As I discussed yesterday, I’ll quickly be making an attempt to assemble a kind of gravel bike issues, so I figured I would as nicely learn up on the traits to see how outdated it’ll be by the point I’m executed:
By the way in which, when did the whole lot change into a “area?”
2025 has given us a number of modifications within the gravel bike area.
I suppose within the digital age we are able to afford to squander phrases since we don’t have to fret about typesetting and paper and stuff, and I notice that is ironic coming from somebody who makes use of approach, approach too many phrases every day, however I’d nonetheless like us to revert to the previous approach of referring to issues:
“Use Case” = Use
“Worth Level” = Worth
“Type Issue” = Form
“Gravel Bike Area” = Gravel Bike
And so forth.
Truly, you possibly can lower that final one down much more:
This is able to permit you to begin your article like this: “Bikes modified in 2025.”
See how simple that’s?
Anyway, at first the development forecast is sort of promising:
Thank goodness! If I learn one other gravel bike evaluation that claims the [insert stupid name here] wants extra clearance I’m going to puke:
Sadly my pleasure was short-lived, as a result of whereas the tip of Clearance Mania could lastly be in sight, we’re simply getting suspension as a substitute:
I used to be notably amused by the picture caption:
I’m not saying your subsequent gravel bike goes to be a mountain bike with some drop bars added, however I wouldn’t be shocked to see extra suspension forks in 2026.
Sorry, yeah, your subsequent gravel bike is completely going to be a mountain bike:
I imply your present gravel bike is already a mountain bike, so why would your subsequent one be any totally different?
Additionally, your present mountain bike is already Chinese language, however I suppose quickly it is going to be unapologetically Chinese language:
Truly, 2026 going to be the 12 months of the Horse, I seemed it up.
Little doubt they’re proper, although. Simply think about the value (level!) of this bike:
[$7,499]
Versus this bike:
[$3,899]
Is the identify “Cannondale” value $3,600? Who even owns Cannondale now? Dorel? Pon? BlackRock? I do not know. When Cannondale began out they have been like nothing else. (Effectively, apart from Klein.) Now what are they? Plastic bikes positive appear to be a dropping recreation for corporations that commerce on their names, particularly if the Chinese language corporations’ bikes are higher, like some individuals say they’re:
I’m not an engineer so I do not know if that Hambini man is true or not, however I’m a contrarian so I do get pleasure from him.
Plus, in line with the gravel development article, the Cannondale has a “useless” drivetrain as well:
Effectively at the very least it’s one much less battery to cost.
Somebody ought to actually invent a derailleur that doesn’t require a ba–
By no means thoughts.
