Desire: Why grovel when you can gravel?

Desire: Why grovel when you can gravel?

Issue 19.3 of Desire sees Rouleur’s first foray into the gravel and as usual, we’ve turned the dial up to 11.

Desire Gear Gravel Rouleur Classic Rouleur Desire

Before diving into our gravel gallery, we should say that it was nigh impossible for us to decide which, of the bikes we had the pleasure of shooting, was the nicest.

We have top of the range, all-road steeds from no fewer than 9 different brands. With different builds, different identities and different strengths, we’d be spoilt for choice for any off-road escapade.

Festka Rover: handmade carbon fibre from the Czech Republic

 

Let’s take a minute instead to discuss gravel riding. Firstly, it’s not strictly speaking a new discipline, but has largely come from rebranding cyclo-cross with, admittedly, a more defined raison d’être. ‘Cross bikes, with their aggressive geometries, are tempered for stability; gearing is widened for versatility, while tyres are bigger, slicker and as capable on-road as off.

Incredible paint job on this Titici Flexy Gravel

 

Paint jobs are jazzier too. Not only are brands and customers alike getting braver, but the risk of covering your all-road steed in copious amounts of mud is lessened. Take the burnished copper finish on the Reilly Gradient. This customer request was jaw-dropping in the flesh, and Titici’s iridescent blue paint is a far-cry from the black stealth machines of 2018.

Drop dead gorgeous copper finish on this Reilly GradientArguably the draw of off-road nouveau is the limitless potential for adventure. There are no taped courses or un-ridable tarmac sections on a gravel bike – almost everything is fair game with the right set-up. We, as indeed you, are embracing gravel riding as an opportunity to ride where before we may have baulked at the risk, or the unfamiliarity of the terrain.Top-of-the-range build on the Open U.P.P.E.RAt this year’s Rouleur Classic, grip experts Panaracer, are putting together a world-beating selection of gravel bikes for your viewing pleasure, bringing the outdoors to heart of London at the the world’s finest cycling exhibition. Super early-bird tickets are now on sale. 2019: A Desire Odyssey – Condor’s latest all-road frameLike what you’ve seen? Rouleur’s first Desire special issue, is on sale from May 7th or you can get it for free as a Rouleur subscriber. 180 pages of the best in bikes kit and tech all shot in Rouleur’s inimitable style. For more on the bikes we shot, stay tuned to Rouleur.ccThe post Desire: Why grovel when you can gravel? appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Desire Gear Gravel Rouleur Classic Rouleur Desire


READ MORE

Cav's legacy: why there may never again be a sprinter like Mark Cavendish

Cav's legacy: why there may never again be a sprinter like Mark Cavendish

As he prepares to bow out of the sport at the end of the year, Cavendish's prolific record will stand the test of time

Leggi di più
Gallery: A look back at Mark Cavendish's record-breaking career

Gallery: A look back at Mark Cavendish's record-breaking career

Rouleur looks back at all the Tours Mark Cavendish has completed 

Leggi di più
Closing the gap: can Remco Evenepoel rise to the challenge of Tadej Pogačar in 2025?

Closing the gap: can Remco Evenepoel rise to the challenge of Tadej Pogačar in 2025?

The Belgian rider is not going to go down without a fight next season

Leggi di più
Max Poole on near misses, learning from the best and why Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL’s structure works

Max Poole on near misses, learning from the best and why Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL’s structure works

The British rider discusses his impressive Grand Tour debut and the work it has taken to get there

Leggi di più
'British Cycling has done everything for me' - Dani Rowe: From a talent ID programme to Olympic gold

'British Cycling has done everything for me' - Dani Rowe: From a talent ID programme to Olympic gold

Speaking after being inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame, Rowe tells Rouleur about her journey to the top of the sport

Leggi di più
Will Mark Cavendish return to the Tour de France in 2025?

Will Mark Cavendish return to the Tour de France in 2025?

We know the Manxman well enough now that we should never count him out when it comes to racing

Leggi di più

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image