Ten things Gravel Riders Need to be Prepared For

Throughout the years of riding gravel, we’ve accumulated a metric ton of gravel experience. From salespeople to mechanics to our ambassadors pushing the pace, we know gravel.

We reached out to fellow OBED employees and ambassadors to get the skinny on what one should be prepared for when venturing into the wild and wonderful world of riding gravel. No surprise, the list of considerations kept growing the more we thought about it... But we’ve narrowed it down to 10 things for brevity’s sake. Check them out below and see if there is anything you might not have thought about!

1. Changing surfaces 

This might seem obvious when we talk about venturing off-road, but gravel roads can vary greatly from one side of the country to the other, and even from one side of a county to the other. Knowing what kind of conditions to expect can make a big difference between a ride you’d want to repeat and one you might regret. The gravel roads of Unbound and SBT Gravel are fairly smooth with hard-packed gravel (and a few unmaintained sections), while the gravel near OBED HQ in East Tennessee can range from hard-packed dirt to freshly graded gravel to large embedded stones that almost shake your eyes out of their sockets. Having the right mindset about the kind of gravel roads ahead can go a long way in making it a ride you’d like to repeat.

2. Proper tires

Obviously, we think having an OBED gravel bike will set you up best for a day on dirt roads, but there are still a lot of variations that can make things smoother. Modern gravel bikes are suited for tire widths larger than 40c, and most of us ride a 43 or 45c tire. The extra tire volume and subsequent lower tire pressure make a huge difference in bumps, cornering, and traction. Width isn’t the only factor; be sure to consider how durable a tire is. Many brands have different tire ratings, some even with variations within the same model. For example, both Terravail and Rene Herse offer different casings within the same model line. I tend to go for the most durable compound since I love pushing the limits of my GVR, and I’ve had amazing success riding rough, rocky roads and trails.

3. Gearing

Gearing is another major factor, especially for those who live in mountainous regions. The OBED crew is nearly split in the 1x vs 2x drivetrain debate, with a slight skew towards the 2x camp. Personally, I prefer the 2x setup—I find it more favorable in the rolling terrain races of the Midwest (Unbound, Gravel Worlds) as I prefer the smaller changes from one gear to another while still having the front derailleur to make the big gear changes. I'm often tinkering with different cassettes and chainrings to come up with gear ratios I find favorable. Generally speaking, I want a climbing gear that is near or smaller than 1 to 1; the standard GRX 2x drivetrain is under that (read: easier).

4. Punctures

There are loads of lists out there spouting off what you should carry in your toolkit. Knowing how and when to use each of those things is a different story. Try to practice a couple of the most likely scenarios at home so you're more comfortable dealing with mishaps when you're on the gravel roadside in the sweltering sun. The most likely mechanical to occur is a tire puncture. We ride on constantly changing road surfaces, and oftentimes it's nearly impossible to avoid each and every flat-inducing obstacle. We’ve done videos on how to plug a puncture with a Dynaplug (my favorite puncture tool), and how well that works to keep stopped time to a minimum. If you have an exceptionally big puncture, you should know how to put a tube in, and practicing at home is a great first step. That being said, with good tires, plenty of fresh sealant, and a Dynaplug, I haven’t put a tube into a bike in a couple of years.

5. Chains

Drivetrains are at their best and usually don't cause issues. While a dropped chain can be an inconvenience, a broken chain and the inability to repair it is the most likely cause for a DNF (or calling the spouse for a ride home). A dropped chain is fairly straightforward to correct; just line up the correct links with the chainring. Breaking a chain might be the second most likely mechanical to occur. I always carry a spare master link, but just like my chain breaker, I have not had to use it in years. If you don't have an old chain lying around, ask your bike shop for some excess chain and practice “repairing” a chain at home using the tools you carry in your repair kit. It sounds silly, but that call to the spouse or a friend can feel even sillier...

6. Route/Navigation

Gravel roads can take us to some remote areas, and having a little bit of navigational help goes a long way. Whether you’ve got a Garmin/Wahoo/Hammerhead GPS unit or your phone Quad-locked to your bars, a GPS aid is super helpful in managing the unknown. Loading a route has never been easier, and many apps/devices allow audible directions for upcoming turns. Some of our favorite route builders are Ride With GPS, Komoot, and Strava.

7. Weather

Being weather-aware is always important, even on bluebird sky days. From sun exposure and heat exhaustion, knowing the conditions ahead of time can help prep us physically and mentally for the ride ahead. Expecting some rain? Pack that light rain shell and try to avoid any muddy roads. Lightning on the horizon? Consider taking shelter or cutting the route to avoid danger. High sun exposure? Bring some extra sunscreen and electrolytes.

8. Endurance

Simple, just be fit enough to do what you have set out in front of you. HA! Easier said than done. Look for routes and rides that are near your comfort zone, with occasional rides that might be a bit of a stretch. No shame in being conservative when starting your relationship with gravel riding.

9. Mud

Anyone heard about Unbound 2023?! One mile of muddy road caused a huge separation and ended some riders' day before the end of the first hour. Mud may or may not be an issue for some parts of the country—some places drain better than others and some places don't see enough rain in a year to know what mud is. Try to avoid riding in super sticky mud. If there is a grassy edge, try to ride it. If there is no way around, oftentimes it's best to dismount and carry your bike. Scraping mud out of forks and frames is no fun and can cause damage to paint and drivetrain parts. If you find yourself bogged down and at a standstill from mud clogging, I’ve had success using a roadside stick to help clear it out. Those who are super prepared might even carry a paint stick for clearing mud.

10. Be dynamic

There is a certain joy that comes from the challenges that dirt roads bring; oftentimes you'll find that the roads are constantly changing. From recent rains causing drainage ditches to truck ruts and even county maintenance dropping fresh gravel. For us, it's our favorite thing about riding gravel. Yes, the scenery on your regular route might be unchanged from week to week, but oftentimes the surface conditions can vary wildly. Having an open mind is crucial in all aspects of life, and especially when it comes to gravel riding. Be dynamic in your expectations, flexible in the outcomes, and have a willingness to change plans if conditions encourage it.

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