650 wheel gravel bike as Mtb?
01-13-23, 05:43 AM
#1
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650 wheel gravel bike as Mtb?
Is a 650 wheeled gravel bike a viable options for use as a primary mtb. I tend to stick to clean single or double track not techical. Would a graveler with 650 wheels make the ride fun or a disaster.
i need a new bike bike dont ride mtb enough to drop big $$ on a niche bike for me.
i need a new bike bike dont ride mtb enough to drop big $$ on a niche bike for me.
01-13-23, 05:49 AM
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It'll be fine. Just put as big of a tires as your bike will fit and go have fun on singletrack.
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01-13-23, 06:56 AM
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I don't feel comfortable using my CX bike(basically a gravel bike) for more traditional MTB type conditions. I just don't like the drop bars - I never feel like I have a good hand position. I can't get a good enough grip on the hoods, I cant get to the brakes or gears fast enough when I'm in the drops...and I feel like the center of gravity is too high on the CX bike.
May be fine for some, I just don't like it and would want a MTB.
May be fine for some, I just don't like it and would want a MTB.
01-13-23, 11:17 AM
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Image search "Rough Stuff Fellowship".
01-13-23, 11:21 AM
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Maybe if you can get a dropper post.
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01-13-23, 12:00 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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It could depending on what tires you can fit comfortably you may find you want a much wider tire for mountain biking then you would be able to fit on an average gravel bike. You do you but I am done with skinny tires personally and trying to mountain bike with skinny tires is not appealing.
01-13-23, 12:51 PM
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It could depending on what tires you can fit comfortably you may find you want a much wider tire for mountain biking then you would be able to fit on an average gravel bike. You do you but I am done with skinny tires personally and trying to mountain bike with skinny tires is not appealing.
The Salsa Journeyman, for example, fits a 2.2" tire. The Salsa Fargo fits 3" tires. OPEN WI.DE fits 2.4". Etc.
01-13-23, 01:17 PM
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I cannot steer as well on a drop bar as I can on 740mm wide flat bars. As well I prefer a suspension fork. Is why I have 2 mt. bikes and ride them on ST.
01-13-23, 03:22 PM
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Of course but the average one is on the lower end at 2.0 and below it is certainly getting better or you have more drop bar MTB type of stuff as you mentioned.
01-13-23, 04:15 PM
#10
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It all depends on the trails and (for me) how rocky they are...you can quickly trash your wheels if the tires aren't big enough. Body position and drop bars do make things a little more exciting, but you get used to it. For me, I think it's fun to underbike (easyish) MTB trails on my gravel bike. As soon as there are drops and rock gardens, I want my MTB.
01-13-23, 06:22 PM
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For me, that's what makes it fun. But my idea of fun is my kid's idea of boring.
I can't do anything really technical with the 650b gravel bike, but I can't really do a lot of technical stuff with a well-equipped full-suspension mountain bike. In general, it is much more efficient to ride a gravel bike. If drop bars and no suspension aren't deal-breakers, go for it.
My legs are too short for a dropper post.
I can't do anything really technical with the 650b gravel bike, but I can't really do a lot of technical stuff with a well-equipped full-suspension mountain bike. In general, it is much more efficient to ride a gravel bike. If drop bars and no suspension aren't deal-breakers, go for it.
My legs are too short for a dropper post.
01-14-23, 10:33 AM
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If the trails are relatively tame, I can't see why it would be a problem; I ride my 650b gravel bikes on damn near everything -- bike path, singletrack, fire roads, double-track, whatever; it's when things get ledgy, super fast, loose, and rutted that I definitely prefer my mountain bike. In any event, 650b (27.5) is my favorite wheel size for both gravel and mountain. Big tires and wide bars are your friend.
01-15-23, 11:05 AM
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I was motoring around on my big levo (160mm travel e bike) And was passed and dropped by a guy on a Poseidon redwood. 27.5” gravel bike. The guy made the pass stick and I didn’t even feel like chasing he was going so fast
The trails were intermediate in nature, and I know appearances can be deceiving but the guy did not have the physique of a raw dog hammerhead type of rider — But he could move out in single track On that budget grade gravel bike at speeds I was not comfortable on my big travel , big dollar E bike
The trails were intermediate in nature, and I know appearances can be deceiving but the guy did not have the physique of a raw dog hammerhead type of rider — But he could move out in single track On that budget grade gravel bike at speeds I was not comfortable on my big travel , big dollar E bike
01-15-23, 01:23 PM
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I was motoring around on my big levo (160mm travel e bike) And was passed and dropped by a guy on a Poseidon redwood. 27.5” gravel bike. The guy made the pass stick and I didn’t even feel like chasing he was going so fast
The trails were intermediate in nature, and I know appearances can be deceiving but the guy did not have the physique of a raw dog hammerhead type of rider — But he could move out in single track On that budget grade gravel bike at speeds I was not comfortable on my big travel , big dollar E bike
The trails were intermediate in nature, and I know appearances can be deceiving but the guy did not have the physique of a raw dog hammerhead type of rider — But he could move out in single track On that budget grade gravel bike at speeds I was not comfortable on my big travel , big dollar E bike
01-15-23, 05:17 PM
#15
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Skills are a major factor, probably the predominant factor here. Its not about the bike...with that said, I still prefer a mountain bike on single track as that is what they are made to do best.
01-15-23, 07:51 PM
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I once did some not too technical trails with my gravel bike equipped with 650b x 48mm tires which is about as big as I could fit. For technical trails with rocks and tree roots, I would want wider tires with a front and ideally a rear suspension.
01-15-23, 11:41 PM
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They're fine and pretty much the same capability as a suspension-less MTB. You'd want wider handlebars probably and definitely wider tires, probably as wide as your frame could handle with 650B/27.5" tires. On my gravel bike it's about 50mm/2" which is fine for non-super technical gnarley single track.
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