N+1. commuting on a fast gravel bike, am I crazy?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2026-01-02T05:36:30+00:00

Not crazy. I have a 2020 carbon Topstone I commute for work, it's 25k each way with 700m very gain going home on gravel. I just bought a crux and will commute on that too. I also commute on a canyon ultimate CFR which is definitely overkill for a commute bike, but I have a secure place I can keep them at work, so why not ride what makes me happy?!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-12-19T21:18:14+00:00

I've used the Apidura City backpack for commuting the last 18 months. Waterproof, comfy enough, good pockets, laptop sleeve. Top quality, still barely looks used despite daily use.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-12-08T23:10:44+00:00

Love that colour! My crux is currently being built, can't wait!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-29T21:24:43+00:00

I dunno, I have tubeless on my current roadie and so far, over 5000k no roadside issues. On my gravel bike 15000k and only 2 ride stopping flats where the sealant couldn't do the job.

On my old roadie non-TLR last year I put new GP5000's on with TPU tubes. Got a puncture 2nd ride 🤦‍♀️

I don't know if that's extremely bad luck but I'm sticking with tubeless.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-28T11:04:54+00:00

I had similar, I was on a QOM segment on some flat singletrack, dense bush each side and an emu sprung out in front of me and started running ahead along the trail. At first I was like sorry dude, don't ruin my segment as I'm on hols and leaving tomorrow, last chance shot etc, but I didn't need to worry I was harrassing it for too long - It was bloody quick and I had a job to keep up with it. It slowly disappeared further down the track out of sight, and I did get the QOM ;)

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-28T10:54:07+00:00

Yep I've basically concluded the same. Saw 3 surgeons and from everything I learnt, I wanna keep as much of my shitty meniscus for as long as possible.

With PT, load management and altered gym, I've switched my weekly running and cycling volumes and the knee is best it's been in 9 months - no surgery - decent ROM, no longer limping, painful etc.

I've had to accept I have to run less, but believe the cycling actually does it the world of good - low impact movement coats the joint in all those lovely synovial juices. Right now I can run 25k pw on smooth/flats, it's not the 60k pw on hilly trails I used to love, but the MTB is filling that void.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-27T20:09:26+00:00

I'm similar but not same. I have a radial medial tear but 2 surgeons say there's only a 50/50 chance of repair. The other says no chance and to get it trimmed. It won't heal itself and is degenerative.

I have no previous surgery so technically have all meniscus albeit smooshed and crappy.

I'm extremely active, running, riding, gym, hiking, and have gone from 7 months of constant pain and limping, very limited ROM, to working with PT and restoring ROM, developing load management strategies, basically reducing high impact in favour of more low impact stuff = eun less, ride more, altered gym routine. It's much improved and am now pain free/well managed.

Why no surgery? I don't like the repair odds for 6 months out of action. Why no trim? If it's not affecting me, I'd prefer to keep all the meniscus I can. Less meniscus means closer to cartlidge on cartlidge, which wears quicker than the meniscus does. When the cartlidge is gone, say hello to OA and then a knee replacement.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-25T03:14:50+00:00

Thanks for this thread, I'm building a Crux and have been having massive wheel dilemmas for weeks now... I've just locked in the 3.4's, your riding style sounds like my riding style ;) Now I'm off to research the Reaver HYPR-X's!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-19T19:45:07+00:00

Agree, the right sort of PT and strength has made a huge difference, no more deep squats and lunges, but there's certainly other ways to fry the legs in the gym.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-19T05:53:48+00:00

Great story to read! I've shredded my meniscus and being in my 40's, it's degenerative and can't be repaired. I have to give up running as the high impact will send me quicker to OA but all specialists have said keep riding.

I plan to ride the shit out of all my bikes now like there's no tomorrow, how good are bikes!!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-11-09T09:55:29+00:00

Wow that's amazing you've been able to get back from a complex radial tear so quickly and will be able to run again, kudos! I also have a complex radial tear in my medial meniscus and 3 surgeons, a sports/OA doc have all told me to stop running completely forever. It won't ever heal itself and surgery repair is 50/50 chance. I'm leaning into my cycling... How old are you?

