Thanks Chris, so over the haters on this tech.

Thanks Steve! Rival eTap is the best value going in electronic shifting, and as you know, it is so bloody nice!

Thanks Steve, appreciate you chiming in with this valuable info.

Mechanical vs electronic tho, so I'm not sure if the comparison really works?

@@lincolnlu9869 no but when you are about to buy a bike it’s super important to know what the pros and cons are even through it’s mechanical vs electronically

I would not completely agree that Ekar components are more expensive.

@@mojaavantura wear and tear components Like the discs, cassette, chain are quit a bit more expensive to run and change compared to Sram

@@caet49 Yes if you compare ekar with rival axs. But ekar is more in line with red axs and red cost more to maintain.

I've been wondering if Campy is ever going to offer Ekar EPS?

@@GravelCyclist I hope they do, 2 reasons. 1) as I have stated above and 2) trying to keep the 13 speed shifting crisp is hard work. Electronic gears don't suffer from this. Started to look at SRAM as a potential replacement. Ekar is like that little Italian sports car that works well once a year, otherwise it can be a pain in the ar5e. Loving the channel btw & the honest reviews.

There is one.... It's called Eagle.

XPLR was never really designed for bike packing, but chapeau for riding a loaded bike with a 40T x 44 low gear! I'm not a bike packer, rather a credit card packer at best. I would select a 2x config, something like 46/30 chainrings, 11-40 cassette. Or, as the other commenter suggested, mullet 1x build with an Eagle derailleur, and massive pie plate cassette. Good luck!

10-44 was designed for gravel racing. OP needs to be looking at 2x and 10-36T cassette for bike packing.

@@petersouthernboy6327 100%

Curious about what issues you experienced? I've been riding electronic for a long time, zero issues.

GRX Di2 is the #1 comfy lever in my opinion.

Zipp QuickView Integrated Mount Service Course SL. It can also support a light / camera below the Garmin.

@@GravelCyclist thanks very much!

The regular crankset should be fine, generally the wide version is for frames where tyre clearance is bigger, and that in turn can raise some issues with frame / crank clearance. For example, a lot of bikes sold for 1x due to bigger tyre clearance but with an optional derailleur mount, is such a frame where the Wide crank option would work. Higher Q-factor for certain on this configuration.

great, thank you , my LBS has told me to get a grx 820, This way we won't have to change my bottom bracket I guess the chain will fit on because they're both one by 12?@@GravelCyclist

I don't have experience mixing SRAM flat top chains, etc, with Shimano systems. It may work well, but check your warranty, SRAM are specific I think about keeping it all working together. Good luck!

Hello there, I'm unaware of any SRAM XDR compatible rear hubs that don't require a 142mm x 12mm thru-axle. That would eliminate any 9mm quick release bikes. I would definitely steer towards a bike with 100mm 12mm thru-axle on the fork, and 142mm x 12mm thru-axle at the rear. Nothing else is needed, there are multiple bottom bracket standards that can support that SRAM crankset. Most bikes that are around five years old will likely support these standards. Good luck!

It shifts well under load.

You may be meaning wide ratio cassette, which in the case of XPLR, is 10-44 on all versions, Rival, Force, and Red. You will have no problems swapping a 40T chainring to a 38T chainring. I even think you won't need to change the length of the chain to compensate. 38T with the 10-44 cassette is a really good choice!

@@GravelCyclist cheers man !

Negative, performance has been spot on.

Thanks for the reply!

LOL.

If you gear it correctly, yes. As an FYI, 10-36 is about the smallest cassette you can run. I tried a 10-33 but it didn't shift well. With say a 44T or 42T chainring, provided you have some good leg speed, I don't see this being an issue. You may choose to go bigger on the 1x ring? The one thing that may be annoying, some of those cassette gaps with pace changes on a roadie group ride, etc.

@@GravelCyclist appreciate your feedback! i have friends who only ride gravel and i have friends who only ride road. I’m trying to find a bike that does both works excellently since i can only afford one bike. Which Grizl would you recommend?

Timothy, if you're riding road, you shouldn't bother with the suspension version like I had in this video. As you're open to 1x, take a look at Canyon's available offerings. Good luck!

Good points on gearing, would provide more options for all. 34x10 is still a pretty big gear, and 10-36, much less gappage happening. I think all people invariably coast on descents at some point on gravel, I have either max'd out the gear or my comfort factor when I start coasting.

Where I live, most gravel rides end up being at least 50% road, so I think the ability to run a larger front ring is nice. That said, I do worry that the 2 tooth spacing might be a little aggressive with larger rings.

It all depends on your needs. I would think when you need a 400% gear range or more, you're just better off with a 2x. The big gaps would drive me nuts. For me, I don't pedal at speeds over 45 kph, so I don't need those tall gears. That's why 1x with a small CR works for me. My tallest gear is currently 38/11, and the only time I'm in the 11t cog is when I adjust the limit screws on the RD.

@@hansschotterradler3772 Couldn't have articulated this better myself! I agree on all counts. My kingdom for a 12 speed 38x10-40

Hello there, the hater micro-segment was mostly a windup to stir up the troll community. With your thoughtful response, you certainly do not fall into that category. I have always been fascinated by the Alfine Di2 system, which won't appeal to you, but similar idea utilizing gates belt, internal, gears are electronically activated. You would be surprised at the number of people who do ride in sub-zero celsius weather. I know of several folks in Minnesota and Michigan who ride year-round, outdoors, and often at night time. Another benefit of electronic shifting; it enables cyclists who are differently-abled to many of us, to ride and enjoy the benefits of modern electronic shifting. You can utilize additional buttons to effect gear shifting from non-traditional places on bikes that work for those riders and athletes. I briefly featured one such athlete, Jacob, who is affiliated with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, at the finish of the 2021 Big Sugar Gravel (end of my video). He rode the 50-mile course, no worries at all, with the use of just one hand / arm. Thanks for chiming in!

​@@GravelCyclist I had same thought on your troll comment...only meant to troll the trolls, ha. I'm also very intrigued by Di2 Alfine w/ belt drive, especially for belt longevity (vs chain), and clean, low-maintenance build. Would not mind seeing you do a review of Priority Apollo gravel (mech) bike...would like to know how realistic is the gearing (and weight at 24 lbs, a bit pudgy but I guess low for IGH?)) for serious gravel riding, i.e., Unbound, Big Sugar, etc. A buddy of mine bought one, but sadly has had a lot of issues with it. Perhaps he got a bad apple as reviews seem to be very positive (up to 1200 miles and no issues was the most miles I saw).

Correct, I demonstrate how the system shifts in the video. The 2X system shifts the same, but you actuate both shifter paddles / buttons at the same time, to effect the front derailleur shift up / down. I don't make the rules around here, but I think eTap's shifting concept was to skate around some patents? If I got that wrong, someone please chime in.

@@GravelCyclist absolutely incredible, even more so considering SRAM's mechanical double tap... Thanks for the prompt reply!

@@bloodsouls725 Forgot to mention... in 1x mode, you can use the double button press feature of the shifters to trigger the Rockshox wireless dropper seatpost.