I have the luxury of having 2 bikes that are capable of the gmgg. I’m doing the route in August. My instinct was to take the rigid mountain bike. For those that have done it, what do you think?
by BrilliantViolinist10
I have the luxury of having 2 bikes that are capable of the gmgg. I’m doing the route in August. My instinct was to take the rigid mountain bike. For those that have done it, what do you think?
by BrilliantViolinist10
5 Comments
I’d let tire clearance dictate it. I wouldn’t go do that ride without 45mm+ tires IMO but a MTB geometry might feel sluggish on gravel roads…
What’s your gravel bike on?
I prefer to over bike. I took a front suspension mountain bike with I think 2.25 tires and was happy with that choice. The uphills and the fire roads are what make the route difficult – I don’t think a gravel bike will make those sections any easier.
What front rack is on the Soma?
I rode 180 miles of it last summer on a Grizl and 42mm Gravel Kings. There were only a couple sections that were really rough, though we skipped Buffalo Mountain in Hardwick. Since then I’ve tried Buffalo Mountain on my unloaded Grizl, it’s no fun & I doubt it would be any more fun on a bike with squish.
The route we did was based on the Gravel Growler, done clockwise & skipping the Burlington parts. Doing it clockwise, you have to go up the steeper side of Lincoln Gap. I think we hike-a-biked the last mile, it was just too much for a loaded bike.
I did an abbreviated version a couple years ago (no Burlington) and was happy on a gravel bike (Lauf Seigla with 45mm tires) so I think it’s just personal preference. I’d consider a mountain bike if you were planning on detouring to hit more singletrack or if you prefer the mountain bike gearing or ergonomics for climbing since there is a lot of that!