7 reasons why YOU SHOULD NOT BUY a gravel bike

[@nicolopetrova6096]

I am now 100% convinced I should get a gravel bike.

[@JulianHutchings]

Go for it dude - see my other video for 10 reasons why you should.

[@m-0769]

I bought one 3 months ago after being a mtb fan. Amazing on road, fast on byways, Even on pretty rough muddy tracks it’s pretty good. It’s a go anywhere bike

[@mikevo1491]

Shi*, I have two gravel bikes (maybe three if you count my cross/gravel bike) and those shi**y tubeless on each! Oh and my road bike and my mtn. bike and was thinking about picking up a vintage bike on eBay. Thanks for setting me straight!

[@petermather5227]

This guys an absolute twat

[@randyswadley4220]

Funny guy! Agree with the marketing. I put drop bars on Cannondales; 1991 rigid mtb and a 94 hybrid. Love them both!

[@mrkarterhuh9830]

The cycling version of Jeremy Clarkson.

[@JulianHutchings]

Oh no! Surely not!

[@coreyreeder2321]

Definitely some similar vibes

[@ajn2370]

but with a healthy lung capacity!

[@palmajm5333]

I came to see this comment. The tone, the timmings, everything is there!

[@wethepeople3124]

But without being racist

[@mseals22]

All you need is a bike with enough clearance for the tires that would fit the terrain you plan on riding on. If they made all road/gravel/cyclocross bikes with enough clearance for tires bigger than 32-35c or larger, then you can call it whatever you want, but it will have the flexibility ride on whatever you want.

[@visoak]

I don't even cycle and I watched the whole goddamn video haha

[@mrtonod]

But now you must.

[@akissparaskevopoulos]

So funny

[@Rocky4719]

If you are physically able to ride a bike, I highly recommend doing so! It’s great fun!

[@0816greg]

Ahaha

[@hksl2402]

this were 15 minutes of perfect british black humor. laughed so hard i couldnt even breathe great video

[@bluetexture]

😀

[@dosmatrix4470]

Lots of gravel in Australia so if I was in England I would by a Roman goat path bike.

[@richardm9688]

I bought a buffalo. It's great!

[@GordoGambler]

The brahma cows and loose chickens all over Vietnam were 100% well behaved. LOL. People, not so much .....

[@cliffcox7643]

oh good, then you can ride your road bike with fatter tires there. No need for a new bike.

[@Sclayto2]

There's plenty, if you can, get out of Kent...

[@MAli-hr6fb]

I was in a bad mood before watching this. Thanks a million.

[@JulianHutchings]

I'll send you a bill.

[@GordoGambler]

Is it FREE if he stays in a bad mood??

[@londonlionel]

Bike companies have just hired an assassin to get rid of you. I suggest you go somewhere remote to hide from them. Maybe bikepacking is your only chance of survival?

[@JulianHutchings]

That's a bit heavy! Just point them in the direction of my 10 Reasons to buy a Gravel Bike and maybe they'll send me one instead.

[@davidburgess741]

Bike packing, why? Got a set of panniers and Bob trailer. Sweat like a pig and live like a king in camp!

[@brianmessemer2973]

Morpheus: WHAT IF I TOLD YOU...THERE IS NO GRAVEL

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

What if I told you Morpheus never says "What if I told you" in any of the Matrix movies?

[@charliewhelan9488]

@@BrunodeSouzaLino I'd say you were right and cultured. Well done!

[@PaulBeney]

Having watched many gravel bike videos I now realise that my 20 year old mountain bike fitted with Schwalbe Marathon tyres does exactly the same thing, and pannier bags on a rack hold much more than stupid "bikepacking" bags

[@endurofly]

Bravo Mr.Hutchings. Your idea is valid for 99% of people.It's mass hysteria that you need 29 inch wheels,1x12 gears,full sus.,titanium/carbon 5K bike etc.They show you nice bikes in Kyrgyzstan,Island,Patagonia.. but basically they are selling dreams to 99% of buyers.You should also buy camping gear and clothes of highest quality and watch all films of Bear Grylls,make routs for Garmin and if you are lucky visit few local places on Sunday if weather is OK.

[@jimmccrae8694]

Bought a gravel bike as I decided to stop riding on the road. It is versatile and suits cycle tracks and dirt tracks perfectly. Agree that it is largely a road bike with the capacity for bigger tyres and slightly different geometry and gearing.

[@photorockbar471]

All bikes until they paved roads with asphalt after WW2 were technically gravel bikes. They just were not called gravel bikes.

