ROUTT GRAVEL FAMILY GETS WIDE
Gravel riding, componentry and rider needs have been evolving at a blistering pace since we first introduced the Routt in 2014. We are lucky enough to have front row seats to watch our bikes and riders being pushed to the limit from Dirty Kanza, to Crusher in the Tushar, to your favorite local routes across the world. We have had an extra long winter here in Steamboat Springs to stew on the trends and move those conversations and ideas into evolution of our bikes. Here’s what we know. Bigger, better and more capable tires are available and that’s what our customers are choosing. We need to be able to accommodate a wider range of target tire sizes per bike without compromising a tight well connected rear end. As riders venture out on harder, more challenging terrain, add more gear to their bikes and choose bigger tires, gear ratios need to be lower. Gravel bikes need to handle a bit of single track trail. We know that you don’t want limitations to where you can ride your Routt, and being able to ride a mellow single track trail is a must. From events like Grinduro, to incorporation of some trail sections on our local SBT GRVL course for 2021, there is a new standard of capability being demanded. Thus, we needed to address a more stable front end and ability to maneuver tight turns and technical sections at lower speed. We’ve baked in changes to address all of these demands and are updating all 3 models in our Routt gravel family for 2021. These new bikes are beginning production and can be ordered in the configurations seen on our model pages. Here’s the down and dirty changes that have been made and why. ROUTT RSL Tire Size – Everyone wants to talk about tire size first thing in a gravel bike. So lets start there. The Routt RSL is first up. It moves to a 45mm maximum tire from a 40mm maximum tire. We all love to go fast and the goldilocks tire size for most fast paced gravel rides and races lands right at 40mm. So the update will allow you to go up to a 45mm for those extra chunky courses or those bike packing overnighters you might have planned the following weekend. When we say a 45mm fits, it does more than “just fit” it clears with room for mud should you take that one turn you might not have. We were able to keep the chain stays at 43cm for an agile handling bike and great climber. The Routt RSL retains its double butted tube set, 3D printed dropouts and brake mount and comes standard with 3 water bottle locations, fender mounts and multiple choices of Moots finishes. 7 stock sizes and customs are always available. You can check out all the details here: ROUTT RSL ROUTT RSL with GRX GRAVEL WIDE AND 44mm rubber ready to roll. Angles, Stems & Bars – The head angle goes
