Not to be a bummer but it kind of seems like it is; the most recent product review is from 2023. It just doesn't seem to really have much traffic anymore. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but you have to wonder. I think there was a time when manufactures leaned on gravel specific sites but at this point all the big sites are onboard with gravel so maybe they don't care about smaller sites anymore?
GTed said that he's ended his reviewing partnership; even before that it seemed like Ben was on the way out. Like he had a lot of passion when MTB Radio and this site were going, but updates took longer and longer and eventually all the players just broke away. It was good for a while, but with so many companies in financial difficulty I have to think it's days are numbered due to lack of advertisers. RIP; there was some good content on here.
I agree that this site is in decline, maybe somewhat related to the changes in cycling in general--more e-bikes (which haven't really caught on in gravel bikes), the COVID reversal from more people trying bikes transitioning to now people having more options than cycling), and the resultant bike industry miscalculations likely leading to some companies failing and thus not financially supporting this site and others. My personal situation is that I ride MTB more than gravel, so I monitor other cycling sites more than this one. But I still see a lot of useful info that many here are eager to give. And I still love and often do gravel rides in remote places and don't plan to change. I suspect that most of the riders who still use this site are hard core and I hope it remains for our use to share issues.
I agree that this site is in decline, maybe somewhat related to the changes in cycling in general--more e-bikes (which haven't really caught on in gravel bikes), the COVID reversal from more people trying bikes transitioning to now people having more options than cycling), and the resultant bike industry miscalculations likely leading to some companies failing and thus not financially supporting this site and others. My personal situation is that I ride MTB more than gravel, so I monitor other cycling sites more than this one. But I still see a lot of useful info that many here are eager to give. And I still love and often do gravel rides in remote places and don't plan to change. I suspect that most of the riders who still use this site are hard core and I hope it remains for our use to share issues.
Totally agree with you and I hope this place survives. When I was struggling to learn my way around tubeless, members here were very helpful..
Message boards and profound blogs are shrinking for the benefit of unsocial media. And this particular site is not suitable for swaggers and the mainstream culture. But I'm happy with it, it's the reason why I'm here.
GTed said that he's ended his reviewing partnership; even before that it seemed like Ben was on the way out. Like he had a lot of passion when MTB Radio and this site were going, but updates took longer and longer and eventually all the players just broke away. It was good for a while, but with so many companies in financial difficulty I have to think it's days are numbered due to lack of advertisers. RIP; there was some good content on here.
Hey there! Yeah....things change for sure. I put a lot of life into MBR over the years and things just change. I have real estate and a couple businesses with some other projects on the way. It's different than always begging for money and deals. I still get emails asking to do reviews or highlights in exchange for some product. So, yeah, that changes. Regarding this site - Ultimately Guitar Ted likes to do his own thing and he's done a ton of content on here over the last several years. He's an invaluable source of knowledge for all of us and a good dude with good intentions. I started this site many years back as a website to host the information for our Colorado Front Range events (The AntiEpic, Pedal 50, etc.). I started the AntiEpic in 2012 (https://antiepic.blogspot.com/2012/04/antiepic-race-results-pictures-and.html) and the rest was history. It's been a while! But, for sure. Is it going to be different going forward without Guitar Ted and his reviews. Yeah. But, I want to keep things going and will be working on some things and updates for 2024. I don't know what that means at this point, but I welcome all of your input. You all have been overwhelmingly awesome on here over the years. The traffic is still pretty good, but perhaps I need to spur a little more conversation here and there too. Thank you all for all the thoughts and I look forward to reading more. Thanks! - Ben
Message boards and profound blogs are shrinking for the benefit of unsocial media. And this particular site is not suitable for swaggers and the mainstream culture. But I'm happy with it, it's the reason why I'm here.
Hey there! Yeah....things change for sure. I put a lot of life into MBR over the years and things just change. I have real estate and a couple businesses with some other projects on the way. It's different than always begging for money and deals. I still get emails asking to do reviews or highlights in exchange for some product. So, yeah, that changes. Regarding this site - Ultimately Guitar Ted likes to do his own thing and he's done a ton of content on here over the last several years. He's an invaluable source of knowledge for all of us and a good dude with good intentions. I started this site many years back as a website to host the information for our Colorado Front Range events (The AntiEpic, Pedal 50, etc.). I started the AntiEpic in 2012 (https://antiepic.blogspot.com/2012/04/antiepic-race-results-pictures-and.html) and the rest was history. It's been a while! But, for sure. Is it going to be different going forward without Guitar Ted and his reviews. Yeah. But, I want to keep things going and will be working on some things and updates for 2024. I don't know what that means at this point, but I welcome all of your input. You all have been overwhelmingly awesome on here over the years. The traffic is still pretty good, but perhaps I need to spur a little more conversation here and there too. Thank you all for all the thoughts and I look forward to reading more. Thanks! - Ben
Ben,
This site is great and has been the source of a lot of helpful info for me many times. I for one would be happy to help if somehow I can, and I'm sure many others here feel the same way.
