Hardtail MTB or Gravel bike for family rides?
Discussion
No doubt a very common question so apologies for any repetition.
My wife (unspecified age) and daughter (8) have just enjoying a few bike rides.
We live in Dorking so have access to lots of off road paths and bridleways in the Surrey hills. Riding will typically be on bumpy paths, bridleways, fire paths, nothing technical. We won’t be going fast. I would like something that I could start to use for more spirited rides out on my own if I want.
I’ve got a rim braked road bike and a ‘gravel’ bike which is an Orro Terra (aluminium version).
Neither are quite right for light family off roading - and n+1 and all that - so looking to get a 3rd.
The Orro technically should be okay on most stuff but I can only really get 700x30 tyres on there and I use most days to commute on so I don’t want to punish it mechanically.
I’m a bit of a weight weenie, so want something as light as possible while still being fit for purpose, not too expensive, 1x or 2x gearing preferred, hydraulic discs. Not sure if I need front suspension or not tbh. Could be drop or flat bar. And importantly something that I like the look of. I’m a recent convert to titanium and would love it to be Ti. I recently borrowed a friends On One Inbred single speed and although fun I soon found the single speed quite limiting up hill!
Maybe a Planet X Tempest with 650b wheels or maybe a hardtail MTB? No issue going 2nd hand.
Any opinions much appreciated, ta.
My wife (unspecified age) and daughter (8) have just enjoying a few bike rides.
We live in Dorking so have access to lots of off road paths and bridleways in the Surrey hills. Riding will typically be on bumpy paths, bridleways, fire paths, nothing technical. We won’t be going fast. I would like something that I could start to use for more spirited rides out on my own if I want.
I’ve got a rim braked road bike and a ‘gravel’ bike which is an Orro Terra (aluminium version).
Neither are quite right for light family off roading - and n+1 and all that - so looking to get a 3rd.
The Orro technically should be okay on most stuff but I can only really get 700x30 tyres on there and I use most days to commute on so I don’t want to punish it mechanically.
I’m a bit of a weight weenie, so want something as light as possible while still being fit for purpose, not too expensive, 1x or 2x gearing preferred, hydraulic discs. Not sure if I need front suspension or not tbh. Could be drop or flat bar. And importantly something that I like the look of. I’m a recent convert to titanium and would love it to be Ti. I recently borrowed a friends On One Inbred single speed and although fun I soon found the single speed quite limiting up hill!
Maybe a Planet X Tempest with 650b wheels or maybe a hardtail MTB? No issue going 2nd hand.
Any opinions much appreciated, ta.
If you're using this as an excuse for an N+1 purchase, I'd recommend a hardtail MTB.
I have a 650b Kinesis Tripster AT (the aluminium version, rather than the Ti original) which I use for occasional bimbles around with my 8 year old, as well as for its intended purpose bashing the bridleways of Berkshire. It's in some ways ideal for family rides, as it's simple (1x SRAM hydro) and comfy with 2" Gravelking SK tyres, but it's overkill for the sort of speeds or distances we reach. I never need to take advantage of multiple drop bar riding positions for aerodynamics or arm fatigue, for example!
I also have a rather ancient FS MTB that I use when we're riding around Swinley, and in a lot of ways that's a better bike for the task. Not the suspension, but more the riding position suitable for riding slowly, watching what the kids are doing, and wearing a rucksack full of "child life support" like random extra clothes, haribo, etc - you know the deal :-)
At this time of year you could pick up a really nice hardtail with a 1x XT groupset and carbon frame for a grand or so (a friend paid exactly that for a carbon Cube last summer), which would work well at family ride speeds, and also be able to do things your Orro Terra and conventional road bike can't. In terms of actual gravel riding in the UK, there's a good argument that once you're on something like the Ridgeway, you are better off with a hardtail MTB with front suspension than a rigid gravel bike or cross bike, regardless of tyre size. If you're on surfaces too tame for the MTB, your 35c tyres on the Orro would probably be fine.
I have a 650b Kinesis Tripster AT (the aluminium version, rather than the Ti original) which I use for occasional bimbles around with my 8 year old, as well as for its intended purpose bashing the bridleways of Berkshire. It's in some ways ideal for family rides, as it's simple (1x SRAM hydro) and comfy with 2" Gravelking SK tyres, but it's overkill for the sort of speeds or distances we reach. I never need to take advantage of multiple drop bar riding positions for aerodynamics or arm fatigue, for example!
I also have a rather ancient FS MTB that I use when we're riding around Swinley, and in a lot of ways that's a better bike for the task. Not the suspension, but more the riding position suitable for riding slowly, watching what the kids are doing, and wearing a rucksack full of "child life support" like random extra clothes, haribo, etc - you know the deal :-)
At this time of year you could pick up a really nice hardtail with a 1x XT groupset and carbon frame for a grand or so (a friend paid exactly that for a carbon Cube last summer), which would work well at family ride speeds, and also be able to do things your Orro Terra and conventional road bike can't. In terms of actual gravel riding in the UK, there's a good argument that once you're on something like the Ridgeway, you are better off with a hardtail MTB with front suspension than a rigid gravel bike or cross bike, regardless of tyre size. If you're on surfaces too tame for the MTB, your 35c tyres on the Orro would probably be fine.
pete said:
If you're using this as an excuse for an N+1 purchase, I'd recommend a hardtail MTB.
I have a 650b Kinesis Tripster AT (the aluminium version, rather than the Ti original) which I use for occasional bimbles around with my 8 year old, as well as for its intended purpose bashing the bridleways of Berkshire. It's in some ways ideal for family rides, as it's simple (1x SRAM hydro) and comfy with 2" Gravelking SK tyres, but it's overkill for the sort of speeds or distances we reach. I never need to take advantage of multiple drop bar riding positions for aerodynamics or arm fatigue, for example!
