I too have thinned out my collection over the years. I only have one bike now. It is ultimately really versatile with six wheel sets, four frames, eight saddles, four handlebars and a few different cassettes
That was me trying to explain to my wife how the gravel bike I just bought is different from my cross bike even though, to her, they look just alike. LOL!
I have the minimum number of bikes humanly possible: - first road bike (outdoor) - second road bike (trainer only) - triathlon bike - gravel bike - fat bike for snow (with +tire for summer)
I'm looking into the same thing. I mainly ride MTB but a 32lb full sus trail bike, while comfortable, is kinda slow on road haha. Been looking at selling off my hardtail and getting a gravel bike instead for N+1 for road, off-season and for my Zwift bike.
marco jardim I’m planning to do the same. Are you swapping the chain as well? Curious to know what wheels, tyres, cassettes you’re running for each scenario.
Did this a year ago as my first drop bar and have been super happy. Stock Giant branded wheels with 40c gravel tires the Revolt came with and 28c Conti GP5000 on Fulcrum DB4’s. Both set up tubeless. 32/48 sub compact on the front, 11/34 on the road wheels. Sunrace 11/40 on the gravel wheels. Same chain but some tweaking (and adjusting the B screw) of the rear mech. Shifting isn’t crisp on the big cassette but it works with no extenders.
Running my Orro Terra C with the stock 700c wheels with 32mm road tyres and 11/30 cassette. And have a pair of Fulcrum Rapid Red gravel wheels with WTB Nano 40mm tyres and an 11/32 cassette. I’ve changed the stock road bars for a pair of Richey Venture Max flared bars for more control and comfort off road, but not too wide for road rides.
When I was looking to upgrade from an old steel frame 26" mtb I decided to go with a gravel bike. I had never rode a drop bar bike before and was worried it would be uncomfortable but after plenty of research and asking around I'm very happy. I can do road stuff, trail stuff and I bikepack with it. Fits my riding perfectly
My gravel bike gets more use than my road bike. Can ride the obvious country roads, tame trails, and city riding where there’s curbs to be hopped and pot holes. When the weather gets bad the fenders keep me and the bike clean. Tire choice and wheel options are important
If I were confined to one bike it would be a Gravel bike. I remember the freedom I felt on my first grownup bike, an English bike, three speeds 😁. From that moment on my riding has been about going exploring, seeing places missed by people to busy to slow down. I want to go fast and far and not be confined to tarmac, if a dirt road looks interesting I want to take it.
100% agree with this! What I would say though is as long as you have some wheel clearance and disc brakes even an endurance road bike can go off road. I've done loads on 28mm tires.
I have yet to try a gravel bike, but I'm looking for something like my old Bob Jackson touring bike but with better brakes and some off-road capabilities, and it seems to be it by what I'm hearing.
Like all bike purchases, the best bike for you depends on your use cases. I certainly got caught up in the allure of gravel bikes...then I focused on my use cases and decided a gravel bike wasn't the best for me. My local area has roads, bike trails, and gravel/rocky trails with steep inclines. My riding would be 90/10 road/off-road and fairly long rides. I do not race and do not tour. Given these reasons, I went with an endurance bike as it's better for my riding than a gravel bike. For me, a gravel bike would be like having a swiss army knife in my kitchen: it gives me the option to do so much, but I really only need it to do one thing and it's not great for that purpose. Remember, effective, clever marketing is about creating new needs and selling solutions for them. People in the not-so-distant past lived just fine without many of the "indispensable" things we "need" today. I'm not saying people don't need gravel bikes, but don't be sheep either, people! Know thyself, then decide.
darthjohn0 My riding is also 90road 10offroad, and i also planing to do some touring few weeks in future, so do u thing gravel is good for that or i should focus on something else? Currently I using mtb bike and I never tried anything else, so thats why I asking.
darthjohn0 the line between endurance road bikes and gravel bikes is getting blurry. Trek Domane is better at being a gravel bike than Trek Checkpoint in many use cases, gravel bikes like 3T Exploro or Cervelo Aspero turn into amazing road bikes just when you swap the tires to 25-28c, better than many actual road bikes. The naming isn’t important. My use case is very similar to yours and I recently got a gravel bike and I don’t even ride much gravel. I run it with 38c slick tires and find to be as capable on road as my old road bike and yet it just gives me this great freedom of choosing any path I want when I feel like doing so.
SVoJtA ; gravel bikes can be anything between “almost a road bike” and “almost a MTB”. There are quite a few gravel bikes built for touring (which basically just means more relaxed geometry and more mounts for stuff) and also some classic touring bikes can now be lumped under gravel bike name. The short answer is: it all depends. MTBs (but mostly the hardtail variety) also make great touring bikes if you wish to tour more off-road. And if you want to go on road more, just consider a less knobby tire set and most likely you’ll be good to go. If you want to go fast and pack light while touring then a gravel bike or an endurance road bike should indeed be better.
Yeah, for my use, an endurance makes the most sense, as well. On all the surfaces I go on, I'd take the efficiency, posture, and lighter weight of an endurance bike over a gravel bike. If I moved somewhere else, that may very well change. For now, I'll take the more sporty feel of an endurance bike over the ultimate versatility of a gravel bike that will rarely be used to its full potential.
I still nedd 3 bikes. I use it everyday to go to the grocery store, to my job, everywhere. Sometimes I like to take a shortcut, so I ride my MTB. Sometimes I want to go as fast as I can, so I ride my road bike and sometimes I just want to go smoothier, so I ride my comfortable (but heavy) city bike. Thinking better now, I'll buy a gravel bike to add to my options. Maybe one day I would like to go as fast as I can, taking a shortcut with comfort. That's it, I made my mind. Thanks!!
On the flip side, the only 'road' bike I've ever had and ridden is a Cannondale Slate with the Lefty Oliver. I'm just curious to see how much faster an actual road bike is compared to my bike. I think deep down it's a subconscious excuse to justify how hard it is to ride 20+mph solo.
Everything is in slow motion when riding a full suspension on the street :D real life experience after 15 years on a road bike and just took on mt biking.........
1. HT MTB's when ridden for fun, are more versatile. 2. There are more types of 26er tires. They are not all good, but there are bad tires in every size. 3. A 3X will give you more gearing choices you could want/need. 4. Any bikes geometry can be tuned for "Flavor of the Month" by changing components. 5. All bikes are fun.
I agree with you. the key word here is 3X. This is the reason why Mtb's today are not fast. I have a 29" XC bike and with the right tires it is almost every bit as fast as my Cannondale racing bike. It takes more watts to maintain speed and go fast BUT fact of the matter is that I have no problems keeping up with most carbon fiber racers out there and I still have a bike that I can throw around on the trails in the weekend. Decent fast and climb anything is what a 3X system allows for. Call me old-school but its more pure and more challenging in my view.
Totally agree - in fact I've had a 'gravel bike' for years before such a thing existed. Its a rigid 26in wheel steel MTB with flat bars and most importantly a road triple chainset. Doesn't quite match road bike speeds but eats up the miles at a quick pace. It just wasn't ever cool....
A 3x? I fuse if your going to ride road all day but even gravel bikes use mtb 10x50/51 Gear ranges, huge range and a beter chain line and tension, but most of all the chain doesn’t just decide to fall of anymore. And if you really want to, there’s the shimano deore, slx, xt, and even xtr if you have too much money, they are all modern mtb drivetrains that still use a 2x but now it’s a way larger 2x12. Better then the old 3x in my opinion
MTBs do come with 3x and 2x setups also. The gearing ratios are more than adequate for most uphills. MTBs do take different types of tires; knobbly, grooved etc. also the tire sizes need not be on the plus side. Riding position is all about getting used to it. Road bikers find that crouched position comfortable, many MTB riders find the flat bar comfortable. So I guess its all about getting used to it. The sturdy feel of an MTB gives you more comfort when riding over potholes. Cycling is not always about racing....for me its more about enjoying the ride....
I started using a 'gravel' bike for all touring when I did a 6 month tour in Australia and knew a lot of good roads to ride were going to be gravel. Glad I did. A gravel bike is a more comfortable ride on pavement and it allows you to safely move off onto a gravel shoulder to get out of the way of traffic when necessary which is important here in the U.S. where there are so many cars and trucks on the road today (not that much of a problem 45 years ago when I first bike toured). It is never a good idea to assert you right of way privilege on a bicycle to aggressively against vehicles, you'll always lose!
I live in New England where the vast majority of mtb trails are littered with rocks, roots, and intricate singletrack through endless trees. A gravel bike is brutal on such terrain (or you just walk). However, the US infrastructure is in such bad shape, gravel bikes are slowly becoming a necessity on all the crumbling, beaten up paved roads here.
LOL! That's exactly my experience, too. On my road bikes, I have to choose my routes very carefully. But my CX bike is totally OK with whatever apocalyptic, third-world-style surfaces of Mars the authorities in the U.S. want to refer to as "roads" these days.