[@jamsxr]

@@photorockbar471 so we should all just buy a ‘bike’, great my downhill rig will be suitable for a triathlon then 🙄

[@brianmessemer2973]

8:13 - 10:55 the "bridleway rant" is the most hilarious cycling rant I've ever seen bar none. I'm going to send this to my riding buddies 😂

[@JulianHutchings]

Brian Messemer Thanks - spread the word!

[@michaelsteven1090]

I haven't laughed that hard in a long time..I'm from the US but I get it!

[@brianmessemer2973]

@@michaelsteven1090 Yes I'm from the US too. We would call them horse trails around here...but the stereotypes are roughly equivalent 😂

[@billorr948]

Thanks Julian ! Loved the rant and you stated that many of us all wanted to blurt out ! Going to go out and get me some tubeless tires too - 5:00 ! You saved me the trouble and headaches ! Cheers with a warm pint and keep spinning and grinning !

[@jameshallam8568]

I would like cycling my gravel bike on bridleways if it weren’t for the dogs, children, old people and especially the haughty horse riders. They do all hate cyclists, but then again so do motorists but I still ride on the road.....

[@AbderrahmenBesbes]

the Energie and passion from this gentleman is refreshing xD

[@fepatton]

At the bike-packing rant, I hit subscribe. I always say that my idea of roughing it is a 4-star hotel.

[@JulianHutchings]

Mine is 5.

[@andresbarriga5305]

Bikepacking’d help you loose some weight.

[@jamsxr]

Great picture, the ladies love a pilot, especially a 4-star bellend

[@barlas2740]

This man is the most pessimistic and harshly realistic man I’ve ever seen. I love it

[@busoptr]

This Englishman is right on point I've been riding my fixie with 700x25c tires on gravel long time before "gravel bikes" showed up. Marketing hype.

[@paulmcknight4137]

Straight talk from an honest man! I've got 15 years on ya and went through countless marketing, from lugged steel and 32 spoked wheels to carbon fiber and 24 spoked wheels, from tubes that would change out on the road in 10 minutes off quick release wheels, to tubeless. Disc brakes, sorry, give up the quick release. Be careful not to knock the disc out of true when mounting the wheel in the dropouts that no longer drop out. From 52-42 chain rings and 13-28 six speed cassettes all the way around to one 46 tooth ring and 12 gears in back, made possible by a long cage derailleur that will hit the pavement and bend out of adjustment sure as hell in the first crash. Simple, straightforward, down tube shifters that last forever, to STI brake lever shifters that gunk up, wear out, and aren't repairable. So we end up with bikes with the same number of gears, 12, spread out to accommodate wimps. Serious riders trained up to 42-21 on the hills, and wimped out in their 28 cogs, no problem. They got stronger and rode better! Oh, and how about the return to standard threaded bottom brackets? Using press fit on a bottom bracket is about the stupidest engineering there is. The things work loose from the up and down motion pedaling! Cut outs in saddles. Forget it. Sit on the sit bones, not the crotch, and you'll still be able to pee when you get home. Gravel bikes were inevitable once racing bikes showed they work best on paved roads, but nonetheless aren't that trustworthy or versatile in urban environments. Widening rims and 25C tires didn't do it. So, gravel bikes. Put a rack and fenders on it, and it a do everything bike. Dirty Kanza, OTOH, reveals there are lots of dirt roads out in the American heartland that provide a huge market for gravel bikes. Put 28 mm tires on it, and it becomes an urban warrior just fine. Trouble is, I have a fendered, racked, 36 spoked, lugged steel bike with down tube shifters that has almost 100,000 miles on it and shows no signs of giving up. The chromed steel threaded BB and Campy Record chromed steel headset are still good. It weighs 24 pounds, about the same as a mid priced gravel rig. Witty commentary! Couldn't agree with you more! Yep, a bike is a bike. Old bikes don't die; they just fade away! :)

[@photorockbar471]

99% of U.S. population does not live near the flint hills of Kansas. Most unpaved roads in the U.S. are dirt roads with some scattered rocks. There are some real gravel roads in the U.S. , but they are few and many pass on private roads. Florida is a good example. However, races like the Kanza sparked a marketing niche to promote gravel racing.

[@britishbeef2007]

I was looking at gravel bikes, but Julian has a point! I have ridden mountain bikes for the last 17 years...never climbed any mountains, but, it will ride on road, gravel, rock gardens and pretty much every where, condition i have taken it.

