What's the point of a gravel bike?
Discussion
Genuine question, not being rude or snide... They look to me like a road bike, with slightly bigger tyres, so presumably not much use for anything other than road or literally, gravel paths?
Apart from the odd road bike over the years, I have always ridden an MTB. Even if I'm planning an entire ride on tarmac. It seems to me to be a big expense for bike with very niche use opportunities, especially as I'm not a small, slender individual!
I very rarely plan my rides in enough detail to know all the surfaces I'll be on anyway, so would that render a gravel bike moot for me?
Apart from the odd road bike over the years, I have always ridden an MTB. Even if I'm planning an entire ride on tarmac. It seems to me to be a big expense for bike with very niche use opportunities, especially as I'm not a small, slender individual!
I very rarely plan my rides in enough detail to know all the surfaces I'll be on anyway, so would that render a gravel bike moot for me?
I think they make sense for the niche activity of riding fairly quickly on actual gravel. The whole "gravel scene" being a US invention where they have billions of miles of the stuff to ride on, and of course the bike industry needs to invent something new to sell you.
In the UK, I reckon most of the time they are just a rather compromised mountain bike, given that most of our off road is bridleways and other muddy tracks.
In the UK, I reckon most of the time they are just a rather compromised mountain bike, given that most of our off road is bridleways and other muddy tracks.
I've ridden mine though some serious rock gardens, so while they are not DH or hucking machines, they will be able to cope with what people considered regular xc mountain bike trails in the 90s (before 6" suspension travel was 'normal'). They are very much a compromise, and certainly not as quick as a dedicated road bike, though you can always fit more road-biased rubber to close the gap. I find mine good to go explore local trails, confident it will handle most terrain. It is also comfortable enough for 100km days, which I would have never considered on a MTB. I'm not into biking enough to justify multiple bikes, so I'm happy with an all-rounder.
In the UK at least, most people I know with them use them like an old MTB - for the local rides, linking up bridleways and green lanes and paths through the woods with some roads in between, usually the poorly maintained back lanes that a 23mm tyred speed machine would be no fun on. Most mountain bikes have got so capable that they can be a bit boring on that sort of riding.
Or the last couple of drop-bar bikes I've had (before the "gravel" thing) could take bigger tyres and had disc brakes and more relaxed geometry just for a comfy few hours on those broken back lanes.
Drop-bar bikes exist on a wide spectrum, not everyone is racing or training or touring and the "gravel" niche isn't a bad one if you just like to get out on your bike for a bit.
Or the last couple of drop-bar bikes I've had (before the "gravel" thing) could take bigger tyres and had disc brakes and more relaxed geometry just for a comfy few hours on those broken back lanes.
Drop-bar bikes exist on a wide spectrum, not everyone is racing or training or touring and the "gravel" niche isn't a bad one if you just like to get out on your bike for a bit.
You have to look to where gravel bikes originated: USA.
In the US, gravel is very popular because they have a vast network of unpaved road trails. Not very technical, not your typical MTB country which is usually rockier, steeper: technical.
A 29er MTB on wide non-technical trails is a lot slower than a gravel bike. They’ve basically taken a road bike and put wider wheels on it and then beefed up the frame to handle the off-road stresses. Plus for many added storage fixing points for ‘adventure’ tour riding.
My 29er, gravel bike and road bike are very different and while there is some crossover with each, the terrain each is designed for they excel at.
If you're bombing down a single-track with thick roots, rocks, sharp turns, steep inclines etc a 29er is going to be the tool for the job.
If you're riding down an unpaved dusty gravelly trail, a gravel bike will be ideal.
If you're riding on smooth tarmac, a road bike is the better option.
All can do everything if you really want them to, indeed, you can modify each to adapt better to each situation but ignoring the many hybrids of each, MTB, gravel and road each have their niche that they perform best at.
In the US, gravel is very popular because they have a vast network of unpaved road trails. Not very technical, not your typical MTB country which is usually rockier, steeper: technical.
A 29er MTB on wide non-technical trails is a lot slower than a gravel bike. They’ve basically taken a road bike and put wider wheels on it and then beefed up the frame to handle the off-road stresses. Plus for many added storage fixing points for ‘adventure’ tour riding.