This is what is making me think of getting a gravel bike. I'm already overweight, which makes this worse, but there are *paved* parts of my neighborhood I have to avoid because they're in such poor condition. They just beat the hell of out of me when I'm riding my road bike on them. There are also some dirt trail sections I try to avoid if I'm on my road bike. A gravel bike might be a better option for me than a road bike. Then again, I already have a hybrid that I rarely use. I wonder how much different a gravel bike would be. The handlebars would obviously be different, but other than that, I wonder what the overall difference in riding experience would be.
@@jneiberger I think a lot of whether you ride a bike or leave it in your garage has to do with the quality of the bike. A good quality bike is always a pleasure to ride, regardless of what type it is. I have a Trek Crockett 9 CX bike in addition to various road bikes. Although the Crockett isn't as fast on the road as my road bikes, that almost doesn't matter, because the Crockett is so well made it's a joy to ride both on and off the road. (Also, I've rigged it with a pannier rack, so I can use to to go grocery shopping.) I think if you buy a gravel bike at the same level of quality as your road bikes, you'll find that you'll use it any time you're planning to be out on rough surfaces. You could also look into a CX bike if you think you might like to start going completely off road and doing some less technical MTB riding such as you might find on walking trails in a park. It's a ton of fun to be able to just turn the handlebars and leave the pavement behind at will.
This is way I’m having such a hard time giving up my hard tail mountain bike. I would like to sit up a bit most straight but riding in New England on something without front suspension 😬
@@jneiberger I got a gravel bike last year - was looking to replace my 28-year old road bike. I wanted something faster than my hybrid - my gravel bike is much faster than my hybrid and I really like having slightly wider / more forgiving tires. As I age I feel like gravel bike might be my sweet spot! I can't keep up with faster people even if I have a super lightweight carbon fiber -- so might as well be comfortable!?
I’ve loved my gravel bike so far. Haven’t touched my mountain bike once this season. Makes easy singletrack fun again, it’s lighter, and faster. I think the only thing I’d change is the crankset, the road compact is a bit on the top end side for me.
Love my Giant Revolt and how versatile it is. I have two wheel sets - one with 40 tubeless gravel tires for the tougher stuff and one with 32 slicks for road riding. It’s perfect.
@@9thwave9th I got the stock set of Bontrager wheels that comes on a Trek Domane of a similar price as my Revolt Advanced 2...I think they were around $200 for the set. I definitely went cheap, but stock wheels are good enough for me.
Yes, I had this idea of a do-it-all bike 25 years ago, starting from a cyclocross frame, before gravel was a thing. It ended I bought a road bike after few years, and the cyclocross now is in the basement.
The first bike I ever bought was a flat bar gravel bike, with a 1 by 9 gearing. Before I bought it I didn’t know how to shift or hold a drop bar. They are so much fun to take onto gravel roads. I’d recommend them as a first bike since they’re so versatile and you can find a decent one for cheap.
@@hoobs4140 Haha, to be fair I mostly was saying that in jest. Firstly, I would consider the clearance that the bike you're considering has. Having wider wheels makes more a more comfortable ride, especially when off-road. The difference in comfort between 28mm wheels and 32mm wheels is notable, even if it makes you notionally slower. (A road bike can be adapted to better suit off-road conditions.) I'd also consider what your main aim for the bike is: if you're really gung-ho about doing off-road cycling, then a road bike is probably not the right choice; however if you're mostly going to be cycling on the road or paved bridleways then I'd still go for a road bike.
@@wsmu Great advice. Makes me feel better about the road bike I've just bought. Was starting to regret the purchase over a gravel bike (I hadn't considered one beforehand but I've always been a roadie) but I live in London where roads are prominent so perhaps this is a better deal for me.
@@IshmaelSimpson No worries - it's easy to succumb to buyer's remorse over these things. Of course, modifying a road bike for gravel conditions is dependent on the bike's frame, and gravel bike frames tend to have a slightly different geometry than road-specific frames. But in your case, as in mine (I live in Cambridge rather than London), a road bike works just fine. Safe cycling!
Of all my bikes, my gravel bike sees the most use. It is the most efficient and comfortable bike I have. I love my hard tail. I love my full squish MTB. But they go out when the going gets tough. For absolutely every thing else, gravel bike.
TravelingAnvil agree on where use them, but I would think most mountainbikers spend most of their time riding mtb trails. Mainly my gravel bike is for when the trails are closed. So the mtb still gets the most use.
This one really spoke to me. I live in New York City, which, considering the state of some of its roads and trails, could be fairly characterized as a gravel course. I got the On One Bish Bash Bosh carbon frame with a SRAM Force 1x11 hydraulic disc brake group set. I absolutely love it. For New York City, it is the ultimate post city bike, suitable for any excursion, whether to the beach or to the fresh market. This bike, with 35mm tubeless tires, is so nimble that it just wants to go fast. At the same time it is very stable, which has saved me from painful spills several times when hitting potholes at night.
Yes! I use a gravel bike with two wheelsets as my do-a-lot bike. Plenty fast with road tires and TT sticks on, but with gravel tires it also opens up the quaint little unpaved forestry roads and gravel exercise paths around here. But for legit trails I'm keeping my full sus MTB.
I strongly disagree with your rigid stance and insult you and your family. I also make a passive aggressive verbal attack vaguely aimed at anyone who thinks differently.
Fully agree with this, I commute multiple times a week on mine with my 'commuer wheel set', then on weekends out my skinnier 'road wheel set' on and get up to 100 miles out of it. Or if I fancy some more fun I get the 'gravel wheel set' on and get off-road. The MTB (Scott spark) has hardly moved since getting the specialized diverge!
I ride my gravel bike and think "This is the perfect bike. This is the only bike I need." Then I get on my road bike again and remember how good it feels to ride a perfectly specialized bike. I'm not getting rid of that road bike until it falls apart or I get a newer one. I do need more than one bike, and I'm lucky to have them all.
I thought about about consolidating to one bike but I just love my road bike (which is currently being rebuilt) and my 29er. I think the only justification for a gravel bike is that the roads where I live are abysmal.
I bought a Cervelo Aspero and made it a fast road bike that can also rip gravel. For road: Zipp 303 wheels with 11-28 and 28mm GP5K Tubeless tires, Cervelo AB06 carbon aero road bar and 50/34 Easton Cinch rings. Gravel setup: 40mm X’plors setup tubeless on the stock EA70 wheels with 47/32 cinch rings and 11-34 for very hilly gravel courses. You can definitely make a gravel bike very quick for the road.
Bought a gravel bike a couple months ago and couldn't be happier! I usually ride DH(North Shore and Whistler) being from Vancouver. But this bike can do most things and as I get older I prefer the Gravel bike style riding, and like the bike packing idea(already have a frame bag) I run tubeless, and love the option of lowering the tire pressure for more aggressive riding. By far the most versitile bike!
Did you guys get the carbon or the alloy Grade? I see a ton of love for the carbon with its fancy bendy parts and no word on how its much more affordable sibling compares....
@@cartilagehead6326 I got myself a Carbon GT Grade. The bike is fast, fun and very confortable. I have other bikes built in aluminium and honestly I cannot see how a GT Grade built in aluminium could be as confortable as its version built of carbon fiber. Aluminium is far too stiff.
Hi guys: just got a Hyper Explorer 29 Hardtail w/ 1x9 to become my new flatbar Gravel bike. With 32t @ 14-42t gearing is good & double mechanical discs stop well. I'm flipping the 60mm stem & deleting the MTB tires for 42c Speed Ride tires. It's a "budget Gravel Build" but already having loads of fun.
Love my Genesis Croix de Fer gravel bike. I can tackle any surface I'd want to be riding on with 35mm tyres. Yes, I may be losing a something a tiny bit of power on smooth tarmac, but I'm more than happy to compensate with my fitness, and the comfort and versatility is incredible. I commute every day on this bike and take it out for adventures at the weekend knowing I'm not limited to asphalt. I'm never going to compete in any way, so life's too short to be emptying my savings account chasing marginal aero/weight gains. It's all too easy to fixate on the next bike or upgrade (always done when off the bike), and forget the fun when actually riding.
I did the same with my Ultimate but ended up going back to the Endurace for a slightly more relaxed setup. Going to put some 33c tires on it and ride some gravel near me.
My "last bike I.will.ever need/retirement bike" is a gravel bike. I.had to swap.the stem and bars out to something more like a hybrid for a bad neck disc. Everything else is everything I ever wanted. 1 x 11 gearing is light simple and plenty.
My steel frame Masi Giramando is the most versatile bike I have ever ridden. Singletrack, touring, casual road riding, gravel, commuting, and more. It's a bike I have a relationship with, I will never get rid of it.
Best All Around Bike is..."A HARDTAIL MTB with XC TIRES!!!" You can ride fast on the road, ride MTB if you want. go BIKEPACKING and ride gravel if you have to!!!!
Maybe a top-end 29er one from 10-15 years ago - steeper angles, narrower bars, narrower rims, 2x9 or 2x10. Slightly less trail capable but lighter and still good all round.
In order to solve for the optimum number of bike(s) a person should buy, simply use the following equation: n+1 where 'n' is the number of bikes you currently own
It really depends on the person and what they plan to do. I personally found a hardtail XC bike to be the most versatile because I could go long distances if I needed to, it was plenty quick, yet had more off-road capability than a gravel bike.