[@Stroboscoopable]

Mostly, in my experience, people that are this high in emotion have something to hide. I will definitely buy a gravelbike :D

[@JulianHutchings]

Cool name.

[@Stroboscoopable]

@@JulianHutchings thanks! Btw i love and respect your effort and video!

[@JulianHutchings]

Respect dude. I calm down in my Strava video.

[@tjrioux3059]

Spot on!! The bicycle company Trek has 18 different kinds of bikes listed on its website. This opens a new vocation - consultants to guide you thru the maze of bike choices. Fabulous video.

[@Fatvod]

People wanting variety? Crazy!

[@robjackson4597]

This is hilarious and 90% of what Julian says speaks the truth to me. I just bought a gravel bike but my intention is to sell all my other bikes in the Spring. My new gravel bike will be my "go to" bike forever!

[@JulianHutchings]

Sensible choice. I’ve sold all my shoes and now only wear gravel shoes.

[@constantinexanthopoulos7173]

This is the most entertaining video I’ve watched in a year. Thank you for that and Cheers to you sir !

[@hacylon]

The only youtube channel that the owner likes every comment. Bless you and keep it up sir

[@JulianHutchings]

I love all my followers, even the cruel ones.

[@hacylon]

As much as i would like to get a gravel bike over a foldable one, my house has limited space here in singapore. Any idea how you usally fit your gravel bike in your house other than a garage? As putting it outside can be at risk of being stolen

[@stevencrinson7986]

@@hacylon remove quick release front wheel and tuck in a corner :)

[@abhinavsixfaces]

This guy needs to review a gravel bike race film. This is gold.

[@nickparkin3588]

Best thing I've seen on KZbin for ages 👏 🤣

[@JulianHutchings]

Thanks!

[@rickdober1512]

That was fun and oh so true. It's also nice to know that I'm not the only curmudgeon that tries to tolerate bike paths. What makes the occasional rider think they can safely walk or ride three abreast. Did the not go to Kindergarten, why their safety my responsibility. Seeing that they don't know left from right as its common to have someone step in front of you when you call out"on your left", how do they drive a car.

[@photorockbar471]

Have you seen the Squirrelzilla movie? There are some good scenes. KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipTEhoVrj7qBjsU

[@royvanboxtel6198]

Wonderful video! I have bought a gravel bike a few months ago but have enjoyed this video very much! Just love the wit!

[@jonathanaustin511]

I love a good rant, and this was a ‘great’ rant. Spot on, in so many ways! Another subscriber well earned!

[@JulianHutchings]

Thank you - welcome to the channel.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

Why I want a gravel bike. 1. I am getting back into bikes @37 years old for fitness, so I am seeking to do long rides, I also want to go off roads onto trails. 2. I live near the beach and would like to ride the boardwalk which is sandy cement (not road bike friendly), and a beach cruiser doesn't fit my intent for a bike for fitness. 3. while mountain bikes are fun the gearing kind of sucks for road use. Conversely the riding trails near me do not require suspension, for me a mountain bike would be a second bike and probably a full suspension downhill bike as i like motocross and its similar but so much nimbler on a bike! 4. I fell in love with an old 1970's Schwinn road bike, but always wished I could toss on a wider more knobby tire to go a little more places. The gravel bike is perfect for me where I live, it is diversely useful. My stepdad sees them riding the same areas he rides his mountain bike. You can toss on road tires and ride it decently in a triathlon as well. Even full suspension options exist if you have the money like the niner mcr. Which can be a hardtail at the flick of a switch on the bars and you can lock out the front for a climb too. I think a gravel bike is an excellent starting bike for an adult looking for an exercise machine that takes you somewhere, unless all you want is on pavement. I think a mountain bike is an extremist's play toy and a perfect bike for fun in the right settings.

[@TheAsdsdswww]

"It's a bike." Thanks, that's what I came to hear.

[@JulianHutchings]

I tell it like it is.

[@davidburgess741]

My '78 Dave Molton can fit big tires. Does that mean it's a gravel bike? Nice supple Columbus SL too.

[@peterbee8892]

Proper old person rant. You said it for all of us oldies. Well done. If you want a new route to ride round to try your new gravel or off road bike try the King Alfreds way. A 350k circular route with Ridgeway gravel and flints ,a bit of South downs way and Bridleways and roads linking it all together. Plenty of hotels or Air bnb on the way so forget the tent. Try a shorter day ride ending at a pub every day. Ps I have a full suspension mtb which is more suitable and kinder to the older body on any rougher surfaces so won't be needing a gravel bike to fulfill my wanderlust off road. Enjoy the ride.

