I was wondering... I have an excellent winter race bike (Enigma Etape Disc) and a Orange Clockwork Evo as my mtb. I was thinking there must be a mtb that is a bit like a gravel bike, and as useful to explore towns and parks etc? My winter bike or my mtb is not this.
I was thinking a rigid mtb running 29's with slim'ish tyres and drops. I guess a cheap gravel bike will do it, but are these different or the same bike. Hope this makes sense....
In the spirit of "recommend what you've got", have you considered a Salsa Fargo? Essentially a drop-barred mtb, and very versatile if you're contemplating guards and racks.
I think it’s just tyre size
I’d say up to 50mm tyres it’s a gravel bike
Bigger tyres it’s a monster cross or drop bar MTB
My hunch is that yiu want a gravel bike with 45mm to 50mm tyres
IMHO 2.3 inch tyres is to close to your hardtail
But there isn’t a definitive answer it’s just where you make the compromise
I have a Jones that is a brilliant bike for exploring, long distance rides or short ones and always manages to be a lot of fun - it's not long or slack but has a really capable, agile geometry that handles getting a bit silly at times. It's also not to all tastes or cheap but SH ones come up, or there's the Stooge bikes that have a different layout but a similar attitude.
I think the key thing is getting the right bar shape (prob not drops, possibly something with a bit of sweep) and a rigid bike with a riding position that's more 4X hardtail than XC race.
My hunch is that yiu want a gravel bike with 45mm to 50mm tyres
You know you want to....
I bought Boardman HYB 8.9 for town use but it's quick it kept up with club road ride last Saturday, whilst my carbon roadie was nursing a puncture.
Get a lightweight cross bike with 40mm tyres and get out there and have fun.
Your mountain bikes will feel very slow after experiencing a good crosser, even an xc bike with racy tyres.
Again, in the STW tradition of recommend what you've got. Cotic Cascade.
Probably something like the Sonder Camino would be good also.
Would just echo what jameso says
I’ve always enjoyed a rigid mountain bike with bars that allow different hand positions and possibly more sweep.
I have a gravel bike and a stooge but if I was taking one out for what you suggest I’d probably go for the stooge.
Don't confuse a 'cross type' bike like a Croix de fér and a proper 'racey cross' bike (before the cross pendants mention that true cross bikes don't have bottle mounts, some newer ones do).
I had the former and it was good for commuting and light touring but rode like a tank off road. My sub 9kg Trek Crockett is hilarious on easier Singletrack trails, especially this time of the year with the onset of autumn muddy lovelyness.
Actually any of the bikes from the pub-bike thread would be good.
Genesis Vagabond or an old Singular Swift? Was sat looking at my Singular Rooster today and was thinking of doing the same.
thank you, some great ideas to go looking at
I love my Alice.
On One Whippet, if they still exist and haven't been replaced.
IME nothing explores like a fatbike. Goes places normal bikes can't, makes fun out of boring bits, gets laughs, and while it can't do everything a real bike can, it doesn't run out of capability til I'm well past "explore"
salsa vaya may be worth a look or one of the drop bar/touring mountain bikes like the fargo, or genesis vagabond or the we new one from cotic.