Great video! I ride the Loop regularly on my Giant Revolt. My bike is good on the Loop, but just as important for me, it makes it easy for me to ride to and from the Loop on city streets from my home in Buena Park. No car or truck needed!
I do the loop on my gravel bike. There are definitely some rutted out parts of the loop but there are also some nice smooth parts. I think the latter might outweigh the former? The downhill in the nature reserve and coming out of the dam are pretty rough and you'll feel it on a gravel bike but get your tire pressure right and use your legs and you can manage it just fine. I once got a hardtail MTB to ride around there because I thought I was underbiked for it with a gravel bike and the MTB didn't feel much better on the real rutted bits. So, I sold it and just used my gravel bike. A full-suspension MTB might smooth it out but it's kind of overkill for that trail. You can do it on a gravel bike but you just have to choose your lines a lot better than other trails. I prefer Walnut for smoother gravel in that area, or Telegraph Canyon to hit some fire roads.
I take my Ritchey Accent on MTB trails all the time. I have the Redshift stem and seatpost on it. Plus 650x47 WTB Sendero's. I also put a Ratio 12 speed conversion kit in my Sram Force shifters. It's way more capable than my first mountain bike I had as a kid. Lol
I put the red shift sports stem on my Marin Headlands 1 and it does make a difference...but as a prior owner of a specialized diverge with future shock it's not quite as adaptable.
Awesome riding man! I keep watching the descent around 3:05 where I crashed and broke my shoulder and I think I crashed because too much of my weight was on the front end of the bike when I landed. But regardless of the exact reason I crashed, I think overall it was definitely carelessness and too much confidence from my new gravel bike. Like a commenter said, respect the loop! Keep it up with the great videos!
Oh man, I hope you've healed up. Respect for any trail is a good thing. I ride this loop weekly, and it even changes quite a bit through the seasons. Confidence is slowly earned and quickly lost!
Fractured my scaphoid on the loop pretty sure it was on that section on 2:25 took the trail to the left and was coming down lost control went flying was on a gravel bike too learned my lesson that day
Professor Sauce that is a great video...you are riding really well representing as a globally famous influencer. I ride trails similar to that on my gravel bike but at a much slower speed. The unknown is lack of mountain bike suspension You never know when you can hit something wrong and it may snap the bars out of your hands.
I’ve just started taking my Surly Straggler (cross geo) with 41c knobbies on some moderately easy single track. Switchback berms will take some practice, I can’t corner as hard as a mtb. Sub 2” tires can be susceptible to popping on on big rocks. Also realizing smaller gearing than 1:1 may be appealing if this will be a regular occurrence. Overall it’s an absolute blast underbiking off-road and hitting small jumps!
Hey Chris - you should try some inserts (like cushcore’s gravel option). That should give more confidence in lateral tire stability. However, watch their video before you install as there is a special method.
The Loop is perfect for gravel, I like all the extra credit features you can do, great options to have for different skilled riders. Still trying to get use to this rigid frame 😊
Did all the easy stuff on the Fullerton loop on my custom built from the frame gravel bike , I used a posieden x frame with the thru axle conversion, put some budget stuff on it like the 25mm internal hunt 700c alu wheels and some panaracer tubeless tires, advent x cuz budget , ergon seat , crankbros clipless pedals , I went sram dub with a gx eagle 32t crank , whiskey bars zip stem, I'm thinking about that red shift stem doe might get it , might also get wider bars I'm running a 44m with 48 flare , trp rd/hy brakes and trp rotors
Nice riding. You take a lot, if not all, the same lines I do on the loop. I'm riding my Diverge too. Maybe I'll run into you sometime. Take it easy brotha!
Another enjoyable video! Keep them coming. I get the idea behind the constant ringing bell, but for people out trying to enjoy the calmness of nature having to hear that thing going off non stop. Ugh. And from experience riding with someone who has one a little ahead or behind me, it drives me crazy. I am forced to turn off, stop, speed up, anything to get away from the constant ding-ding-ding! 😖
I’ve been really enjoying all your videos lately. Great info and great riding. I’m a pure int/expert MTBer and this is the exact reason I’m buying a diverge. My local trails are getting boring on my full suspension bikes. If you eve want to check out some great loops In San Diego, let me know. Keep up the great work! 🤙🏼
I ride my Diverge at the loop, Aliso woods, Santiago oaks, el Moro, black star, Harding, maple springs, caspers, etc. The limit is the rider not the bike.
