rydabent

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.

Wildwood 

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.

Eric F 

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.

alcjphil

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

alcjphil

Why can't I find a like button

/

Eric F 

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.

gecho

Strange to start a troll thread just to let people know you prefer flat bars.

shelbyfv

Around here I don't see many bents on gravel rides but I guess anything is possible. There is this https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...-recreational/ if OP truly seeks enlightenment.

wolfchild

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.

wolfchild

A mountain bike with a rigid fork and bigger tires is the best type of a bike for gravel riding.

Eric F 

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.

Eric F 

What makes it better than this bike?

Steve B.

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.

wolfchild

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.

wolfchild

Very nice looking bike that looks very capable.....Would be perfect if it had riser bars and a steel or aluminum frame but that's just my personal preference.

Eric F 

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.

squirtdad

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.....

Eric F 

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.

mstateglfr 

It sells better not because of the word, but because of what the word has grown to mean.
It has grown to mean a wide range of emotoons/views thru marketing and user experience.

Steve B.

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.

wolfchild

More utility. better off road capability, better handling and control, more upright riding position, more comfort due to bigger tires,

Eric F 

Also…Fewer body/hand position options. Less efficient when a gravel bike is at its best - rolling fast on dirt. Slower on pavement. Slower climbing.

A gravel bike is a bike of compromises. Pick the compromises that make sense for the way you want to ride.

Wildwood 

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.

indyfabz

wolfchild

Why would you put a smaller narrower tire on the front for off road riding... I've seen some mountain bikers put larger tire up front and slightly smaller in the rear but not the other way around.