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Today, Shimano debuted an all-new 8-speed 1x drivetrain dubbed ESSA. This new kit is an update to the existing 8-speed lineup; it is versatile, robust, and priced to target entry-level bikes. Best of all, ESSA is compatible with current 8-speed flat-bar ACERA, ALTUS, and TOURNEY TX systems. Let’s look at the key components below.
“Gravel bikes are just XC bikes from the 1990s.” “What is this, a 90s XC bike?” “Everything old is new again!”
Read any “gravel” bike review here and you’ll see some version of one of these statements in the comments section. People love to say that modern gravel bikes are just mountain bikes from the 1990s. Well, I hate to break it to ya but they’re not. They might be the same in that a 1996 Lemond road bike is like a 2020 Specialized Roubaix. It has two wheels, a crank, bars, seatpost, and a saddle, plus a lot of other parts but let’s be honest, nuanced bike design is a lot of what we cover here at the Radavist.
This is a 1996 Ibis Mojo built up like a “gravel bike” and yeah, it might be similar in spirit but there’s a lot going on here. Let’s take a closer look…
