One of our favourite things about gravel races is they can be done on just about any bike, whether it be a road bike with some chunky rubber shoe-horned in, or an old-faithful mountain bike. Of course, we are a little biased and reckon there is room in every bike cellar for a specific gravel bike… Grinduro 2018 offered up the full cornucopia of bicycles, from wide drops to whisky bottles, to pinion gearboxes. There were stock builds from the big companies and plenty of custom steel bikes too. Rather than read about them, we are sure you’d rather just browse the pics… what’s your favourite?
Early on Friday, and the Grinduro village was quiet. These bike racks were soon filled with a gaggle of gravel bikes. The Bicycle Academy were in attendance. This was built for last year’s event and is still looking dandy one year on. This wasn’t the last fade or sparkles we’d see this year This one has a little way to go before it’s rideable. Ok, it might not be drop-barred, but this BTR Fabrications mountain bike was a beaut. Once again, there was a frame builders competition.. This was BTR’s submission. We love the TVR-esque colour scheme Another picture, just because August Bicycles stuck to the #dirtydropbargoodness mantra With a really interesting paint job Layers of paint are rubbed back to expose each coat Bit like a gobstopper Lapsley Cycles created a modern take on a traditional lugged build With a beautiful fork Our favourite headtube badge And a Grinduro-branded seat stay bridge Field Cycles went for an understated frame and beaut of a fork Nice brass headtube badge as well Quirk teamed steel with Lauf forks Mmm, sparkles Nod to Grinduro This Cannondale SuperX SE belonged to CSG/Fabric’s Neil. It wasn’t just bikes, Giro had Grinduro branded kit for sale. This Kinesis AT belongs to Upgrade’s Rory Hitchens. Upgrade are also the importers of Ritchey, Praxis, Lauf and Lezyne, hence the build. Rory also brought this Ritchey P29 to show off WILD. There’s so much going on with this Dear Susan. Let’s start with those bars. Made by Black Sheep cycles in the US, they are 680mm wide and have a LOT of flex. The plan was to install cross top levers as well, but time was too short. The Hope VTwin reservoirs will make it easier once Dear Susan has time. The bottom bracket has adjustable geometry, plus can be removed and swapped for a Pinion gearbox. Eye-searing colour choices, and check out the rainbow sparkles. An *almost* normal looking angle. Tom borrowed a Lauf True Grit bike to race. Stay tuned for a First Ride review. We love the clashing purple/green combo though. All of the accessories None of the gears (or freehub). Fixed FTW. A new Charge Plug (we hear that production versions will be available soon), decked out in Hunt wheels for Hamish Paine. 16 year old Californian Tydeman Newman tore things up on his Cannondale SuperX. Eyes peeled, the boy has talent. Tydeman’s bike had an Omata GPS device. His dad is behind the company. It’s a stripped back device with an analog display. Riders came from around the world to race. This bike belonged to a Belgian racer. Pro-women’s winner, Rachael Walker rode this Santa Cruz Stigmata, bedecked in all the Hope Tech. What did you spot first? The paint or the seatpost? Yep. What the hell is that? At least the stem distracts A mostly stock Ibis, with carrying space for ALL the Tunnocks Top bar tape points Adeline of Mercredi might not have been able to make it this year, but a couple of her bikes did. Titanium – tick, Pinion – tick, Lauf – tick. Some carried more than other’s. Jon Woodruff’s Lester had all the vital supplies Including Arran Distillery whisky. #partypacewinstherace