I also have a rather ancient FS MTB that I use when we're riding around Swinley, and in a lot of ways that's a better bike for the task. Not the suspension, but more the riding position suitable for riding slowly, watching what the kids are doing, and wearing a rucksack full of "child life support" like random extra clothes, haribo, etc - you know the deal :-)
At this time of year you could pick up a really nice hardtail with a 1x XT groupset and carbon frame for a grand or so (a friend paid exactly that for a carbon Cube last summer), which would work well at family ride speeds, and also be able to do things your Orro Terra and conventional road bike can't. In terms of actual gravel riding in the UK, there's a good argument that once you're on something like the Ridgeway, you are better off with a hardtail MTB with front suspension than a rigid gravel bike or cross bike, regardless of tyre size. If you're on surfaces too tame for the MTB, your 35c tyres on the Orro would probably be fine.
Really appreciate the reply!I have a 650b Kinesis Tripster AT (the aluminium version, rather than the Ti original) which I use for occasional bimbles around with my 8 year old, as well as for its intended purpose bashing the bridleways of Berkshire. It's in some ways ideal for family rides, as it's simple (1x SRAM hydro) and comfy with 2" Gravelking SK tyres, but it's overkill for the sort of speeds or distances we reach. I never need to take advantage of multiple drop bar riding positions for aerodynamics or arm fatigue, for example!
I also have a rather ancient FS MTB that I use when we're riding around Swinley, and in a lot of ways that's a better bike for the task. Not the suspension, but more the riding position suitable for riding slowly, watching what the kids are doing, and wearing a rucksack full of "child life support" like random extra clothes, haribo, etc - you know the deal :-)
At this time of year you could pick up a really nice hardtail with a 1x XT groupset and carbon frame for a grand or so (a friend paid exactly that for a carbon Cube last summer), which would work well at family ride speeds, and also be able to do things your Orro Terra and conventional road bike can't. In terms of actual gravel riding in the UK, there's a good argument that once you're on something like the Ridgeway, you are better off with a hardtail MTB with front suspension than a rigid gravel bike or cross bike, regardless of tyre size. If you're on surfaces too tame for the MTB, your 35c tyres on the Orro would probably be fine.
I must admit, that does support my thinking anyway. I am not sure a gravel bike would be the right tool for the job, with their strengths being under utilised, and the compromised being exposed.
I must admit, I quite fancy the idea of Titus Fireline Ti from Planet X now I have read about them.....
Slightly above budget but I bought one and cannot praise this enough
Finally a bike I’m actually happy with and ticks everything
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-X-Comp...
Finally a bike I’m actually happy with and ticks everything
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-X-Comp...
I nearly bought an Orro Terra recently but it was the lack of tyre clearance which put me off too. Max 30c is really too narrow for its intended purpose. Shame as I have an Orro Gold as my “best” bike and it felt like it would really have complimented it.
My wife has a Pinnacle Arkose D2. She has 700x37c tyres on it, hydraulic brakes and easy gearing. Perfect as an all rounder for her as she’s not a speed demon. Seems like very good value for money.
My wife has a Pinnacle Arkose D2. She has 700x37c tyres on it, hydraulic brakes and easy gearing. Perfect as an all rounder for her as she’s not a speed demon. Seems like very good value for money.
alolympic said:
Really appreciate the reply!
I must admit, that does support my thinking anyway. I am not sure a gravel bike would be the right tool for the job, with their strengths being under utilised, and the compromised being exposed.
I must admit, I quite fancy the idea of Titus Fireline Ti from Planet X now I have read about them.....
I had a Fireline until recently and couldn’t fault it really, plus it looks a little different to most other MTBs.I must admit, that does support my thinking anyway. I am not sure a gravel bike would be the right tool for the job, with their strengths being under utilised, and the compromised being exposed.
I must admit, I quite fancy the idea of Titus Fireline Ti from Planet X now I have read about them.....
This works for me, good for some light off roading as well .
https://www.gessato.com/10-reasons-cannondale-bad-...
https://www.gessato.com/10-reasons-cannondale-bad-...
To close the loop on this.....
I bought a rigid XC 29er this week.
I decided to go this route for a couple of reasons in the end:
- it is very different to either of my other bikes and I started to feel a drop bar gravel bike was to close to my Terra
- I think the wide bar and more upright position will work better than drop bars for me off road, give me more confidence on the rough stuff
- I managed to find a really lightweight bike that I liked the look of (Intense Hard Eddie) which appeals to the weight weenie in me and is probably lighter than most gravel bikes (19lbs)
- Saw the bike for sale and I was feeling inpulsive!
Thanks for the advice on here. Took it for a quick off road today. Nothing technical at all but ground I wouldn’t have put the Terra on. Felt very nice, good fun.
I bought a rigid XC 29er this week.
I decided to go this route for a couple of reasons in the end:
- it is very different to either of my other bikes and I started to feel a drop bar gravel bike was to close to my Terra
- I think the wide bar and more upright position will work better than drop bars for me off road, give me more confidence on the rough stuff
- I managed to find a really lightweight bike that I liked the look of (Intense Hard Eddie) which appeals to the weight weenie in me and is probably lighter than most gravel bikes (19lbs)
- Saw the bike for sale and I was feeling inpulsive!
Thanks for the advice on here. Took it for a quick off road today. Nothing technical at all but ground I wouldn’t have put the Terra on. Felt very nice, good fun.
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