The Siablo GR has been designed from the ground up as a gravel bike, utilizing a different frame to the Siablo CX, the GR exceeds the broad demands put on the gravel category. Designed with current trends and future insight the Siablo GR is an extremely versatile bike, capable of fitting up to 700x47c tyres or 650b road plus should you want the extra comfort. Rack mounts, threaded BB, and mechanical disc brakes mean that the Siablo GR is practical and easy to service with just basic tools.
The Silverback Siablo GR is the only bike in the Siablo range of bikes that are outfitted with fork mounts that make the bike ideal for bikepacking adventures. Retailing for a suggested 18.999 ZAR with a good specification of components makes the Siablo GR a great value for money offering and I will go so far and say that it is at the top of the list of my choices of bikepacking bikes available in South Africa.
Nice bike for the roadies....I suppose it all depends on your cycling roots, mine are in MTB so there is no chance of me buying a bike like this. Just thinking of my next Lesotho trip and the extreme terrain I will have to ride in, a gravel bike will not work. Everyone to his own :)
I can see how one would confuse a gravel bike with a road bike but they are different and draw from MTB's frame geometry, ride characteristics and larger tires dimensions.
But yes they do not replace the versatility of mountain bikes and don't "look" the part.
I am buying a gravel bike shortly and can not wait to ride one for a hands on comparison vs. bikepacking with a mountain bike.
I also try and highlight all the sub 20,000 ZAR gravel bikes making for an affordable option when entering the world of adventure riding.
Similar to the US South Africa do have plentiful gravel roads to explore and since many mountain bike riders ride mostly gravel it might make sense to have a gravel bike as a second bike. Races such as the dirty Kanza 200 seems like a lot of fun and is predominantly gravel bikes.
Until I own a gravel bike I reserve my opinions on gravel bikes but I do see the segment as valid and not only as a road bike with larger tires.
I draw my conclusion from years of riding a single speed Specialized Crave SL, a ridged bike with similarities to a gravel bike.
With a carbon fork similar to that of a gravel bike and fitted with "skinny" light weight 2.1 rear and 2.2 tires up front it might even pass as a gravel bike at first glance!?
My point being that most bikes can do most things and the barriers are what is marketed to us. Get on a bike and ride it anywhere/anyway you like, it might just surprise you.