Specialized invents the hybrid bike
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I took from the OP that what was funny is how far marketers are straining the labelling to avoid the use of the word hybrid. I like a big chain ring up front, but otherwise it looks like a fun bike.
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I think it's easier for people to complain about and deride the bicycle industry for trying to sell bikes than to actually think about (like you did) what a bike is intended for...considering the design thought behind this particular bike, it was definitely inspired by XC MTBs (Specialized stated this when they released it). But, it wasn't aimed at the hardcore graveller nor was it aimed at MTBers. I find the comments from avid cyclists criticizing an industry for trying to stay relevant by selling bikes (and bikes that people want) amusing, because not all of us want 3x7 gears on rigid frame, 26" wheel bicycles.
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BINGO!
I think it's easier for people to complain about and deride the bicycle industry for trying to sell bikes than to actually think about (like you did) what a bike is intended for...considering the design thought behind this particular bike, it was definitely inspired by XC MTBs (Specialized stated this when they released it). But, it wasn't aimed at the hardcore graveller nor was it aimed at MTBers. I find the comments from avid cyclists criticizing an industry for trying to stay relevant by selling bikes (and bikes that people want) amusing, because not all of us want 3x7 gears on rigid frame, 26" wheel bicycles.
I think it's easier for people to complain about and deride the bicycle industry for trying to sell bikes than to actually think about (like you did) what a bike is intended for...considering the design thought behind this particular bike, it was definitely inspired by XC MTBs (Specialized stated this when they released it). But, it wasn't aimed at the hardcore graveller nor was it aimed at MTBers. I find the comments from avid cyclists criticizing an industry for trying to stay relevant by selling bikes (and bikes that people want) amusing, because not all of us want 3x7 gears on rigid frame, 26" wheel bicycles.
To me, the only thing I find funny about the bike is the "flat bar gravel bike" label. It's a beefy hybrid. I like hybrids, and just think it's amusing how it's become a dirty word in the bike world.
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What is funny to me is the passion a generation has for riding on the same terrain that was ridden 100 years ago. While many of us have grown up in a paved surface environment, biking on non-paved surfaces was just the way life was. And to top it off, we make videos of the ride.
There is no magic in a gravel bike, it is merely technological advancements over the years that have improved everything we use.
Nice bike.
John
There is no magic in a gravel bike, it is merely technological advancements over the years that have improved everything we use.
Nice bike.
John
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I suspect that in the long run, the "gravel" category will become the catch-all label that hybrid became, and inevitably cheap crummy bikes will be marketed as such and ruin the reputation of the category among the elitists.
I look forward to the "comfort gravel bike" discussion in 3.5 years.
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It can mean anything from a Flat bar road bike with 23c tires to a bolt upright comfort bike, to a borderline rigid mtb.
“Flat Bar Gravel Bike” actually tells you something about what the bike is.
IMO, having a larger vocabulary of more precise terms is not a bad thing.
Otherwise, why even bother with “Road” “MTB”, “Hybrid”.... just call them all “Bike”.
.
Last edited by Kapusta; 04-20-21 at 11:39 AM.
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The problem with the term “Hybrid” is not that it is a dirty term, but rather it is a vague, meaningless term that basically includes almost any bike with flat bars that is not an actual MTB, and gives little meaningful information.
It can mean anything from a Flat bar road bike with 23c tires to a bolt upright comfort bike, to a borderline rigid mtb.
“Flat Bar Gravel Bike” actually tells you something about what the bike is.
IMO, having a larger vocabulary of more precise terms is not a bad thing.
Otherwise, why even bother with “Road” “MTB”, “Hybrid”.... just call them all “Bike”.
.
It can mean anything from a Flat bar road bike with 23c tires to a bolt upright comfort bike, to a borderline rigid mtb.
“Flat Bar Gravel Bike” actually tells you something about what the bike is.
IMO, having a larger vocabulary of more precise terms is not a bad thing.
Otherwise, why even bother with “Road” “MTB”, “Hybrid”.... just call them all “Bike”.
.
I hate to break it to you, but there is nothing in the term "gravel" that is inherently more specific than "hybrid". Hybrid originally was a cross between a mountain and a road bike having flat bars and more lightly built than a true mountain bike. I bought one of the early ones and it was quite clear what you were getting--a flat bar bike primarily for road use, with some light off-road capabilities The category widened as marketers basically stuck the label on any flat bar bike that wasn't a mountain bike to the point that it became a meaningless term.
This will likely happen with the "gravel" classification as marketers will stretch the hot-selling term to any bike they plausibly can, except now the classification can't even specify what type of handlebars you'll find..
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Which does bring up a point. When you start designing bikes for a mix of a little pavement, some unimproved roads and mellow trails, why keep using big 29er wheels?
With more manageable surfaces, the advantages swing back to 26er if you want wide (2”+) tires. Advantages being lighter tires and lighter, stiffer wheels. Just a thought.
Otto
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One thing I appreciate about this discussion is that it has helped me understand the dropper post thing better and why I haven’t felt it would help me.