@@TheBikeSauce common sense still comes into play! Pick appropriate lines and don’t ride over your head. Most OC trails have bypass lines. Even chutes. Though, I wouldn’t descend chutes on gravel or go down the luge. I’ve seen a few gravel videos of the luge and it’s always a disaster waiting to happen. There’s so many great fire roads and access roads specifically in south OC to enjoy on your gravel bike :)
@@Planetone. I’d stick to tame DH sections. Ride what you’re comfortable riding with zero suspension. In Aliso, I ride all the lower stuff, up Cholla, down either Mathis or Meadows.
The FLoop is certainly better and easier on a MTB as that is the ideal tool for this route, but if you're careful and can handle your bike, it is certainly doable on a gravel bike. The thing to remember about the Fullerton Loop is to respect, because if you don't, it will hurt you!
Superb vid! Can you quantify how much the future shock improves front end comfort? Eg equivalent to changing from 35 to 45c tyres or a drop in a certain psi. Would that route on a rigid fork gravel bike with the same tyres be significantly more unpleasant?
Pretty tough to quantify without measurements of any sort, but it certainly helps take the edge off. I’ve ridden this same route on the Ritchey Outback and the Blackheart Ti (both rigid) all on the same wheel tire combo, and the diverge feels the most plush up front.
Thanks for the video. I just recently got a gravel bike but I have no mtb riding experience whatsoever. While the FLoop looks like there are segments for beginners, could you recommend any other trails in the area (chino hills / san dimas) for beginners? Unfortunately my bike is equipped with mechanical brakes, which don't provide the type of stopping power hydraulic brakes do. Thanks!
Hey thanks! I would check out chino hills state park. Up and down Telegraph canyon is mellow and a decent challenge . Start at the discovery center and head up to 4 corners and see how you feel from there!
@@TheBikeSauce Those two steep climbs i have trouble with on the loop, but im running 11-42 and my power to weight ratio needs to improve. I may try 11-46.
Bike check video is coming soon, but these are gravelking SKs in 700x43. Tubeless, at around 34-38 psi depending on terrain. My weight is roughly 158lbs
@@TheBikeSauce great! i'm contemplating to put on the non + SKs 700x38c on my hookless 23mm internal width carbon gravel rims.. wonder if it should fit without issues.
It’s a constant battle for me. I like the improved control in the drops, but I can move my body more easily in the hoods. It’s mostly because I’m used to riding an mtb off-road that I prefer to be more upright while descending. Certain parts of this video I’m in the drops. It all depends on the particular section of trail.
@@TheBikeSauce 👍don't get me wrong it's a nice trail. I have to admit I know nothing about gravel bikes, but I'm curious. And would really like to do some bike packing. You did that trail justice. Both wheels off the ground on a drop bar. I did it once when I was 10 and still remember the pain of eating shat.
Great video! I ride the Loop regularly on my Giant Revolt. My bike is good on the Loop, but just as important for me, it makes it easy for me to ride to and from the Loop on city streets from my home in Buena Park. No car or truck needed!
These videos are honestly kind of funny. I used to ride crazy MTB trails on a bmx bike. Ofc this bike is totally capable of riding stuff like this
That trail looks like it’s everything I need for a fun ride.
I do the loop on my gravel bike. There are definitely some rutted out parts of the loop but there are also some nice smooth parts. I think the latter might outweigh the former? The downhill in the nature reserve and coming out of the dam are pretty rough and you'll feel it on a gravel bike but get your tire pressure right and use your legs and you can manage it just fine. I once got a hardtail MTB to ride around there because I thought I was underbiked for it with a gravel bike and the MTB didn't feel much better on the real rutted bits. So, I sold it and just used my gravel bike. A full-suspension MTB might smooth it out but it's kind of overkill for that trail. You can do it on a gravel bike but you just have to choose your lines a lot better than other trails. I prefer Walnut for smoother gravel in that area, or Telegraph Canyon to hit some fire roads.
I take my Ritchey Accent on MTB trails all the time. I have the Redshift stem and seatpost on it. Plus 650x47 WTB Sendero's. I also put a Ratio 12 speed conversion kit in my Sram Force shifters. It's way more capable than my first mountain bike I had as a kid. Lol
Nice rig.
I put the red shift sports stem on my Marin Headlands 1 and it does make a difference...but as a prior owner of a specialized diverge with future shock it's not quite as adaptable.
Some very skillfull riding in this video !
Some parts were chunky ! Nice job buddy !
