Please enlighten me on gravel bik
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Please enlighten me on gravel bik
In the last couple of years so called "gravel bikes" have been getting a lot of press. Just what constitutes a gravel bike? It seems to me that any bike other than a full on racing bike with really skinny tires would be just fine to ride on gravel. And to me, the best choice would be any mountain bike.
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Light gravel?
Medium gravel?
Rocky gravel?
Frame angles, tires widths and wheelbases may vary greatly across the Spectrum of Gravel.
"Specificity of Needs "is again paramount.
Up to 40mm tires, long wheelbase, slightly slack angles make it a road to medium gravel road bike. E makes the climbing more fun.
Medium gravel?
Rocky gravel?
Frame angles, tires widths and wheelbases may vary greatly across the Spectrum of Gravel.
"Specificity of Needs "is again paramount.
Up to 40mm tires, long wheelbase, slightly slack angles make it a road to medium gravel road bike. E makes the climbing more fun.
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At a very basic level, a "gravel bike" is usually a drop bar bike with mid-width, moderately-durable tires. Typically, it's not as efficient on pavement as a pure road bike, and not as capable in the dirt as a MTB when things get steep and technical, but it absolutely excels on dirt roads as long as conditions aren't extreme. That said, there is variation within the range of "gravel bikes". Some are optimized for speed, some are optimized for hauling gear, and many fall somewhere between. A gravel bike tends to have a lower bottom bracket than a road or cyclocross bike for improved stability. Angles may also be a bit slacker, and wheelbase might be longer. Choice of tire tread and width is largely affected by terrain and performance needs, ranging from semi-slick to MTB-type knobs.
For someone who doesn't know what a gravel bike is, you are already spouting strong opinions about them, including a bike that is a better choice. From you, I'm not really surprised.
Yes, you could ride a road bike with wider tires on gravel (some people do that). Yes, you could also ride a MTB (some people do that, too). For me, my gravel bike rides tend to be a mix of pavement, dirt roads, and singltrack. Of the bikes in my stable, none of them handle the combination of surfaces better than my gravel bike, and I pick ride routes that I wouldn't do on any other bike because of how versatile it is.
For someone who doesn't know what a gravel bike is, you are already spouting strong opinions about them, including a bike that is a better choice. From you, I'm not really surprised.
Yes, you could ride a road bike with wider tires on gravel (some people do that). Yes, you could also ride a MTB (some people do that, too). For me, my gravel bike rides tend to be a mix of pavement, dirt roads, and singltrack. Of the bikes in my stable, none of them handle the combination of surfaces better than my gravel bike, and I pick ride routes that I wouldn't do on any other bike because of how versatile it is.
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Last edited by Eric F; 02-24-23 at 05:28 PM.
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OK. A year ago I decided to dip my toes into gravel bikes. I already owned a touring bike that does just fine on unpaved roads. I chose a full on gravel bike that has room for big tires, up to 700 x 50, basically 29" mountain bike tires. Gravel bikes are on a spectrum and at the racing level are not far away from some endurance bikes. In fact, at the recent UCI world championship, some riders were actually riding endurance bikes. The gravel bike that might suit you depends on how you want to ride. Apologies for being vague, but when I bought I knew what I wanted so I bought a gravel bike that tends towards riding on very poor surfaces. I have seen many mountain bike trails that my gravel bike has no problem with. I didn't already own an older unsuspended mountain bike that would have ben able to do what I wanted, and I wanted something new
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Gianni Vermeesh's race-winning bike was a Canyon Ultimate. That's their top end road race bike. Granted, the WC race was pretty tame as far as terrain demands.
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A gravel bike is just a higher performance hybrid with drop bars. It really should be called an all terrain bike or multi sport bike. The word gravel is just a marketing gimmick.
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Marketing it may be, but is also describes the type of terrain where it is at its best - gravel roads. That said, "gravel" has become a generic term for a wide range of non-paved road surfaces.
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My 25 year old lugged steel touring bike is easily 4-5 lbs heavier than my aluminum gravel bike, is why I ride the gravel bike if I'm not carrying panniers. I do not desire to strip off the installed F and R racks as well as fenders from the touring bike to lighten in up for basic gravel ride. Many gravel bikes are equipped with eyelets for racks, at least in the rear, thus you can often carry lighter loads on a supported tour or credit card tour. Or swap wheels and use as a road bike with 28mm tires or such. They make pretty good road bikes if you are not racing.
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That's why gravel bikes should of been called all terrain bikes or multi terrain bikes...but we all know that anything bike related that has the word gravel on it will sell better.
Last edited by wolfchild; 02-24-23 at 06:05 PM. Reason: Grammar and spelling
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Calling it something different doesn't change what it is or how it functions. Gravel bikes (and related gear) are selling well because people are recognizing the value/fun of a bike that is competent in a wide variety of terrain, not just because of the term "gravel" attached to it.
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I ride a 84 team miyata with 28mm gravel king on gravel....so technically that is a gravel bike.
as noted basically it a range of bikes that have clearance for bigger tires and no full suspension
not thing is hard and fast
most would be a ton faster than a mountain bike on the roads, and trails they are intended for
some can do bike packing, some are all speed
closer to a road bike than a mountain bike
at this point mix of marketing, current cool thing and practical capability.....
as noted basically it a range of bikes that have clearance for bigger tires and no full suspension
not thing is hard and fast
most would be a ton faster than a mountain bike on the roads, and trails they are intended for
some can do bike packing, some are all speed
closer to a road bike than a mountain bike
at this point mix of marketing, current cool thing and practical capability.....
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Okay, but what makes a MTB with a rigid fork a better bike than my bike for gravel riding? Better in what way? Not just for your personal preferences, but for everyone. You said that was the best type of bike.
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It has grown to mean a wide range of emotoons/views thru marketing and user experience.
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I may be different but I do not find flat bars comfortable after 10-15 miles. Too few hand positions, even with bar ends. Thus I prefer the drop bars on my gravel bike, I can ride for hours with a variety of hand positions to vary up my upper body position. It's certainly possible to take a non-suspended mt. bike, add drop bars and it'll be a terrific bike for dirt and gravel roads and trails. Or buy a bike designed for the role if you don't have mt. bike without the unneeded front suspension fork.
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A gravel bike is a bike of compromises. Pick the compromises that make sense for the way you want to ride.
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The range of rigid mountain bikes makes this statement less than 100% correct.
In 1992, I bought a cross country 'racing' mountain bike = Gary Fisher Supercaliber. So my mountain bike is ideal for medium gravel/offroads in a variety of dirt conditions (with tire changes). But I never did the drop handlebar conversion; got enough of those, even tho' it is a good candidate. 26" wheels, .
Narrower front tire for the hard trails/gravel I was riding at the time.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 02-24-23 at 07:46 PM.
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The range of rigid mountain bikes makes this statement less than 100% correct.
In 1992, I bought a cross country 'racing' mountain bike = Gary Fisher Supercaliber. So my mountain bike is ideal for medium gravel/offroads in a variety of dirt conditions (with tire changes). But I never did the drop handlebar conversion; got enough of those, even tho' it is a good candidate. 26" wheels, .
Narrower front tire for the hard trails/gravel I was riding at the time.
In 1992, I bought a cross country 'racing' mountain bike = Gary Fisher Supercaliber. So my mountain bike is ideal for medium gravel/offroads in a variety of dirt conditions (with tire changes). But I never did the drop handlebar conversion; got enough of those, even tho' it is a good candidate. 26" wheels, .
Narrower front tire for the hard trails/gravel I was riding at the time.