tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post3796893357349196992..comments2024-03-29T08:27:42.764-05:00Comments on Guitar Ted Productions: Interbike '13: A ReviewGuitar Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-28942761074670359432013-09-30T21:21:17.990-05:002013-09-30T21:21:17.990-05:00@Michael_S: You have precisely described exactly w...@Michael_S: You have precisely described exactly why you wouldn't want a bike with low trail geometry for gravel. Thank you.<br /><br />Changing direction quickly is definitely not a good idea, (at least where I ride in the Mid-West), because if you do that, you will most generally crash. Our gravel is loose, and a bike with less stable geometry, (and therefore less stable handling- the two go hand in hand.),is more difficult to keep on line, because the front end is harder to keep from steering you in unwanted directions due to the rough rocks we ride on. <br /><br />To wit: I have, in fact, ridden several mid to low trail bikes on gravel, and they are inherently less stable bikes. (Low trail = less stability)The lowest trail I have used was on a bike with a 74° head angle and a 51mm offset fork. While it was definitely something "you could get used to", it was a handful and not fun for very long. <br /><br />Steering is part of the handling of any vehicle. How you can separate the two is unimaginable to me. <br /><br />This commentary you make is not making sense to me at all. If what you say is true, then Paris Roubaix bikes would be "low trail" bikes, as an example, but they are not. Mechanics often switch forks to those yielding more trail for better handling. The looser, the rougher the terrain- the more stability that is (generally) desired, and this goes for many disciplines of riding. See cyclo cross bikes as another example. <br /><br />You have experienced a bike you like. which is great, however, you may want to consider the following: I am going off my experiences on several different bicycles, from what I have observed by being involved in gravel racing for 10 years, and from the input from riders and folks in the industry. I have yet to receive any comments asking for low to mid trail bikes for gravel riding. Yours would be the first. <br /><br />I'm not saying you are wrong. I am saying yours is definitely a minority opinion in my view. <br /><br />Guitar Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-20771071237939105972013-09-30T20:50:02.869-05:002013-09-30T20:50:02.869-05:00well, actually the low trail geometry changes the ...well, actually the low trail geometry changes the steering, not the handling. My experience, and many others is that the bike is easier to handle at high speeds on gravel. Easier to steer around objects or correct your direction. But,as you say, ride whatever makes you happy.Michael_Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14800029298550742749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-72213813729899923322013-09-30T16:48:52.375-05:002013-09-30T16:48:52.375-05:00@Michael_S: When I am going 40 mph down a gravel h...@Michael_S: When I am going 40 mph down a gravel hill and hit loose gravel, the last thing I want is a bike with quick handling. <br /><br />But if you like those mid-trail/low-trail bikes, have at 'em. <br /><br />When I am dead tired and plowing through a patch of fresh gravel, the last thing I want is a quick handling bike, but again, if you dig that, go right ahead.<br /><br />If you never load up the front of your bike, there is no need to have quicker handling or lower trail, but if you do, there are plenty of bikes for that. <br /><br /><br />I could continue, but I think I've made my point clear.Guitar Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-19547817558176360302013-09-30T15:09:59.452-05:002013-09-30T15:09:59.452-05:00GT, while I respect your opinions on the bikes you...GT, while I respect your opinions on the bikes you do ride, I'm not sure you have spent much time on a a low trail or FCR as you label them. When I 1st tried such a bike off road It took some time to get used to the quicker steering and responsiveness. Now that all my bikes are configured that way going back to the "mid trail" bikes you prefer I find them sluggish and overly stable. I prefer the low trail bikes so much I'll never go back!<br /><br />BTW the VO bikes are not really low trail. They are more like the 80's Treks like your Mutts, Sport tourers with lower BB's.Michael_Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14800029298550742749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-68662327243820113222013-09-30T08:14:17.954-05:002013-09-30T08:14:17.954-05:00In an ever hungry information society it does not ...In an ever hungry information society it does not surprise me that everything in interbike was already old news. I have a feeling that tradeshows will dissapear into the past someday and we will just sit home and see all new product from the comfort of our computer screens. Our convention center McCormick Place in Chicago has seen a huge drop in attendance and companies willing to drop thousands of dollars for a spot on the floor.<br />AriArihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13083766829086663770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-8478324537909039242013-09-30T07:11:59.911-05:002013-09-30T07:11:59.911-05:00@Angoraknitter: Well, yes I missed the Velo Orange...@Angoraknitter: Well, yes I missed the Velo Orange booth, but as with all the other stuff, I did see the frames before I-Bike on the Velo Orange site. I think the head angles reflect the Velo Orange ideal for front loading on a touring bike ala the French camping rigs and porteur bikes. <br /><br />In my opinion, having seen very little, (maybe none if memory serves correct), front loaded rigs of any sort on any gravel grinder, I feel the Velo Orange bikes are not optimal for the type of riding I observe and take part in. Guitar Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-12834096140223917002013-09-30T05:20:23.110-05:002013-09-30T05:20:23.110-05:00GT, any thoughts on the two new Velo Orange frames...GT, any thoughts on the two new Velo Orange frames, which look right up your alley? Or was the convention layout so bad you didn't see their booth?Angoraknitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15352728587683485241noreply@blogger.com