Here for all the middle-aged commentators that are 20lbs overweight and trying to get to Cat3 to tell you how a gravel bike isnt enough of a road bike for them.
Gravel bike was my first bike when I restarted cycling. I took it on Grand Fondos as well as some single tracks. It was OK. However, I still ended up adding a road bike and a full suspension MTB to my fleet as the gravel bike was a little sluggish on the road and didn't handle rooty and rocky single track.
And this is what they said about "Hybrids" in the 80's. Those bikes are now called city bikes. And cross bikes are now gravel bikes... which were like touring bikes of the 60's and 70's. Then mountain bikes came along. Then 29" wheels. Then 27.5" wheels. Seeing a pattern here??? :)
I've had a GT Grade since 2017, only upgrade so far was lighter wheels and some 28mm Durano tyres and I'm more than happy with it. I'm completely on board with this video!
With a cyclocross bike, it doesn't take much modding to make it into a legit road bike. I own one bike, an aero-designed cyclocross bike. I use it all year and it works in all four seasons flawlessly. I overhaul it once a year (regrease, replace chain, etc), and it's never let me down -- on almost daily riding! I'm sure gravel bikes can do the same but I love my cyclocross bike.
@@owyzzzz It's an ebay Chinese aero cross frame. No problems so far (but it's only 16 months old). Buy at your own risk because if something happens to your Chinese frame, there's limited to no warranty service for it, and no known actual safety standards to rely on. I'm a light rider, so I get away with things that most medium to heavy riders wouldn't get away with. For example, my buddy's Chinese cross frame developed a loose BSA BB shell (a built-in part where your bottom bracket cups thread in), and once that happened, it was very difficult to repair. Might as well get a new frame. Buyer beware basically.
I have a 33-year-old gravel bike. It was the first generation of "mountain bikes" and I have ridden it everywhere with many sets of tires, and only changed the canti brakes to linear pull. Love It Still.
I put Schwalbe Hurricane tires on my hardtail and also Ergon barends for different grip positions. Now it's the perfect bike for everything. Even on the road i like the comfort of the front suspension.
@@hipnutikdpretender8357 for any serious technical single track you need a decent mountain bike. In my area most people are running dual suspension trail and enduro bikes and you still break stuff (i.e. jumps, drops, extremely rocky terrain that tears tires apart). For me it would be a two or three bikes: I'd run my enduro on most single track/downhill, bmx bike for dirt jumps and skateparks, and a gravel bike for all that other riding which to be honest is the majority of riding, but there are things I'd definitely would not personally attempt on a gravel bike (4' drops into rock gardens, half pipes, dirt jumps...etc).
Changed to a gravel bike this year to fit bigger tyres for more comfort on the ruinously cracked and broken back roads around Dartmoor. What a game changer. Comfortable and fast (enough). The fact that the same bike will happily tackle light trails is a welcome bonus come the summer months. Will never go back to a standard road bike.
I picked up a gravel bike not for it's gravel capabilities, but for it's road capabilities. I like the comfort of 35 mm tires, with wide drop bars, thru-axles (I've had quick release wiggle part way out a couple times), and all the accessory mounts. My other bike is a flat bar cruiser, and I still use it for commuting, because I'm not leaving my Topstone unattended for more than a minute. When I want to go hard and fast, on pavement or dirt road, my gravel bike goes as fast as I can go.
Yeah, that's what I did. I'm a roadie but do the occasional gravel ride. I got a gravel bike but with double chainrings. I run 32s on the road and it's great. The frame can handle 42s. The local xc race series has a drop bar class and I may try it. It's my only bike and I don't see myself needing anything else...at least for now :)
Can’t help but think gravel bikes are just a compromise. They’re ok on road and ok on trails but not as good as a road bike and mtb respectively. I think I’d rather have a £1000 road bike and a £1000 mtb than 1 £2000 gravel bike
More comfortable on a road for me (even one without pot holes) and faster on trails with plenty of control. Gravel bikes are perfect for most UK trails. If you prefer slower, technical mountain biking then obviously an MTB is better for that. Getting a gravel bike saved me buying multiple bikes and (my favourite thing) is that I can really enjoy multiple terrains on ONE RIDE, while mounting any necessary kit.
I like the fact that you can have a road ride, and then if you happen to see somewhere off road you want to explore, there's nothing stopping you. Gravel bikes are great for exploring.
I like riding to my trails. I won't drive there, so cyclocross bike is a good way to feel you're making progress both on the road and on the trails. I'm too old to go looking for technical downhill singletrack, so no need for an MTB for me
I'm running a Merida 900, which is by principle a road bike, but has a flat bar and generous tire clearance, along with hydraulic disk brakes and an ultegra set. It combines the low weight of about 9kg (aluminum) of road bikes with the versatility of gravel bikes, has front and rear pannier mounts. It is a beast and great value.
I got a text from a distant neighbour: I'm chucking out a bike. Do you want it? So I went round to see what they were taking to the tip. Holey Moley, a gravel bike that can have only done around 50 miles tops. Paintwork was perfect, no scratches, it had just been garaged for five or so years, and covered in dust. So, I brought it home, washed and pampered it. And now I have a bicycle collection of wonderful machines. In no particular order a Trek full sus Mountain Bike owned from new, 2, a Cannondale Synapse road bike (with straight bars, and my goodness it flies) and now a Merida Gravel bike, 24 speed Shimano gears and straight bars. (I prefer straight bars.) The Merida was rescued and looks like new. Am I a jammy batsard or wot. Answers on a postcard to........................
Prices tend to be too high for a frame on two wheels. They all seem to have shortcomings and most of them don't have rear rack fixation points for a baggage carrier.
I have both a gravel bike and hardtail and the hardtail wins for me. Whilst I've taken the gravel bike to places a road bike just couldn't go, I've also damaged two wheels over 18 months in the process on trails (tree roots are the killer). The hardtail is obviously slower (not awful though) on road but I would gladly sacrifice that for being utterly dependable off it. That for me makes all the difference. After all, if you're only going to have one bike, you don't want it out of action awaiting repairs, or limiting where you can go.
There's a reason I only have 2 bikes now, and a large part of it is my 1x drop bar rigid 90's mtb. Basically just a slightly more slack geometry than most gravel bikes, and fits up to 2.5in tires. It functions as an excellent everything bike.
@@matthiaskettner6686 yea but the point is y is it the joke people turn to? ..alot of truth is said in jest. It's the sheep like mentality. The joke, in the real world of co tent relationships doesn't even make sense
@@noj1yt in the parts of SoCal where I ride, I see more folks on mountain bikes for everyday commute and cycling then road bikes. Tweakers on the other hand are different stories, they use BMX dirt bikes AKA tweakers mobiles. Cuz we all know how tweakers love competitive dirt bike racing. Lol!
@@noj1yt Well duh, MTBs on the road are ridiculously ill-suited to that and were never the answer. 'Gravel' bike is the stupid-ass name that should not have stuck to what these bikes are, 'All-Road' Bike ;) . Way way more versatile not to mention infinitely better riding and handling.
I have several bikes. The funny thing is that they have undergone "convergent evolution" so that they become more alike than when they were first sold. Plenty of gears. Different handlebars. Wide tyres but with a road tread. Fitted with lights, panniers or bag, multiple double walled water bottles, pump and spare tools. Because this is what I need to ride on any and all "roads". Carry groceries. Ride safely in day or night. Rain or sun. Hot or cold. In whatever shoes I want. And for very large distances without unreasonable amounts of maintenance.
I bought a Salsa Cutthroat as an all around bike. Its very versatile and switching tires can make a big difference. I used stock 2.1 tires over winter and it is very stable platform. It is not a road or mountain bike but you can do just about everything with it. You can ride it around town, trails and roads. it's worth a look if you are looking to have one bike to do it all. But the obvious caveat is that if you are a hard core mountain biker or road biker its not really for you. More suited to a biking generalist.
I live in the city and every now and then encounter grass and dirt at parks. As well as potholes. The one bike I would need is a hybrid or mountain trail bike.
I got a gravel bike a few days ago, a Cannondale Topstone, and it is now my only bike. My end goal is to eventually upgrade the components and get multiple wheel sets for different conditions, but for now I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I didn't watch this vid before purchasing but it mimicked my thought process.
I have 7 bikes 1 fs mountain 2 ht mountain 1 carbon hybrid 1 electric mtb 1 Brompton folder 1 road bike now l am about to commit myself to purchasing a gravel bike.
on a gravel bike you could do a red MTB trail, then ride 100 miles on/offroad to another trail center and do the red there. Swap your wheels over and you can easily do 22mph+ on roads. Its not the same animal as a hard tail. (but not a million miles away) Personally, I think the ultimate combo to be able to do anything is a full sus and a gravel bike...
I have two bikes in my flat, a gravel and a cheap fixie commuter I can lock outside. And I'm completely on board with the do it all gravel. I've got two pairs of wheels, a dt swiss gr1600 set mounted with 40mm relatively knobby tubeless tires and a 11/34. And a pair of p1800 mounted with 28mm slicks and a 11/30 for road use (with tubes so I can switch to 32mm semi slicks if I want to do a fast allroad ride). I don't race but it's enough to follow friends who do (in D1/cat3 level) on weekend road rides. I only struggle in non technical descents because of the 46-11 ratio. However my parents live in the Alps and there a gravel bike is mostly useless since most gravel roads are way too gnarly for gravel biking and actual roads are well maintened (and if you're going to road bike there having a light road bike actually matters). There, a hardtail is way better as a N=1 bike and N=2 road bike + trail mtb is what makes the most sense imo.