[@JulianHutchings]

Thanks - I've seen the King Alfred route and I've ordered the book - that way I can read about it instead of doing it!

[@peterbee8892]

@@JulianHutchings if you want to be able chat about the route without the hassle of reading a book you can just watch Guy Kesteven 3 video vlog on KZbin for a three day KA way trip. At last someone up north has recognised the huge amount of decent off road riding down south. My local Ridgeway is a fantastic Gravel suitable ride for 60k and only has a few road crossings and about 3k of "on road "over the stretch from Streatley to Avebury.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Love this guy and love his viewpoint! I’ve been riding dirt roads (now called gravel lol) for years on my steel bike with 28 tires. No need for a gravel bike!

[@busoptr]

Agreed, I do mine on 25s.

[@mattsagin717]

Just ordered another gravel bike. And I totally agree with everything you just said. 100%.

[@JulianHutchings]

Matt Sagin I fancy an Orbea Terra but I can’t afford it.

[@ariffzainal2602]

Well said sir. You just saved me a ton of cash by not getting that gravel bike everyone else has been telling me to get. I just want a bike. Enough said.

[@Zeraryy]

this is me explaining to myself i don't need to buy a gravel bike, welp i did it yesterday

[@JulianHutchings]

Welp done.

[@homersimpsons1985]

Totally agree on your point, I live in Malaysia and we don’t have many gravel routes and the ones we do have, just not far enough. So for me I would just get an endurance bike and swap the tyres around.

[@ДмитрийКарпич]

Gravel bike marketing guy makes one amazing thing - they return tan wall tyres. I fall in love with this style. And now I have 47/50c tyres on my old 29" XC bike and its amazing.

[@SimonGreenway]

Well, we're all entitled to an opinion! I have to disagree with several points, but I won't bore you with that, and I'm too busy because I'm working on my "bridleway bike". #nextbigthing

[@GordoGambler]

I hope it's a respectable British Pashley speed 5. Bikes with deFaileurs are rather deplorable, IMO.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

I ride my 1987 Huffy beach cruiser everywhere. I even trail ride it all winter here in northern Michigan once I pack down the snow. I also ride it on actual gravel roads.

[@BikeSaidFred]

Aaaand breathe 😂😂😂 I just bought my gravel, I have 3 road bikes and I've tried taking them off road and it's not a fun experience gotta be said. I love the gravel so much more than any of them and it might replace the lot. I can get off the main roads at every opportunity because the roads are such a nasty place these days.

[@BikesBlades]

9:12 best part of this video: dog impression

[@vitodegiovanni2118]

I already have a gravel bike and I am very happy of my choice. But , what you say are all truths. Simply great.I had so much fun. Thanks.

[@robvan6527]

This is funny, but not the best reasons. In rural USA there are MILES of gravel roads. A road bike is ok but could get a puncture easily. A mountain bike is ok if you like going slow. A gravel bike is perfect for gravel roads. Yea it's just a bike, but one that you can literally ride anywhere.

[@peterharris3096]

Very entertaining. Your monologue resonates with me as I fall for shiny new things. I bought an "adventure/gravel bike for the sole purpose of riding from my back door without driving to a trail centre. 47 wide tyres, short stem, nice and twitchy for all the new cycleways and getting through barriers. No fancy roadie clothes, shoes or cleats just my running leggings mtb helmet and hiking shoes. I get thin lipped smiles from roadies sensing that I,m halfway to the dark side and almost worthy.

[@pepeg.luthier566]

"....old people, older than me.!!" That was funny, you are really out there.

[@JulianHutchings]

Thank you.

[@buggs9950]

@@JulianHutchings The great thing about getting older is that there are, by default, less old people.

[@tpacalypse]

I totally agree with you my friend 👍. Whatever bike you have is the bike. I buy a used bike, take it to the bike shop for tune up and it rides good as new.

[@Alanicus1]

I disagree with about a quarter of what he says but he says it in such a hilarious way that I really enjoy disagreeing with him! I do agree about his overall conclusion though. As a lifelong cyclist I had never heard of a gravel bike until a few weeks ago and cannot comprehend why anyone would buy one when an ATB is the ideal bike for such surfaces (if you can find them!).

[@doswheelsbetter8292]

Best video on YT regarding the bicycle industry.

