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Jun 2020
12:02pm, 23 Jun 2020
1,910 posts
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MudMeanderer
The main difference between a cx and gravel bike is mainly small differences in geometry, but isn't that the predominant difference between any bikes? No doubt there is marketing behind gravel, but it doesn't mean it's just a rebranded cx bike.
A 29er may be able to cover more difficult terrain, but that's why it's not an ideal replacement - it's overkill, and quashes some of the fun. It's about a bike that makes it fun on the type of terrain you want to ride. It's why my CX bike gets a lot of use whilst my mtb rusts away - the stuff I like to ride feels dull and laboured on a mtb
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Jun 2020
12:29pm, 23 Jun 2020
105 posts
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ftrobbie
Mud - nice perspective as I dont have a MTB at all and have thought about one, but never pressed the button.
oumaumau - my cross came with 25s on it but its currently set up with a 28 on the back and a 31 on the front. Plenty of space on the forks and stays to go wider though.
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Jun 2020
1:22pm, 23 Jun 2020
1,625 posts
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oumaumau
I saw a gravel spec recently for up to 48 - almost fat bike territory.
I often idly wonder about a gravel bike as an upgrade for my road bike/replacement for the commuter (which has been used twice) since the refurb just before lock-down. But then realise I'm supposed to be aspiring to n+1... 
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Jun 2020
1:49pm, 23 Jun 2020
106 posts
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ftrobbie
"n+1... ;)"
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Jun 2020
3:50pm, 23 Jun 2020
3,694 posts
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Pou Pou LePhoõk
In the good old days, there were only really two bikes. Tourers with slacker angles, longer wheelbase and a bigger fork trail (or is it rake?), and racing bikes with tighter angles, shorter wheelbase and less of a fork trail/rake.
It seems to have gotten so complicated since then...
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Jun 2020
3:55pm, 23 Jun 2020
107 posts
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ftrobbie
My dad would argue there were 2 racing bikes, road and track bikes. His track bike, from memory was shorter and it wasnt until I was much older that I understood fixed wheel, single gear, no brakes. And boy was that a lesson I'll never forget.
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Jun 2020
4:03pm, 23 Jun 2020
3,695 posts
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Pou Pou LePhoõk
Good point, ftr's dad.
Insert 'road' into my first sentence.
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Jun 2020
4:14pm, 23 Jun 2020
109 posts
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ftrobbie
I still miss non indexed shifters on the down tube and how you feathered gears and the pump stays on the seat tube. Progress!!
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Jun 2020
8:06pm, 23 Jun 2020
26,747 posts
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Dave.O
If you start whacking suspension on a gravel bike like some manufactures are you may as well ride a mtb. And if your running 40mm tyres your not to far of a narrow MTB tyre.
Its all marketing bullshit anyhow.
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Jun 2020
9:32pm, 23 Jun 2020
111 posts
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ftrobbie
"If you start whacking suspension on a gravel bike like some manufactures are you may as well ride a mtb. And if your running 40mm tyres your not to far of a narrow MTB tyre.
Its all marketing bullshit anyhow."
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