Hey All, first post here. I found this forum after deciding that a "gravel grinder" might suit my purposes. I've been doing a lot of reading.
Three years ago I wanted to get back into biking after 15 years (I'm 59 now). Back then I did a sort of randonneuring type of biking. I would go for longish day trips without being in a big hurry. By August I was doing a century+ every weekend by myself. Just plotting out routes and going alone. So the wife and I decided that getting touring bikes would be just the thing for us. Lots of plans were made, I did my research and decided two Surly disc truckers would do what we wanted. As these things happen sometimes, the bikes arrived and my wife pretty much immediately lost interest. I found myself biking like I used to do; going for longer and longer day trips unsupported and by myself.
You probably see where this is going. A Surly LHT is not the most fun bike for this type of riding. BUT, I did find some things out from riding my LHT. I found I like the long wheelbase that gives the secure feeling when screaming down a steep hill. I like fatter tires for the horrible roads I ride on (I'm in central Maine now). Back in the 90s I rode a Cannondale R3.0. So a stiff racing bike with 25mm tires, but it came with a triple in the front - 52/42/30 and a 13-26 in the back that enabled me to take those long, relaxing rides up and down all those hills. Now I'm even more spoiled by the 48/36/26 on my Surly with a 11-32 in the back.
I thought long and hard about an endurance type of bike (diverge, synapse, domane, etc.), but I want to ride 28mm or 32mm with fenders and that pretty much eliminates them. Also, we just moved to central Maine last summer and I have found the ITS (interconnected trail system) which is miles and miles of gravel trails for ATV, snowmobiles and bikes. No cars allowed. There are also a LOT of gravel roads around my area. So it makes sense to me to a have a gravel bike with road geometry. I plan on building up a wheel set for my road riding and use the stock for off road and gravel.
So after shopping around, I'm considering a 2015 Willard 2.
1. The shop quoted $1150 + tax. I'm not sure 35% off msrp is a great deal for last year's model, but I'd like to know what you all think about this.
2. I'm concerned I won't be able to get an upright enough position on the bike. I do not want to go back to the racing position I had on my Cannondale. I'm 6' tall with a 34" inseam, so not a real long torso. The 58cm looks about perfect for me, but I can't tell if those handle bars will be able to come up enough. It looks like they might have cut the steering tube for gravel racing a lot more than comfortable long rides. The shop has none in stock, so if I order it I'm stuck with it. I'm looking for more of a touring position, with the handlebars closer to the level of the seat rather than slammed.
I know there are some on the board here that own the Willard 2. Do you think this bike will be a good fit for my purposes? Oh, and I will not lie. This bike will probably see more duty for road riding 50 - 100 miles this summer than gravel riding. But with all the trails around here, who knows if I'll get hooked? I've never had this opportunity before. What do you think about the handlebar height thing?
And yes, I am considering buying a steel frame something (Salsa, Soma, etc.) and building it up with a triple and 9 speed, but it's so outdated the components are not convenient to source any more. However, I'm still a bit anxious about the aluminum frame and using a 50/34. But that's for another discussion.
Great forum. It's been interesting and fun reading.
I think the 2015 Willard 2 is a better value than the 2016. My 2016 had A LOT of crummy parts on it. THe only thing is you don't get thru axles on the 2015. That is the only reason I got a 16. I'm 6' and I ride a 56. I have a review around here and it lines up with Teds reviews on the bike. I got 780 miles on mine now. It has seen quite a few road miles. I use Conti 4000 in 28c for road duty. Run them @ 63 lbs.
I have a 2015 Willard; I absolutely love the fit, but I did change the handlebars. I like to ride in the drops as much as the hoods, and the drops on the stock bars were terrible IMO.
The tires that come on it are pretty hefty at 40mm, but the tread is light so it rolls pretty well on pavement.
It's a "race" looking bike, but it feels a little more upright to me than my cross bike, but not as upright as my commuter bike. I know that's not very precise but might help you decide if its geometry is good for you.
$1150 is a great price!
Oh, and this year I'm swapping the 11-28 cassette for an 11-32; the stock gearing is a bit of a chore on steep loose gravel.
Other than not being a huge fan of the TRP Spyre brakes I love my 2015 Willard 2. I've swapped the cassette to an 11-32 and the rear der to a 105GS(mid cage). Also swapped in a Salsa cowbell 3 bar.
Later this year I'll probably swap on a set of TRP HY/RD brakes and a new seat post.
I think the 2015 for that amount would be a great deal. Wheels are a bit heavy, but you can always upgrade later. I haven't ridden mine for more than 65 miles at a time, but don't have a problem with fit. (age 63) I changed my cassette to a 12-32 because here in the Santa Cruz,Ca area we have lots of hills. Good luck with the decision.
I think that's a good price also, saving a few bucks on last years model is the way to go. A month ago I saw 2015 niners going for roughly that price too.. I have been scouting around for this bike in my area too. The shops are laser focused on what they want to sell it is funny. When I inquire about this bike they say we can order it but I have other cx bikes for sale.
Try and make a direct geometry comparison with the LHT and see where the differences are, that might help paint the fit picture for you. Top Tube,Stack,and Reach etc..
Anybody know the wheelbase for this bike? I can't find it anywhere on the site.
Really the only way to tell if the positioning of the bike is right is to go sit on one. You can always mess with the stem rise and length. I considered the Willard and the Tamland. I ended up with a 2016 Felt v55, which comes with an Ultegra drivetrain and R505 brakes. Both bikes had a more upright position that a traditional road bike. Felt seems to price their bikes much lower than competitors. The v85 is more comparable to the Willard 2. You may find a 2015 on sale somewhere as well.
I really like the v55. So far I have only gone on real rides, about 36 miles in gravel with 4K' of ascending, and a 27 miles on road with about about 800' ascending. It was great on both surfaces, although the stock tires are a bit smooth for the mud and show that was on the gravel ride.
