Tag: gravel bike

GT-1 or GT-2?

Posted on by Mosaic Admin

Gravel Decisions

You’ve decided to embrace the gravel cycling trend, and now it’s time to figure out which bike is right for you. Our GT-1 and GT-2 framesets may share some geometry characteristics, but underneath, they’re very different machines. Both framesets are available in two different configurations, Allroad and Gravel 45, which if you’re curious about the difference, we’ve got another entire blog post dedicated to that topic specifically.

Mosaic GT-1

Let’s start with our flagship gravel bike, the GT-1. Whether you are seeking a bike that prioritizes performance, comfort, or bike that sits right in the middle of that spectrum, we can create the perfect GT-1 for you. Perhaps the first and most important thing to know about the GT-1 is that every frame is built using a rider specific internally butted tubeset. Custom geometry is drawn up based on bike fit information provided by you and your Mosaic dealer, making every GT-1 unique and purpose built for the intended rider. We’d be pretty confident in saying that we’ve never made two GT-1’s absolutely identically, because just like their riders, every bike should be a little different. Aside from eye catching finish work, which we’ll get to in a moment, the GT-1 is all in the details. Internally butted tubes deliver a lightweight and exceptionally strong frameset that can be tuned and built to address your specific needs. Larger diameter internally butted tubes are both lightweight and incredibly strong, characteristics that define what a gravel bike should be. Some smaller, perhaps less visible details included on the GT-1 include internal Di2 routing, and tube-in-tube internal brake routing that sits completely flush at it’s entry and exit point, eliminating any cable rattle.

The GT-1 frameset includes all the bells and whistles, including your choice of paint or a premium raw finish from within the Mosaic finish work line. We currently offer 5 different paint schemes, 1 limited edition paint scheme and upwards of 35 color choices to make designing your dream bike a fun process. Our current paint layouts are 1-Tone, 2-Tone, Horizontal Fade, Vertical Fade, and the Cockpit Series. The Artist Series layouts are available as limited edition, premium paint options. As part of the buying process on a painted bike, we’ll mock up your design and send you the files for approval, and if we’re being honest, just something to look at and obsess over for a few weeks while we’re making your bike. Waiting is hard, we know… But we’re proud to say that a completely custom bike from Mosaic carries a lead time of 12 weeks from the date we receive your deposit.

Mosaic GT-2

Now, onto the GT-2 – our do it all, ride it hard and put it away wet kind of gravel bike. The GT-2 frameset uses straight gauge titanium tubing which has garnered a reputation for it’s comfortable ride quality. Aside from a simpler tubeset, on the GT-2 we strip away all the options and let the rider add on whatever they need. For example, Di2 routing, internal brake routing, and custom geometry are all optional features. The GT-2 is available in 9 stock sizes, and custom geometry is an available upgrade.

Like the GT-1, the GT-2 includes flat mount disc brakes, 12×100 and 12×142 through axles, a Chris King headset and an ENVE fork on every frameset. As gravel steadily increases in popularity and more riders look to bikes with larger tire clearance, the GT-2 has been extremely popular. To make things easy, and provide some reference, we put together a handful of carefully curated complete bike options. Your local Mosaic dealer can order the frameset and custom build it with your guidance, or they can order the complete bike including all the parts right from us. It’s not too late to get riding on your own GT-2 this season! The lead time on a frameset is 12 weeks.

For any questions related to ordering, feel free to give your local Mosaic dealer a shout, or reach out to us directly and we’re happy to help point you in the right direction! We can be reached at info@mosaiccycles.com, or @mosaiccycles on Instagram.

Bike Check – Brennan’s Fully Integrated GT-1 AR

Posted on by Mosaic Admin

A GT-1 AR built specifically around ENVE’s Integrated Cockpit, making this a big tire road bike for going fast on all sorts of terrain. Rounded out with Lightweight Pfadfinder EVO’s and Dura Ace 9200, this monster of a build by Above Category leaves no stone unturned.

