I recently put a dropper post on my beloved gravel steed, a Specialized S-Works Crux. And a cable-actuated one, no less.
Now, I’m aware this will upset a certain category of cyclist. Likely the same people who leave puke emojis on my Instagram whenever a bike appears sporting fenders. How dare I deface a race machine?
But, in doing so, they’re actually selling the Crux and its versatility short.
A dropper post absolutely comes with compromises (weight, stiffness) and if your gravel riding consists primarily of the sort of epics we see at Unbound Gravel or SBT GRVL, then a dropper isn’t for you.
But if your gravel rides regularly involve some “I wonder if I can ride that?” territory, then a dropper post changes everything. Mountain bikers figured this out years ago. More control. More confidence. More speed. Most importantly: it makes technical gravel riding a lot of fun.
I didn’t *need* a dropper post for my riding, but I did immediately start setting PRs on nearly every descent. It also makes me smile every darn time.
But here’s the part where I climb onto my soapbox: if you’re going to put a dropper on your gravel bike, commit properly.
Too many gravel-specific droppers, or those that will fit a 27.2 seatpost, have too little travel. Forty millimetres of drop isn’t a dropper post; that’s a mildly adjustable seatpost.
And would I prefer the clean aesthetic of the SRAM’s wireless dropper? Obviously. But to me, 50-to-75mm of travel just doesn’t meaningfully transform the bike on technical terrain.
The Teravail Telec, meanwhile, does it right with 125mm of travel, adjustable in 10mm increments up to 30mm. Paired with the Telec Drop Bar Remote, the post delivers an impressively fast response time as well.
Learn about the dropper I’ve been using, and when and where to use a dropper post at cyclingweekly.com.
P.S. Someone help me clean up the cable routing!
Two weeks ago, I spotted Grand Tour stage winner and former gravel world champion Matej Mohorič promoting an unexpected item: a rear-view mirror.
Whether clipped onto sunglasses or tucked into the bar-end of your handlebars, mirrors are certainly useful, but they’ve long been considered something of a cycling fashion faux-pas, often associated with MAMIL stereotypes alongside hi-viz jerseys and ankle socks.
But are the tides turning?
There’s little doubt the roads are feeling riskier. At the same time, radar systems like the Garmin Varia have gone from niche gadgets to non-negotiable equipment for many road riders, despite effectively being a high-tech solution to the same problem: seeing what’s happening behind.
The mirror Mohorič is promoting is certainly a far cry from the plasticky mirrors of old. The sleek Rizoma R21 weighs just 18g, has reportedly been wind tunnel tested for aerodynamics and is machined from CNC aluminium with an “unbreakable” ZEISS lens. It’s also rumoured to cost well north of $200.
More attainable is today’s launch from @spurcycle . The Oregon brand, best known for its premium bicycle bells, has unveiled its new Pro Mirror, a drop-bar mirror developed with input from the racey-end of the gravel and road scenes.
Spurcycle says the mirror will “l transform your riding experience,” be it for enhanced safety or a “strategic advantage” in competition.
What do you think? Do you use one?
Motherhood is a wild rollercoaster. I couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone other than Sam by my side. Happy first Mother’s Day to my love. 💐🌷💙
And to the world’s best Oma (@frankysfoundandfab ), too. Motherhood has given me a whole new perspective and appreciation for you! 🫶
Find yourself a gyno who actually listens.
After a lifetime of menorrhagia struggles and years of being dismissed, I finally found a doctor who took the time to properly listen, investigate and diagnose.
Yesterday, I went into surgery to remove the many polyps that were filling my uterus, and have my uterine lining removed altogether.
Here’s to a better future.
Never stop advocating for yourself. ✌️
Shout out to Dr. Copperman at the @theoregonclinic . 🫶
#femaledoctorsarethebest #womenshealth
Congratulations to @mollykingpdx , @misfitcap , Kate Delhagen, @the_care.of.culture , @jennyfromthebra and the entire team behind @iwsff_pdx for an incredible and history making weekend.
Portland had the privilege of hosting the FIRST-EVER International Women’s Sports Film Festival, and it delivered!
For three days, women and nonbinary athletes were exactly where they belong: front and center, as the main characters on the big screen.
The lineup was incredible: films, docs and shorts from around the world highlighting the stories, teams and cultural impact of women in sport. And the conversations that followed the screenings were just as meaningful.
I was honored to take part in the smallest of ways by interviewing @theultrarunnergirl after the screening of her film, @offcourse_film . Stories about women’s fertility need to be told more, and Stephanie Case and @sophieamygrant share theirs with honesty, heartbreak, beauty and strength.
I’m leaving the weekend inspired, and reminded of how important it is to continue fighting for space for women's stories.
💖
“Even getting out is impressive” - keeping @josh.n.ross ’ statement in mind as I cherish every hour in the saddle I get.
Also digging the latest @castellicycling Espresso drop. And yes, I’m wearing pink, which is very errr colorful for me. Why? Read about it on Cycling Weekly soon!
Life lately. We’ve kept this one alive for four weeks already. 😅 It’s been a blur. So much love, so little sleep.
It’s back to work, and back to bikes next week. Is mommy power a thing when you’re not the birthing mom? 🤔
#momlife
I got to spend a few short weeks on @lookcycle ’s new G85 Cezal gravel bike, and I was genuinely bummed to give it back. It’s a wonderfully balanced yet playful bike, and one that would be on my shortlist if I were in the market for a new steed.
It checks all the boxes for my riding style: fun, fast and seriously versatile. It’s light and lively yet stable. It has generous tire clearance (2.25” in the front, 50mm in the rear) and it’s fast – just ask @finsty , who’s been ripping on it all early season.
And at $7,500 with a SRAM Force XPLR 1x13 gruppo and (insanely quiet) Fulcrum Soniq Carbon 2WF wheels, it’s not outrageously expensive either – relatively speaking.
And that speckled purple colorway? 🤩.
Full review coming soon! What questions do y’all have?
we were today years old when a tire pressure engineer explained to us that a rounded frontal profile is actually more aerodynamic than a flat one 😭
yes, josh poertner of @silca_velo went there. and yes, molly immediately had thoughts about ice in sports bras at the mountain bike world cup.
this is what happens when you let three women interview a tech guy with no filter. full episode in bio. 🎙️
#womenscycling #cyclingpodcast #aerodynamics #womensworldtour #cyclingtech
we asked a tire pressure expert why paris-roubaix femmes had so many mechanicals this year 👀
turns out people are literally stealing cobbles off the course. and the ones that are left? teams are flying very close to the sun trying to optimize every last watt. @silca_velo ‘s josh poertner breaks it all down in our latest episode, link in bio.
🎙️ paris-roubaix femmes recap + tech segment with josh poertner is out now.
#womenscycling #parisroubaix #cyclingpodcast #womensworldtour #cyclingtech
First spin!
Values my wife and I are committed to during this time with a newborn (and always):
- Movement is therapy.
- Caring for yourself is part of caring for your family.
- We will treat each other, ourselves and our bodies with grace.
For me, the bike plays a huge part in this. And I’m grateful for every hour I get.
