fine.
40mm tyres will be the limiting factor. That does of course depend on your definition of "gravel" if it's just towpaths and cyclepaths it'll be fine. If you're exploring and may end up on "MTB" trails during this then a wider tyre would be advantageous. Or bike packing the west highland way/tour divide etc.
Other wise they are fun bikes
Did Dirty Reiver 200km route on mine last year and it was great. Ran it with 38mm Gravel King SKs and a 50/34 11-34 gearing set up.
I've done loads of bridelway type stuff on mine, it was great, it would definitely make a good gravel bike. I've just had a look at the tyre clearances, there's a lot of space around my 38mm tyres so you might be able to go bigger than 40mm
I have the 2019 model with steel fork
feels like a bit on an anchor tbh
Yep, definitely more on the comfy end of the spectrum
Yep. And it may well handle better than some of the barges currently sold as gravel bikes. Gravel doesn't need width or tread. Stacks of grip. Muddy roots work well with fatter tyres but is this really the point? If you want idiot proof riding use the mountain bike surely?
I've got mine set up 1 x 12 and with narrow flat carbon bars. It's a 2014 model so the clearances aren't wonderful, but it will fit 35mm Gravelkings easily. With a few fairly light parts it's not too heavy, even with the steel fork. I't's been on some fairly rough stuff (carefully and slowly, obvs) and handles it OK. I also use it as a winter road bike with mudguards and it's OK for that. Proper roadies don't speak though, probably because of the flat bars ... 🙂
Mine is on the turbo trainer. I'd say that was it's perfect role. It's uncomfortable on the road in comparison to my Defy on narrower tyres and for me wasn't much good off road.
Good for carting stuff about, riding into town etc but for me not a bike you ride to enjoy riding a bike
I love my CdF 20,I put a carbon fork and iron cross wheelset on and full 105 on it.bloody love it! Done hundreds of off road rides on her.
Yes there heavy but bombproof.
Sometimes I take it instead of my Secan 👍
If you like steering a barge then yes.... Well the basic 10 was like this... The Croix de fer is more like a robust touring bike IMO
Another thing which I think is important when it comes to a gravel type bike is they should be lighter than a mountain bike. I'd think it would be difficult and expensive to build a Croix de fer up under 10kg.
Might be worth a try and if you don't like the way it rides then sell the frame on and buy a lighter frameset.
I had a 2016 CDF frame with the carbon forks that I built up as a gravel bike. It took 38s and was very comfortable. Used it on forest tracks around the Quantocks and the bashed up back lanes nearby. I loved it but picked up an Arkose frame on ebay as was starting to push the boundaries a bit and wanted wider clearance for bigger tyres. What I hadn't bargained for is how much lighter the Arkose is.
Another thing which I think is important when it comes to a gravel type bike is they should be lighter than a mountain bike
Why’s that? My xc bike weighs the same as my current gravel bike but the latter is far faster on the routes I ride it on.
The Croix de fer is more like a robust touring bike IMO
What makes it that do you think instead of a gravel bike? I’m not saying it’s not, I’m tempted to agree with you, but not entirely sure why! It’s not overly heavy, around 10kg, and it has ‘gravel geometry’, it has the better steel, and a lightweight 400g fork. Yet it does still feel a bit ‘barge like’, on the road at least
Why not try an <9kg gravel/cross bike with fast 40mm tyres off-road and you'll see how sluggish it makes the Croix de fer feel.
I can see the merits of Fargo type drop bar bike for proper off-road bike packing rides, where comfort is priority. But for me a gravel bike should feel fast and lively. Modern xc bikes are incredibly capable but not built for comfort.
Unfortunately ime the Croix de fer just sits in no man's land neither lively nor capable. Good for light touring and commuting.
Unfortunately ime the Croix de fer just sits in no man’s land neither lively nor capable.
I'd agree with this. I really wanted to love my CdF (2015 '20' model, so not the cheap pig-iron version). I liked the aesthetic, but I simply didn't enjoy riding it all that much. Mine was always really stiff in the uncomfy sort of way, and noodly under load. And heavy. And just dull to ride.
The main problem for using it as a gravel bike is tyre clearance. I couldn't run 40mm tyres because the stays flexed under load and the tyre rubbed. I'm not especially heavy at ~75-80kg, either. YMMV with different wheels etc, but certainly 40mm would be the absolute max and 36-38mm would be more sensible.
I'm much happier on my Camino which is lighter, faster, better geometry, has more clearance etc etc.