Like what you see? Stay tuned for more coming soon on the ENVE integrated front end, and its integration into the Mosaic product line. Contact a Mosaic Dealer to start the process of our own dream build today.

Photo gallery and complete spec list below!

Frameset: Mosaic GT-1 AR Integrated
Handlebar/Stem: Enve Aero Bar (42cm) & Integrated Aero Stem (120mm)
Seatpost: Enve 27.2mm seatpost
Group: Shimano Dura Ace 9270 Di2 Disc w/ 11-34 cassette
Drivetrain Upgrades: CeramicSpeed Coated OSPW, Coated BB, Coated Headset, and upgraded pedal and hub bearings
Crank: SRM Origin PM9 with Shimano 9200 54/40t Chainrings
Road/Allroad Wheels: Lightweight Pfadfinder Evo Schwarz Edition
Gravel Race Wheels: Enve SES 4.5
Tires: Rene Herse Bon Jon Pass 700 x 35c Endurance Casing
Cages: Arundel Mandible Cages, Team Edition
Pedals: Shimano Dura Ace pedals with Ceramicspeed opgrade
Saddle: FormCycling Throne RS Carbon

Gravel vs. Allroad – What’s the difference?!

Posted on by Mosaic Admin

It’s not just the dirt.

So, you’ve probably picked up on a bit of an emerging and flourishing trend in cycling… Gravel. It seems to be all we’re talking about these days. However, I think there’s still a level of uncertainty around gravel for many of us that only years ago would have labeled ourselves as either mountain bikers, OR, road riders. Now, a very attractive and popular bit of middle ground exists (and always has done…). So, what is “gravel”? Where do I find this “gravel”? Why is everyone doing it all of a sudden? Is it fun? Do I need a special bike for it? What kind of tires should I use? What size should they be? Hang on a second, Allroad is something different?! If you find yourself wondering about these kind of things, keep reading, we’ve got your back.

These dirt roads and trails aren’t new, so why all of a sudden are we riding them more? There’s no doubt that new bike technology and the excitement around gravel are synonymous with each other. Sure, you can ride plenty of dirt roads on a 25mm tire and rim brakes – and you’ll probably still have a good time. Having the right tool for the job however, will result in a riding experience that’s a hell of a lot more fun, and one that inspires you to push the realm of possibility just a bit further. High volume tubeless tires, disc brakes, a wider gear range, and updates to frame geometry all contribute to the gravel bike’s huge popularity. Part of what makes gravel so attractive is the versatility and ride quality offered by a modern gravel bike. Unless you live somewhere like Kansas or Oklahoma, there’s a good chance that most of your gravel riding will also include some pavement. For us in Boulder, our favorite dirt roads and trails are connected or accessed via pavement. Having a bike that’s capable, confident, and most importantly fun on mixed surfaces is paramount in creating a great riding experience. Depending on your ratio of dirt to pavement, we’ve got a few options to perfectly meet your needs. Our GT-1 and GT-2 frames are available in two distinct versions, Allroad and Gravel 45.

G-Series Gravel 45

Gravel 45 is our response to the increase in popularity of events like Unbound Gravel, Mid-South Gravel, Lost and Found, and the desire to explore even further off the beaten path. The terrain at these events is extremely demanding and unforgiving on both the rider and their equipment, making the bike, tire, wheel, and component choice absolutely crucial to completing the route. For many gravel riders, myself included, the attention to detail and obsession over choosing the right parts has become one of my favorite parts leading up to any event. For riders and racers taking a Mosaic to the Flint Hills of Kansas for example, we needed to create a frame with more tire clearance, a longer wheelbase, and the kind of geometry that’s comfortable to ride all day long on the roughest, and longest routes imaginable. At that point, the rest is up to you! The gallery below has a selection of recent GT-1 45’s and our latest addition, the GT-2 45 which is available in stock sizing and complete build options.

