Riding over forest trails in lightweight clothes then meeting up with mates for a sun-kissed coffee stop - sounds idyllic right? There are no boundaries on gravel cycling so in contrary to our title it really is an all-year-round pursuit, but if there is a ‘season’ that is perfect for grinding dust then it would be summer.
There’s no better way to discover gravel than with Specialized. From pedal power to pedal assist, there’s a bike for every ride and even more products to complete the look. In this week’s article we shine a light on the gear that will set you up for success this gravel season.
There really is only one place to start and that’s with the Diverge range. Ideal for any type of gravel riding, it’s quite simply the fastest option out there, and by delivering a ride that’s quick and lively under power while retaining enough stability for confidence and comfort, it’s the most fun as well. From the S-Works Diverge’s FACT 11r carbon-framed light and lively ride to steady alloy options, the range is packed full of versatility for any type of gravel grinding.
The new Crux caused a splash when it was dropped last year due to its gravel capabilities. Now not just a cyclocross specific race machine, the lightweight build of the Crux can take you beyond mud into a new realm of off-road possibilities. Spec’d to the max with the very best components to totally redefine the idea of a multi-purpose bike. Learn more about the new Crux here.
As this video with Specialized ambassador Alec Briggs shows, sometimes the most fun you can have on the dusty stuff is turbo charged. Take a break from the city and ride further than you thought possible on the Turbo Creo SL EVO. Dressed to impress, included on the bike are adventure ready components like the FACT 11r chassis, Future Shock 2.0 with hydraulic damper, SRAM Red AXS eTap, SRAM XX1 Eagle rear derailleur, Roval Terra CLX disc carbon wheels and so much more to make the best electric off-road ride going. Comfort and versatility over distance is covered thanks to a SRAM Reverb AXS dropper seatpost and a Body Geometry S-Works Power saddle. It’s you only faster and for longer.
It’s not just the bike that helps you put down the watts off-road, shoes play a big part of that too. Released earlier this year, the S-Works Vent Evo Gravel Shoe is our most advanced MTB-style shoe ever and combines style, breathability and comfort into one neat pair of shoes. At the heart of the construction is our FACT Powerline™ carbon plate that maximises power transfer from foot, to pedal, to bike. Reliable and consistent, if you’d rather a cleaner, less race-ready look, the S-Works Recon Lace Gravel Shoes offer the same ventilation properties but in a more everyday stylish package. Learn more about the range here.
The most successful gravel tyre in the business, the S-Works Pathfinder is at the pinnacle of the discipline. The fastest version yet, the 2022 design combines the trusty Pathfinder tread pattern with 2Bliss Ready compatibility and a natural casing to offer the best in speed and traction. A reduction in rolling resistance and a weight cut of 210 grams really puts the cherry on the cake.
From flat-out, lung-busting races to multi-day epic adventures, there are no bounds to what you can do on a gravel bike. So, if you’d rather pin a map to your cockpit than a number to your back, you’ll need baggage options. Specialized has you covered with products such as the innovative Tailwind panniers, the stable Burra Burra Stabilizer Seatpack 20 and the waterproof Burra Burra Drypack 23. The only limit is your imagination.
…
Want to get your gravel story going? Head to your local Specialized Concept Store, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you find the perfect off-road bike for you. No matter your trail, there is adventure around every turn and with Specialized the options for discovery become limitless. Click here to find your nearest store.
