I've thought about this a lot lately and I've done rides with people on newer gravel bikes. I have a enduro type mountain bike and it's a bit heavy for road and even dirt road use. I was thinking of either a low end gravel bike (like a Topstone) or a lightweight hardtail 29er.
For what I want it to do a 29er mtb might be best. Drop bars like on a gravel bike would be an advantage on the road but I would be more confident sliding around on a mtb.
There are several out there which are fairly cheap. This aluminum Canyon is $1200. I'd still have the enduro bike for the rough stuff.
