Specialized Diverge Comp 2021 review
I liked the old Diverge. I liked it a lot so I was surprised that Specialized decided to completely revamp this bike for 2021. But after just a few hours …
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Force eTap AXS review
Cannondale Topstone Carbon after the launch of the 2021 Lefty variant for many may seem like a bike that is no longer that attractive. I have not ridden Topstone with …
Canyon Grail CF SLX 8.0 ETAP review
In the field test overview, I said that Canyon Grail is the fastest and the most road-like gravel bike in my comparison but there is much more about Grail that …
Buying guide
For the last 12 months, I have been testing and reviewing many different gravel bikes and bike parts that should improve riding comfort. I started my gravelbikes.cc project with the …
Gravel bikes: Field Test
This is the very first time when I had the opportunity to test at the same time 4 very interesting gravel bikes. Test and compare under the same condition to …
Coefficient Wave handlebar review
The handlebar is somehow like a saddle. You have to find the right one or work a little bit harder to get accustomed to the one you are supposed to …
Ritchey WCS carbon VentureMax handlebar review
The handlebar is a very interesting bike part when comfort is considered. You can look for more flexy, carbon handlebar for better vibration absorbing properties but you also have to …
1x or 2x drivetrain: which should you choose?
Gravel bikes these days are divided between 1x and 2x groupsets and it is up to us to decide which solution we want. This is not an easy task, believe …
Comfort challenge: what I have learned so far (UPDATED)
For the last 10 months, I have been testing bikes and different bike parts by measuring their impact on comfort in terms of lowering the perceived riding vibrations. Below you …
650b vs 700c: which is more comfortable? Part 3.
This is the last article in the 650b vs 700c trilogy. First was all about the maximum comfort so I tested everything on a fully equipped bike (Lauf Grit SL …
Quick test: comparing compliance of carbon vs aluminum handlebar
A carbon handlebar should, at least, in theory, be more compliant because carbon allows for much more flex than aluminum. Subjectively you can feel it but I wanted to find …
Soma Cazadero vs Rene Herse Barlow Pass: a supple tires shootout
Tires are crucial for a comfortable ride. The more supple tire the more comfortable you will be on a bumpy road. Up to this point, Soma Cazadero were my benchmark …
PNW Coast suspension dropper post review
I have tested many different suspension seatpost but never a suspension seatpost that is also a dropper post. PNW Coast suspension dropper post is one of the rare examples of …
Learning about steel from the steel masters: an interview with Jeff Lockwood and Fergus Liam from Ritchey
After testing couple of carbon gravel bikes I started to question steel as the best material for gravel bike but before making final judgements I wanted to talk to the …
Specialized Creo SL Comp and SL Expert (electric gravel bikes) review
Trying an electric gravel bike was one of my biggest goals since I began gravelbikes.cc project. So I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to test one of the …
Spinergy GX 700c wheels review
Wheels are one of the least comfort improving parts of the gravel bike. At least according to Cervelo. But still there are companies that make claims of improved comfort when …
Quick test: how effectively will shorts reduce the road vibrations?
I have already tested many different saddles and suspension seatposts. They can have a great influence on rear end comfort of the bike. But, at least in theory, there is …
Argon 18 Dark Matter bike review
In my quest for comfort, I sometimes forget that even the best comfort without the fun of riding is worth nothing. Dark Matter gravel bike from Argon 18 reminded me …
Reimagining titanium: an interview with Roberto Rossi, co-founder of T-Lab, Canadian titanium bike maker
In a world of the carbon, where you can shape the tubes however you want, steel and titanium seem to be living in the past with their traditional rounded tubes. …
650b vs 700c: which is more comfortable? Part 2.
In part one of my 650b vs 700c shootout I concluded that 700c is a better choice for someone looking for a comfy ride. But then I was doing all …
4 gravel forks in comparison: which is the most compliant one?