Thx Kevin.
haven't gone yet, but been meaning to - thanks for posting definitely gonna check it out now
glad you put in the climby bits :)
😀 just a few to keep it real
Awesome riding man! I keep watching the descent around 3:05 where I crashed and broke my shoulder and I think I crashed because too much of my weight was on the front end of the bike when I landed. But regardless of the exact reason I crashed, I think overall it was definitely carelessness and too much confidence from my new gravel bike. Like a commenter said, respect the loop! Keep it up with the great videos!
Oh man, I hope you've healed up. Respect for any trail is a good thing. I ride this loop weekly, and it even changes quite a bit through the seasons. Confidence is slowly earned and quickly lost!
Fractured my scaphoid on the loop pretty sure it was on that section on 2:25 took the trail to the left and was coming down lost control went flying was on a gravel bike too learned my lesson that day
Professor Sauce that is a great video...you are riding really well representing as a globally famous influencer. I ride trails similar to that on my gravel bike but at a much slower speed. The unknown is lack of mountain bike suspension You never know when you can hit something wrong and it may snap the bars out of your hands.
😆 well now I’m scared to push it on the diverge
I’ve just started taking my Surly Straggler (cross geo) with 41c knobbies on some moderately easy single track. Switchback berms will take some practice, I can’t corner as hard as a mtb. Sub 2” tires can be susceptible to popping on on big rocks. Also realizing smaller gearing than 1:1 may be appealing if this will be a regular occurrence. Overall it’s an absolute blast underbiking off-road and hitting small jumps!
Totally agree that underbiking is a welcome change from bombing on mtb
Hey Chris - you should try some inserts (like cushcore’s gravel option). That should give more confidence in lateral tire stability. However, watch their video before you install as there is a special method.
The Loop is perfect for gravel, I like all the extra credit features you can do, great options to have for different skilled riders. Still trying to get use to this rigid frame 😊
Nice! I'm looking forward to taking my GB out there
Thanks for the video, I been looking for some trails to take on my fat tire e-bike and se show it holds up.
Did all the easy stuff on the Fullerton loop on my custom built from the frame gravel bike , I used a posieden x frame with the thru axle conversion, put some budget stuff on it like the 25mm internal hunt 700c alu wheels and some panaracer tubeless tires, advent x cuz budget , ergon seat , crankbros clipless pedals , I went sram dub with a gx eagle 32t crank , whiskey bars zip stem, I'm thinking about that red shift stem doe might get it , might also get wider bars I'm running a 44m with 48 flare , trp rd/hy brakes and trp rotors
Cool ride
Nice riding. You take a lot, if not all, the same lines I do on the loop. I'm riding my Diverge too. Maybe I'll run into you sometime. Take it easy brotha!
Another enjoyable video! Keep them coming. I get the idea behind the constant ringing bell, but for people out trying to enjoy the calmness of nature having to hear that thing going off non stop. Ugh. And from experience riding with someone who has one a little ahead or behind me, it drives me crazy. I am forced to turn off, stop, speed up, anything to get away from the constant ding-ding-ding! 😖
Haha, can’t please everyone I suppose. If I don’t run the bell on crowded trails, I get yelled at.
That looked like so much fun! Awesome video
I’ve been really enjoying all your videos lately. Great info and great riding. I’m a pure int/expert MTBer and this is the exact reason I’m buying a diverge. My local trails are getting boring on my full suspension bikes. If you eve want to check out some great loops In San Diego, let me know. Keep up the great work! 🤙🏼
Great video!
Thx socal Dane! Hope to see you out there one day
Nice just did aliso black diamonds on gravel . RIDE ON 🤙🏼
You craaazy! 🤘
@@TheBikeSauce Crazy recognize crazy🤙🏼 Keep shredding enjoying the videos
I ride my Diverge at the loop, Aliso woods, Santiago oaks, el Moro, black star, Harding, maple springs, caspers, etc. The limit is the rider not the bike.
Right on. I feel like I might have an issue coming down chutes ridgeline on the diverge. 😆
@@TheBikeSauce common sense still comes into play! Pick appropriate lines and don’t ride over your head. Most OC trails have bypass lines. Even chutes. Though, I wouldn’t descend chutes on gravel or go down the luge. I’ve seen a few gravel videos of the luge and it’s always a disaster waiting to happen. There’s so many great fire roads and access roads specifically in south OC to enjoy on your gravel bike :)
@@JordanHMay Would going down Cadillac be a better option versus dropping down the Luge?