G-Series Allroad

Allroad bikes are designed for the rider that tends to split their time close to 50/50 on smooth dirt and pavement. A Mosaic G-Series Allroad frame and ENVE Allroad Fork will accept a maximum tire size of 38mm, but we find that most of our Allroad riders opt for a fast rolling, low profile, 32-35mm tire. A G-Series Allroad is the perfect bike for the rider that likes the feel of a fast and efficient road bike, but wants something just a bit more capable for the kind of routes that include a healthy mix of dirt and pavement, without having to make a compromise. Below are a few examples of GT-1 Allroad bikes that we’ve built, one in 700c and the other in 650b, a choice that’s available on any G-Series bike – just ask!

What is gravel?

Well, to us, gravel takes on many different forms. It’s the dirt path through your neighborhood park or city greenway, the seemingly endless network of fire roads through the mountains, farm roads on the plains, little pieces of urban single track connected to make a loop, and frequently, trails that are probably better suited to mountain bikes if we’re honest! As the iconic roads around Boulder get busier, we find ourselves looking toward these creative, less traveled, mixed surface routes all the more frequently. Routes that wouldn’t be as enjoyable on a pure road bike or on a mountain bike.

These dirt roads and trails aren’t new, so why all of a sudden are we riding them more? There’s no doubt that new bike technology and the excitement around gravel are synonymous with each other. Sure, you can ride plenty of dirt roads on a 25mm tire and rim brakes – and you’ll probably still have a good time. Having the right tool for the job however, will result in a riding experience that’s a hell of a lot more fun, and one that inspires you to push the realm of possibility just a bit further. High volume tubeless tires, disc brakes, a wider gear range, and updates to frame geometry all contribute to the gravel bike’s huge popularity. Part of what makes gravel so attractive is the versatility and ride quality offered by a modern gravel bike. Unless you live somewhere like Kansas or Oklahoma, there’s a good chance that most of your gravel riding will also include some pavement. For us in Boulder, our favorite dirt roads and trails are connected or accessed via pavement. Having a bike that’s capable, confident, and most importantly fun on mixed surfaces is paramount in creating a great riding experience. Depending on your ratio of dirt to pavement, we’ve got a few options to perfectly meet your needs. Our GT-1 and GT-2 frames are available in two distinct versions, Allroad and Gravel 45.

G-Series Gravel 45

Gravel 45 is our response to the increase in popularity of events like Dirty Kanza, Mid-South Gravel, Lost and Found, and the desire to explore even further off the beaten path. The terrain at these events is extremely demanding and unforgiving on both the rider and their equipment, making the bike, tire, wheel, and component choice absolutely crucial to completing the route. For many gravel riders, myself included, the attention to detail and obsession over choosing the right parts has become one of my favorite parts leading up to any event. For riders and racers taking a Mosaic to the Flint Hills of Kansas for example, we needed to create a frame with more tire clearance, a longer wheelbase, and the kind of geometry that’s comfortable to ride all day long on the roughest, and longest routes imaginable. At that point, the rest is up to you! The gallery below has a selection of recent GT-1 45’s and our latest addition, the GT-2 45 which is available in stock sizing and complete build options.

G-Series Allroad

Allroad bikes are designed for the rider that tends to split their time close to 50/50 on smooth dirt and pavement. A Mosaic G-Series Allroad frame and ENVE Allroad Fork will accept a maximum tire size of 38mm, but we find that most of our Allroad riders opt for a fast rolling, low profile, 32-35mm tire. A G-Series Allroad is the perfect bike for the rider that likes the feel of a fast and efficient road bike, but wants something just a bit more capable for the kind of routes that include a healthy mix of dirt and pavement, without having to make a compromise. Below are a few examples of GT-1 Allroad bikes that we’ve built, one in 700c and the other in 650b, a choice that’s available on any G-Series bike – just ask!

If you want to discuss your dream gravel build, or you have any questions at all, please get in touch with your local Mosaic dealer, send us an email, or pick up the phone! We’d love to hear from you.