To be honest, they are pretty much all most people need; versatile, disc brakes, wide tyres, use them all year on road/ off road. Buy another set of road wheels and you're all set up. MTBikers or hard core roadies will prefer their specialist machines, however.
this really depends on where you live. I rather have a hardtail and a roadbike because gravelbikes get overwhelmed on our non paved roads really quick. on tarmac I‘m faster aswell on my dedicated roadbike. I‘m fine riding hardpack on my 25mm tl contis whereas real gravelroads here require 2.2 -2.35“ fast rolling mtb tires. horses for courses
honestly, buying my first "real" bike a couple years ago, I had narrowed the choice down to a hardtail or a gravel bike. after two years of riding, my gravel bike is perfect for my mix of city, gravel trail, and single track riding. these bikes are seriously a blast on some single track through the woods!
Gravel bikes can fit many wheel sizes but the issue with changing wheels sizes is you have have change the brake caliper arm length to reach the rims. Sometimes you need to fit extenders to do that. Also the braking power can be affected. For example going from 700 to 26 wheels you need to significantly extend the brake caliber arms and this will reduce the braking force
Depends on what your needs are. I need mudguards, hub dynamo, and a comfortable riding position. I don't need a rb with tires for off road. The older steel frame rb had frame geometry where you can add racks, front and back. Pretty soon the marketing gurus will sell mtb, 26 inch wheels, with built in dynamo, racks, and single speed, maybe the gurus will call them work bikes, because they are perfect for year round commute and reliable AF.
I need an extra bike to go to work and come back, but there's a long uphill on the way there which it makes it more difficult unless I install a good brakes when going downhill.
If you can’t do technical trails then you will pick a gravel bike as your only ever bike, but a mountain bike with 100-130 travel forks will give you more fun than any gravel bike and way more options. Bike touring, long distance bike backing you wouldn’t want to do on a gravel bike you will be way more comfy on a mountain bike with 2.1 - 2.5 tyres and still have the ability to hit a proper technical decent trail. So, only in my opinion, a hardtail XC bike or slightly slacker as the only bike you will ever need.
Tricky choice between my Diverge or Sirrus. gravell(ish) with drops, or flat bar road bike. The Diverge is an older model, so 35mm tires max. Currently 50/34 3ith 11-34, and it has had a hacked togeher 11-42 in the past. The big cassette kind of worked,but was only OK shifting. I have just got a 46/30 and when fitted, I think that will be just right. The Sirrus is 48/32. I think the Sirrus is more comfortable on a long ride, but the Diverge is more fun. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the Sirrus. FWIW, I also have a cheap hardtail MTB I use a lot on the winter and a full suss, short travel trail MTB, which is also a lot of fun and with two wheel sets might give the Diverge or Sirrus a challenge as 'the one'
I cant speak for others but for me the main position of the drop bar has been the most comfortable for long range cycling (though classic dutch bars have a similar effect minus the wrist pressure). Since everyone has slightly different body geometry and cycling styles different bars for different peeps :)
I’ve been dreaming of the modern gravel bike since 2007 or so. OG gravel dad I guess. Back then there were very few choices besides cyclocross or touring bikes for big-tire road bikes, and most would be custom built frames. Most bikes topped out at 700x35 tires. Now there’s an embarrassment of choices that fit 45 knobbies for the trail or 700x28 on the road. 2 wheel sets you’re good. Thank goodness.
I have to admit that my interest in gravel bikes has improved, but I could not justify buying one since I already own a 29" XC Mtb that in a 3x10 setup has the MOST versatile gearing available on ANY bike. I could have upgraded or replaced it by now by fact of the matter is that I enjoy the versatility of it and running it in different setup (Clickless vs. flats / Long stem vs. short stem / Carbon wheels with slick tires vs. alloy with 2.35 offroad tires / Fix post vs. dropper) makes this bike ready for practically ANYTHING. I may purchase a carbon front fork to round off the perfect comfy race machine with all day comfort.
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can we talk about the prices for events 200 euro or more for 2 day events 60 euro for 1 day event ????? better talk about that
I too have thinned out my collection over the years. I only have one bike now. It is ultimately really versatile with six wheel sets, four frames, eight saddles, four handlebars and a few different cassettes
Hahaha - great! :-)
That you Trigger
Is that George Wahington's original axe? Yep... Only changes the handle 6 times and the axe head twice! ;-)
You're killing me. :-)
You have more bike than Harry
I’m here to find justification to buy a gravel bike as a third bike...
lolz
That was me trying to explain to my wife how the gravel bike I just bought is different from my cross bike even though, to her, they look just alike. LOL!
I have the minimum number of bikes humanly possible:
- first road bike (outdoor)
- second road bike (trainer only)
- triathlon bike
- gravel bike
- fat bike for snow (with +tire for summer)
You ALWAYS need n+1 bikes.
Loki Missing at least one proper full sus mountain bike!
I've picked a Gravel bike over a Road bike. Best thing I could've done.
with 2 set of wheels/cassete and I've got the a very versatile and fun bike .
I'm looking into the same thing. I mainly ride MTB but a 32lb full sus trail bike, while comfortable, is kinda slow on road haha. Been looking at selling off my hardtail and getting a gravel bike instead for N+1 for road, off-season and for my Zwift bike.
Can share your 2 sets of wheels specs? Tyre width etc?
marco jardim I’m planning to do the same. Are you swapping the chain as well? Curious to know what wheels, tyres, cassettes you’re running for each scenario.
Did this a year ago as my first drop bar and have been super happy. Stock Giant branded wheels with 40c gravel tires the Revolt came with and 28c Conti GP5000 on Fulcrum DB4’s. Both set up tubeless. 32/48 sub compact on the front, 11/34 on the road wheels. Sunrace 11/40 on the gravel wheels. Same chain but some tweaking (and adjusting the B screw) of the rear mech. Shifting isn’t crisp on the big cassette but it works with no extenders.
Running my Orro Terra C with the stock 700c wheels with 32mm road tyres and 11/30 cassette. And have a pair of Fulcrum Rapid Red gravel wheels with WTB Nano 40mm tyres and an 11/32 cassette. I’ve changed the stock road bars for a pair of Richey Venture Max flared bars for more control and comfort off road, but not too wide for road rides.
When I was looking to upgrade from an old steel frame 26" mtb I decided to go with a gravel bike. I had never rode a drop bar bike before and was worried it would be uncomfortable but after plenty of research and asking around I'm very happy. I can do road stuff, trail stuff and I bikepack with it. Fits my riding perfectly
My gravel bike gets more use than my road bike. Can ride the obvious country roads, tame trails, and city riding where there’s curbs to be hopped and pot holes. When the weather gets bad the fenders keep me and the bike clean. Tire choice and wheel options are important
I'm considering a gravel bike because of it's versatility, but will be 90% on country roads. What size tires do you run?
For me it's difficult to choose between a touring or gravel bike, though gravel bikes are more fun for general riding.
@Mark Lewis That's good to know.
If I were confined to one bike it would be a Gravel bike. I remember the freedom I felt on my first grownup bike, an English bike, three speeds 😁. From that moment on my riding has been about going exploring, seeing places missed by people to busy to slow down. I want to go fast and far and not be confined to tarmac, if a dirt road looks interesting I want to take it.
Amen!
100% agree with this! What I would say though is as long as you have some wheel clearance and disc brakes even an endurance road bike can go off road. I've done loads on 28mm tires.
to ja polecam koge worldtravellera. mam jako jedyny i nadaje sie do wszystkiego (tylko zongluje oponami) :)
Absolutely agree
I have yet to try a gravel bike, but I'm looking for something like my old Bob Jackson touring bike but with better brakes and some off-road capabilities, and it seems to be it by what I'm hearing.
Like all bike purchases, the best bike for you depends on your use cases. I certainly got caught up in the allure of gravel bikes...then I focused on my use cases and decided a gravel bike wasn't the best for me. My local area has roads, bike trails, and gravel/rocky trails with steep inclines. My riding would be 90/10 road/off-road and fairly long rides. I do not race and do not tour. Given these reasons, I went with an endurance bike as it's better for my riding than a gravel bike. For me, a gravel bike would be like having a swiss army knife in my kitchen: it gives me the option to do so much, but I really only need it to do one thing and it's not great for that purpose.
Remember, effective, clever marketing is about creating new needs and selling solutions for them. People in the not-so-distant past lived just fine without many of the "indispensable" things we "need" today. I'm not saying people don't need gravel bikes, but don't be sheep either, people! Know thyself, then decide.
darthjohn0 My riding is also 90road 10offroad, and i also planing to do some touring few weeks in future, so do u thing gravel is good for that or i should focus on something else? Currently I using mtb bike and I never tried anything else, so thats why I asking.