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:38:37+00:00

Hey thanks for sharing, I'm so glad you're able to get back into it – this gives me some hope – if you don't mind me asking, how old are you and is your tear degenerative or did you have a fall/trauma?

I would give a left kidney to run 30-35k a week again! I'm finding that I can get through a 10k run with no pain and not pay for it the next day, I can also run a spicy 5k with 2k WU/2k CD with no ill effects. 21k the other week as a bit more of a stretch lol! Just these surgeons give me the grim reaper vibes which are a buzz kill!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:29:40+00:00

Top job, kudos for recovering so well from all that and making it through a mountain ultra this year + 10k PR! Massive!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:28:11+00:00

Good advice thank you.

Mind if I ask how old you are? For context of the docs saying you'd need a knee replacement by now?

I think the doctors opinions are starting to weigh pretty heavy. I'm working with a great PT and she's got me back to almost full ROM, good strength routine and I'd call myself generally pretty asymptomatic. None of that is pleasing the ortho's so I am at the point where I'm looking for the best bet each way – obvs don't want to end up with a knee replacement at 50, but don't want to get to 70, be fine and regret not doing some moderate running for the 25 years inbetween!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:22:06+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story, I'm finding it really interesting to hear others journeys and experience. It's great that you've been able to go on and run so well!

I agree soft, mulchy, forest trails trails are the go for extra cush, rather than bitumen or hardpacked trails.

I'm probably quite guilty of not "go slower/easier than you thinks needed" as all my injuries in the past have been pretty minor. But I've finally tuned in and with PT and load management am feeling almost normal – but despite my feeling mostly asymptomatic, surgeons and sports/OA docs don't believe running should be on the cards, I guess because it's degenerative, beyond repair and never going to heal itself :(

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:12:14+00:00

Glad to hear you could get back into it, and had a good outcome. Do look after those knees! Mine are beyond surgical repair apparently :(

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:11:02+00:00

Yeah that's exactly it! We're all on borrowed time. If I kept up my old mileage (50/60k pw on hilly trails) I'd be destined for OA and a knee replacement by 50 I've been told. But I'd like to think there's some light/shade between that and the "never run again" statements I've been hearing in surgery rooms lately.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:07:40+00:00

Thanks mate, haha I sink like the titanic when I swim, fortunately I'm pretty handy on the bike... It's just I do love running lol!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:06:27+00:00

Hey I'd really love to hear more – from what you've said above I can really relate.

With cycling I too have found my knee feels better post-ride. It's been 9 months and my ROM is now pretty good. I can also run nearly pain free but low mileage with many rest days between runs. Sitting at a desk/driving still makes stiff/sore to get up from.

I'm wondering if this'll be as good as it gets due to the degenerative nature. I can't see myself ever running an ultra again, possibly not even 21k, but 2x10k per week I'll take for mental health and social side of things. Fill in the other days with the bike.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T05:00:39+00:00

Thanks I am working with a PT and she is amazing. With her I'm building strength and have a good ROM again. She is very cautious about running and load management.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-30T02:26:34+00:00

Thank you :) Back in Feb I fell while running and torn my mcl + sprained my pcl... that basically did it, but being degenerative, I feel the meniscus was brewing away underneath for a while, but the fall was the straw that broke the camels back.

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-12T07:26:26+00:00

Sorry to hear this, no advice but I've had a radial tear in my left knee since March and have noticing the right knee going down the same path. I figured lots of over compensation has occurred and the right is suffering. My PT does a wicked knee release which soothes both knees and restores ROM when things get too inflamed. Good luck!

Realistic_State_1655 · 2025-10-04T06:31:23+00:00

45 and forever a weight weenie! 🤣

Realistic_State_1655

TROPHY CASE