My 29er, gravel bike and road bike are very different and while there is some crossover with each, the terrain each is designed for they excel at.
If you're bombing down a single-track with thick roots, rocks, sharp turns, steep inclines etc a 29er is going to be the tool for the job.
If you're riding down an unpaved dusty gravelly trail, a gravel bike will be ideal.
If you're riding on smooth tarmac, a road bike is the better option.
All can do everything if you really want them to, indeed, you can modify each to adapt better to each situation but ignoring the many hybrids of each, MTB, gravel and road each have their niche that they perform best at.
Edited by PastelNata on Monday 4th September 15:52
My two MTB’s are both set up for technical gravity assisted riding with plush suspension and big knobbly tyres, so my gravel bike is a fantastic antidote to that. I’m also lucky to live in an area surrounded by hills which are not only full of brilliant MTB trails but also miles and miles of forestry access roads and lovely woodsy singletrack, so perfect for longer length gravel bike rides. I did just over 75k yesterday morning and very little of the ride was on tarmac. Great for my general fitness and mental wellbeing.
CheesecakeRunner said:
Whilst I have a gravel bike, and it's my favourite bike to ride, the answer to the OP's question is simple...
They exist to sell more bikes.
Maybe it backfired. Now everyone* has switched to gravel bikes, they are no longer chasing the new new thing to make them 0.0001 sec faster, hence...They exist to sell more bikes.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Since I bought a gravel bike I no longer have uprade-itis, own fewer bikes, and just enjoy riding.
* ok, not everyone
I have a gravel bike becaus it is literally a road bike that can take fatter tyres. This means I can have one bike with 2 wheelsets that I can use all year round for everything from 100 mile+ sportives to fairly intense xc mtb trails.
This leaves my trail mtb for ‘proper’ off roading and my Dutch bike for local stuff.
This leaves my trail mtb for ‘proper’ off roading and my Dutch bike for local stuff.
CheesecakeRunner said:
Whilst I have a gravel bike, and it's my favourite bike to ride, the answer to the OP's question is simple...
They exist to sell more bikes.
They were created in 2012 in response to a wishlist by US off-road gravel racers finding that neither their existing CX or road bikes were ideal and were compromises. They exist to sell more bikes.
A lot of bike tech is as a result of the racing scene wanting an edge.
Ive had a gravel bike for a few years now and its ace
The tipping point for me was tubeless and discs becoming available at a decent price point both of which are essential
Mine has 43mm Gravel King tyres and is surprisingly decent off road at 30psi although its obvs not an MTB
The killer use though, as has been said earlier, is if you can link up various stretches of bridleway and trail (eg old railway lines)
Im in Leeds and with some planning there are a number of 50-80km loops available which enable you to ride for large stretches without traffic 3 or 4 abreast which is just not possible on the road
And who doesnt like exploring new tarmac/trail? Let alone a new bike?
There is also a growing network of longer off road loops opening up
Ive heard very good things of King Alfreds Way and must check out the new Norfolk loop too
Cheers
I’ve got a ‘vintage’ mountain bike at the in-laws place in Germany (an old 90’s Alpinestars Cromega) that I bought in a junk shop and did up.
I got it primarily because in rural Bavaria the villages are connected by miles of gravel and forest track and a road bike wouldn’t cut it. I’ve got what I suppose you would call hybrid tyres on it so it’s relatively good on tarmac too. It has no suspension and a lightweight thin tubed frame so apart from having drops, feels pretty close to my road bike to ride.
It seems like the ideal ‘gravel bike’ apart from looking a bit old hat, and would be my choice for a long tour. What’s better about a proper gravel bike? I totally get the riding position and do feel comfier on my road bike but that aside, just a marketing thing?
I got it primarily because in rural Bavaria the villages are connected by miles of gravel and forest track and a road bike wouldn’t cut it. I’ve got what I suppose you would call hybrid tyres on it so it’s relatively good on tarmac too. It has no suspension and a lightweight thin tubed frame so apart from having drops, feels pretty close to my road bike to ride.