Most of my riding is of this type: maybe a bit of pavement, plus a lot of unimproved roads and mellow trails.
But I switched from drop bars to swept touring bars a year ago and have a bar position at or slightly above saddle height plus close reach when needed. So my standing position even with weight back is relatively high and the saddle position isn’t a problem.
Otto
Most of my riding is of this type: maybe a bit of pavement, plus a lot of unimproved roads and mellow trails.
But I switched from drop bars to swept touring bars a year ago and have a bar position at or slightly above saddle height plus close reach when needed. So my standing position even with weight back is relatively high and the saddle position isn’t a problem.
Otto
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I hate to break it to you, but there is nothing in the term "gravel" that is inherently more specific than "hybrid". Hybrid originally was a cross between a mountain and a road bike having flat bars and more lightly built than a true mountain bike. I bought one of the early ones and it was quite clear what you were getting--a flat bar bike primarily for road use, with some light off-road capabilities The category widened as marketers basically stuck the label on any flat bar bike that wasn't a mountain bike to the point that it became a meaningless term.
This will likely happen with the "gravel" classification as marketers will stretch the hot-selling term to any bike they plausibly can, except now the classification can't even specify what type of handlebars you'll find..
This will likely happen with the "gravel" classification as marketers will stretch the hot-selling term to any bike they plausibly can, except now the classification can't even specify what type of handlebars you'll find..
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I hate to brake it to you, but whatever it was originally "supposed" to mean, it now means anything from a flat bar road bike with 23c tires to a bolt upright comfort bike, to a borderline rigid mtb. That is not nearly as specific as what is meant by a gravel bike in the drop bar world. Maybe what you say will eventually happen to the term "gravel", but that has not happened at this point.
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Last edited by Camilo; 04-20-21 at 04:17 PM.
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I suspect that in the long run, the "gravel" category will become the catch-all label that hybrid became, and inevitably cheap crummy bikes will be marketed as such and ruin the reputation of the category among the elitists.
I look forward to the "comfort gravel bike" discussion in 3.5 years.
I look forward to the "comfort gravel bike" discussion in 3.5 years.
I even owned one...the Specialized Rock Combo. It was a very early “gravel bike” with drop bars and road like geometry. Frankly it was kind of scary off-road because of the very steep, for the day, head angle. I had the drops taken off before I even took the bike home. Thankfully, it had 26” wheels so that I could find wide tires for the bike.
On the down side, the frame (steel and one of 2 I broke) wasn’t up to the rigors of off-road use. I bought mine in 1989 and it lasted...checking his records...4 years and 3820 miles before it broke. The other steel bike I broke was a Miyata Ridge Runner that I bought in 1984. I don’t have records for pre1988 but the bike broke in 1989 with 3028 miles on it...2206 of those miles were in 1988 alone. I would estimate that the Ridge Runner had close to 10,000 miles mountain bike miles on it before it broke.
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Also to the general non-enthusiast, casual weekend cyclist, "hybrid" really has no meaning. On the other hand "gravel" or something like "all road" or "all path" might bring to mind what they'd like to ride on without getting into a fancy uncomfortable looking drop bar bike or heavy, complicated looking mountain bike. I think it's intelligent and helpful marketing.
Hybrid meant something at some point to the general non-enthusiast. That's why they stuck the label on so many really different kinds of bikes--even a total pos could be sold that way.
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It’s been a year? Wow! So did anyone buy it?
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A friend of mine bought one for his wife. She loves it.
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I thought is was way back when with this?
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Based on the thread title, I thought this was going to be about my 1989 Rock Combo.
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Also to the general non-enthusiast, casual weekend cyclist, "hybrid" really has no meaning. On the other hand "gravel" or something like "all road" or "all path" might bring to mind what they'd like to ride on without getting into a fancy uncomfortable looking drop bar bike or heavy, complicated looking mountain bike. I think it's intelligent and helpful marketing.
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Who is the response too? There are tons of pictures in the thread. Are you just here to post in this thread after it has gone dormant each time? Odd way to post especially with so many active threads and Ergon being a great subject as they make fantastic grips and their saddles seem to be comfortable so starting a new thread to discuss would be cool if you had some questions or discussion topics you wanted to hash out.
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The Diverge Evo is flat bar gravel bike with fatter tires and a dropper post - a mountain bike / gravel bike hybrid!
https://bikepacking.com/news/2021-specialized-diverge/
https://bikepacking.com/news/2021-specialized-diverge/
Less the disc brakes, that bike looks near as the Giant Rapid series, preceded by five years. Probably made in the same factories.
Whatever, the marketing people will never run out of reasons to change a little thing and reinvent the bikey.
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Swap the chainring and rear cog and I think it's been done before. With 'rear' suspension. And running safety lights front and rear.
Short memories and word games translate to 'new tech' or at the very least = 'innovation'.
Only 1/2 jest.
Short memories and word games translate to 'new tech' or at the very least = 'innovation'.
Only 1/2 jest.
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