Discover
Gravel
Touring by Bike
A brief history on the pre-gravel cycling world.
Cycling is one of the oldest forms of transportation dating back to the early 1800s. Folks have been riding to school, work, and visiting their family and friends on bicycles for generations. These bikes were primarily ridden on pavement and maintained roads. Cruisers and touring bikes became extremely popular tools for exploring local trails and spectacles. As capable as these bikes were, they lacked the features to tackle rough terrain and single track. Then came the birth of mountain bikes which expanded the capability and cycling technology to a whole new level. Cyclocross bike grew into popularity due to their efficient pedaling geometry and clearance for 35mm tires. Tire clearance grew and grew until one day, a small midwestern cycling company by the name of Salsa Cycles designed the first industry gravel bike, the Salsa Warbird.
Unlocking Offroad Riding
Comfort and efficiency on mixed terrain.
The easiest way to understand gravel bikes is to imagine if a mountain bike and a road bike had a baby; that is exactly what a gravel bike is! These offroad machines pick and choose the the best from both worlds to create a bike that maintains the pedaling efficiency of road while increasing the control on rough gravel roads and single track. Wider tire clearance allows wider tires for more technical offroad terrain such as mud, sand, and loose gravel. The introduction of tubeless tires into the cycling world combined the reality of fatter tires to the new possibility of lower tire pressure creating a perfect storm. Lower tire pressure creates lower rolling resistance and a wider tire more grip on slippery terrain.
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Gravel bikes completely changed the world of touring bicycles and created a new way to adventure by bike, bikepacking. Offroad adventures with all your camping gear discovering new routes and endless possibilities. Gravel bikes make mixed terrain journeys the best type of adventure.
Salsa & Moots - Adventure by Bike
Class 5 Vibration Reduction System (VRS) | Handmade Titanium Bicycles
Here at Sequim Bike Studio we partner with Salsa Cycles and handmade Moots titanium bikes to explore gravel roads and pursue adventure on long rides or epic bikepacking trips. Moots creates the finest bike you will ever ride and Salsa has worked for years creating the perfect adventure bikes to tackle any route. Bikepacking and offroad adventures are near and dear to our hearts. These two brands support that dream and help us share it with others.
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On long gravel adventures, comfort is king. The more comfortable you are, the longer and faster you can ride over an adventure. Both Moots and Salsa provide this comfort in two different ways. Precision made Moots titanium frames absorb road vibrations like no other bike. Once you ride a Moots, there is not turning back. Salsa creates their own off roading comfort with their carbon frames equipped with Class 5 VRS. Salsa's Class 5 Vibration Reduction System (VRS) uses thin, outwardly bowed seat stays and vertically compliant chain stays to absorb road vibrations that would otherwise impact the rider. Check out these two amazing frame set advantages by watching the two videos below.