It seems like the ideal ‘gravel bike’ apart from looking a bit old hat, and would be my choice for a long tour. What’s better about a proper gravel bike? I totally get the riding position and do feel comfier on my road bike but that aside, just a marketing thing?
Disastrous said:
I’ve got a ‘vintage’ mountain bike at the in-laws place in Germany (an old 90’s Alpinestars Cromega) that I bought in a junk shop and did up.
I got it primarily because in rural Bavaria the villages are connected by miles of gravel and forest track and a road bike wouldn’t cut it. I’ve got what I suppose you would call hybrid tyres on it so it’s relatively good on tarmac too. It has no suspension and a lightweight thin tubed frame so apart from having drops, feels pretty close to my road bike to ride.
It seems like the ideal ‘gravel bike’ apart from looking a bit old hat, and would be my choice for a long tour. What’s better about a proper gravel bike? I totally get the riding position and do feel comfier on my road bike but that aside, just a marketing thing?
Your bike is a mountain bike albeit an early design so yes it is what would nowadays be a hybrid between modern MTB’s and gravel. I got it primarily because in rural Bavaria the villages are connected by miles of gravel and forest track and a road bike wouldn’t cut it. I’ve got what I suppose you would call hybrid tyres on it so it’s relatively good on tarmac too. It has no suspension and a lightweight thin tubed frame so apart from having drops, feels pretty close to my road bike to ride.
It seems like the ideal ‘gravel bike’ apart from looking a bit old hat, and would be my choice for a long tour. What’s better about a proper gravel bike? I totally get the riding position and do feel comfier on my road bike but that aside, just a marketing thing?
The geometry is different. A gravel bike uses an endurance road bike design. Yours has flat bars, a gravel bike has drop bars. Yours is steel, gravel bikes are typically carbon. Their wheels are tubeless compatible and carbon and a lot stronger. Weight: gravel bikes are a lot lighter than your old bike.
Your gearing is not the same, it is outdated, superseded. Gravel bikes do have MTB gearing though so similar but obviously current tech which is often electronic now. Disc brakes.
Basically, you have an old mountain bike that is perfectly fine for gravel, mountain biking and riding on the road. Why? Because has two wheels and all-road tyres.
Just marketing? No, if you do a lot of cycling and spend some time with a modern MTB and a modern gravel bike you’d tell the difference and it is huge.
PastelNata said:
Disastrous said:
I’ve got a ‘vintage’ mountain bike at the in-laws place in Germany (an old 90’s Alpinestars Cromega) that I bought in a junk shop and did up.
I got it primarily because in rural Bavaria the villages are connected by miles of gravel and forest track and a road bike wouldn’t cut it. I’ve got what I suppose you would call hybrid tyres on it so it’s relatively good on tarmac too. It has no suspension and a lightweight thin tubed frame so apart from having drops, feels pretty close to my road bike to ride.
It seems like the ideal ‘gravel bike’ apart from looking a bit old hat, and would be my choice for a long tour. What’s better about a proper gravel bike? I totally get the riding position and do feel comfier on my road bike but that aside, just a marketing thing?
Your bike is a mountain bike albeit an early design so yes it is what would nowadays be a hybrid between modern MTB’s and gravel. I got it primarily because in rural Bavaria the villages are connected by miles of gravel and forest track and a road bike wouldn’t cut it. I’ve got what I suppose you would call hybrid tyres on it so it’s relatively good on tarmac too. It has no suspension and a lightweight thin tubed frame so apart from having drops, feels pretty close to my road bike to ride.
It seems like the ideal ‘gravel bike’ apart from looking a bit old hat, and would be my choice for a long tour. What’s better about a proper gravel bike? I totally get the riding position and do feel comfier on my road bike but that aside, just a marketing thing?
The geometry is different. A gravel bike uses an endurance road bike design. Yours has flat bars, a gravel bike has drop bars. Yours is steel, gravel bikes are typically carbon. Their wheels are tubeless compatible and carbon and a lot stronger. Weight: gravel bikes are a lot lighter than your old bike.