[@boshebosh9269]

Ever considered a career in marketing?? 😂😂😂

[@JulianHutchings]

Why, have you got a job for me?

[@xgalvan1]

9:17 ...... omg. This video is full of gems Hipster Rant Tubeless Rant Dogs Rant Other options for video title: "There is no gravel" "5 Reasons Bridleways are shit" "You don't want to go bike packing"

[@jonathanmaron8942]

Thank you Julian! Hilarious! made my day! Greetings from Seattle Washington.

[@jsf8898]

I am 65+. Julian is now my hero! What a riot! I still will get yet another gravel bike, but will upgrade from the 4-star to 5-star hotel...!!

[@MELAVINKING]

I have never laughed this hard. The thing is also that this is soo true. Gravel bikes are only useful where there is gravel.

[@bleckandbleck]

Funny, when I was in high school a friend and I started building a 531 frame. We didn't finish. I found him 30 years later and I was able to set the rear for 130mm and the bridges to handle 35mm tires. So, when I hit the gravel trails I'm on a steel framed road bike, down tube friction shifters and 10 speeds, rim brake sidepulls, 32 mm tires, quill stem and clip in road pedals (I may be retro, not stupid). I have little trouble dropping most of the carbon rigs even at 61. And yes, it's just a bike.

[@Mick_Holland]

What? 😉👍🏼

[@XLBikingInternational]

Best KZbin Entertainment ever! "You don't want to go bikepacking" : ) "My bags are in the car" - love it! Tubeless tyres are rubbish :) That's it. I'm subscribing right away!

[@JulianHutchings]

Thanks - plenty more for you to enjoy.

[@mtnbikejunkie]

Here for the good advice. Stayed for the tubeless rant! Brilliant

[@lok481]

I sold my road bike to get one as I wanted something light and fast on the road but also capable of off roading and forest tracks etc. Plenty of gravel tracks and quarries in Somerset get yourself down here instead😝 But yes it is essentially a hipster marketing buzz word but some of the builds are lovely.

[@desperadodeluxe2292]

I have a mountain bike I'm upgrading for touring and the pros of gravel type bikes is the bracket attatchments used for adding racks. If your not really into touring getting a gravel type bike is kind of pointless. Otherwise putting racks on other types of bikes is alot of adapters hose clamps and improvising. United states horses are usually trained to be around bicycles and motor vehicles. Actually accidentally been down a trail with horses on it to find they weren't scared of me at all.

[@poursuivant1]

With respect, I must disagree with your assertion that every different types of bikes can just be labeled as bikes. Maybe there aren’t enough gravel routes in southern England, but that’s a very localized condition that doesn’t reflect the state of gravel in other parts of the country and the world. As for the idea that one bike should be enough for every cycling discipline, I suppose one can argue that, but I’d rather use a bike that is best set up for whatever discipline I’m riding. One can ride a tt bike on a mtb trail, but I suspect I wouldn’t enjoy it nor would I get very far. As for your argument against bike touring/camping, just because you don’t want to do it is not a very compelling line of reasoning. Maybe my days of camping are behind me as well, but I don’t use my age and preference for certain creature comforts to pigeonhole every other cyclist as poseurs. Is a gravel bike all marketing hype? As someone who used to ride a fixed gear bullhorn bar track bike on a rail trail for about 3k miles per year, I can relate to the idea that one doesn’t need a dedicated gravel bike. In fact, until a year or two ago, the term gravel bike didn’t even come up in any conversation that I had with anybody. I don’t own one, nor do I expect to get one anytime soon. However, there are certain genre defining features of a gravel bike that I’ll be open to adopting for my own use. Finally, as someone who was a very mediocre local mtb racer, I have to disagree with your vitriol about tubeless tires. In the right hands, setup and conditions, they’re brilliant.

[@JulianHutchings]

Watch my response video; it addresses your points.

[@photorockbar471]

They sell gravel bikes where i live. but there is hardly any real gravel roads. Mostly hard packed trails with assorted rocks scattered around.

[@stevieg2369]

Great post

[@explosivemallard8038]

This was an fantastic video. I’ll tell you that #1 wasn’t very applicable to the US, but the marketing hype shit certainly is. Also I initially agreed with your bike packing assessment, but completely lost me when you started bashing the camping aspect. Camping is one of the most uncomfortable, cold (or too hot), stinky, miserable experiences ever. I adore it. My absolute favorite thing to do, and my pals agree. The suffering is a sharp sensation tells you you’re alive, and brings you and those around you closer. I think this suffering is far better done on your feet than a bike though. Great video, and (especially this year), there’s a time to embrace the suffering.