Good comment. Also... If you're only 10% gravel... Get a Cyclocross bike! At least that way you can do a little 'cross racing AND ride gravel too.
darthjohn0 the line between endurance road bikes and gravel bikes is getting blurry. Trek Domane is better at being a gravel bike than Trek Checkpoint in many use cases, gravel bikes like 3T Exploro or Cervelo Aspero turn into amazing road bikes just when you swap the tires to 25-28c, better than many actual road bikes. The naming isn’t important. My use case is very similar to yours and I recently got a gravel bike and I don’t even ride much gravel. I run it with 38c slick tires and find to be as capable on road as my old road bike and yet it just gives me this great freedom of choosing any path I want when I feel like doing so.
SVoJtA ; gravel bikes can be anything between “almost a road bike” and “almost a MTB”. There are quite a few gravel bikes built for touring (which basically just means more relaxed geometry and more mounts for stuff) and also some classic touring bikes can now be lumped under gravel bike name. The short answer is: it all depends. MTBs (but mostly the hardtail variety) also make great touring bikes if you wish to tour more off-road. And if you want to go on road more, just consider a less knobby tire set and most likely you’ll be good to go. If you want to go fast and pack light while touring then a gravel bike or an endurance road bike should indeed be better.
Yeah, for my use, an endurance makes the most sense, as well. On all the surfaces I go on, I'd take the efficiency, posture, and lighter weight of an endurance bike over a gravel bike. If I moved somewhere else, that may very well change. For now, I'll take the more sporty feel of an endurance bike over the ultimate versatility of a gravel bike that will rarely be used to its full potential.
I still nedd 3 bikes. I use it everyday to go to the grocery store, to my job, everywhere. Sometimes I like to take a shortcut, so I ride my MTB. Sometimes I want to go as fast as I can, so I ride my road bike and sometimes I just want to go smoothier, so I ride my comfortable (but heavy) city bike. Thinking better now, I'll buy a gravel bike to add to my options. Maybe one day I would like to go as fast as I can, taking a shortcut with comfort. That's it, I made my mind. Thanks!!
Finally decided to say goodbye to my superlight racebike and picked up an endurance bike with gravel capability. I'm never going to be Peter Sagan :)
Thank god you're in touch with reality.
That was me a few years back. Smart move. Lots of happy rides ahead for you. 😊
On the flip side, the only 'road' bike I've ever had and ridden is a Cannondale Slate with the Lefty Oliver. I'm just curious to see how much faster an actual road bike is compared to my bike. I think deep down it's a subconscious excuse to justify how hard it is to ride 20+mph solo.
I have an endurance because I can't afford a gravel.
Why is Gravel better than CX for most people?
What'd you end up buying?
As a mountain biker I would confirm that a gravel bike can take me to my grocery shop to get some energy bars for my mtb rides
@AG Coarseman He doesn't want to destroy his soft tyres on tarmac xD
This comment says it all.
your mountain bike would take too long to get to the store?
Everything is in slow motion when riding a full suspension on the street :D real life experience after 15 years on a road bike and just took on mt biking.........
tim the tool man taylor grunt . gif
1. HT MTB's when ridden for fun, are more versatile.
2. There are more types of 26er tires. They are not all good, but there are bad tires in every size.
3. A 3X will give you more gearing choices you could want/need.
4. Any bikes geometry can be tuned for "Flavor of the Month" by changing components.
5. All bikes are fun.
One of those statements is true
I agree with you. the key word here is 3X. This is the reason why Mtb's today are not fast. I have a 29" XC bike and with the right tires it is almost every bit as fast as my Cannondale racing bike. It takes more watts to maintain speed and go fast BUT fact of the matter is that I have no problems keeping up with most carbon fiber racers out there and I still have a bike that I can throw around on the trails in the weekend. Decent fast and climb anything is what a 3X system allows for. Call me old-school but its more pure and more challenging in my view.
Totally agree - in fact I've had a 'gravel bike' for years before such a thing existed. Its a rigid 26in wheel steel MTB with flat bars and most importantly a road triple chainset. Doesn't quite match road bike speeds but eats up the miles at a quick pace. It just wasn't ever cool....
A 3x? I fuse if your going to ride road all day but even gravel bikes use mtb 10x50/51 Gear ranges, huge range and a beter chain line and tension, but most of all the chain doesn’t just decide to fall of anymore. And if you really want to, there’s the shimano deore, slx, xt, and even xtr if you have too much money, they are all modern mtb drivetrains that still use a 2x but now it’s a way larger 2x12. Better then the old 3x in my opinion
Simon Davanzo have you seen the new specialised gravel bike, the evo version is literally a really old mtb but decked out with modern components
MTBs do come with 3x and 2x setups also. The gearing ratios are more than adequate for most uphills. MTBs do take different types of tires; knobbly, grooved etc. also the tire sizes need not be on the plus side. Riding position is all about getting used to it. Road bikers find that crouched position comfortable, many MTB riders find the flat bar comfortable. So I guess its all about getting used to it. The sturdy feel of an MTB gives you more comfort when riding over potholes.
Cycling is not always about racing....for me its more about enjoying the ride....
gravel bike (or any other drop bar bike) has more riding positions than mtb and that is why it's better and more comfy on long distance rides
@@kxf2610 The video says Gravel bikes have a more aggressive riding position than an XC bike... Not everyone's cup of tea.
@Shahnewaz not all of them have agressive riding position you know, there are gravel bikes whose geometry leans towards those of touring bikes
“Well done you beautiful people” hmm someone is watching a lot of Blake haha.
I started using a 'gravel' bike for all touring when I did a 6 month tour in Australia and knew a lot of good roads to ride were going to be gravel. Glad I did. A gravel bike is a more comfortable ride on pavement and it allows you to safely move off onto a gravel shoulder to get out of the way of traffic when necessary which is important here in the U.S. where there are so many cars and trucks on the road today (not that much of a problem 45 years ago when I first bike toured). It is never a good idea to assert you right of way privilege on a bicycle to aggressively against vehicles, you'll always lose!
I live in New England where the vast majority of mtb trails are littered with rocks, roots, and intricate singletrack through endless trees. A gravel bike is brutal on such terrain (or you just walk).
However, the US infrastructure is in such bad shape, gravel bikes are slowly becoming a necessity on all the crumbling, beaten up paved roads here.
LOL! That's exactly my experience, too. On my road bikes, I have to choose my routes very carefully. But my CX bike is totally OK with whatever apocalyptic, third-world-style surfaces of Mars the authorities in the U.S. want to refer to as "roads" these days.
This is what is making me think of getting a gravel bike. I'm already overweight, which makes this worse, but there are *paved* parts of my neighborhood I have to avoid because they're in such poor condition. They just beat the hell of out of me when I'm riding my road bike on them. There are also some dirt trail sections I try to avoid if I'm on my road bike. A gravel bike might be a better option for me than a road bike.
Then again, I already have a hybrid that I rarely use. I wonder how much different a gravel bike would be. The handlebars would obviously be different, but other than that, I wonder what the overall difference in riding experience would be.
@@jneiberger I think a lot of whether you ride a bike or leave it in your garage has to do with the quality of the bike. A good quality bike is always a pleasure to ride, regardless of what type it is. I have a Trek Crockett 9 CX bike in addition to various road bikes. Although the Crockett isn't as fast on the road as my road bikes, that almost doesn't matter, because the Crockett is so well made it's a joy to ride both on and off the road. (Also, I've rigged it with a pannier rack, so I can use to to go grocery shopping.) I think if you buy a gravel bike at the same level of quality as your road bikes, you'll find that you'll use it any time you're planning to be out on rough surfaces. You could also look into a CX bike if you think you might like to start going completely off road and doing some less technical MTB riding such as you might find on walking trails in a park. It's a ton of fun to be able to just turn the handlebars and leave the pavement behind at will.
This is way I’m having such a hard time giving up my hard tail mountain bike. I would like to sit up a bit most straight but riding in New England on something without front suspension 😬
@@jneiberger I got a gravel bike last year - was looking to replace my 28-year old road bike. I wanted something faster than my hybrid - my gravel bike is much faster than my hybrid and I really like having slightly wider / more forgiving tires. As I age I feel like gravel bike might be my sweet spot! I can't keep up with faster people even if I have a super lightweight carbon fiber -- so might as well be comfortable!?
I’ve loved my gravel bike so far. Haven’t touched my mountain bike once this season.
Makes easy singletrack fun again, it’s lighter, and faster. I think the only thing I’d change is the crankset, the road compact is a bit on the top end side for me.
Love my Giant Revolt and how versatile it is. I have two wheel sets - one with 40 tubeless gravel tires for the tougher stuff and one with 32 slicks for road riding. It’s perfect.
Hadn't thought of doing this with my Revolt. How much did you roughly spend out for another set of wheels?
@@9thwave9th I got the stock set of Bontrager wheels that comes on a Trek Domane of a similar price as my Revolt Advanced 2...I think they were around $200 for the set. I definitely went cheap, but stock wheels are good enough for me.
Yes, I had this idea of a do-it-all bike 25 years ago, starting from a cyclocross frame, before gravel was a thing. It ended I bought a road bike after few years, and the cyclocross now is in the basement.