Your gearing is not the same, it is outdated, superseded. Gravel bikes do have MTB gearing though so similar but obviously current tech which is often electronic now. Disc brakes.
Basically, you have an old mountain bike that is perfectly fine for gravel, mountain biking and riding on the road. Why? Because has two wheels and all-road tyres.
Just marketing? No, if you do a lot of cycling and spend some time with a modern MTB and a modern gravel bike you’d tell the difference and it is huge.
I have a modern MTB at home. It’s rubbish for anything but mountain biking as the gearing is so daft that on tarmac you are spinning out constantly. It also weighs a ton so not fun on a climb.
My road bike (aluminium/carbon forks) is obviously nice on a road but pointless off-road.
My old MTB in Germany gives me an average speed on road that’s only about 3km/h slower than my road bike. The gearing might be old but I disagree it’s superseded. A ratio is just a ratio after all and I’m not interested in electronic shifting.
Disc brakes is fine I guess, but doesn’t seem worth the upgrade just for those and geometry.
Disastrous said:
I’m not convinced tbh.
I have a modern MTB at home. It’s rubbish for anything but mountain biking as the gearing is so daft that on tarmac you are spinning out constantly. It also weighs a ton so not fun on a climb.
My road bike (aluminium/carbon forks) is obviously nice on a road but pointless off-road.
My old MTB in Germany gives me an average speed on road that’s only about 3km/h slower than my road bike. The gearing might be old but I disagree it’s superseded. A ratio is just a ratio after all and I’m not interested in electronic shifting.
Disc brakes is fine I guess, but doesn’t seem worth the upgrade just for those and geometry.
If what you have satisfies your needs then be happy with that - no point in changing something that works for you. I have a modern MTB at home. It’s rubbish for anything but mountain biking as the gearing is so daft that on tarmac you are spinning out constantly. It also weighs a ton so not fun on a climb.
My road bike (aluminium/carbon forks) is obviously nice on a road but pointless off-road.
My old MTB in Germany gives me an average speed on road that’s only about 3km/h slower than my road bike. The gearing might be old but I disagree it’s superseded. A ratio is just a ratio after all and I’m not interested in electronic shifting.
Disc brakes is fine I guess, but doesn’t seem worth the upgrade just for those and geometry.
However, take your old MTB and do a 100 mile gravel ride on it. Then do a 100 mile gravel ride on a new gravel bike and report back what you feel about each then.
It's only when you have lived with both properly can you form an opinion from experience.
I think people come to gravel bikes from either wanting a road bike that can go on fire trails or an mtb that can be used for longer distances. I bought one for the former - something I can use to keep up with roadies for 80-100km but also use on firetrails or for exploring.
Mine is heavily compromised with heavy, bomb-proof wheels and 38c tyres, and goes against the current gravel bike trend of having almost mtb gearing in that it has 2x11 105 with 11-34T cassette and 50/34 chainrings - speed matters!
It’s also surprisingly capable off road - strong and nimble, it was a novelty back in 2015 to find a bike with endurance road geometry but with thru axles and hydraulic disc brakes.
I’m looking to get a replacement just cos it’s been mercilessly hammered on and off road and at some point the carbon will fail - but the industry has decided it wants gravel bikes to be more like mtbs as most now have 1x gearing and 40-45c tyres.
It really is a do-most-of-it sort of bike, so I’m kinda glad I got it.
Mine is heavily compromised with heavy, bomb-proof wheels and 38c tyres, and goes against the current gravel bike trend of having almost mtb gearing in that it has 2x11 105 with 11-34T cassette and 50/34 chainrings - speed matters!
It’s also surprisingly capable off road - strong and nimble, it was a novelty back in 2015 to find a bike with endurance road geometry but with thru axles and hydraulic disc brakes.
I’m looking to get a replacement just cos it’s been mercilessly hammered on and off road and at some point the carbon will fail - but the industry has decided it wants gravel bikes to be more like mtbs as most now have 1x gearing and 40-45c tyres.
It really is a do-most-of-it sort of bike, so I’m kinda glad I got it.
PastelNata said:
You have to look to where gravel bikes originated: USA.
