Eight-ish bikes from Fernie Gravel Grind

Back before every brand had a dedicated gravel bike, before gravel was its own, distinct category of bike, people still rode gravel. Just on whatever the heck they wanted. As committed gear nerds, adapting a bike built for one purpose to a somewhat different purpose really was part of the attraction of gravel. That, and getting away from cars.

No conversion was never quite perfect, but it sure was fun finding different ways to make the bike work for how you were riding. That “anything goes” spirit was on full display at Fernie Gravel Grind this year. Which makes sense, seeing as FGG is part of the “Anything Goes with Gravel” event series.

From old-school mtb conversions to pre-gravel bikes gravel bikes to modern carbon fibre race rigs, 650 and 700c, drop bars and flat bars, rigid and suspension, here are eight-ish bikes that caught our eye from the 2023 Fernie Gravel Grind.

Mathieu Bélanger-Barrette’s Cervélo Áspero

The fastest bike at the Fernie Gravel Grind, Belanger Barrette’s Cervélo Áspero was also one of the few running two derailleurs. A mix of 11-speed GRX Di2 and Ultegra Di2 proved to be the winning combo with range to get up the extended climbs and close steps to always be in the perfect gear for the slight changes in gradient on the long, rolling road back towards town. Pirelli Cinturato RC-X 35mm tan wall tires rolled on Reserve carbon fibre wheels for a mix of rolling speed and traction.

Jason Shriner’s classic Kona Kula Primo

Living the “Gravel is just 90s mountain biking” dream, in the best way possible, this Kona Kula Primo is well into its third decade of service. With the suspension fork and flat bars swapped out for a rigid fork and drop bars the Kona was ready for a different side of Fernie than its singletrack origins. Shriner has just enough room to squeeze in 27.5×1.90″ Panaracer Gravel King SK+ tan wall tires on Stan’s Crest ZTR MK3 rims, giving the Kona a bit more rolling speed than the original 26″ hoops. Front derailleur housing stops sat empty as a SRAM Rival/Apex 1 mix gives 11-42-tooth range across 11 gears.

Roland Milligan’s Surly Karate Monkey

This unique Surly rolled through the Short Haul course in Fernie. With a Brooks leather saddle and RockShox Recon fork, it is anything and everything gravel wants to be. Avid mechanical brakes keep the Karate Monkey in check while Shimano SLX 2x mountain bike drivetrain gives it 2×10 range. WTB Riddler 700×45 gum wall tires roll on Mavic…