This site is great and has been the source of a lot of helpful info for me many times. I for one would be happy to help if somehow I can, and I'm sure many others here feel the same way.
Awesome. Thanks SWGraveler. I'll kick around some ideas and I'm all ears to all of you too. I'd like to keep things moving in a useful and interesting way!
The best thing about this site is that it’s not GCN. Mature discussion about gravel cycling is a welcome relief from the clickbait world of most social media.
It may take a while for gravel riders to find this discussion forum, but the sector is going from strength to strength and will only continue to grow.
Hey there! Yeah....things change for sure. I put a lot of life into MBR over the years and things just change. I have real estate and a couple businesses with some other projects on the way. It's different than always begging for money and deals. I still get emails asking to do reviews or highlights in exchange for some product. So, yeah, that changes. Regarding this site - Ultimately Guitar Ted likes to do his own thing and he's done a ton of content on here over the last several years. He's an invaluable source of knowledge for all of us and a good dude with good intentions. I started this site many years back as a website to host the information for our Colorado Front Range events (The AntiEpic, Pedal 50, etc.). I started the AntiEpic in 2012 (https://antiepic.blogspot.com/2012/04/antiepic-race-results-pictures-and.html) and the rest was history. It's been a while! But, for sure. Is it going to be different going forward without Guitar Ted and his reviews. Yeah. But, I want to keep things going and will be working on some things and updates for 2024. I don't know what that means at this point, but I welcome all of your input. You all have been overwhelmingly awesome on here over the years. The traffic is still pretty good, but perhaps I need to spur a little more conversation here and there too. Thank you all for all the thoughts and I look forward to reading more. Thanks! - Ben
Maybe member reviews might drive more traffic and participation, but of course would need more moderator's time.
You could vet some new official reviewers or possibly have it a forum area. I don't know your forum engine but some can be used for content generation posted in other areas.
I agree. An ongoing series of professionally written reviews, and journal blogs about events and trips, would make a big difference, attracting new audience.
I used to be on here a lot. Started gravel riding/racing in the Fall of 2017/ Guitar Ted had some input on the 2 bikes I bought as he had lots of input into the Raleigh Tamland 1 and the Raleigh Roker Comp design. I kind of wish that Raleigh still mfg. gravel bikes. I came on here to glean gravel info. My suggestion although it might take a little bit of work is bring back the gravel race Calendar and maybe suggest people post some you tube videos or write ups of their gravel races and also some rider input of bikes they bought. That probably would possibly bring in some new riders/members. I always go to you tube to find out some info on races. I don't view gravel cyclists very much anymore because it seems so commercialized. Real rider feedback from the average Joe might give some life to this site. Just a suggestion.
I used to be on here a lot. Started gravel riding/racing in the Fall of 2017/ Guitar Ted had some input on the 2 bikes I bought as he had lots of input into the Raleigh Tamland 1 and the Raleigh Roker Comp design. I kind of wish that Raleigh still mfg. gravel bikes. I came on here to glean gravel info. My suggestion although it might take a little bit of work is bring back the gravel race Calendar and maybe suggest people post some you tube videos or write ups of their gravel races and also some rider input of bikes they bought. That probably would possibly bring in some new riders/members. I always go to you tube to find out some info on races. I don't view gravel cyclists very much anymore because it seems so commercialized. Real rider feedback from the average Joe might give some life to this site. Just a suggestion.
Zman
Agree. There needs to be more info on this site to get the viewers it had in the past. Having a gravel race and festival calendar would be helpful. Product reviews always were a draw for me and you might use reviews from other sites if needed, with permission of course. Discussing bike problems and riding issues by all these experienced riders on this site was a major draw and I bet it would continue. I agree that you tube is a primary resource now but so voluminous that I am sure that I miss some pertinent videos. It would be nice to see a link to some of the more gravel pertinent videos here. Finally, the window of opportunity is likely closing to make this site pertinent. Hope it is successful at revitalizing.