In the US, gravel is very popular because they have a vast network of unpaved road trails. Not very technical, not your typical MTB country which is usually rockier, steeper: technical.
A 29er MTB on wide non-technical trails is a lot slower than a gravel bike. They’ve basically taken a road bike and put wider wheels on it and then beefed up the frame to handle the off-road stresses. Plus for many added storage fixing points for ‘adventure’ tour riding.
My 29er, gravel bike and road bike are very different and while there is some crossover with each, the terrain each is designed for they excel at.
If you're bombing down a single-track with thick roots, rocks, sharp turns, steep inclines etc a 29er is going to be the tool for the job.
If you're riding down an unpaved dusty gravelly trail, a gravel bike will be ideal.
If you're riding on smooth tarmac, a road bike is the better option.
All can do everything if you really want them to, indeed, you can modify each to adapt better to each situation but ignoring the many hybrids of each, MTB, gravel and road each have their niche that they perform best at.
Agree - really depends on your local trails. Also if you think motorists treat cyclists badly in UK then US is on a different level - Gravel is a survival strategy.In the US, gravel is very popular because they have a vast network of unpaved road trails. Not very technical, not your typical MTB country which is usually rockier, steeper: technical.
A 29er MTB on wide non-technical trails is a lot slower than a gravel bike. They’ve basically taken a road bike and put wider wheels on it and then beefed up the frame to handle the off-road stresses. Plus for many added storage fixing points for ‘adventure’ tour riding.
My 29er, gravel bike and road bike are very different and while there is some crossover with each, the terrain each is designed for they excel at.
If you're bombing down a single-track with thick roots, rocks, sharp turns, steep inclines etc a 29er is going to be the tool for the job.
If you're riding down an unpaved dusty gravelly trail, a gravel bike will be ideal.
If you're riding on smooth tarmac, a road bike is the better option.
All can do everything if you really want them to, indeed, you can modify each to adapt better to each situation but ignoring the many hybrids of each, MTB, gravel and road each have their niche that they perform best at.
Edited by PastelNata on Monday 4th September 15:52
I have a Focus Paralane (Endurance, will do for cross and light gravel) and a Santa Cruz Tallboy to cover my bases. I figured that by dropping some 650b wheels into the Paralane, I'd have a gravel bike I could use for longer less technical off road rides in the Pennines between Holmfirth and Skipton. Tyre clearance would be about 40mm.
I know there are whippets that can do the 3 peaks and Mary Townley on a 'cross bike, but but for me, being the wrong side of 50 and 80kg, a long ride involves some ride to the ride 'commuting' on roads and tow paths, quite a bit that I could handle on a gravel bike but a significant portion of steep, technical terrain beyond my ability to pilot a bike with no suspension and road biased geometry.
If I was close to loads of forest fire roads or Kielder it would be different
So the n+1 solution for me is a Specialized Epic Hardtail (with SID SLs) which is comfortable and quick on easy trails and managable in all but the most challenging terrain.
Bought my Giant Revolt gravel bike in July 21. Done almost 7500 miles on it.
The main attraction for me aside from versatility is comfort. For a heavier 50+ rider with arthritis & back issues it’s brilliant.
I had a brief dalliance with a modern road bike & post ride I’d feel like I’d been playing Rugby.
Since having the gravel bike, I’ve barely used my MTB. The gravel copes easily enough when I go on rough rocks / gravel or mud.
In short, I love the concept & the execution on my Giant.
The main attraction for me aside from versatility is comfort. For a heavier 50+ rider with arthritis & back issues it’s brilliant.
I had a brief dalliance with a modern road bike & post ride I’d feel like I’d been playing Rugby.
Since having the gravel bike, I’ve barely used my MTB. The gravel copes easily enough when I go on rough rocks / gravel or mud.
In short, I love the concept & the execution on my Giant.
Wife has one with 1x setup, panniers, flat pedals, slick tubeless centre tyres. Makes a lot of sense as a city commuter bike as it's comfortable and fast and can handle rough roads and can also be used for countryside rides on the weekend, could handle a bit of easy single-track too.
It's a great one bike.
It's a great one bike.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff