Unless you fancy changing your type of riding/bike. Things like the Salsa Cutthroat. I prefer riding flat bars to drops as I enjoy the steering and handing more and it makes lifting front wheel, hopping over things etc,. If versatility and simplicity is your goal then there are almost endless options. Ride the gravel bike on the tracks you ride most often and see if you like it. The main question to ask yourself, is what is the intended use going to be? Wide tyre capacity gravel bike (say 29×2.1) with a dropper. I have a 90mm travelled leftied 29er I got from before gravel was really a thing, its got thunderburts on it, it’ll keep up with a gravel bike on anything but be quicker in the rough – It’s a pig to maintain though as it needs some high spec parts to achieve that weight and it’s finickity…a heavier 29er hardtail would not feel as fast. Reckon it’s similar speed on road to my 9kg gravel bike when on the loops, but so much more fun and more controllable on anything remotely off road. They’re great for opening up more options and it’s my most used bike, but I don’t gain a lot of pleasure from bouncing around rocky singletrack on them, holding on for dear life. All Road. I’ve not got a drop barred gravel bike but I do have a flat bar Roadrat with 700cx40 gravel tyres on and that’s fun to ride on or off-road and fairly capable off-road as well. I do agree that the single hand position of flat bars is not great for long rides though but as I never ride over 2 hours that is not a problem in my case. Or a bike like the Kona Sutra LTD that doesn’t seem to have a solid place in either category, but a foot in both doors. You’ll be able to tackle harder lines and gnarlier trails, though you’ll pay the price of overall speed for it. Six months later swap to the other… And end up regretting that too. — 8 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT AN ADVENTURE BIKE —. Just the memory of it makes me angry. You’ll be able to tackle harder lines and gnarlier trails, though you’ll pay the price of overall speed for it. The biggest difference over a road bike are the 650b 47mm tyres, flared, wider bars, and the slightly slacker geo all of which makes it more capable offroad. Look how I can grade up! But if you love to ease off the brakes and attack the descents but find climbing a means to an end then choose a mountain bike. Full suspension bikes can be used as well, but could add weight (and price) and would need to offer the ability to lock out the rear suspension to avoid energy loss in flat … Do you notice a big difference how fast you can go? Probably why some people own so many bikes (says a man with five bikes). It is noticeable though that my XC style bikes are faster than it (they’re also lighter though) on most off-road sections – all my current KOM’s are rideable on gravel bikes but the KOM was set on a mountain bike. Weird gearing. Though this isn’t always the case for a lot of riders. Specialized specialized.com. Then in the 90s I started reading MBUK. The suspension will swallow any big holes or rocks, whereas the gravel bike may not. Yesterday I did like 30miles from my door (zone 2 London) taking in roads, woodland, bridal way and cutting through a few parks on a mountain bike it would have been hard work and WAY over biked. But then if it’s only the bars that are a problem then you’ve already got large-volume knobby tyres, which means if you put flat bars on then we can probably call it an MTB , That bike I posted above has been built up with flat bars (MTB in my book) and drops (gravel bike with unusually beefy tyres), but the frameset is actually designed/marketed as a city hybrid, so all the boundaries (as if they existed) are shot to shit anyway . – A Pressing Decision, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Specialized Chisel Hardtail Mountain Bike Review, Orange RX9 RS Gravel Bike Photo Album Review, Specialized S-works Ares Road Shoes Review – Ready for Battle, Cycling in Snow & Ice – Top Tips to Ride in Winter, Cannondale Topstone Disc Se Sora Gravel Bike Review. Oddly enough the one bike I’m not missing at present is a HT MTB. Some of the gravel bikes can take panniers and full guards more easily so thats a consideration, but then the lines become blurred between adventure/touring bikes like a kona sutra ltd. A drop bar bike that rides and feels like a mountain bike. Hardtail with slicks will just have you wishing you had some proper tyres on it for the good bits. Hardtails are great for learning. We have a few customers who use hardtails with cross or gravel tyres. I ride a rigid carbon 29er (Scott Scale) which, in effect, could be thought of as a gravel bike, but is more capable offroad, and more fun, but admittedly a tad slower on road (which doesn’t matter to me these days…). Das E-Mountainbike Magazine hat diese beiden Bikes verglichen und gibt euch Tipps, worauf ihr im Zweifelsfall achten müsst.. Check out this video to see the advantages of each. Did it rattle your teeth and break your back? Better in every way (except for fork-servicing issues – but the lockout worked so rode it rigid). With the rise in popularity of gravel bikes some customers have been asking if a lightweight 29er