Gravel bikes are seemingly everywhere at the moment, but they have been around for a while now. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but we think that they truly are the most versatile bikes out there. Alex takes you through why he thinks gravel bikes are the only bikes you could ever need!
Time Stamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:14 – Versatility
1:39 – Speed
2:55 – Weight
3:56 – Carbon Footprint
4:35 – Cost
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39 Comments
Wrong! A road bike with 32mm tyres is the only bike you need
Alex may be on to something 🙂
i own only 4 carbon bikes 😀
I got a gravel bike after my roadies were stolen. 2017 Masi Comp X, steel frame, Tiagra, mechanical discs, technically billed as a cross bike but basically a gravel bike in all but name. I definitely saw it as a cheap replacement at first, and it took a while before I could look at it and not see my own misfortune, but I remember the first time I took it out for a proper gravel ride in the Diablo foothills, getting deep into the woods, away from traffic noise, and having kind of a moment of realization that I was actually having more fun than I'd had on my roadies in a long time.
I've since broken and replaced both of the wheels (separately and with non-matching wheels), the saddle (though technically that was just because my old housemate's dog chewed on the old one), my brakes (which led to replacing most of my groupset), and my crankset and BB. I may also get some flared gravel bars next time the bike is in the shop, as a Christmas present to myself or something.
Like to get a nice mountain bike full suspesion under 2300
I've just bought one- love the road bike but the roads are lethal and where I live limited finding ones that aren't busy- but loads of fire roads, trails, the Speyside Way etc….plan is to cut the amount of time(risk) on tarmac to a bare minimum….
While I used Tomac Attack Tape on my Nitto dirt drops in the early 90's, the true drop bar/fat tire pioneer is Jacquie Phelan
well, found myself in that diatribe about a month ago, since I have a 29er MTB (Giant Talon 2) and I wanted a gravel bike (and I still like it) but after so much study and consideration, I ended up getting a road bike which I can't wait to unwrap and start cycling whenever I get it delivered and the weather isn't as rainy as in the last 3 weeks
I just bought my first ever GB but once you're a roadie youll always be a roadie. Hehe
@gnctech Great video.. thank you! Can you please tell me what size chainring and the cassette you are using in this video?
And the warbird is still the best gravel bike
First thing is to change those cleats and pedals you've got… totally unsuitable… certainly here in the Lakes!
"Where's the Gravel?" One replied "Gravel can be anything from loose, light gravel to larger, rocky gravel to sand or dirt" Ok so it's basically an off road bike, like my MTB aka Mountain Bike as seen in my latest video.
How can I know the difference between a gravel bike and a hybrid?
Are we seriously talking about carbon footprint?!?!!? What's next? Telling us to off ourselves because that'll help the C footprint?! Get outta here you WEF doll
My Brompton rides on anything.
I've been getting by with mostly a gravel bike. Something not mentioned in the video is bike packing, as my gravel bike allows loaded travelling making it just that more versatile.
Gravel bikes are so cool not gonna lie. They’re the middle ground between “fast but not very durable” and the wonky thicc mtbs.
Marketing hype.
Unless you want to actually compete in a road race.
Unless you want to compete in a hill climb race.
Unless you want to compete in a time trial.
Unless you want to compete in a downhill MTB race.
Unless ….
Gravel bikes for me personally are too much of a compromise between mtb and Road. Im happy with my two bike quiver.
I’m pretty sure we had a ‘gravel bike’ already in a cx bike. Being cynical gravel is another way to sell us and new bike
Stopped watching as soon as you talked about carbon footprint…. No one come to these videos for that
I like having different bikes for different riding. That being said I have 3 single speed mnt bikes😅
I'd love a gravel bike as someone who has owned hardtail mountain bikes for the past decade or more.
I traveled on the road with them many miles, it's not particularly comfortable but incredibly doable. To me, I am still fast on the road with my fat tires, and the thread is big enough to roll over glass which always finds me.
At the moment, I'm primarily a distance runner who splits time with mountain biking. I've been wanting to cross train more and MTB is not great for low aerobic or really any kind of planned workout. It's also weather dependent here. I don't even have a lot of gravel around me. Lots of paved and a handful of unimproved rural roads. I also wanted the ability to train through US Midwest winters, meaning I want the option for studded/more aggressive tires. But I want to go farther and faster than a hard tail with road tires could do, but still have a forgiving bike on rough stuff. Gravel seems the logical choice. Specifically, I went for a 2x because I like to have options.
I still don't understand the reason for the existence of this thing… If pedaling on roads makes you happy buy yourself a road bike. If you want to smash it off road buy yourself a MTB. As a MTBer every time i meet on trails people on gravel bikes, they look like they're in pain
What is the handlebar that you are showing-off in the video?
Everyone's a gravel rider until you do tech 🙂
as i can see, they put fork with suspension on gravel bikes already. So can someone tell me, could I just put drop bar and proper tires on my old hardtail mtb and i would have gravel bike… or I'm wrong
Just started cycling, I have acquired a Gravel bike ! first ride out today for 20 miles was a delight!
I'm not taking anything on gravel without front and rear suspension. Rich folk can have their gravel bikes. I'm sticking with a bike that won't raise the rent in my neighborhood.
No shocks , sucks!!
Polar bear population is more affected by hunting and not the climate.
Lost me at carbon footprint!
So I sold all my bikes and bought one as you said, now I have a ruptured spine after taking it to the mountain.
Thanks a lot.
I had gravel, aero races and MTB at the same time. I stayed only on gravel because 3in1 proved to me. If the driver is strong in his legs, he can really chase on the gravel…..
This didn't age well
I luv gravel🫶🚲
I don't have a gravel bike but I still ride grave at time. At 76 I ride a Cross Country bike and I don't see any reason or need to buy a 'Gravel Bike'. I have the ability to ride on diverse terrains i.e. gravel roads, dirt paths, sand etc. = No Limits