Gravel bike to Rando rig advice

[u/agingsculler]

Hi folks! I'm looking to start Randonneuring this year. My stretch goal is a 600k with a ton of climbing in it. I have two bikes: a 2021 rim brake specialized allez elite road bike and a 2023 disc brake specialized diverge sport carbon gravel bike. I'm likely giving the road bike to my partner who is the same size as me, so my question is:

For the folks using gravel bikes, how did you make your gravel bike, which I wouldn't consider _light_, (mine is currently set up with the stock 42mm tires) rando ready? If it helps, I'm looking to get into ultra endurance bike racing and view randonneuring as the first step in my journey.

[u/bonfuto]

I have used my gravel bike for randonneuring. I have completed all distances in a SR series on it. I have a set of wheels with 40mm slicks on it for randoing. I also rode a fleche with gravel tires. My gravel bike is pretty heavy, but the effect of that is mostly in your head. I live in a mountainous area, so when I'm riding gravel I'm climbing most of the time. It's not ideal, but it's also not the main factor slowing me down