The first bike I ever bought was a flat bar gravel bike, with a 1 by 9 gearing. Before I bought it I didn’t know how to shift or hold a drop bar. They are so much fun to take onto gravel roads. I’d recommend them as a first bike since they’re so versatile and you can find a decent one for cheap.
I was an HT MTB stalwart for years, now my mid-range gravel bike is the most ridden bike I have.
I didn't need to see this after buying a road bike just last week.
I'm about to get one myself so I have to ask, do you have any regrets?
@@hoobs4140 Haha, to be fair I mostly was saying that in jest. Firstly, I would consider the clearance that the bike you're considering has. Having wider wheels makes more a more comfortable ride, especially when off-road. The difference in comfort between 28mm wheels and 32mm wheels is notable, even if it makes you notionally slower. (A road bike can be adapted to better suit off-road conditions.) I'd also consider what your main aim for the bike is: if you're really gung-ho about doing off-road cycling, then a road bike is probably not the right choice; however if you're mostly going to be cycling on the road or paved bridleways then I'd still go for a road bike.
@@wsmu Great advice. Makes me feel better about the road bike I've just bought. Was starting to regret the purchase over a gravel bike (I hadn't considered one beforehand but I've always been a roadie) but I live in London where roads are prominent so perhaps this is a better deal for me.
@@IshmaelSimpson No worries - it's easy to succumb to buyer's remorse over these things. Of course, modifying a road bike for gravel conditions is dependent on the bike's frame, and gravel bike frames tend to have a slightly different geometry than road-specific frames. But in your case, as in mine (I live in Cambridge rather than London), a road bike works just fine. Safe cycling!
Of all my bikes, my gravel bike sees the most use. It is the most efficient and comfortable bike I have. I love my hard tail. I love my full squish MTB. But they go out when the going gets tough. For absolutely every thing else, gravel bike.
TravelingAnvil agree on where use them, but I would think most mountainbikers spend most of their time riding mtb trails. Mainly my gravel bike is for when the trails are closed. So the mtb still gets the most use.
What's better than a hybrid for dodging traffic around my city?
This one really spoke to me. I live in New York City, which, considering the state of some of its roads and trails, could be fairly characterized as a gravel course. I got the On One Bish Bash Bosh carbon frame with a SRAM Force 1x11 hydraulic disc brake group set. I absolutely love it. For New York City, it is the ultimate post city bike, suitable for any excursion, whether to the beach or to the fresh market. This bike, with 35mm tubeless tires, is so nimble that it just wants to go fast. At the same time it is very stable, which has saved me from painful spills several times when hitting potholes at night.
Yes! I use a gravel bike with two wheelsets as my do-a-lot bike. Plenty fast with road tires and TT sticks on, but with gravel tires it also opens up the quaint little unpaved forestry roads and gravel exercise paths around here. But for legit trails I'm keeping my full sus MTB.
I'm just here to take it too seriously and take a firm and overly rigid stance.
Sam McLoughlin lmaoo
You also got the first comment! Have a heart and one billion gold stars from your friends at BikeRadar. x x x x
Does this mean you disapprove of suspension on drop-bar bikes?
@@timfalkenberg6879 His stance is rigid but his bike is squishy
I strongly disagree with your rigid stance and insult you and your family. I also make a passive aggressive verbal attack vaguely aimed at anyone who thinks differently.
So I just upgraded my Mountain Bike and my Road Bike. Next thing I know is I'm browsing gravel bikes. Thanks N+1Radar
Fully agree with this, I commute multiple times a week on mine with my 'commuer wheel set', then on weekends out my skinnier 'road wheel set' on and get up to 100 miles out of it. Or if I fancy some more fun I get the 'gravel wheel set' on and get off-road. The MTB (Scott spark) has hardly moved since getting the specialized diverge!
I ride my gravel bike and think "This is the perfect bike. This is the only bike I need." Then I get on my road bike again and remember how good it feels to ride a perfectly specialized bike. I'm not getting rid of that road bike until it falls apart or I get a newer one. I do need more than one bike, and I'm lucky to have them all.
Yeah... Roadies are just too special.
There's absolutely nothing like riding a road bike through smooth asphalt.
Bought my Kona Jake just on a whim, and not once have I ever looked back. It’s my rugged road bike, who keeps up with my mtb friends
i have a CX bike, put a 11-42 on the rear, and boom, gravel bike!
Thanks for simplifying it for me. Now I can have just three road bikes and keep my 7 gravel bikes 😁👍
I thought about about consolidating to one bike but I just love my road bike (which is currently being rebuilt) and my 29er. I think the only justification for a gravel bike is that the roads where I live are abysmal.
i use a "gravel" bike for: Commuting, touring, gravel riding, and road riding
How do I know what a gravel bike is?
Is it the same as a hybrid?
I have a Salsa Journeyman 650b that I have used for commuting, gravel race (unPAved), mountain biking plus and a road ride on rainy days
I can see if youre not into racing this is an all around bike. You can go light trails or road.
I bought a Cervelo Aspero and made it a fast road bike that can also rip gravel. For road: Zipp 303 wheels with 11-28 and 28mm GP5K Tubeless tires, Cervelo AB06 carbon aero road bar and 50/34 Easton Cinch rings. Gravel setup: 40mm X’plors setup tubeless on the stock EA70 wheels with 47/32 cinch rings and 11-34 for very hilly gravel courses. You can definitely make a gravel bike very quick for the road.
Bought a gravel bike a couple months ago and couldn't be happier! I usually ride DH(North Shore and Whistler) being from Vancouver. But this bike can do most things and as I get older I prefer the Gravel bike style riding, and like the bike packing idea(already have a frame bag) I run tubeless, and love the option of lowering the tire pressure for more aggressive riding. By far the most versitile bike!
I have never ridden a gravel bike in my life but with these arguments I kind of want to get one.
That's what the bike industry intended.
Since I fell in love with the GT Grade, I totally agree with this video! OMG! The best bike that can do pretty much anything!
Been neglecting my mountain bike since i got the GT grade. So versatile.
Did you guys get the carbon or the alloy Grade? I see a ton of love for the carbon with its fancy bendy parts and no word on how its much more affordable sibling compares....
@@cartilagehead6326 I got myself a Carbon GT Grade. The bike is fast, fun and very confortable. I have other bikes built in aluminium and honestly I cannot see how a GT Grade built in aluminium could be as confortable as its version built of carbon fiber. Aluminium is far too stiff.
Hi guys: just got a Hyper Explorer 29 Hardtail w/ 1x9 to become my new flatbar Gravel bike. With 32t @ 14-42t gearing is good & double mechanical discs stop well.
I'm flipping the 60mm stem & deleting the MTB tires for 42c Speed Ride tires.
It's a "budget Gravel Build" but already having loads of fun.
Love my Genesis Croix de Fer gravel bike. I can tackle any surface I'd want to be riding on with 35mm tyres. Yes, I may be losing a something a tiny bit of power on smooth tarmac, but I'm more than happy to compensate with my fitness, and the comfort and versatility is incredible. I commute every day on this bike and take it out for adventures at the weekend knowing I'm not limited to asphalt. I'm never going to compete in any way, so life's too short to be emptying my savings account chasing marginal aero/weight gains. It's all too easy to fixate on the next bike or upgrade (always done when off the bike), and forget the fun when actually riding.
Just slapped gravel tires on my Canyon endurance. I feel way more comfortable now riding around in the forest.
I did the same with my Ultimate but ended up going back to the Endurace for a slightly more relaxed setup. Going to put some 33c tires on it and ride some gravel near me.
How wide tires can you fit on it? I find this solution interesting but id like to have at least 35 mm wide tires.
I just purchased a Cannondale Topstone 105 for all the reasons that you covered.
My "last bike I.will.ever need/retirement bike" is a gravel bike. I.had to swap.the stem and bars out to something more like a hybrid for a bad neck disc. Everything else is everything I ever wanted. 1 x 11 gearing is light simple and plenty.
My steel frame Masi Giramando is the most versatile bike I have ever ridden. Singletrack, touring, casual road riding, gravel, commuting, and more. It's a bike I have a relationship with, I will never get rid of it.
Best All Around Bike is..."A HARDTAIL MTB with XC TIRES!!!" You can ride fast on the road, ride MTB if you want. go BIKEPACKING and ride gravel if you have to!!!!
imo, gravel is what you mentioned with wide drop bars... (increased versatility on road, greater no of hand position)
Week point - riding in the wind. On gravel you just go on drops and continue your commute.
Maybe a top-end 29er one from 10-15 years ago - steeper angles, narrower bars, narrower rims, 2x9 or 2x10. Slightly less trail capable but lighter and still good all round.
Nope!
@@doc.toadex No, because a fucking gravel bike has no suspension fork. Wanna see you doing jumps and tricks with that pos
Can you think of any reasons we've missed? Or do you disagree with our Top 5? Let us know in the comments!
Please make a similar video about why you don't need a gravel bike and seek either a road or mountain bike.
Spot on. Don't forget that those old MTB wheels probably fit your bike: 12x142, 15x100 converted to 12x100.
XC bike is the best bike to have for everything
Among roadies, you can keep-up with them at some extend and brag how fast are you off-road.
