Priority Bicycles Review: In the realm of biking, there is always a new fad that I tend to overlook. Cycling cross-country, or cyclocross, was popular a decade ago and is still popular now. Next on the list were e-bikes and tourers, followed by fat tyres. Gravel cycling has become extremely popular in recent years. I had my reservations. Biker advocates urged everyone to spend hundreds of dollars on a bike that is halfway between a road bike and a mountain bike.
However, after I started riding them, my initial skepticism about them vanished. Gravel rides can be used for many different things. This is an excellent commuting bike that you’ll feel comfortable riding with your friends on an easy weekend tour. Apollo Gravel by Priority is an example of this type. It’s a fantastic value for the money because of its various features, such as an internal gear hub and a washable carbon drive belt. I continued to utilize it as a daily commuter as well as a socially distant weekend gravel rider even through a very wet winter in the Pacific Northwest. It’s incredible. When it comes to my filthy lifestyle, I believe it was designed specifically for me. This is the type of bike I’d buy for myself.
Cycling is a tribal sport, whether it’s the spandex-clad racers on the highways, the clawed mountain bikers, or the death-defying hipsters on their antique fixies. Priority Bikes, based in New York City, makes bikes for people like me. We like riding bikes, but we can’t stand wearing clip-in shoes. The bikes are mostly approachable—attractive, easy to ride, and not overly technical in appearance. The Apollo is the company’s first gravel bike. Gravel bikes have a huge, forward-leaning frame and drop-bar handlebars, giving them the appearance of supercharged road cycles. Although this is not always the case, disc brakes and larger tyres help make them less squirmy than a road bike.
Apollo Gravel is made up of an Aluminum Frame
Priority sent me a miniature tester with a mossy Ground Control Green color scheme. For my 5’2″ frame, the handlebar stem is a little too long “As a result, I had to ask the manufacturer for a shorter frame. My limbs were too short to do the task. There are three different sizes to choose from small, medium, and giant. The Apollo Gravel is made up of an aluminum frame with a carbon fiber fork and seat post. It just weighs 24 pounds, but it doesn’t feel like it. It’s as light as my steel commuter bike, even with the huge internal gear hub. if not even lighter
There are numerous benefits to employing an internal gear hub rather than a chain and derailleur, including the fact that the chain does not skip gears when shifting. The internal system, which is heavier, is used on electric or commuter cycles where weight is less of an issue. It also allows you to change gears while stationary. Changing a rear wheel with an internal hub and a belt drive if you’ve never done it before can be intimidating. However, after watching numerous YouTube videos, I’m not sure about my ability to change a rear tyre on a bike with a belt drive and internal gear hub, which Priority Bicycles salesperson Casey Raymer claims is considerably cleaner than dealing with a greasy chain and derailleur.
The Apollo’s tyres are less prone to go flat because they can be converted to tubeless. When riding a commuter bike, on the other hand, I strongly recommend an internal gear hub. Because you adjust the tension of your bike chain on a regular basis, it doesn’t fall off. Prior to the Apollo, I had never ridden a bike with an internal gear hub. On steep, muddy hills, shifting at the stoplight is just as enjoyable as it is in the middle of traffic. A waterproof belt drive is highly handy in Portland, Oregon. If my memory serves me correctly, we’ve only had one dry day so far this year. Not having to clean and re-lube my chain after every muddy ride is a game-changer.
On a Recent Socially Distant Weekend Trip
Gravel bikes are individuals I know. They train and travel extensively to prepare for grueling races lasting hundreds of kilometers. They’re mud-caked, with weathered faces and custom-made onesies. That, however, is not me. On a recent socially distant weekend trip, I brought my waterproof Vans and a jacket with me to a trailhead, so I left the Apollo in the trunk. A moderate pace allowed us to talk from a distance while keeping our dogs from becoming overly tired. Despite several hours of rough riding, the Apollo was a breeze to ride and gave me enough energy to wax poetic about TikTok’s benefits.
Furthermore, the Apollo has previously functioned as an escape route. On my way home from doing errands, I frequently stop in the woods for a half-hour break with a backpack full of supplies from my children’s school. I was impressed by Apollo’s trail-handling ability. This bike can easily go around rocks, roots, and potholes. It can also be swung over my shoulder and carried up two flights of stairs. I believe $1,700 is a reasonable price for a bike in this class, albeit I am unfamiliar with the term. To put this bike in perspective, the Kona Libre, Surly Straggler, and even Marin’s Nicasio are all more pricey.
Even if you wouldn’t use terminology like that, the fact that so many people praise me on it as I load it into my car demonstrates that it’s a great choice for anyone searching for a long-lasting vehicle that requires no maintenance. The bike is currently on backorder till March, indicating that many people believe so. You can still preorder it and daydream about the kilometers ahead. This one low-maintenance machine has all you need for a year-round commute on a low-maintenance, fun-to-ride bicycle.” During my testing, my phone camera captured 336 candid photographs of my head, demonstrating the subtle changes in my mood.
Finally, we may Safely State…
This trip is for you if you’re a light packer who commutes primarily by bicycle and only carries what you absolutely need; otherwise, look for something else. If you don’t enjoy changing tyres and just want a bike to ride around town without thinking about it, this is a great option. Whether you’re on vacation or not, and you need a cruiser to get to the beach, this bike is easy to ride and you won’t have to worry about the weather.
What others have said about it is as follows: Priority Bicycles is a wonderful location to start your search for economical commuter bikes that don’t require frequent tuning or maintenance. Steve latest !’s Fisher’s book is out! To be clear, I adore and ride my fully equipped, geared-up bikes on a daily basis. However, when it comes to a lunchtime ride, I favor the Classic. This upright ride promotes conversation as well as taking it all in on the trip down the road as a slow-riding bike with plenty of panache.
Whether you call them shop bikes, bar bikes, or city cruisers, they all have a few qualities in common. The bikes have been stripped down to their minimal essentials and are ready to ride right away. The Priority Classic will assist you in making this decision, and it will be simple. “Let’s go on a bike ride.” David Niddrie of Momentum Mag demonstrates how to get the most out of your workouts.
