Why is Gravel Riding Such a Thing?
#126
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#127
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I split my time roughly 50/50 between my road bike and my gravel bike. Smooth-as-glass road cycling isn't for everyone. Likewise, gravel riding isn't for everyone.
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There is absolutely an overlap between what is considered a Gravel bike and what is considered an Endurance Road bike. An Endurance bike with 38s is basically a gravel bike as well in my book.
My bike (Soma Fog Cutter V1)) is called Endurance Road, but it can take 42mm tires.
Overlap and fuzzy boundaries are fine. The fact that some bikes blur the lines does not mean the terms are not useful.
When it comes down to it, Gravel bikes ARE road bikes. They are just road bike that don’t suck on gravel roads.
If anything, Gravel bikes are a more true “Road” bike as they actually work well on most roads. Pavement Racing bikes are the niche bike.
My bike (Soma Fog Cutter V1)) is called Endurance Road, but it can take 42mm tires.
Overlap and fuzzy boundaries are fine. The fact that some bikes blur the lines does not mean the terms are not useful.
When it comes down to it, Gravel bikes ARE road bikes. They are just road bike that don’t suck on gravel roads.
If anything, Gravel bikes are a more true “Road” bike as they actually work well on most roads. Pavement Racing bikes are the niche bike.
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#131
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This thread has got me thinking. Does anyone here ride road, gravel and mtb? If so, do you have dedicated bikes for all 3? I'm 50/50 road/mtb and gravel is something I just happen to ride on my mtb to get to the singletrack. I've never really given gravel any thought as a primary riding terrain, but I can still see the attraction. Some of the mtb rides I used to do around the South Downs would probably suit a gravel bike better.
#132
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This thread has got me thinking. Does anyone here ride road, gravel and mtb? If so, do you have dedicated bikes for all 3? I'm 50/50 road/mtb and gravel is something I just happen to ride on my mtb to get to the singletrack. I've never really given gravel any thought as a primary riding terrain, but I can still see the attraction. Some of the mtb rides I used to do around the South Downs would probably suit a gravel bike better.
When mountain biking, I'll ride whatever roads I need to to connect trails. Those tend to be gravel, but not always. Honestly, my MTB is a drag (literally and figuratively) on extended gravel roads almost as much as on pavement. But it gets me to the next trail.
As far as road riding, gravel is just another road surface. Some rides are 0% gravel, some 50% gravel, some 100%. All on the same bike.
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#133
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I'm probably way off here but I've come away from reading this entire thread thinking these are essentially under equipped randonneuring bikes. Because a randonneuring bike would fit all the criteria of a gravel bike and offer the rider a few extra accoutrements.
And no one wins those races either. Or so I'm told.
And no one wins those races either. Or so I'm told.
#134
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I always love your pics Indy.I don't just see them, I feel them.
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In the 90s I made a transition to primarily rail trails and other easy routes off the roads and away from cars, noise and exhaust.
Now we have an even more extensive trail system around our area. Some parts are relatively easy and much like a road if you have the right tires. Other parts are more technical and a bit slower, but still not scary.
At my age, I don’t want falls and I don’t want down time when there are people who rely on me.
All that said, I don’t have a modern gravel bike, just cheap old frames built up for light trail duty.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 01-12-22 at 10:16 PM.
#136
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For the randonneuring bikes that do fit the criteria of a gravel bike, I'm not sure what benefit there is in discussing them as if the categories are mutually exclusive. When the mid-century French constructeurs built fat-tired low-geared randonneuring bikes, they did so primarily because their clients were intending to ride them on gravel roads in the mountains; I think it's neither inappropriate nor confusing to refer to those bikes as gravel bikes. Similarly, if the "extra accoutrements" you're referring to are things like bags and lighting systems, it's not like people never equip their "gravel bikes" with such features.
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#138
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I'm probably way off here but I've come away from reading this entire thread thinking these are essentially under equipped randonneuring bikes. Because a randonneuring bike would fit all the criteria of a gravel bike and offer the rider a few extra accoutrements.
And no one wins those races either. Or so I'm told.
And no one wins those races either. Or so I'm told.
Really not sure what your point is.
I am curious to hear what extras a rando bike offers.
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I'm probably way off here but I've come away from reading this entire thread thinking these are essentially under equipped randonneuring bikes. Because a randonneuring bike would fit all the criteria of a gravel bike and offer the rider a few extra accoutrements.
And no one wins those races either. Or so I'm told.
And no one wins those races either. Or so I'm told.
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His point seems simple. There is no such thing as a randonneuring bike. Your idea of a randonneuring bike might represent 3% of the bikes on the starting line at PBP.
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I just asked what extras a rando bike offers.
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#144
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I wasnt the one who initially claimed this, I just responded with 'a rando bike could fit the criteria of a gravel bike'. Not will, but could. Because it could, depending on specifics.
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Absolutely ride all three and have dedicated bikes for each. That said, most of my time is spent on a cx-type(Poprads with 38mm tires)
...that I recently discovered has the same geometry as a Checkpoint
...that has the same geometry(up to 2021) as a Domane
..so
..point taken.
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There is too much meaningless differentiation in the bike market.
Many gravel roads can be ridden on a road bike with 32 mm tires or a touring bike or a so-called endurance bike. More rustic gravel roads might be better with a flat bar mountain bike with some tread on the tires. I don't need a special bike for gravel. If the road is awful and steep and rutted, my Mt bike is fine. Normally, a road bike with larger tires works just fine. If someone is doing long distance endurance racing on gravel? Different story
Many gravel roads can be ridden on a road bike with 32 mm tires or a touring bike or a so-called endurance bike. More rustic gravel roads might be better with a flat bar mountain bike with some tread on the tires. I don't need a special bike for gravel. If the road is awful and steep and rutted, my Mt bike is fine. Normally, a road bike with larger tires works just fine. If someone is doing long distance endurance racing on gravel? Different story
#147
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Permanent lighting for one. I think most of Europe requires headlights (at least) on their bicycles. IHGs are the norm there but not here in the United States. Once someone gets to the higher distances where they ride overnight U.S. riders usually convert their lighting systems to permanently integrated systems. Seems like fenders, or mud guards if you prefer to call them that, really only come on touring bikes in the U.S. whereas Europe again treats them as necessary. (I've seen local riders here in MN with centrifugal cup holders mounted to their bikes.) Who knows... probably shrader valves...
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Permanent lighting for one. I think most of Europe requires headlights (at least) on their bicycles. IHGs are the norm there but not here in the United States. Once someone gets to the higher distances where they ride overnight U.S. riders usually convert their lighting systems to permanently integrated systems. Seems like fenders, or mud guards if you prefer to call them that, really only come on touring bikes in the U.S. whereas Europe again treats them as necessary. (I've seen local riders here in MN with centrifugal cup holders mounted to their bikes.) Who knows... probably shrader valves...
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This thread has got me thinking. Does anyone here ride road, gravel and mtb? If so, do you have dedicated bikes for all 3? I'm 50/50 road/mtb and gravel is something I just happen to ride on my mtb to get to the singletrack. I've never really given gravel any thought as a primary riding terrain, but I can still see the attraction. Some of the mtb rides I used to do around the South Downs would probably suit a gravel bike better.
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#150
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I think the gravel bike evolved from the earliest modern designs. Taking the best of what people need today and eschewing the rest. While rando specific bikes evolved on their own path for the reasons set out by that newspaper (in order to sell more newspapers). A long unsupported ride within a limited time frame. No winners, no losers except those who DNF within that time frame.
Wait! I participateded... Don't I get a trophy?