Road bikes are in a state of evolution. Sure, you can still buy your run of the mill purpose-built race bikes, but manufacturers are beginning to broaden their road lines. With the advent of disc brakes in the road market we've begun to see road bikes with more tire clearance. More tire clearance means more possibilities for where you might end up on your daily adventures.
Among some of the first multi-surface road bikes was the Salsa Colossal. The Colossal is a steel framed, carbon thru-axle forked, do everything road steed that comes with 700x28c tires. 28's are great for road rides in the Winter when the roads deteriorate from the constant freeze-thaw that we see in Missouri. But what about when you want to take a left onto Howard Orchard Rd or head out on the Katy?
We mounted up some of our favorite gravel tires including the Clement X'Plor MSO (700x32), the new Bontrager CX0 TLR (700x33), and the official BoCoMO gravel tire: the Clement X'Plor USH (700x35). Each one fits perfectly in the frame with a little bit of room to spare.
Salsa still bills the Colossal as a pavement bike, but they don't say anything about it being ONLY pavement. With that much tire clearance, there's no reason why you couldn't roll an occasional gravel road. Maybe even more!