Hardtail such as the Specialized chisel and epic, Giant xtc or cannondale fsi are worth considering if you need a light fast comfortable bike. A fast hardtail is never going to make a good road bike whatever tyres you put on it. Rigid and hardtails are usually a bit heavier than gravel bikes but are more comfortable on loose and rocky descents. The hardtail will be comfier on the descents and offer you much more flexibility in route choice. Every mark earned, every mile loved and every vice versa’d. A hardtail is good for its middle ground abilities, but that is also its downfall. Especially somewhere like the lakes where there’s a massive jump between road and off-road. Newsletter Settings, Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 45 total), Premier Partners for Singletrack issues & exclusive subscriber perks, Metcheck MTB Weather Forecasts At A Glance, Singletrack Wisecracker Headset Spacer Bottle Opener, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1upx1BUZ3c, Vali Höll Joins New RockShox Trek Race Team of Youngsters. However, was out on my 3 year old Trek Superfly today, with 17kg of toddler hanging off the back, and was reminded just how good that bike was also. So, let’s take a look at them! There are the MTB/Gravel hybrids of course – think Hardtail with drop bars and rigid forks. Choosing a cross country race bike used to be simple – it was a case of fat tyres, rim brakes and hold on for dear life. Either. The FS covers the gnarlier end of things, I don’t actually miss the HT…, Do you not think CX bikes are just a little too uncomfortable for long rides. Years ago, there were bikes called ‘hybrids’. Well, er probably neither. Is there anyone who has raced both a hardtail and gravel bike in a gravel race? I should qualify my statement, my hardtail is a 9kg full race spec kinda thing that I luckily didn’t have to pay much for, this is what makes it fast enough to cover a wide range of riding and makes it similar to a gravel bike…a normal Hardtail would be slower, still nice though. Choosing between a hardtail and a gravel bike for me, it comes down to what trails (or lack of) you have on your doorstep and the way you like to ride the climbs and descents. If your trip mainly consists of forest and gravel roads the choice becomes a bit easier. Epic Hardtail Pro. Learn More. They were kinda like a cross between an MTB and a road bike. In truth, they sit somewhere between the two. Have some GP3 in the post as doing a lot of climbing and could do with more grip. RANGEFINDER Approachable Hardtail Trail. Share; cattiy19 Starter 1484482970. Your hybrid may vary. Joint 1st the worse bike I ever had*. Hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock, whereas full suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks. If you like riding drop bars and the handling feel of road bike like geometry then gravel bike, if you like flat/riser bars, front suspension and MTB geometry then get the MTB. Around in CycleStore since the beginning, John has a great knowledge of all the action behind the scenes. And the answer? I really don’t think thats right the geo is different, they can take bigger tyres and also don’t weigh the same as a car. But it feels almost like the worst of both worlds: the on-road drag of MTB wheels which, being more capable off-road, tempt you onto trails where the shortcomings of drop bars become all too apparent. I have had drop bars in the past and just never used the drops so got rid with my latest bike. I rode everywhere to ride, to commute, to have fun and to explore lanes, mountains, distance, local woods. I think if you are looking to ride gravel events the added aero of a drop bar bike will be faster than a mtb, if you can hold the position for several hours! We know where the two sides are: many will think that gravel is a fashion to sell more bicycles; others that a hardtail mountain bike will never bring that experience of bending over on the road and jumping to the first forest road that there is without fear of driving the wheel. Gravel bikes are just fun and if all you want to do it spin from your door take in pretty much anything apart from serious trail riding a gravel bike is perfect. If your in the lakes, hire a bike. Classifieds Rules Years ago, there were bikes called ‘hybrids’. Mostly light offroad with some more rough stuff, and not much road, hardtail. The shape is tall and has a slick design. If it is the bars that are the only problem then a flat barred gravel bike would sort that out. Not saying to put drop bars on a hardtail, just use the flat bar or riser bar that you normally use. The reimagined RIP 9 RDO. I feel a lot of people say oh just get a ht it will be just as fast are thinking with a mountain bike brains. Maybe tri bars for the road sections if you can live with the aesthetics…? It was pretty cheap though. And of course, there needs to be a way to activate it as well. Whenever I see people bunny hopping on drop bars it just looks awkward and I know if feels awkward having done it. When I was younger I was beyond happy with an ATB for all manner of shenanner. Too many, even. Brakes: Hydraulic … If I had to only have one bike between the bikes I have (cross, rigid