There is nothing new about gravel riding. It's hard to define what it is. But it certainly predates mountain biking. I did it on an old road bike on the 90s. The rough stuff fellowship were doing out before MTB
But gravel bikes do it better than the touring bikes of old. Disc brakes are good for stopping etc.
My gravel bike does the same rides, at the same speed, as an old 90s MTB. But my old mtb was wearing out....
Some people see gravel bikes as specialist. They'll have a road bike and hard tail. The gravel bikes sits in between.
For some a gravel bike is a generalist. It's their road bike as well as an off road bike
They’re bikes for roadies who’ve now admitted that their local trails are crap and they don’t want to drive an hour to get to any good stuff.
And they’re not CX bikes. CX bikes have 33mm tyres, steep geometry, stuff frames and no mounts. Gravel bikes are much more relaxed.
TiRed
...Roadies were riding Dawes Galaxy’s off road before the mtb crowd were born.
And before Galaxys they were riding 1950s Dawes Windrushs* off road, and some still are...
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*it had slight frame mods to make it attractive to the RSF crowd, eg pump pegs moved from under top tube so it could be shouldered. Takes tyres up to 42mm.
Ha, after writing the thread off as pointless troll, it's become one of the more reasonable threads on gravel riding! Kudos OP 😉
It's a combination of convenience and exploration for me, I fell out of love with MTB as I got fed up of riding in the same very small areas and exploring larger areas (e.g. bikepacking) was too committing and time consuming.
Road cycling let me explore huge areas, and wee minor B roads and hidden climbs became the new 'cheeky trails'. Gravel cycling is an extension of this, all those remote glens that were too boring for MTB, too long to hike, and too rough for the road bike are now accessible.
And they’re not CX bikes. CX bikes have 33mm tyres, steep geometry, stuff frames and no mounts. Gravel bikes are much more relaxed.
That is not really the case. Compare say a Giant TCX and a Giant Revolt and you will see 0.5 degrees difference with exactly the same reach, same fork rake, 5mm difference in chainstay length. The main difference with CX bikes is the BB drop is closer to a track frame than a road frame so you are 10mm or so higher off the ground and the stack is a bit less because of that.
A lot of CX bikes can also fit much bigger than 33c tyres too.
Am hoping that 10mm BB height difference isn't too noticeable, building up a CX frame as gravel bike as we speak...
Am hoping that 10mm BB height difference isn’t too noticeable, building up a CX frame as gravel bike as we speak…
Marginal at best, and it depends on the CX bike. It used to be the case that european frames had higher BB's and sharper geometry because in general the courses in america tended to be more like an off road crit race (not much of america get's something like a muddy north west European winter).
Simply put they are for commuting to work on
Fast like a road bike but with the 3 best bits about mountain bikes thrown in (disk brakes, 1x11 and chunky tubeless tyres)....which makes them infinitely more practical and enjoyable to ride than a racing bike.
They make very good back road winter bikes too
disk brakes, 1×11 and chunky tubeless tyres
Mine has rim brakes, 2x11 and inner tubes, oops! 😀
Mine too! But it is shiny with on-trend 1x(gasp)9
A lot of CX bikes can also fit much bigger than 33c tyres too.
The 33 mm is just the UCI tech regs for racing. I’d wager that most modern cross bikes will take wider, I know mine does. As I said gravel bikes are cross bikes for the mtb crowd.
To answer the original question, because choice is a good thing. I had one for a bit (NS Rag+) and it was a nice bike. I only got rid because I’m a serial swapper and also tried to ride it like a HT which wasn’t good for me or the bike.
I’ve now got the ultimate compromise bike in the form of a Stooge Speedball. Happily bimbles along on roads and towpaths and is also pretty capable on proper off road rides.
Quick little hijack - What are folks thoughts on the Cotic Roadrat? I've seen one for sale and am considering.... 🐁
Man goes into his bike cave, rolls out his 1953 Jack Taylor 'Rough Stuff'and goes Gravel riding.
Nothing new here.
Quick little hijack – What are folks thoughts on the Cotic Roadrat?
@kayak23 I wasn’t a fan, but not sure why. Not very helpful I know. Just felt a bit bone rattling and dead to me. Could’ve been the Alfine it was running though to be honest.
They make very good back road winter bikes too
Pretty much what I use mine for (Spesh Diverge).
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49176646888_aec0e32430_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49176646888_aec0e32430_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2hVzaQd ]2019 Specialized Diverge Sport[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
Nothing new here.
What, people rode bikes before tarmac arrived?????????
There is nothing new about gravel riding. It’s hard to define what it is.
It's the reclaiming of the sort of riding we did on MTBs/ATBs in the early 90's, which has been relegated to Beazer Homes League status by the shift towards longer travel suspension and 'hooligan hardtails'. Both are good, bikes are cool. We don't have to fit with consensus. It's like when the new SS became urban fixie. Maybe. I've had beers. Goodnight.
And they’re not CX bikes. CX bikes have 33mm tyres, steep geometry, stuff frames and no mounts. Gravel bikes are much more relaxed.
That is not really the case. Compare say a Giant TCX and a Giant Revolt and you will see 0.5 degrees difference with exactly the same reach, same fork rake, 5mm difference in chainstay length. The main difference with CX bikes is the BB drop is closer to a track frame than a road frame so you are 10mm or so higher off the ground and the stack is a bit less because of that.
