Shortly after I bought the Poseidon X gravel bike, Poseidon dropped the Redwood; a “monster cross” bike that was designed with the Fullerton Loop in mind. I was intrigued… I thought about it for a while and I went ahead and pulled the trigger. After two rides, I think I have a few good Poseidon Redwood gravel bike first impressions.
I decided to go to Poseidon Bike‘s headquarters to pick up the Redwood since they happen to be 15 minutes away from my house; I was hoping to see their operation but sadly I was not able to but a very nice gentleman gave me my Redwood in a box which nicely fit inside my car.
I quickly headed home and I put the bike together. Assembling the Poseidon bikes is not for people who have never put a bike together since there are no instructions but you can watch some of their videos.
I swapped the saddle and pedals and I took the Poseidon Redwood on its maiden voyage to where else? The world famous Fullerton Loop. The bike did not disappoint at all, it was definitively at home at the loop. The bike climbed like a goat, it was fast on the single track and handled the downhills very well. It is a fun bike to ride.
The bike has the same drive train as the Poseidon X; The Microshift Advent X groupset. The Advent X is starting to grow on me, I really love the big as climbing gear in the back since I suck at climbing. I also chose the XS frame which Luis from Poseidon recommended since I ride the small X. The Redwood fits me better than the X, in fact, I kept the flared handlebars because they felt good.
I took the Poseidon Redwood to the Hollywood hills in search of a gravel path which we ended up finding by the Hollywood reservoir. This trek was 95% pavement and 5% dirt; the Redwood was out of its element. The bike felt heavy and sluggish when riding on the streets; the Poseidon X is a better bike to ride on pavement.
I really like the Poseidon Redwood but I may have to decide between keeping this one or the X.
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Show CommentsHey, Moe.
How tall are you and what’s your inseam in terms of riding the Redwood XS? I’m 5’6 with a 29†inseam and would think the XS would be for me, but also see a bike shop re-selling a medium one and calling it 54cm.
Great review and grateful for any info. Thx
Hello,
I am 5’7″ with a 30″ inseam. I think the medium would be too big for you.
Enjoyed your review. Considering buying one myself so it was nice coming across this.
Hello. Thanks for the review. I’m on the fence between this and the X. Love the capabilities, the look and tire clearance of the redwood but worry about its road manners (I do 50/50 road, gravel all the time). The only thing that gravitate me towards the X is the weight and the price tag. What would you recommend?
I ended up keeping the Redwood and selling the X to my brother. Why? The Redwood just fit me so much better and its offroad capabilities are far superior to the X. However, I am installing some semi-slicks on the Redwood so I can also ride the paved river trail and have less tire resistance.
Which semi-slick tires did you end up getting? I’m thinking of picking up a Redwood and most of my riding will probably be 65/35 (road/trail). Thanks!
I am 5′ 6″ with 29.5 inseam. Just ordered a small X. Hope it fits. May also grab a xs redwood if the X works out. Being in Canada, tax and shipping adds $400 to the cost. But we get used to that…m
I ride a L frame Full suspension but the Redwood site suggests a SM or M for my 5’9†240lbs and 31†inseam. Thoughts on best size? Seems the dynamics are tighter so the smaller frame is preferable.
Hello Karl,
I usually ride a small/medium and ended up with an XS. I think that the Medium may be a tad big. You can also reach out to the Poseidon guys, they are very responsive and offer good customer service.
I got the Poseidon X. I ride a lot on pavement and on old logging roads in the Great Dismal Swamp. The bike is great on both surfaces. I don’t do any jumps or drops. I road a rigid 90’s trek for thirty years. I love my Trek, but this is more fun, more efficient and I cover a lot more miles.