Just bought a new Diverge or Grail? You need some tips for riding a gravel bike
A couple of months ago I wrote a blog post about whether you should buy a gravel bike, and this time I thought I’d share a few tips for riding a gravel bike. Many of us are competent on our road bikes on smooth ground, but when we ride on gravel we need to change a few things up. So I’ve done some research and here are a few tips for riding a gravel bike. And I need them just as much as any rider!
Cornering on gravel
When cornering on the road, you’ll tend to lean with the bike but, but on loose off-road surfaces, you still need to lean the bike while keeping your body more upright. This leans your bike into the corner while your upper body and head remain relatively upright which helps with stability.
Look where you want to go
This tip applies to just about any activity involved going around a corner. Don’t look at that big intimidating log or rock because you’re guaranteed to hit it if you do. Instead, look well ahead down the trail and focus on the line you want to take. Even on non-technical trails, look ahead to scope out smoother and faster lines.
Stay loose and relaxed
Try to stay relaxed and don’t overreact to the bike moving under you. I know it’s easier said than done, but any tension in your body will transmit to the bike and result in more twitchy and unpredictable handling.
Your knees and elbows are your suspension so don’t lock them out. Especially when descending, keep them soft, hover a few inches off your saddle, and keep your knees apart to allow the bike to move and soak up bumps.
Get used to speed
You’ll likely start out a little tentative and fairly slow but the more you ride your gravel bike, the more confident you’ll become. Momentum is your friend on uneven surfaces and, by just letting your bike roll and staying loose, you’ll find yourself riding out of a lot of seemingly difficult situations. Tensing up and grabbing a handful of brakes never ends up well.
Choose the right tyres
It really depends on the type of off-road surfaces you plan to ride on. For relatively smooth dirt tracks you could stay with fairly slick road tyres. But if the surface is rougher you may need to go with a narrow knobby tyre like the Specialized Tracer to handle the gnarly paths. This will provide more grip and flat tyre protection.
Lower your tyre pressure
Not only will lower tyre pressure give you a more comfortable ride, but it will also provide additional traction and confidence, both while climbing and descending. A few PSI can make a big difference in the handling and feel of your bike.
Practice, practice, practice
Like any bike skill, you’ll get better with practice so find some local trails that suit your current skill level and then find an area that’s a little more challenging. Repeat.
That should get you started on gravel riding but there are plenty of other great Internet articles and YouTube clips on the subject including this one from a women called Juliet Elliot in the UK.
Nowadays, more and more people are trying to get off the pavement and try some of the different off-road modalities of bicycle travel.
Going off the road can have many benefits when traveling, such as less stress due to cars’ absence or being closer to natural landscapes. But like all things, it has aspects that must be considered so as not to have a hard time.