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Having the Right Tool for the Job: the Difference between Road, All-Road, and Gravel Bikes

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail." - Abraham Maslow With the advent of disc brakes and ever-increasing tire widths across all types of bikes, it is more tempting than ever to search for one bike to do everything. There are many bikes that promise to be all things for all riders, with the ability to fit a huge range of tire and wheel sizes. "Quiver killer" bikes can be a great concept, but there is also something inherently satisfying in having the perfect tool for the job—or the perfectly focused bike for the sort of riding you intend to do. With that in mind, No. 22 offers a range of bikes that cover the spectrum from performance road to all-road, to gravel and adventure. Let's delve into the subtleties that distinguish these categories and how you can choose the model that's the best fit for your particular riding. Performance Road Bikes: Crisp, Sharp Responsiveness Performance road bikes are engineered for speed and efficiency. The geometry is aggressive, with a shorter wheelbase and a steeper head tube angle. This design translates to a bike that's responsive and quick to accelerate, ideal for racing and spirited road riding. The ride quality is firm, offering direct feedback from the road, while we leverage titanium's natural resilience to keep things comfortable over long efforts. Tire clearance is narrower, and handling is generally optimized for 28mm-30mm tires that keep rolling resistance and weight to a minimum. All-Road Bikes: The Versatile Adventurers All-road bikes strike a balance between performance and comfort. They feature a more relaxed geometry with a longer wheelbase and a slacker head tube angle, providing stability and comfort over varied terrain. The ride quality is smoother, absorbing vibrations and bumps, making them suitable for long-distance endeavors. Tire clearance is more generous, accommodating up to 35mm tires in a model such as the Great Divide Disc, allowing for versatility in tire choice to match the road conditions. Gravel Bikes: The Rugged Explorers Gravel bikes are the rugged siblings in the our lineup, built to handle a mix of surfaces from smooth tarmac to gravel races of all types. The geometry is tailored for control and comfort, with an even longer wheelbase and a more relaxed head tube angle than the all-road bikes. The ride quality is compliant, designed to cushion the rider from the jolts of uneven surfaces. Tire clearance is the most liberal, with models in our Drifter lineup fitting tires up to 50mm, providing the grip and confidence needed for off-road adventures.At No. 22 we understand that the nuances in bike geometry, ride quality, and tire clearance are pivotal in crafting a ride that meets the exacting standards of experienced cyclists. Whether you're carving canyon roads at high speed on a performance road bike, embarking on an epic tour with an all-road bike, or conquering the unbeaten path on a gravel bike, we have the perfect companion for your cycling journey. Explore our collection and experience the difference our thoughtful design and attention to detail make.

Featured Build: Aurora in Cobalt Cerakote | High Polish finish

Within our range of finish options it's possible to run the gamut from subdued to extroverted. It's no surprise, though, that the modern yet timeless Charcoal Cerakote and High Polish finish has become one of our most popular options. The Aurora is an exceptionally sharp handling and satisfying road bike, and the build on this example helps follow through on what the frame has to offer.

What is Cerakote, and Why We're Enamoured By It at No. 22 Bicycle Company

No. 22 is passionate about crafting high-performance, visually stunning titanium bicycles. And when it comes to achieving that perfect balance of beauty and brawn, one material that has become a staple of our finish offerings is Cerakote. But what exactly is Cerakote, and why do we choose it for our highest-end finishes?

Mastering Gravel: Your Guide to the No. 22 Drifter Lineup

No. 22 understands that gravel riding means different things to different people. That's why our Drifter lineup offers three distinct options, each tailored to your particular form of gravel adventure. But which Drifter is right for you? Let's break down the key differences between the Drifter X, Drifter, and Drifter Adventure to help you find your perfect gravel companion.

No. 22 is Hiring: Production Manager

No. 22 Bicycle Company is seeking a Production Manager to oversee the production of high-end titanium bicycles in Johnstown, NY. The Production Manager will be responsible for leading a small team of experienced craftspeople, coordinating and optimizing workflows, managing equipment purchases and maintenance, consumables, and production-related inventory. The job also involves active assistance in production.

Skinny Tires and Singletrack: Skyler Taylor on his new Aurora

I've ridden the Aurora almost exclusively since Unbound and have about 1400 miles on it. The ride quality is genuinely sublime. It's aggressive, compliant and responsive all at once. How do No. 22 do that? The biggest difference I've felt from my gravel bike is how well the Aurora climbs. It feels faster, and it is faster. I'm also pleasantly surprised by how it sprints. A lot of the lightweight road bikes I've been on have noticeable flex during a full sprint, but the Aurora is rock solid. This bike really does feel like it can do it all.

Above Category Cycling's Interview with Bryce Gracey

"It's an iteration, an evolution. I think that's the way to think of it," explains No. 22’s co-founder Bryce Gracey during a video call to discuss the brand's all-new Aurora. And on the face of it, he's right. The release even looks like bike business as usual: new season, new things. But in typical No. 22 style, Bryce is underplaying its significance - for No. 22 and the wider industry. Because the new Aurora is not so much an evolution but a seismic shift in how bikes - titanium ones, at least - are designed and built.

Exciting new Model and Finish Updates

We've been burning the midnight oil with our team at No. 22 in recent months (years?), and we're excited to be rolling out the most significant updates to our lineup, ever. With an official unveiling at the Philly Bike Expo on October 29th and 30th, expect to see these new options available on our website in the coming days.

A Refinement to our Seatposts

Our made-in-house titanium seatposts have long been a staple of our builds, with great ride quality and an understated look that ties in nicely with our frames. We're always looking for ways to refine everything we make, though, and on the heels of the launch of our 3D printed titanium dropouts, we are introducing a new version of our seatposts to leverage the same technology

We're Hiring: Mechanic

No. 22 is looking for a mechanic to join the growing team of framebuilders in our Johnstown, NY production facility. A great candidate will be passionate about craftsmanship at the highest level, and will have previous bicycle assembly and mechanical experience.

A Deep Dive Into our New 3D Printed Dropouts

If you asked any framebuilder what is the part that most drives the construction of a frame, chances are they'll tell you it's the dropout. The dropout is responsible for more design and construction decisions than any other part of a frame, and plays a key role in the frame's structure, alignment, serviceability, durability and looks. Against that backdrop we began the process of revising our disc brake dropouts nearly three years ago, and after several years of iterating, prototyping, testing, and revising we are pleased to be rolling out the latest iteration of our dropouts at last.

A glimpse into the future, and a special Little Wing from Seoul

Early summer has been busy as always with No. 22, and we're happy to pull back the curtain on a few things we're currently working on.In late June we were thrilled to once again take part in Enve's Grodeo and Builder's Roundup at their factory in Ogden, Utah. Once a year Enve invites a select group of framebuilders from around the world to the Builder's Roundup to show off a special build, and participate in rides in the hills from Enve's back door.This year we used the opportunity to show a Drifter with a sneak peek at a few things we have in the works.

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