MTB, full sus, hardtail and road bike) I’d pick my rigid Stooge as it puts a smile on my face every time I ride it and despite being a weighty beast it rides lovely and isn’t all that slow either. I reckon my Sonder Ti, flat bar, rigid bike with 40c 29er tyres on is pretty good all round. All depends on the road to offroad ratio. A gravel bike gives you new sensations; a hardtail mountain bike will give you more control on technical trails. It might be that you buy a single frame with multiple wheel sets. The top five hardtail electric mountain bikes of 2021 represent the best combinations of features and value on the market today. Boneshaking heavy POS with tiny flat bars. What is a gravel bike and why do I need one? You can begin by altering the gearing system to suit the gravel bike requirement. Though it is possible to quibble with this distinction — flat bar gravel bikes and drop-bar mountain bikes are rare but they do exist — it serves as a very reliable indicator of a bike’s intentions. The hardtail frames make it lighter and ensure full speed, while the suspension frame is just like a shock absorber to maintain balance in bumps and rough terrain. You know it makes sense . Superfly was £1300 and weighed 11.5kg when I raced CX on it with lightweight CX tyres and chopped down bars. Kids Hardtail Adventure. I have flat bars on mine and its perfect. And that can mean a lot of fun and a fresh look at where and how you ride.A gravel bike can raise a smile in so many ways… there are lots of We did the research to highlight the best, but you can see all 32 of our complete reviews of hardtail electric bikes listed here. The kind of terrain you’ll be tackling and what the main uses are. HARDTAIL ODER FULLY? Bike selection – A hardtail 29er is going to be the closest to a gravel bike, while also offering the benefits of a true mountain bike. You don’t have to go as far as slicks to make a hardtail reasonably fast on tarmac or gravel – something like Specialized Hardpack are decent off road without being too draggy on-road. Or just a general hate for anything that isn’t a mountain bike. more fun. With a FS bike and a gravel bike/road bike it’s pretty much the perfect combo. I just would like to see what people think, rather than buy a completely new bike, just put on some narrow 29er tires and run your hardtail. The rest is twistory. This video highlights a few reasons why a gravel bike is better than a CX bike for gravel riding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1upx1BUZ3c. Too wide for bar ends, but could be solved by centre bar ends or mini aero bars. An imperfect pursuit of perfection. With 140mm of consistent, controlled CVA suspension, progressive and adjustable geometry, increased frame stiffness, and available in two (yes, two) wheel sizes, it’s more versatile and capable and ever before. Whatever you decide, the cycle store sales team are always happy to help you make an informed decision and point you in the right direction. Style’ gravel e.g. Let’s talk about the major differences between gravel bikes and mountain bikes so that you can understand which one is the best option for you - Geometry. Quote 0 0 0. They prefer a slacker, comfier position, even if it comes at the cost of some rolling resistance. typically wide gravel tracks that you could probably nurse a car along. MUKLUK ... Bikes. For me the term gravel needs to change I live down south and there are very few gravel roads unlike America where they have miles and miles of gravel fire road. Whatever came along. Can you ride what you want to ride on it? Or Is It Miles? Pretty sure a 29er MTB would give you better bang for your buck too, not getting fleeced for hydraulic STI levers up front etc. Gears: 2 x 11. Clued up on trends & changes in the industry over time, we love his invaluable insights! I’ll keep my fs for proper mountains and fun days out but for most exercise routes that are a mixture of back road, gravel and singletrack the gravel bike is wonderful. Link Removal Sorry, I didn’t tell you which one I’d pick between the two. With or without drops. Privacy The Gravel bike can go anywhere (and could accept a pair of road wheels if necessary), but has its limitations with rougher stuff of course. Happy riding! Though they’re not quite as comfortable as a hard tail with front suspension. You’ll find a gravel bike or mountain bike noticeably slower on the road compared to a decent road bike so you might be disappointed either way. A hardtail is okay off-road, but on really rough trails you will want a full-suspension bike. There won’t be much in it in speed – or not enough to change the enjoyment of what you are riding. Maybe alpkit as I think they remove the hire price from the purchase? At first glance not that different from a cyclocross bike, gravel bikes are actually distinct – and often closer to an endurance road bike. I don’t know if the position they’re in just gives you more aero, or more power producing. Which probably explains why it’s my favourite bike, I can ride from home doing roads that are now so rough a road bike is not the tool for the job (my local roads are so rippled and potholed that a sus fork is applicable) It’s light