3 Signs We’ve Reached Peak Gravel: Lachlan Morton’s Wins??

[@frasersamuel2867]

Gravel biking is superb. Its like bushwalking without the difficulties of carrying a pack. Its very quiet & relaxing. Gravel bikes are very good at everything. Superb commuter, good on road &fantastic on gravel. Gravel is the best thing to happen to cycling

[@bikesbymike]

Thanks for sharing!

[@engyn0]

A road frame, with 32mm tires can be a lot of fun on most gravel, and with a good skill set, can be workable on single track as well. If you are calling out the industry for marketing something that isn't actually "new" then, I mostly agree with you. There have been some changes that have made road-style frames more suitable though, namely making room for the wider tires. My old rim-brake bike only fits the 40mm tires if I deflate them slightly before putting the wheels on. ;) And moreover, using high end cross-country races to dump on 'gravel' as a riding style is sort of missing the point. What do people ride on the Paris Roubaix? For shorter day rides, or road+gravel sportifs, what do people ride? In those instances riders want something that can work gravel without sacrificing too much performance on road sections. I doubt you'd see people with more than 40mm tires (1.6"). The competitive scene isn't the whole story, I think.

[@bikesbymike]

I'm dumping a bit on the gravel bike, and a bit on gravel riding in general ;) That said, all your points are legit and I really can't disagree. You make a good case for gravel riding, for sure. I still don't buy into the argument you hear all so often that the gravel bike is the only bike you need, because it's good and fun over any terrain. Nothing is good at everything. No bike is fun over all terrain. Such is life. But if there was a perfect all-rounder bike, it's probably the mountain bike. I'm old enough to remember when every bike messenger in Toronto rode a mountain bike. Yes, you can take a gravel bike on non-technical and flowy moutain bike trails just fine. But a mildly experienced XC mountain biker will want to tackle more challenging and interesting terrain that nobody on a gravel bike will be able to handle. If you gave an enduro mountain biker a choice between a mountain bike and a gravel bike, I'm pretty sure I know which one they would always choose. Same applies with a road bike, though. When I go for a road ride and come across an unexpected section of gravel road, I can, and do, ride my road bike over gravel just fine. But do I find it fun? No. And I'm sure it would be a bit more enjoyable on a gravel bike or mountain bike. I like hearing differing opinions, so thanks for commenting.

[@SuperAti15]

Oooops it's an insanely expensive and technically advanced MTB that would be a massive overkill for like 99%+ of us amateurs.

[@bikesbymike]

Many gravel bikes are at a high price-point as well.

[@SuperAti15]

@@bikesbymike Check Morton's Cannondale price first 🤣 It's not like 5k USD "high". It's closer to 12k USD high I recon.

[@Havebikewillride]

I think there is still plenty of room for this segment to grow. And if anything gravel bikes are probably the perfect bike for most recreational cyclists. Sadly this segment got stuck with a name that really doesn’t suit it.

[@bikesbymike]

I agree. It is a good option for recreational riders. Although, most beginners would feel more comfortable on flat bars. A flat bar road bike will also suit a lot of recreational riders.

[@meinAliasfuer2024]

whats this about? :D comedy?

[@agnieszkawildhirt1353]

Uncomfortable bikes all I can say about them. As low as a road bike and as slow as a commuter bike. Would always go for a hybrid with a higher profile and wider handlebars.

[@bikesbymike]

Low and slow. Like that term! Thanks for watching.