The Poseidon gravel bike battle! Which bike is best? We are going to compare their three iconic gravel bikes side by side and see what the difference is between each. When it comes to price the Poseidon X starts at $599.99, the new X Ambition starts at $699.99 and the Redwood starts at $779.99. But what really is the difference and which one is best for you and your riding goals?
Each of the three different models comes in a drop bar and flat bar bike build, with the flat bar options offering the most affordable price. For this article, we have taken their drop bar gravel bikes and compared them three to hopefully give you a better understanding of how these bikes stack up.
The Redwood is probably the preferred grave bike for the adventurous type. At home as a bikepacking bike, thanks to its huge tire clearance allowing you to explore off the beaten path and beyond. With some of the widest tire clearance on the market for a gravel bike.
On the other hand, both the X and X Ambition are lesser suited than the Redwood for adventure, but can they still take you and your camping gear out into the woods for an overnighter camp? Both these bikes seem rather similar. So let’s first take a look at what separates the two X bikes apart from each other.
Poseidon X Vs X Ambition
Taking a look at both the X bikes, we can see the new Ambition has an updated geometry. The stack/reach ratio on the new Ambition is more upright offering a more comfortable riding position for those longer rides. At a 1.55 compared to the base model 1.44 for a medium-sized frame.
The chainstay length is still the same however the wheelbase on the Ambition is slightly longer by around 5.7 mm or so. Making for a slightly more planted riding feel. Taking a look at these two specs so far we can already conclude that the ambition is the better bike out of the two when it comes to adventure and riding with gear.
Also, the X Ambition has a 5 mm longer trail, meaning slower and calmer steering on the Ambition compared to the standard x. The X Ambition is the perfect all-rounder gravel bike of the three blending both adventures with all-day riding and even commuting.
Apart from geometry, the X Ambitions has a 2mm wider tire clearance, with the same gearing and very similar gear inches. The X Ambitions is slightly more comfortable and upright to ride than the X which is more suited to performance riding.
Poseidon Redwood
Could this be the best budget gravel bike to take you on some epic adventures? It has the potential to take you on some rad trips for only $779.99! With mounting options on the fork and those Poseidon Adventure Bars with 24 Degree Flare for extra comfort when shredding!!
Weight for the Redwood comes in at 29 pounds or 13.15 kg, that’s 4 pounds / 1.8 kg heavier than the other two bikes. Rolling on some very capable 27.5″ x 2.35″ Kenda Kadre tires straight out of the box and whopping tire clearance for up to 2.6″ to clear the frame without any issues. The Microshift Advent X groupset is the exact same for all the bikes. With consists of a 38T crank combined with an 11-48T cassette. Resulting in a 21.88″ climbing gear and 95.54″ largest gear and 0.79 to 3.45 gear ratio.
Poseidon X
Featuring Poseidon X’s original frame design and full carbon fork which gives you responsiveness where you need it yet a stable ride on descents. This bike is best for performance riding, more so than adventure. And is the better bike out of the three if you want to ride fast and chew up the miles on the road and light gravel.
Weighing in at around 25 pounds or 11.34 kg. Rolling stock on 700 x 35 Kenda Small Block tires and tire clearance for up to 700c x 40 mm tires. Featuring a Microshift Advent X groupset with a 38T crank combined with an 11-48T cassette. This gives the bike 21.52″ climbing gear and 93.99″ largest gear. with gear ratios of 0.79 to 3.45.
Poseidon X Ambition
The X Ambition is built for more. More miles, more adventures, more smiles! Poseidon focused on improving comfort with a more upright riding position and a new saddle design
It’s still 25 pounds / 11.34 kg just like the previous X. However you do get wider tires stock with the 700 x 40 Kenda Happy Medium tires. And tire clearance for up to slightly wider 700c x 42 mm tires. Powered by the same Microshift Advent X groupset with a 38T crank combined with an 11-48T cassette as the X. However the 5 mm wider tires result in a 21.83″ climbing gear and 95.35″ largest gear with the same gear ratio.
Geometry – X Vs Redwood Vs X Ambition
Geometry can play a big part in the difference between how a bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike. At first, impressions expected the X to be a more aggressive bike build compared to the others. With lower stack/reach and shorter wheelbase. While the X Ambition finds a nice middle ground between the X And the Redwood. Making it the perfect choice if you want a bike that can do a bit of it all. While the Redwood geometry is designed perfectly for comfort on adventures.
| Bike | Redwood | X | X Ambition |
| Stack | 570.7 | 548.5 | 579.4 |
| Reach | 384.4 | 382.2 | 373.8 |
| Stack/Reach Ratio | 1.48 | 1.44 | 1.55 |
| Top Tube Length | 537 | 535 | 535 |
| Seat Tube Length | 520 | 540 | 510 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73.5 | 74.5 | 74.5 |
| Head Tube Length | 138 | 120 | 140 |
| Head Tube Angle | 71 | 71.5 | 71 |
| BB Drop | 63.4 | 67 | 67 |
| Front Center | 610 | 595.9 | 601.6 |
| Chainstay Length | 440 | 425 | 425 |
| Wheelbase | 1042 | 1011.8 | 1017.5 |
| Rake | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Trail | 73.5 | 68.3 | 73.3 |
| Standover Height | 789.9 | 781.1 | 760.6 |
The main difference between the two bikes is the stack/reach ratio, being much more aggressive on the X as you can see above in the black. Meaning the X Ambition and Redwood are better suited for a more upright riding position adding more comfort in the saddle for those long adventures. This lower stack/reach would make the X more efficient and faster to ride, but sacrifice comfort. The X Ambition has the most upright stack/reach ratio while the Redood is around 1.48. Which is still in that comfort sweet spot, generally we recommend anything 1.5 and higher for optimal upright comfort for those long days in the saddle.
Want to learn more about understanding bike geometry? Read this article which goes through all the jargon and what it means for a comfortable ride!
The standover height for the x is about 20.5 mm higher than the X Ambition. This lower standover height on the X Ambition makes it easier for getting on and off the bike especially when the bike is heavier due to being loaded with gear. However, the Redwood has the highest standover height of them all at almost 790 mm for the medium size.
Chainstay is the same for both X models at 225 mm which is more on the shorter to mid-range for your typical gravel bike. While the Redwood has a chainstay of 440 mm the extra length makes it not as snappy in the rear but offers you more stability when under a load which is exactly what you want for an adventure bike.
The front center on the Redwood is the longest for toe clearance from the front wheel, which is handy when maneuvering slowly over rocky terrain with gear on the bike.
If you plan to mostly go on adventures with gear the Redwood is a no-brainer. But if you are looking for a more aggressive and speedy gravel bike the X is the better option out of the three. I feel like you can use the X Ambition for both, but it seems best for gravel-specific bikepacking trips. And can be used as an all-rounder gravel bike. The pretty much ticks all the boxes.
My personal favorite out of the three has to be the Redwood. Here at Cycle Travel Overload, we are all for adventure by bike and this rig allows just that. With mounting options galore, wide tire clearance, and comfortable, upright, and planted riding positions it’s one of the best value-for-money adventure bikes out there.
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