Among MTBers: same, but on-road.
I do not think you are wrong. I just think you have forgotten an even better option: fully rigid XC HT.
In order to solve for the optimum number of bike(s) a person should buy, simply use the following equation:
n+1
where 'n' is the number of bikes you currently own
It really depends on the person and what they plan to do. I personally found a hardtail XC bike to be the most versatile because I could go long distances if I needed to, it was plenty quick, yet had more off-road capability than a gravel bike.
Here for all the middle-aged commentators that are 20lbs overweight and trying to get to Cat3 to tell you how a gravel bike isnt enough of a road bike for them.
Lucky me, I don't take advice from wannabe racers or anybody who believes cycling equals racing.
11robotics OK Grant
I wish I was only 20lbs over..
😂😂👏🏼👏🏼
Cat 3?
Gravel bike was my first bike when I restarted cycling. I took it on Grand Fondos as well as some single tracks. It was OK. However, I still ended up adding a road bike and a full suspension MTB to my fleet as the gravel bike was a little sluggish on the road and didn't handle rooty and rocky single track.
And this is what they said about "Hybrids" in the 80's. Those bikes are now called city bikes. And cross bikes are now gravel bikes... which were like touring bikes of the 60's and 70's.
Then mountain bikes came along. Then 29" wheels. Then 27.5" wheels.
Seeing a pattern here??? :)
I've been riding 40 years....road and mountain, every shape and size. My current Cannondale TopStone gravel bike is my favorite bike ever (so far).
Which model did you get? Been debating a Topstone for a year or so... this comment might have finally twisted my arm.
I've had a GT Grade since 2017, only upgrade so far was lighter wheels and some 28mm Durano tyres and I'm more than happy with it. I'm completely on board with this video!
With a cyclocross bike, it doesn't take much modding to make it into a legit road bike. I own one bike, an aero-designed cyclocross bike. I use it all year and it works in all four seasons flawlessly. I overhaul it once a year (regrease, replace chain, etc), and it's never let me down -- on almost daily riding! I'm sure gravel bikes can do the same but I love my cyclocross bike.
What bike do you have?
@@owyzzzz It's an ebay Chinese aero cross frame. No problems so far (but it's only 16 months old). Buy at your own risk because if something happens to your Chinese frame, there's limited to no warranty service for it, and no known actual safety standards to rely on. I'm a light rider, so I get away with things that most medium to heavy riders wouldn't get away with. For example, my buddy's Chinese cross frame developed a loose BSA BB shell (a built-in part where your bottom bracket cups thread in), and once that happened, it was very difficult to repair. Might as well get a new frame. Buyer beware basically.
Wife: "I just saw this new video that you only need a gravel bike"
Me: "How many?"
n+1 of course
I have a 33-year-old gravel bike. It was the first generation of "mountain bikes" and I have ridden it everywhere with many sets of tires, and only changed the canti brakes to linear pull. Love It Still.
I put Schwalbe Hurricane tires on my hardtail and also Ergon barends for different grip positions. Now it's the perfect bike for everything. Even on the road i like the comfort of the front suspension.
The best bike is just that one I can maintain without going bankrupt.
One bike is never enough. Thats just fact
Why do you think one bike is "never" enough Keep Smiling. Do you have any supportive argument for that..?
Hipnutik Dpretender I break bikes and it’s my only method of transportation. 😃
@@hipnutikdpretender8357 for any serious technical single track you need a decent mountain bike. In my area most people are running dual suspension trail and enduro bikes and you still break stuff (i.e. jumps, drops, extremely rocky terrain that tears tires apart).
For me it would be a two or three bikes: I'd run my enduro on most single track/downhill, bmx bike for dirt jumps and skateparks, and a gravel bike for all that other riding which to be honest is the majority of riding, but there are things I'd definitely would not personally attempt on a gravel bike (4' drops into rock gardens, half pipes, dirt jumps...etc).
Johnny Gunz n+1 you will always come up with a reason for another bike
@@KeepSmilingAdventures ha for sure...I got about 7.... Only a couple are fancy but they all serve a purpose!!!
Changed to a gravel bike this year to fit bigger tyres for more comfort on the ruinously cracked and broken back roads around Dartmoor. What a game changer. Comfortable and fast (enough). The fact that the same bike will happily tackle light trails is a welcome bonus come the summer months. Will never go back to a standard road bike.
I picked up a gravel bike not for it's gravel capabilities, but for it's road capabilities. I like the comfort of 35 mm tires, with wide drop bars, thru-axles (I've had quick release wiggle part way out a couple times), and all the accessory mounts. My other bike is a flat bar cruiser, and I still use it for commuting, because I'm not leaving my Topstone unattended for more than a minute. When I want to go hard and fast, on pavement or dirt road, my gravel bike goes as fast as I can go.
Yeah, that's what I did. I'm a roadie but do the occasional gravel ride. I got a gravel bike but with double chainrings. I run 32s on the road and it's great. The frame can handle 42s. The local xc race series has a drop bar class and I may try it. It's my only bike and I don't see myself needing anything else...at least for now :)
Can’t help but think gravel bikes are just a compromise. They’re ok on road and ok on trails but not as good as a road bike and mtb respectively. I think I’d rather have a £1000 road bike and a £1000 mtb than 1 £2000 gravel bike
Toss some flat bars on a gravel bike and you have a...hybrid bike.
I agree
More comfortable on a road for me (even one without pot holes) and faster on trails with plenty of control. Gravel bikes are perfect for most UK trails. If you prefer slower, technical mountain biking then obviously an MTB is better for that. Getting a gravel bike saved me buying multiple bikes and (my favourite thing) is that I can really enjoy multiple terrains on ONE RIDE, while mounting any necessary kit.
I like the fact that you can have a road ride, and then if you happen to see somewhere off road you want to explore, there's nothing stopping you. Gravel bikes are great for exploring.
I like riding to my trails. I won't drive there, so cyclocross bike is a good way to feel you're making progress both on the road and on the trails. I'm too old to go looking for technical downhill singletrack, so no need for an MTB for me
I'm running a Merida 900, which is by principle a road bike, but has a flat bar and generous tire clearance, along with hydraulic disk brakes and an ultegra set. It combines the low weight of about 9kg (aluminum) of road bikes with the versatility of gravel bikes, has front and rear pannier mounts. It is a beast and great value.
I got a text from a distant neighbour: I'm chucking out a bike. Do you want it? So I went round to see what they were taking to the tip. Holey Moley, a gravel bike that can have only done around 50 miles tops. Paintwork was perfect, no scratches, it had just been garaged for five or so years, and covered in dust. So, I brought it home, washed and pampered it. And now I have a bicycle collection of wonderful machines. In no particular order a Trek full sus Mountain Bike owned from new, 2, a Cannondale Synapse road bike (with straight bars, and my goodness it flies) and now a Merida Gravel bike, 24 speed Shimano gears and straight bars. (I prefer straight bars.) The Merida was rescued and looks like new. Am I a jammy batsard or wot. Answers on a postcard to........................
Prices tend to be too high for a frame on two wheels. They all seem to have shortcomings and most of them don't have rear rack fixation points for a baggage carrier.
Look at the Vitus Energie.
Trek does.
46/30 with an 11-30 cassette would cover all of my riding.
If you're more on road than on gravel the typical 50/34 with 11-34 cassette might work just fine.
@@mrvwbug4423 An 11-30 has the five close gears for fast riding whereas the 11-34 is jumps of two throughout.
I have both a gravel bike and hardtail and the hardtail wins for me. Whilst I've taken the gravel bike to places a road bike just couldn't go, I've also damaged two wheels over 18 months in the process on trails (tree roots are the killer).
The hardtail is obviously slower (not awful though) on road but I would gladly sacrifice that for being utterly dependable off it. That for me makes all the difference. After all, if you're only going to have one bike, you don't want it out of action awaiting repairs, or limiting where you can go.
There's a reason I only have 2 bikes now, and a large part of it is my 1x drop bar rigid 90's mtb. Basically just a slightly more slack geometry than most gravel bikes, and fits up to 2.5in tires. It functions as an excellent everything bike.
No!!!! Can you delete this video? If my wife sees this video, I can’t buy any more bikes......
By C as you said - it’s a „joke“ which means it’s not here to be taken serious...
@@matthiaskettner6686 yea but the point is y is it the joke people turn to?
..alot of truth is said in jest. It's the sheep like mentality. The joke, in the real world of co tent relationships doesn't even make sense
@@byc1013 his wife: OUR money.
Hahaha
I thought they could only ride on gravel. Urgh! This is so confusing!!!
hahaha
It must look really confusing when I I end up riding my full sus MTB on road haha
Reminds me of every roadies bitching about MTBs on roads
@@noj1yt in the parts of SoCal where I ride, I see more folks on mountain bikes for everyday commute and cycling then road bikes. Tweakers on the other hand are different stories, they use BMX dirt bikes AKA tweakers mobiles. Cuz we all know how tweakers love competitive dirt bike racing. Lol!
@@noj1yt Well duh, MTBs on the road are ridiculously ill-suited to that and were never the answer. 'Gravel' bike is the stupid-ass name that should not have stuck to what these bikes are, 'All-Road' Bike ;) . Way way more versatile not to mention infinitely better riding and handling.