The fork is one of the most important factors of the overall bike compliance. A stiff fork will make bike harsh and very hard to live with on a gravel …
Is steel still real? An interview with Cy Turner, bike designer and owner of Cotic Bikes
After interviews with titanium and carbon bike makers, it is time to talk more about steel bikes. I own a steel bike and love the comfort and springy feel of …
Redshift suspension seatpost review
There is a lot of suspension seastposts on the market. And now we have another one: suspension seastpost from a company that made a very well received suspension stem. Redshift’s …
Designing comfort into a carbon frame: an interview with Martin Faubert, a VP of Product at Argon 18
Argon 18 is a brand that takes racing and aerodynamics very seriously. But as it turns out they also care a lot about comfort and a Dark Matter gravel bike …
Finding comfort in titanium: an interview with Richard Lambert from Enigma Bikes
My first interview with Ian Hughes was all about the comfort that you can achieve with a carbon frame. This time I talked to Richard Lambert, Enigma Bikes Sales and …
Speedplay Frog pedals review
For a long time, I was using standard flat pedals on my gravel bike. And I was OK with that until someone told me that I should try an SPD …
Combining comfort with speed: an interview with Ian Hughes, creator of a Vielo brand
This is the first interview of a new series of articles where I talk with various bike designers/bike manufacturers asking them about the art of making a comfortable, yet fun …
My gravel comfort-focused wish list for 2020
It is the end of the year but instead of making a prediction for 2020 I have created a wish list of things I would like to see in the …
CushCore comfort improving inserts review
Tires are the first and most important suspension for a gravel bike but to gain most of it you have to run a tire with the lowest possible air pressure. …
My benchmark bike – what is new?
Since the beginning of my gravel bike comfort challenge project, I have tested various bike parts and solutions that should improve the overall riding comfort. Not all of them were …
Specialized Diverge Comp 2020 review
Without wasting no time I will say that this is one of the most, if not the most comfortable stock gravel bike you can buy right now. Why? Let me …
Finding the best saddle: Specialized Power Comp vs SQ Lab 612 Ergowave Active vs Brooks C17
According to this Cervelo diagram, the saddle is the second most important bike part in terms of bike compliance. So it is about time to find out what comfort improvements …
I did a bike fitting. Should you?
I think you should. But if you are not convinced let’s go step by step in the process of a proper bike fitting session and see how much you can …
Spank Vibrocore Flare 12 handlebar review
Comfort for me is a mixture of low vibrations level and good ergonomics of the bike. Up to this point, my reviews were focusing on the vibrations, so now I …
Cane Creek eeSilk elastomer based suspension seatpost review
If you want to improve the rear-end comfort of your bike you have a lot of options. Ergon / Canyon flexing seatpost, Specialized CG-R seatpost, spring-based Kinekt 2.1 or upcoming …
650b vs 700c: which is more comfortable? Part 1.
Almost any recently introduced gravel bike offers the ability to run both 700c and 650b wheels. The latter is a very popular option especially because it should offer better traction …
Lauf Grit SL suspension fork review
There is a lot of different solutions for improving riding comfort on a gravel bike (many of them I already tested) but there is still nothing like a Lauf Grit …
Kinekt 2.1 suspension seatpost review
I like a comfortable ride very much. So I like to test and use everything that improves comfort of my rides. But at the same time, I like riding fast …
GT Grade Carbon Expert 2020 review
There are so many new gravel bikes on the market that promises a great level of comfort. Among them is a new GT Grade Carbon which offers a great level …
How much more comfort can you get from a supple tire?
One of the most recurring topics in the world of comfort is tire suppleness. You can read opinions like this tire is harsh and that tire is very comfortable. So …
The bigger the better? Pushing the limits with 700x50c tires
There is a trend in the gravel bike industry to push bigger and bigger tires. Both 650b (Open Wi.De. with 2.4-inch tires) and 700c where bikes like new Pivot Vault …
Where to look for more comfort?
There is a lot going on recently in bike industry in terms of improving rear comfort of gravel bikes. Cannondale Topstone Carbon or MBC URS are two most noticeable examples. …
Redshift Shockstop stem review
Redshift Shockstop stem is a product of a small start-up from the USA. But it gained a lot of coverage worldwide as it should be. There is no much competition …
Ergon CF3 Pro flexing seatpost review
Ergon CF3 Pro carbon seatpost has a very unique two leafs construction. This allows a lot of flex from the seatpost itself. And you can really feel it even when …
UPDATED: Lowering the tire air pressure
There is a lot going on recently in the gravel bikes market in terms of comfort. Bikes like new Cannondale Topstone Carbon with KingPin rear suspension or BMC URS with …