@@Planetone. I’d stick to tame DH sections. Ride what you’re comfortable riding with zero suspension. In Aliso, I ride all the lower stuff, up Cholla, down either Mathis or Meadows.
wow…what a route...
The FLoop is certainly better and easier on a MTB as that is the ideal tool for this route, but if you're careful and can handle your bike, it is certainly doable on a gravel bike. The thing to remember about the Fullerton Loop is to respect, because if you don't, it will hurt you!
Floop is certainly easier on an mtb, but it can get a bit dull if you ride it often. The drop bar bike is a different challenge for sure!
Superb vid! Can you quantify how much the future shock improves front end comfort? Eg equivalent to changing from 35 to 45c tyres or a drop in a certain psi.
Would that route on a rigid fork gravel bike with the same tyres be significantly more unpleasant?
Pretty tough to quantify without measurements of any sort, but it certainly helps take the edge off. I’ve ridden this same route on the Ritchey Outback and the Blackheart Ti (both rigid) all on the same wheel tire combo, and the diverge feels the most plush up front.
Ritchey Outback with 700x50mm tires would be the perfect gravel bike for this.
Right on! I rode this loop on the Ritchey a bunch when I was making the Outback review video. It’s great
Thanks for the video. I just recently got a gravel bike but I have no mtb riding experience whatsoever. While the FLoop looks like there are segments for beginners, could you recommend any other trails in the area (chino hills / san dimas) for beginners? Unfortunately my bike is equipped with mechanical brakes, which don't provide the type of stopping power hydraulic brakes do. Thanks!
Hey thanks! I would check out chino hills state park. Up and down Telegraph canyon is mellow and a decent challenge . Start at the discovery center and head up to 4 corners and see how you feel from there!
Great video, impressed with the climbing on your gravel setup, what gearing are you running?
Thx. It’s GRX 1x. 40t ring, 11-46 cassette
@@TheBikeSauce Those two steep climbs i have trouble with on the loop, but im running 11-42 and my power to weight ratio needs to improve. I may try 11-46.
Definitely a pair of punchy sections. That 46 bail out would help a bunch I think
@@TheBikeSauce rd-rx812? do you use goat/roadlink for the 46t?
Yup, it’s the 812. No need for a roadlink dm. Shifts perfect.
Fun! What tires were you running?
Mm in this video, gravel king sk 700x43 tubeless
Sick video and skills buddy! What kind of wheels do you prefer on this terrain a 650b or 700c wheels?
I think I might prefer 650 for the chunkier stuff, but the 700x43 did just fine. Anything rougher and I’d probably prefer the mtb
Nice! hey, not sure if i missed on some infos but what tires & size do you have on that diverge? and the tire pressures. thx!
Bike check video is coming soon, but these are gravelking SKs in 700x43. Tubeless, at around 34-38 psi depending on terrain. My weight is roughly 158lbs
@@TheBikeSauce great! i'm contemplating to put on the non + SKs 700x38c on my hookless 23mm internal width carbon gravel rims.. wonder if it should fit without issues.
I see you are mostly in the hoods. Don’t you find you have better control and brake feathering in the drops, especially with your flared bars?
It’s a constant battle for me. I like the improved control in the drops, but I can move my body more easily in the hoods. It’s mostly because I’m used to riding an mtb off-road that I prefer to be more upright while descending. Certain parts of this video I’m in the drops. It all depends on the particular section of trail.
Yep. It’s tough to overcome the MTB high attack weight back position vs. the “head down” drops position. Especially on the steeps.
Were you clipped in for this?
Yea. Generally clipped in on the diverge and flats on the mtb for me
Did you throw in one of the springs in the future shock?
I put the medium spring in a while ago and haven’t touched it since
May I ask what handle bar is that? i'm looking for one exactly like yours!
It’s the Ritchey Venturemax handlebar. Great choice for all around
Would that ride be better with a dropper post?
Perhaps, but I didn’t find it necessary. You’d lose out on a lot of build in compliance as well
@@TheBikeSauce what do you mean loose out on a lot of build ?
Ha sorry, I meant ‘built-in’ compliance. As in a flex carbon post is more comfortable than a stiff dropper post
I'm sorry that is not a mtb trail.
No need to apologize. It’s got some chunky bits, but it’s a beginner mtb trail for sure
@@TheBikeSauce 👍don't get me wrong it's a nice trail. I have to admit I know nothing about gravel bikes, but I'm curious. And would really like to do some bike packing. You did that trail justice. Both wheels off the ground on a drop bar. I did it once when I was 10 and still remember the pain of eating shat.