[@walkwithmetravel3596]

Nobody even needs new tires if you don't ride. Don't bother pumping up your tires if you are not going to ride right now.

[@JulianHutchings]

Sound advice.

[@user-sj9tu7om8o]

Thnx! Really useful video. Some of your points applied to those who already have multiple bikes, whereas I have a mountain bike and am looking for a faster bike (I.e. drop bar). I also live up north with quite a few gravel tracks. Would this still be a good bike to get for my first ‘road’ bike?

[@alangilmour4269]

You’re right I don’t want a gravel bike I’ve got a cyclocross bike and two sets of wheels does everything I need. If however I NEEDED a new bike because mine was done I’d certainly choose a gravel bike, really a mixed terrain drop bar bike which is what they are

[@swanauto47]

Thank you for pointing out the tubeless scam, on a road bike there’s no point. It’s a mess, it’s not elegant and it’s a waste of time. Also if they’re so legit why would everyone carry inner tubes anyways ugg.

[@ironfrogpress1526]

YES!!! Such a refreshing video. I live in Texas where there are lots of gravel roads and I've spent most of my life riding on gravel. I was delighted (at first) when I heard about. "gravel bikes". But soon became dissapinted when I start riding and checking them out. IMHO they are overhyed and overpriced for a bike that is a mediocrec compromise...😉❤️🐸

[@manuelluis5456]

Thank you very much for your grammar English lessons . I'm looking forward .

[@martinvimpany7898]

Brutally honest, absolutely bloody brilliant. Made me laugh out loud!

[@gobofulll]

Well I will discharge with tubeless. I am in San Diego California and I am mostly a Enduro/trail rider. so cycling here we have different environments and I don’t have the issues with multi purpose trail as everyone understand we share the public trails. Now I did buy a gravel bike because I was looking for something I can hit some light trails on and ride to work every day and it felt more comfortable to me then the straight road bike of the same brand. I have not gone tubeless on the gravel bike yet to see if there is a difference on it. But for mountain bikes I think tubeless is a massive difference then tubes. I am a heavy rider at 230 lbs. When I converted I went from 1 pinch/flat every about 7 rides to I have not had one in 2 years. I can drop my psi and I get more traction and to me it stopped some of the small bump shock going up through the bike into my hands. But I think on the road on really skinny tiers it doesn’t make a difference. The biggest advantage of tubeless is being able to drop PSI and get more traction with out getting flats. And dropping PSI doesn’t seem like what u want to do. I think for racing they may do it because even with sealant in there it’s lighter then a tube. But The wider you go and the ruffer the trail/road the more it seems to makes a difference.

[@iandad4]

Thought I was watching a sketch from Monty python absolutely brilliant

[@Βόρειο_Σέλας]

This is the most entertaining rant I have watched on youtube so far regarding bikes and funny enough I agree with all your 7 reasons. How are the bike companies going to sell more bikes? Well start marketing new style of bike and call it Gravel. Well, to be honest you can can ride any bike on the gravel provided you change the tyres. I prefer flat bar and that is what I ride everywhere with 45mm tyres, no carbon fiber or aluminium, pure cromoly tough as nails and heavy. I don't know about UK but here in Melbourne Australia there are lots of off road tracks and you can ride to your hearts content with most bikes with wider tyres. Cheers and well done.

[@cmathews1]

Summary: "Don't buy a gravel bike coz reasons #1 - #7 There are no gravel routes... in South England". This video has confirmed that I should not go to South England to ride. Fine by me, sounds shit.

[@JulianHutchings]

You have no idea.

[@martinpaul6146]

Genius! I live in southern England, Hampshire to be precise. There are no gravel roads! Confirmed ... I have bought an old Charge mixer8. God knows what it’s geometry or breed is, but I have adapted and love it. On road off road, I can make it work. I need to get some better tyres but ultimately it will work and I am happy. Maybe because I know no better but I am happy.