Don't be fooled by the pictures. Take a look at the actual geometry numbers of Caadx and Topstone
Head angle 71 on both
Seat angle 74 caadx, 73.1 topstone
fork rake 55 on both
BB drop 75 topstone, 69 caadx
Chainstay 430 topstone 422 caadx
Really not much in it at all. Probably more clearance on the topstone so longer chainstay and more room under fork bridge so more stack added to with longer headtube length on topstone
Haters gonna hate...
I don't need or want a gravel bike and I'll probably never race CX, but I can see why it might be helpful to let 'CX' bikes be a pure breed and not be diluted with various features to make them attractive to C2W commuters, bike packers and the rest. I've ridden some big trips on my CX with other riders on 'gravel' bikes and there are differences that show as the miles stack up. Just like someone who only rode road might roll their eyes at someone insisting a 'trail' and 'enduro' or 'AM' MTB were significantly different from each other than they deserved their own categories, 'gravel/adventure/life' is a useful distinction. There's probably a lot less merit in distinguishing 'gravel' from 'adventure' or 'life' though.
As many others have suggested, they're all bikes. If you don't want one, don't buy one but don't get too hung up on whether it's being called 'gravel', 'adventure', 'life' or whatever. Do probably pay attention to UCI rules if considering a CX for long rides though as the need to meet those regulations means that all of the above are going to be a lot more flexible in terms of what you can comfortably do apart from belt around a short course lots of time in an hour. I love my CX for its rocketship behaviour but it isn't without flaws a few days in.
Do probably pay attention to UCI rules if considering a CX for long rides though as the need to meet those regulations
??? The only regulation is the tyre width and since the move to discs pretty much every CX can take much bigger tyres than the UCI limit.
Agree with your sentiment though in that CX bikes should be kept as a different bike but was just pointing out that the geometry is not really noticeably different between a lot of models.
Don’t be fooled by the pictures. Take a look at the actual geometry numbers of Caadx and Topstone
Head angle 71 on both
Seat angle 74 caadx, 73.1 topstone
fork rake 55 on both
BB drop 75 topstone, 69 caadx
Chainstay 430 topstone 422 caadxReally not much in it at all. Probably more clearance on the topstone so longer chainstay and more room under fork bridge so more stack added to with longer headtube length on topstone
So actually completely different apart from head angle and rake on an example of two bikes by the same manufacturer
Proved then , every gravel bike is basically a CX bike in disguise 🙄
Even Rapha is going after the Gravel/Adventure market
Even Rapha is going after the Gravel/Adventure market
Yeah, they get it. Just look at the EF alternative calendar. Gravel/adventure cycling is the biggest buzz in cycling right now and is gaining lots of momentum and for good reason.
My gravel bike is a PX London road. I bought it a few years ago to replace a road bike because I was bored riding the same roads to work.
It's great for loads of riding with a quick change of tyres.
35mm schwalbe G ones for commuting on mucky canal tow path/bridalways.
28mm slicks for 100 mile road rides and triathlons!
I still use my 29er mtb for mtbing though, even local stuff its just better at it and a new road bike means it's just my commuter now though. Which it is perfect for.
So actually completely different apart from head angle and rake on an example of two bikes by the same manufacturer
I don't think a few mm's makes it "completely different" and if the head angle and fork rake are exactly the same how different to you think the bike will be to ride?
Proved then , every gravel bike is basically a CX bike in disguise
I haven't said that. I am just pointing out that most of them are really not that different in regards to geometry and was just correcting a comment made that stated CX bikes are compltely different from gravel bikes. They may be different in things like amount of bosses and they are different bikes for different use but geometry is very similar.
I think it is good to have as many different options as possible. My choice of bike for gravel roads is much closer to a CX bike than a relaxed tourer type bike but having the different bikes available to buy and ride is great.
I don’t think a few mm’s makes it “completely different”
you'll never get a marketing job in the bike industry 🙂
you’ll never get a marketing job in the bike industry
Dead right. Probably wouldn't get one as a bike reviewer either as I wouldn't be able to see the light as strongly as they do.
robertpb
Man goes into his bike cave, rolls out his 1953 Jack Taylor ‘Rough Stuff’and goes Gravel riding.
@robertpb can you post up a pic? I've a mate with a few Jack Taylors who'd love to see that.
I just use one bike for everything (Stumpjumper FSR Comp 2017 150mm travel front and 130mm rear)
Deffo overkill for most stuff though, and underkill on uplift holidays. But can't be bothered with the hassle of having lots of different bikes.
But can’t be bothered with the hassle of having lots of different bikes.
You don't belong here.
Because roads are often rough and potholed, and some of us are too old to be comfortable in an aero-tuck. It's a bit like choosing to drive an SUV, but without the downside of becoming a planet-hating, road hogging, numpty,
Good point, I suppose they are Sports Utility Bikes and do compare with SUVs.
SUV bikes, bravo! 😊
Given the state of the roads around here, they make much more sense than a pure road bike. Mind you the way the roads are declining a full susser might be more appropriate in the long run.
original post bet was for 3 pages
What did you win, troll of the month?
Dear Kerley, how many hours do you spend scouring this forum, pity you've nothing better to do. 😢
Lol, from the person who spends his time trolling bike forums about niche subsections of it.
You must be a riot at parties.
Hi Tom, I barely contribute to this forum and it's the only forum I'm on, post was inspired by similar Brompton post further down and just a bit of fun, didn't name call or insult anyone really did I, anyway party tonight and Christmas do next week, how you spending your Friday night. Bet you've been on here all day.
I fell for it, but LOL.
Can I have a share of the winnings?
Bet you’ve been on here all day.
How much would you like to bet?
You can keep your benefits Tom, I've just checked your posts, all day all night, get some sleep and get a job.
Ha ha BURN, you just got skooled son.
