Posted by: Sethimus
Posted by: Brocklanders
Posted by: Endur-Bro
Is it super kooky to road ride with a gravel bike? Or is it generally acceptable?
I can’t deny the value in a mass produced bike. GRX Di2 components.
Looking to acquire a gravel bike but unsure if I’ll keep the road bike. N+1 is getting a little out of hand + expensive.
If the bigger tires have enough space wouldn't be an issue. Get some flared bars and voila. My gravel bike has the 105 groupo on it. Rode it all spring / summer in the muck and it worked fine. I really see no need to shell out for a gravel bike specific drivetrain. Then again I haven't rode a bike with the GRX but wonder what would be the difference?
hoods are WAY different, also brake lever pivot on di2 grx is way higher than on all mechanical shimanos
The GRX braking is different, but having ridden the Ultegra Di2 hydro, and non series shimano hydro to XTR XC calipers a lot, I don't think you'll have an issue with any set up. The power is awesome, and a gravel tyre has a lot less traction than an MTB tyre.
The only time cx / grav bikes can be difficult on the road with others is high speed - whether flat or descending. They often track differently due to COG and geo (let along braking differences) so I'd tend to say if you're descending with roadies give them space.
So far as 'do you need a gravel set up?'. Is road groupsets were good enough for all of Sven Nys' career, then no. Any group with the gear range and braking you like will work just fine.