[@jazzfan7491]

Ha, great video and commentary! Loved it and thank you... Much to discuss here, but I’ll just say in my own personal opinion, the bike industry got itself in a jam after the success of Lance Armstrong by building its business around selling very expensive high-performance low-practicality race bikes to a small group of very wealthy people. The bike industry has never truly recovered from that mistake; it is still trying to find new ways to sell very expensive bikes to a relatively small number of people. And the types of bikes they sell - being impractical - do not convince those wealthy folks to bug their political leaders to create the infrastructure that would make cycling truly popular. Imagine if, instead of pushing carbon fiber whatchamacallits (and let me be clear, I myself love carbon fiber whatchamacallits) the bike industry had emphasized selling small, practical folding bikes to hundreds of millions. Imagine, for instance, so much competition in the lower end of the market, that a bike like the Brompton cost $350 and became the main way people got to work and back. That would create a mass movement for cycling! You would see more cycling paths, more ability to bring your bike on buses, more obstacles to owning a car. Then, when millions discovered how beneficial to health and practical bikes are, the bike industry could make a few extra million convincing the stupid rich to buy a $15,000 bike intended for riding up Mount Everest. 🤓 That said, as a semi-roadie who is aging fast (57 currently) I LIKE the gravel bike trend, in the sense it is based on the idea that a bike should be comfortable and practical, not uncomfortable and impractical (like a typical “road bike”). The direction is good, even if the destination thus reached is worthy of ridicule. By the way, love your “gravel” bike with big tires. Hope you do a video just on your bike and what you like and don’t like about it. (And isn’t that what a “gravel” bike is after all? A road bike with mountain bike tires?) Overall: bravo!

[@JulianHutchings]

You make some good points; there is a video on my channel about a gravel ride on the Secan.

[@mikekinsella1119]

Julian, hello from the great white north Canada. Love the rant and could not agree more. Great to see and share the passion! Be Well Mate.

[@JulianHutchings]

I'm on my way - put me up?

[@jeremyscott5038]

“Why does it have to be a e bike” well. Bc there’s a battery in them lol 😂

[@moobaz8675]

Best bike i've ever bought is my Fairlight Secan. 650B Hunt wheels, GRX Di2, Red Shift stem, Specialized CG-R seat post and a big smile, mile after mile. Found Lake Me months ago.

[@JulianHutchings]

Snap!

[@twiggyinc1]

Ever since Donkey's have been riding bikes

[@longbra]

Awesome video. Finally an honest opinion. I got a Felt Adventure bike a few years back but wasn't happy with the lack of tire clearance and lack of mounting points for front panniers. But in retrospect, I've been using it on my trainer indoors and haven't really done any touring with it and probably am unlikely to due to having a family and starting another full time job.

[@durianriders]

Depends where you live. Adelaide is gravel heaven. Just did the Mawson Trail last week on a Pragma Mawson

[@JulianHutchings]

Great ! I'll be there next week-end; put me up?

[@whitecaneracer]

Nice product placement Harley, 😎

[@whitecaneracer]

So if you live in Southern England dont buy a Gravel bike but, if you live anywhere else, buy one, got it. Dont get me wrong but I believe that bicycles have been evolving since day one. Buy what you want, buy what you need. IMO. And thanks for your input, ive decided to never travel to England, sounds like the place is rude and has no places to ride. Totally rubbish.

[@aaron___6014]

The myth, the man.

[@LukezyM]

@@whitecaneracer You were just explained that it’s a marketing spin, don’t give me that “buy what you want” BS still.

[@leebridgwater]

How do you feel about fixed gear 😀

[@stever4184]

If Victor Meldrew were into cycling! 😂 First time viewer - really enjoyed this video - subscribed!

[@pstolee]

I took my Fatbike for a 2300 touring ride. A slow proposition indeed. A fatbike is A BIKE. I had fun....in slow motion and with effort. I just bought a touring bike, putting some 2 inch tires on it and will do some gravel in Labrador after 3000 km of asphalt Loved your video.

[@robertgnicholson61]

”It’s all marketing!” You speak the truth. Testify brother.

[@jamesriley5577]

As the saying goes “It’s all about Location, Location, Location “. Try trading in England for New England. That will explain the the reasoning behind “N+1, Tubeless Tires, and having different types of bikes”.

[@inglesconrichard]

Brilliant Julian!

[@amhtxc2960]

The beauty of having another bike to admire and take care of for doing what your XC and/or trail bike already do perfectly.