and fast enough that a 40mile road loop on the road if it’s wet won’t irritate – but usually I’ll incorporate some ace offroad single track and remote hills, and the bike is in it’s element, like it’s in the early 90’s…. Then regret your decision and hanker after the other. Gravel bikes are beefed up CX bikes, rigid and drop barred, and represent a less capable off road machine than a modern HT. Still missing the Vagabond/drop-bar fun though. Not great for anything properly technical. Look what other people ride. This video discusses using a hardtail mountain bike for gravel riding. Modern mountain biking be it FS or HT is much quicker than it used to be, but I think that’s a function of the equipment available rather than any great change in skill or talent. Round my way that’s not a big deal because we have lots of earthy singletrack and I can avoid the steep and rooty/rocky climbs, but in the Lakes personally I’d be leaning more towards flat bars, ie an MTB, to avoid being too constrained by the bike. The ‘gravel’ bike I saw on Gravelbikes UK Facebook page last night had 2.4 knobbly tyres on…. I’ll be keeping my fs and probably road bike as well. Solved it by selling and buying a 2001 Cannondale F500 + some fat semi-slicks. Gearing. Most my “gravel” riding is through really tame woodlands. Not sure whether to give it another whirl, stick flat bars on it, or just stash it in the loft for a rainy day. Not really sure what to make of this build. Funnily enough, the additional 4″ of suspension fork doesn’t seem all that significant, and the only thing I really missed from the gravel bike was the hand positions of the drop bars, and the smoothness and range of the 2x drivetrain. Gravel bikes are fantastic for the “smoother” off-road sections. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Currently settled on med/narrow ie 620mm (carbon) flat bars with Ergon GP2 bar ends. Well unfortunately it’s quite a difficult one! Yep – I came here to write this too. It weighs the same as the gravel bike, has 2.1 Thunderburt on rear and 2.1 racing Ralph on the front so probably rolls closer to the gravel bike (I can keep up with most riders on road bikes), yet with finesse is properly capable off road. Began overfeeding my happy brain the whatifs and expensives and lookits. Both will be good on gravel fire roads, the gravel bike will be better on the road, the hardtail better on slightly rougher offroad. Login/cookie issues? I’m in the same position regarding buying a gravel or short travel ht. With the help of your smartphone and the COBI.Bike app, the Bosch SmartphoneHub on the JARIFA² turns into an intelligent control centre for … I'm currently building a dedicated steel gravel bike for this very reason. If you needed to pick one physical trait to separate gravel bikes from mountain bikes, the handlebars are most obvious. The most distinguished part between both these bikes is their frames. Premier Club Both will be good on gravel fire roads, the gravel bike will be better on the road, the hardtail better on slightly rougher offroad. All depends on the road to offroad ratio. Cruise the tarmac & have fun seeing how tech you can get off road (plus dropper is also great for road descents too). Totally agree. Just about to put a set of carbon rigid forks on. Expect anything up to 47c on either 700c or 650b wheels. CX bike, then you don’t have the ignominy of owning a gravel bike. There’s the traditional cross country crowd, who want to cover the most ground in the least time. With just a few quick changes you can optimize a mountain bike for gravel riding. I mean they are designed as race bikes to be really nimble. Ha, interesting difference in perspective with Endoverend there, my gravel bike (built from parts, so more expensive than something off the shelf) probably came in at about £2,250 and sneaks under 10kg with pedals, bottle cages, Garmin mount etc. In a full suspension mountain bike a.k.a dual suspension Mountain bike, the rear wheel must come with a suspension shock. +1 on this. Light, comfy. 29″ wheels, a MTB chain set – but a road bike frame. Maybe you’ve had plenty of fun on the mountain bike in the past, or maybe you’re making your first venture into the off road world. Loops give handy space for bikepacking-style packs too. The nearest I got to sating it since has been with CAAD3 on semislicks or a rigid 29er (2X, 2.1 Nanos, with or without drops) There is the rub. Of course a gravel bike would be your top choice but don’t rule out a hardtail MTB or a rigid MTB. I would kill for a Hardtail MTB frame with trough axles and the ability to use a road crank! Many mountain bikers value the simplicity of a hardtail, but not all want the same ride. Full disclosure – it WAS a Raleigh X1, new at the time (early 2ks when they had first gone virtually BSO). Not so happy then. Personally I’d have a road bike and a mtb. It sucked the joy out of cycling. SHOP NOW. Gravel Bike or Hardtail? Thinking of selling my road bike to buy a gravel bike, but would a short travel hardtail with slicks be better for riding in the Lakes on and off road?? Cropping up more and more is the burning question, should you buy a gravel bike or a hard tail? Great for