Text by Adrian Grant Photos by Eric Levert / Crossroad Tremblant
Before entering the mainstream, gravel riding was very much an opportunity to “run what you brung”, whether it was an older hardtail or a road bike with 28mm tires shoehorned between the chainstays. Neither of these options were ideal. On long loops, any significant stretches of asphalt could turn into a slow and disheartening experience on a mountain bike. Meanwhile, road bikes, with their skinnier tire, could be downright treacherous when the pavement ended and dirt began. The advent of cyclocross bikes provided a better option, but with their aggressive geometry, short wheelbases, and only marginal improvements in terms of tire clearance relative to road bikes, they still weren’t a gravel cyclist’s panacea. What was needed was a non-competitive yet high performance bike, designed for both adventure and fun.
In response, the last five years have seen an explosion in the development of gravel-specific bikes. These include drop-bar frames with a more comfortable upright geometry for longer days in the saddle, and most importantly clearance for high volume tires (a minimum of 700x35mm up to 54mm or more (!) when equipped with a 650b/27.5 wheelset). This has allowed riders to push the envelope even further as to where one could conceivably ride a bike that, at its heart, was originally designed for pavement.
While gravel bikes are viewed by some as yet another special niche, created by a bike industry eager to exploit those looking for their next n+1, I see them as a practical and versatile solution to the problems the average cyclist faces every time they just want to go out for a ride. Specifically, gravel bikes offer an antidote to riding with heavy traffic. Because, let’s face it – cycling on roads with heavy traffic sucks. It can be a stressful nightmare of honking horns, high-speeds, and distracted drivers. And to be frank, the culture around road cycling can at times be intimidating, pretentious and unfriendly to the unshaven hoi polloi unfamiliar with “The Rules”.
In comparison, gravel roads provide opportunities to traverse remote and scenic landscapes, devoid of cars and other distractions, resulting in a relaxing experience. Perhaps that’s why the culture around gravel riding is generally much more mellow. Forget aggressive pace lines, wattage metrics and Strava times, and focus instead on having a good time! Whereas roadies may shun the use of saddle bags or other accruements, gravel riding embraces the use of top tube bags, handlebar bags and framebags to stash essentials like sandwiches, gummy bears and a can of your favourite IPA. Rest stops (or even better, pub stops!) are considered welcome opportunities to eat, drink, and socialize with your fellow riders, and not evidence that you need to harden up.
In short, gravel riding is road cycling’s chilled-out cooler cousin. The cousin most likely to offer you a beer rather than an energy gel. It’ll remind you what’s it’s like to be a kid again, when what mattered most was exploring new places, making friends, and having a good time. So go play in the dirt. Slow down, don’t speed up. Ride like you have nothing to prove, not to prove a point.
Go find your nearest gravel road. And just go for a ride.
Isolated in northern Quebec, located in the Arctic Cordillera, the Torngat Mountains are frequented only by those who have the real will to face the elements of nature. We do not get there by chance. It is a mythical place that imposes respect. An highly inspiring destination for the Torngat fatbike!
We have included in this bike the features needed to make it completely versatile. Among other things, the frame is belt-drive compatible, it has an access for a dropper seatpost and is equipped with horizontal rear wheel dropouts. The Reynolds 725 high-grade steel tubing frame and the light, stiff carbon fiber fork accommodate the largest 26″ tires available, as well as the 27.5 x 4.5″.
All you have to do is leave the house, get on the bike and explore the territory that is still unknown to you!
Custom-made frame bag by Atwater Atelier, to match your Panorama Cycles bike.
Many color, material and feature options available. Refer to the Atwater Atelier website for details or contact us directly.
How to order:
1- Make the purchase on our website. Add as a note to the order the model, year, color and size of your Panorama Cycles bike.
2- Upon receipt of your order, a member of our team will contact you to select options, if applicable.
3- Bag manufacturing time varies from 6-10 weeks.
Basic features ($290):
Access to a large compartment on the drive side
Brightly colored 70D Ripstop inner lining for better visibility
*In stock and shipping everyday!
When you venture on the less traveled roads of the backcountry, sometimes, the beautiful road becomes much more bumpy than what was predicted. The asphalt becomes gravel, and the gravel literally becomes an off-road trail. It is for this kind of adventure that the Anticosti was created.
The Anticosti frame is built with a bespoke selection of Reynolds 725 steel tubing, thinned where it is needed to reduce weight. A generous tire clearance allows you to install 27.5x2.1 or 700x50 tires. For 2023, our steel frame gravel bike has a revised geometry (shorter seattube length and slightly slacker head tube angle) and new curved chainstays offering more clearance to the rear tire.
A Rival buildkit, Easton crankset, Hunt wheels and Teravail 700x42 tires makes this bike ready for a quick gravel loop, or for a more ambitious multi-day trip project.
*Frameset comes with wheel axles, headset installed, seatpost collar and frame protectors.