[@bruin4937]

The 7 reasons why you should NOT buy a gravel bike: #1: There is no gravel. #2; It's a bike! #3: It's all marketing hype/shit. #4: (possibly the most important of all) tubeless tires are the worst bloody invention in the history of the world; they don't bloody work!; tubeless tires are shit! #5: You don't need another bike. N+1 is nonsense. #6: Four or five things in life I hate the most: horses, dogs, children, old people, walkers - you don't want to share a path with them. Why? Because THEY HATE YOU! THEY HATE CYCLISTS! #7: You do not go bikepacking because you do not want to go bikepacking! I've got bags you can take to the moon, I've got enough stuff to go bikepacking, and I do NOT want to go bikepacking! (prefers to have a supported bike ride with 4- or 5-star hotel accommodations). You're not going bikepacking ... so forget it. I LOVE this video. I just happened on it and found it delightfully entertaining, and on point regarding the mad diversity in bikes and components these days: Gravel, endurance, adventure, sportif, touring, bikepacking, cyclo-cross, trials, road bike, aero bike, climbing bike, mountain bike, downhill, enduro, trail, cross-country, rigid, hardtail, full-suspension, frame flex as suspension, hybrid, 26", 27.5", 29", 700c, 1x, 2x, 3x, single-speed, mechanical disc brakes vs. hydraulic disc brakes, V-brakes/direct-pull brakes, cantilever brakes, hydraulic rim brakes (Magura), steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, carbon fiber with Countervail, drop vs. flat vs. riser vs. curved handlebars, steel bearings vs. ceramic bearings, std seat tube vs. dropper post vs. suspension seat post, etc. (NOTE: Per Daniel McGowan, don't forget fat tire bikes, too!) I currently own 2 road bikes, 2 hardtails, and 1 full-suspension mountain bike: different bikes for different occasions. I also own 5 pairs of shoes: different shoes for different occasions. :-)

[@danielmcgowan9534]

You missed fat tire bikes. But, wow, you got a lot more than I would have remembered. Being in Minnesota, just south of Canada, and living right next to a river . . . fat bikes are awesome.

[@bruin4937]

@@danielmcgowan9534 Yes, fat tire bikes ARE awesome! Thanks for catching that! :-)

[@kchappelle]

Julian, thanks for the little chuckle.

[@Celebi_asf]

JAJAJAJAJAJJA didnt convince me but I love how he complains about everything

[@antoniobarros9896]

I got a gravel bike because I wanted to buy bike... and it is a "go everywhere" kind of bike! Loved your humour, and loved every minute of this video! Cheers!

[@JoMarquez]

Amazingly entertaining 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 laughed my ass off. You’re not bike camping ⛺️ lmao 😂

[@michaelkennedy4444]

On what road bike that’s relatively light in weight can you put tires larger then 32C ? I grew up on 23C tires back in the seventies and hated the rough ride on crap roads. That’s why I own a gravel bike today. You’re still living in the past.

[@JulianHutchings]

Jethro Tull, man! Too old to rock 'n' roll, too young to die.

[@michaelkennedy4444]

Julian Hutchings I had a Jethro Tull album , as I recall the big song was “ Living in the Past “

[@motorcyclinglivinginconnec839]

This dude is hilarious!

[@sagehiker]

All the reasons I want, and have, a gravel bike. And mountain bike. And my everyday bike with trailer mounts. I live in the American West in a small city. If I was in the UK, no, I would be a very different cyclist. The really bizarre thing we are finding out in the US, is that gravel bikes are devolving into the same all road bikes of 100 years ago in ergonomics except with better tires and drive trains. My grandfather would have died for my Surly Bridge Club with swept back upright bars, low step steel frame, 50 mm tires, and 12 speeds. And that is how you get to, "it's a bike."

[@MrRedPony01]

I spit out my overpriced latte on my expensive scarf from laughing so hard.

[@Beatlefan67]

Good for you. When I was a kid if we had a 'tracker' we'd arrived. Definition: any old bike you could get that you could paint up yourself and ride it where you wanted.

[@R9RealMadridR9CR7]

Did he say, "listen up folks" or "listen up fücks?" By the way, fantastic video.

[@JulianHutchings]

I never swear.

[@stanislavkindiakov6334]

Hey Julian, great video! It‘s totally hilarious!

[@spaizemunkie4397]

Ha! 😀 You're funny! For southern England how about we give a bike a new name which is very fitting.... A pot hole shit road bike 👍👍 Yeah! Oh, I liked and subbed - You are just too cool 😎 I love you!

[@JulianHutchings]

Thanks! Keep on truckin'.

[@dynasty4851]

Subscribed! Love the honesty

[@victorbooth2453]

He’s freaking hilarious !

[@unchewable1]

Love my gravel bike and being able to ride out my garage and just go. With trails shrinking and being able to shake up where i ride locally it has been a life save especially now. I do appreciate different perspectives though