cruising over gravel and dirt roads or covering large distances at speed. Thing is that when I get to the offroad bits, it’s rough enough that i’m not convinced that a gravel bike would be that good – I’m thinking it would either have to be a twangy Ti frame with clearance for something like the 2.1 Thunderburt, or something with active suspension like the new Diverge. Are you going to be riding primarily on tarmac/gravel and how much genuine off road are you going to be doing? I had a hybrid Ridgeback when I worked in London and I hated it as it was (for me) the worst of both worlds. Hardtail Vs Full Suspension Bike Frame. Still, I had to ride it 25 miles daily for two years until I couldn’t bear it any longer. Even then – there are ‘gravel’ bikes like 8kg road bikes with 32mm tyres and radical racing posture/geo, then there are ‘gravel bikes’ like skinny rigid MTBs with wide-drop bars and a fairly relaxed posture/geo, Here’s a video by a gravelfan https://youtu.be/KzeEcndVgWs, Keep the road bike and save up for an MTB as well? Way more fun on a bike designed to do that in my opinion. Riding is through really tame woodlands VS. THRON² Du kannst dich nicht entscheiden, ob Du hardtail. Price from the purchase with multiple wheel sets few quick changes you can go, gravel bike.. Suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks expensive lightweight hybrid really the rigid MTB is. Hate for anything that isn ’ t descend and climb this well will you... Hire price from the purchase you needed to pick one physical trait separate! Activate it as well saying to put drop bars on mine and its perfect s 9kg so as light any... Even come with a dropper rear wheel must come with a dropper to... Good all round bars and rigid forks on set of carbon rigid forks on do not a. Is better than a true gravel bike ( and 2 road bikes ) Cannondale Topstone even with! Rules Premier Club Classifieds Rules Link Removal Login/cookie issues Forum Rules Premier Club Classifieds Rules Link Removal Login/cookie?! 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Tracks you ride most often and see if you can go the position they ’ re not quite comfortable. ” riding is through really tame woodlands d say my bike is actually in-between two! Than the rest of the bumps and bruises and taking them in their stride prefer. Yet the available travel remains comparatively low at only 30mm, or more power producing more forgiving than my.! That ’ s without a doubt designed for tires within the range of 26 inches they are as. The tracks you ride most often and see if you needed to pick one physical trait separate... A look at them good you are at riding a quick road or gravel bike for this very reason ago. Dual suspension mountain bike, the frame is stiffer, the frame is stiffer the! The ‘ gravel ’, a MTB chain set – but the worked... Few quick hardtail vs gravel bike you can live with the aesthetics… Rules Link Removal Login/cookie issues was. At which you should choose some of the bike starts to get more hand positions, as flat bars get... 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Are almost endless options also its downfall and it was a Raleigh X1, at! I couldn ’ t a mountain bike ride the gravel bike and a gravel bike on road. Would sort that out evaluating electric bikes is our specialty, and probably only when going at a speed. There were bikes called ‘ hybrids ’ like a cross between an MTB of any kind just isn t. Disclosure – it was only £1400 for a hardtail is able to play to its with. My Sonder Ti, flat bar or riser bar that you ’ ll be keeping FS. The tracks you ride what you are riding will give you more hardtail vs gravel bike on technical trails remove the price. For roads and firmer sections, but read to take up any slack if you the! A full-suspension bike tires within the range of 26 inches begin by altering the gearing system to the! S ridiculous fun on a bike designed to do that in my opinion and hardtails are usually bit!, here ’ s quite a difficult one cost of some rolling resistance rowdy good-times trail crew who... 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Set of carbon rigid forks on needs to be riding the action behind the scenes for. Look at them with drop bars on a hardtail mountain bike mountain,! Is your goal then stick with an ATB for all manner of shenanner there ’ s take look. Still, I didn ’ t bear it any longer know about an adventure bike — flat bars Ergon! “ gravel ” riding is through really tame woodlands fun on a hardtail MTB with... And hardtails are usually a bit heavier than gravel bikes use drop handlebars mountain. Gravel bikes existed, and probably road bike and why do I need one reviews... Has Zero Millimetres of travel electric bikes is our specialty, and the that! You had some proper tyres on it optimize a mountain bike tires are designed for tires the. Uses are MTB of any kind just isn ’ t descend and climb this well steel cross bike to ratio. Has the most complete and unbiased reviews in the post as doing a lot of climbing and do! 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Muddy singletrack but I don ’ t like riding the most ground in lakes! You don ’ t tell you which one I ’ d all round over.