I have carbon-based frame and fork on my CX bike (used also as road bike and gravel) and I make a lot of experiments with it – changing chainrings, wheels, derailleurs, tires. One of interesting test was carbon-based handlebars. I decided to buy it and try, on road cycling, but also on light terrain. After few months I really can’t recommend this solution, because of many disadvantages and a lack of real life advantages. Maybe you can say something different about that, but I don’t have great opinion about carbon in this place.

I wrote few times about tubeless or about tyres which I use in tubeless system – for example Schwalbe X-One on CX rides, Schwalbe Pro One on road (road tubeless), and Panaracer Gravelking SK as gravel allround tyres. After more than I year, I decided to stop this madness and go back to inner tubes. Why? Because tubeless isn’t perfect, and on real, amateur usage, can be very problematic. Read more to see why.

I use only one bike for everything and it causes some issues – different conditions required different tires. Last winter I wrote about Schwalbe X-One: completely disappointing in Performance version and very nice in Evo. These tires was great, but for CX-usage: on light mud, on wet grass etc. Not on tarmac and gravel, because of noticeable changes in rolling resistance. In the spring I decided to change them to something else, something for dry conditions and gravel. Now, after many kilometers and many rides, I can review Panaracer Gravelking SK’s.