Came across this and wondered which would be the more appropriate ?
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcrky9sw02w
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcrky9sw02w
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
An MTB and a Gravel bike, N+1 and all that 
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Watched the first 3 minutes and definitely a track where the gravel bike will be quicker given the right rider. I've certainly ridden much rougher tracks on my gravel machine and got places on the Strava top ten boards.
The rider in the vid isn't a great rider and leaves the track a couple of times. I guess he would likely fall off on those tight, loose corners on an mtb too?
I do take my gravel bike now at times when I would previously have always reached for the mtb, but for some things, only the mtb will do!
The rider in the vid isn't a great rider and leaves the track a couple of times. I guess he would likely fall off on those tight, loose corners on an mtb too?
I do take my gravel bike now at times when I would previously have always reached for the mtb, but for some things, only the mtb will do!
Mo1959
Legendary Member
- Location
- Perthshire,Scotland
It's lack of confidence with me. I tense up far too much the older I get. I didn't like the look of the drop on the right at times!
For me on that route I would much rather be riding a MTB. I need more experience to get better at handling my road bike but even with a good amount of experience I'm certain I would be able to handle a MTB better on that track.
I really don't see the gravel bike actually being quicker. You're not realistically going to be getting into a particularly aero position on a route like that. Less confidence in grip leads to slower cornering. Less confidence under braking due to hand position may mean being more cautious and still less safe on the gravel bike.
Then there's the times when it gets a bit rocky or a bit loose and you lose much more time than you can possibly have gained.
I think it would also be less fun on a gravel bike. You're trying to keep it planted and steady whereas on a MTB you can throw it around and enjoy the corners and bumps.
I'd love a gravel bike but not for that track. I would mainly be using it for towpaths, gravel tracks, the odd bit of single track that's not particularly challenging and roads.
I really don't see the gravel bike actually being quicker. You're not realistically going to be getting into a particularly aero position on a route like that. Less confidence in grip leads to slower cornering. Less confidence under braking due to hand position may mean being more cautious and still less safe on the gravel bike.
Then there's the times when it gets a bit rocky or a bit loose and you lose much more time than you can possibly have gained.
I think it would also be less fun on a gravel bike. You're trying to keep it planted and steady whereas on a MTB you can throw it around and enjoy the corners and bumps.
I'd love a gravel bike but not for that track. I would mainly be using it for towpaths, gravel tracks, the odd bit of single track that's not particularly challenging and roads.
Last edited:
Kajjal
Guru
- Location
- Wheely World
A mountain bike would give more control but looks fine for either.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
It really depends on your handling skills. A mountain bike would be far more forgiving and planted but a gravel bike or road bike or touring bike or bmx or cx bike would deal with it relatively easily in the right hands.
rockyroller
Guru
- Location
- 20 miles northwest of Boston, MA
I prefer a MTB w/ straight bars & higher volume tires for trails like that in the video
T.M.H.N.E.T
Rainbows aren't just for world champions
- Location
- Northern Ireland
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
For the same wheel size, it doesn't matter greatly.
