Gravel is exploding around the world, and if you haven’t really experienced it at all don’t fret – as you probably already have to some extent. The heart of gravel riding is about escapism and being in the outdoors. From riding long adventures, to exploring new places on whatever adventure you can manage. It has often been said that the ideal gravel bike is whatever bike you have right now. For some riders gravel will be a gateway drug to riding trails and getting into mountain biking, for others it will complement the mountain biking they already do.
Of course, gravel bikes exist as the varied demands of gravel do dictate that some specific equipment is advantageous. The position, wheelbase, gearing and tyre constraints of a road bike don’t cut it, and most modern mountain bikes end up too heavy and undergeared. Interestingly, a 29er hardtail from about 5 years ago
