Is it just me or do some of the fastest gravel riders seem to completely disregard the concept of proper bike handling, instead opting to mash the pedals like a madman on flat sections, completely forgoing the idea of a smooth, efficient pedal stroke in favor of raw power and a prayer that their bike stays upright? It seems like no matter how much I focus on perfecting my cadence and applying the correct amount of pressure to the pedals, I still cant seem to keep up with these guys - theyre like freight trains on two wheels.
Ive noticed that some of these riders seem to be using a very aggressive position on the bike, with their handlebars slammed and their saddles pushed all the way forward, but is this really the key to their speed? Or are they just generating so much power that they can muscle through the rough stuff without worrying about the consequences?
Ive also seen some riders using very narrow, high-pressure tires on their gravel bikes, which seems counterintuitive given the rough nature of the terrain, but do these tires really offer that much of an advantage on flat sections? And if so, is it worth the trade-off in terms of comfort and traction?
Whats the secret to these guys speed? Are they just naturally more powerful, or is there some technique or setup that Im missing?