What Makes Gravel Bikes Different from Mountain Bikes?

Question

What is the difference in riding position and the kind of tires which can be mounted on gravel bikes and mountain bikes?

Answer 1

Gravel bikes are made to be ridden along uneven bike trails, cobbled streets, or rugged dirt tracks just like mountain bikes do but there is a fundamental difference in their riding position as it is more aggressive and efficient. Also, with the use of narrow slick tires which gravel bikes can accommodate, the speed of a road bike can be achieved.

Comments

The touring mountain bike I got 20 years ago would now be categorized as a gravel bike. Interesting.

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I'm definitely a gravel bike man but it seems we are going in the direction of dissolving the distinction between gravel bikes and hardtail XC bikes. And I think gravel bikes should stay something in between the road and full terrain - something like the bike version of a crossover or SUV. For me, a gravel bike (and this is purely personal) is still a type of bike that feels better on the road but is capable of taking us in some more rough terrain if we need to. But the real off-road tracks should stay reserved for MTB. Drop handlebars might be not enough to keep the distinction. More 'road-like' geometry may be the key feature here.

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I'm looking forward to put drop bars on my downhill bike and call it a gravel bike

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Why is everyone so sensitive about how you call a bike and what niche should not be covered?

Isn't it great that we get more options and variants and you can get exactly what you want? Of course there is some overlap - so what?

Most (stock) XC hardtails are fairly different from gravel bikes, even those with a sus fork. Most are not made for riding fast on flatter terrain (and i don't mean xc-fast, but roadie-fast) but gear much more towarda more rough and more uphill.


I love my XC (fully), but it is just a different experience compared to riding my gravel bike.

On a side note: modern gravel frame geometry is nothing like 90ies MTB, repeating that statement doesn't make it true.

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A lot of those bikes are darn close to XC hardtails with drop bars. Fluidity in bike categories is a GOOD thing, IMO. It's just funny to hear 'gravel bikes are getting better' when they really just get more similar to bikes designed for offroad / mountain use.

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Exactly, MTB with drop bar