I have several bikes. The funny thing is that they have undergone "convergent evolution" so that they become more alike than when they were first sold. Plenty of gears. Different handlebars. Wide tyres but with a road tread. Fitted with lights, panniers or bag, multiple double walled water bottles, pump and spare tools. Because this is what I need to ride on any and all "roads". Carry groceries. Ride safely in day or night. Rain or sun. Hot or cold. In whatever shoes I want. And for very large distances without unreasonable amounts of maintenance.
I bought a Salsa Cutthroat as an all around bike. Its very versatile and switching tires can make a big difference. I used stock 2.1 tires over winter and it is very stable platform. It is not a road or mountain bike but you can do just about everything with it. You can ride it around town, trails and roads. it's worth a look if you are looking to have one bike to do it all. But the obvious caveat is that if you are a hard core mountain biker or road biker its not really for you. More suited to a biking generalist.
“If you could have only one bike what would it be?”
Dumb question. If you only have one bike, you clearly need another.
I live in the city and every now and then encounter grass and dirt at parks. As well as potholes. The one bike I would need is a hybrid or mountain trail bike.
I definitely need two bikes, because I need one nice bike and another bike that's cheap enough to be comfortable locking it up in town.
Helicase21 that’s exactly what i’ve done - road bike for the sunday ride, gravel bike for everything else
just two? 😂 Why limit yourself? 😆
I got a gravel bike a few days ago, a Cannondale Topstone, and it is now my only bike. My end goal is to eventually upgrade the components and get multiple wheel sets for different conditions, but for now I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I didn't watch this vid before purchasing but it mimicked my thought process.
I agree- very well argued and a compelling reason why one really only needs to watch one bike radar review video.
I have 7 bikes 1 fs mountain 2 ht mountain 1 carbon hybrid 1 electric mtb 1 Brompton folder 1 road bike now l am about to commit myself to purchasing a gravel bike.
And so you should 😂👌
I'd just have a hardtail
Id probably do the same, posibly an E-hardtail, so it isnt as exausting on paved roads
on a gravel bike you could do a red MTB trail, then ride 100 miles on/offroad to another trail center and do the red there.
Swap your wheels over and you can easily do 22mph+ on roads.
Its not the same animal as a hard tail. (but not a million miles away)
Personally, I think the ultimate combo to be able to do anything is a full sus and a gravel bike...
@@thomasraaberg8400 yea that's lame...dont think this bid was aimed at people lacking the ability to cycle themselves
I'd stick with full suspension XC bike with front and rear lockouts 👍
A mountain bike is a pain in the ass for long distance road riding
I‘m completely new to road cycling...bought a Cannondale topstone 1 week ago and it’s just great :) riding it with trainers and flat pedals 😄👍🏼
What are trainers
@@lwinston5950 Runners. Sneakers. (UK)
I have two bikes in my flat, a gravel and a cheap fixie commuter I can lock outside. And I'm completely on board with the do it all gravel. I've got two pairs of wheels, a dt swiss gr1600 set mounted with 40mm relatively knobby tubeless tires and a 11/34. And a pair of p1800 mounted with 28mm slicks and a 11/30 for road use (with tubes so I can switch to 32mm semi slicks if I want to do a fast allroad ride).
I don't race but it's enough to follow friends who do (in D1/cat3 level) on weekend road rides. I only struggle in non technical descents because of the 46-11 ratio.
However my parents live in the Alps and there a gravel bike is mostly useless since most gravel roads are way too gnarly for gravel biking and actual roads are well maintened (and if you're going to road bike there having a light road bike actually matters). There, a hardtail is way better as a N=1 bike and N=2 road bike + trail mtb is what makes the most sense imo.
I disagree. Regardless of discipline, a true cyclist should always follow the golden rule; N+1
Ifht
Wildstallion 2.0 n+1 is an equation that calculates how many bikes you should have n being how many bikes you currently have
@@wildstallion2.048 go watch IFHT Films' series called "How to be a ____"
When we were kids, buying a bike was so simple...Mongoose, Diamondback, GT, take your pick. Now as an adult, its so complicated!
To be honest, they are pretty much all most people need; versatile, disc brakes, wide tyres, use them all year on road/ off road. Buy another set of road wheels and you're all set up.
MTBikers or hard core roadies will prefer their specialist machines, however.
this really depends on where you live. I rather have a hardtail and a roadbike because gravelbikes get overwhelmed on our non paved roads really quick. on tarmac I‘m faster aswell on my dedicated roadbike. I‘m fine riding hardpack on my 25mm tl contis whereas real gravelroads here require 2.2 -2.35“ fast rolling mtb tires. horses for courses
Bought a gravel bike without ever owning a street bike before. I haven't regretted it for even one single moment...
Gravel bike and fitted road tyres
honestly, buying my first "real" bike a couple years ago, I had narrowed the choice down to a hardtail or a gravel bike. after two years of riding, my gravel bike is perfect for my mix of city, gravel trail, and single track riding. these bikes are seriously a blast on some single track through the woods!
Gravel bikes can fit many wheel sizes but the issue with changing wheels sizes is you have have change the brake caliper arm length to reach the rims. Sometimes you need to fit extenders to do that. Also the braking power can be affected. For example going from 700 to 26 wheels you need to significantly extend the brake caliber arms and this will reduce the braking force
Love my gravel adventure bike. Does everything I need it to
What are you on, thinking of getting one, but there is too much choice
Is it any different compared to hybrid bike?
Nope. Hardtail mountain bike with a few spares to switch around: wheelset, chainrings and maybe a rigid fork.
With versatile handlebar, like Jones h-bar or velo orange crazy bar
Got a 1990s one they are shit
Depends on what your needs are.
I need mudguards, hub dynamo, and a comfortable riding position. I don't need a rb with tires for off road. The older steel frame rb had frame geometry where you can add racks, front and back.
Pretty soon the marketing gurus will sell mtb, 26 inch wheels, with built in dynamo, racks, and single speed, maybe the gurus will call them work bikes, because they are perfect for year round commute and reliable AF.
I need an extra bike to go to work and come back, but there's a long uphill on the way there which it makes it more difficult unless I install a good brakes when going downhill.
gravel bikes are basically what bikes were in the 90's with just road handlebars
Retro MTB is the way forward! 😁
But much lighter and better components including hydraulic discs
Top five reasons why the only chair you’ll ever need is a folding stool.
But everyone wants 3 $3k bikes. 😐
If you can’t do technical trails then you will pick a gravel bike as your only ever bike, but a mountain bike with 100-130 travel forks will give you more fun than any gravel bike and way more options. Bike touring, long distance bike backing you wouldn’t want to do on a gravel bike you will be way more comfy on a mountain bike with 2.1 - 2.5 tyres and still have the ability to hit a proper technical decent trail. So, only in my opinion, a hardtail XC bike or slightly slacker as the only bike you will ever need.
Tricky choice between my Diverge or Sirrus. gravell(ish) with drops, or flat bar road bike. The Diverge is an older model, so 35mm tires max. Currently 50/34 3ith 11-34, and it has had a hacked togeher 11-42 in the past. The big cassette kind of worked,but was only OK shifting. I have just got a 46/30 and when fitted, I think that will be just right. The Sirrus is 48/32. I think the Sirrus is more comfortable on a long ride, but the Diverge is more fun. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the Sirrus. FWIW, I also have a cheap hardtail MTB I use a lot on the winter and a full suss, short travel trail MTB, which is also a lot of fun and with two wheel sets might give the Diverge or Sirrus a challenge as 'the one'
I think BikeRadar got it completely wrong because their hypothesis contradicts the basic natural law, which is n+1.
:D
Sort of, they said gravel bike, they never said only one gravel bike right?
Never understood drop bars. I guess I started out on a mtb so...
I cant speak for others but for me the main position of the drop bar has been the most comfortable for long range cycling (though classic dutch bars have a similar effect minus the wrist pressure). Since everyone has slightly different body geometry and cycling styles different bars for different peeps :)
I’ve been dreaming of the modern gravel bike since 2007 or so. OG gravel dad I guess. Back then there were very few choices besides cyclocross or touring bikes for big-tire road bikes, and most would be custom built frames. Most bikes topped out at 700x35 tires. Now there’s an embarrassment of choices that fit 45 knobbies for the trail or 700x28 on the road. 2 wheel sets you’re good. Thank goodness.
I have to admit that my interest in gravel bikes has improved, but I could not justify buying one since I already own a 29" XC Mtb that in a 3x10 setup has the MOST versatile gearing available on ANY bike. I could have upgraded or replaced it by now by fact of the matter is that I enjoy the versatility of it and running it in different setup (Clickless vs. flats / Long stem vs. short stem / Carbon wheels with slick tires vs. alloy with 2.35 offroad tires / Fix post vs. dropper) makes this bike ready for practically ANYTHING. I may purchase a carbon front fork to round off the perfect comfy race machine with all day comfort.
5 years ago, you told me that I ONLY needed a road bike :'(
times have changed. 😆
Road biking is no longer fun I guess. I was always told hardtails are the jack of all trades. It still is.