The Smith x Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace shoes combine Quoc's classic durable synthetic upper with a stiff carbon-composite sole construction, ensuring performance and comfort for gravel riding enthusiasts.
Gravel cycling is going through an interesting period of growth right now, and the line between gravel and MTB is a blurry one. We're seeing full-suspension XC mountain bikes equipped with drop bars, and increasingly more voluptuous tires in the sport. The new RockShox Rudy XL is here to blur the lines even more. How long before there's no difference between gravel and MTB? Are we just on a circular path like the Oroborus?
Specialized continues to redefine what's possible in gravel cycling with the launch of the Diverge 4, a bike designed for those who thrive on adventure, embrace rugged terrain, and chase the kind of rides that last all day - and sometimes all night. Positioned as the ultimate escape machine, the Diverge 4 blends speed, comfort, and capability into a single package built for riders who demand performance on every surface, from washboard backroads to flowing singletrack.
"Sure, you can get away with road or MTB shoes for gravel racing," says Pete Stetina, SHIMANO pro gravel racer who assisted in the development of the RX910 shoes. "But to optimize for gravel performance, we need a light and stiff shoe that has a solid contact patch for steady power transfer plus the capability to handle the occasional hike-a-bike or muddy race."
"The gravel space and environment has changed a lot, going back just four years. The beauty of it for me was that you could have a pretty balanced lifestyle, still be competitive - you weren't doing 30 to 40-hour weeks."
