Originally Posted by
chas58
There is truth to that, and companies like Canyon (above) and Specialized (crux) are getting more and more race specific with their cross bikes, to differentiate them from gravel bikes. You may not want a new true carbon race thoroughbred...
I have a stable full of bikes, and will ride any of them all day (well, except for the track bike, lol). If they fit properly, they are fine.
A cross bike may (or may not) be stiffer. I ride a cross for 90% of my riding lately. If I知 doing a really rough ride I値l put on 40mm tires (35psi) and a thudbuster seat post. It痴 pretty comfy all day. If I知 hammering in a race type pace line, I値l put a damped carbon seat post on (CGR), a light flat saddle (for riding in the drops), and some light 28mm tires on it.
I have bikes with gravel geometry, but really only use them if I知 going in a straight line on a rail trail or straight gravel road, or if I just want something to casually putz around on.
Just read an interesting review on the Lynskey titanium bike. It rather sums up my experience with gravel geometry:
They are comparing the GR250 to the Salsa Warbird. The warbird is similar in geometry to my cross bike, while the GR250 is more of the more relaxed non race longer distance gravel bike. (FYI, the reviewer seemed to like the GR250 more for his type of riding).
I wanted to buy a gravel bike after reading the reviews, but they don稚 have the pop or the responsiveness I was used to with a road bike. That more relaxed feel is going to be nice for some people, disappointing for other people.
I can see what you're saying. I feel stuck in between. I'll be riding this bike for fitness mainly and wouldn't mind trying out a couple group rides next season I think so I feel like Im expecting the bike I'm after to have that "pop" when I lean into it. Another hurdle I see so many cross bikes are 1x drive which I absolutely love on my mtb but I'm tapped out on gears when pushing myself so I'm pretty confident I want a 2x for this bike.
The folks above mentioning cross being the roadesque bike with mild Offroad ability really made me look at them again. I'd love to put 25-28s on and basically have a road/pavement machine but I want to make sure I'm not going to land on a bike that has me begging to get off within 10-15 miles I.E. race specific bike. I'm unfamiliar enough with the geometry that I can't just look at a manufacturer fit chart and tell exactly how I'd fit which leads to my second issue. I'm 5'3 so my inseam is 29" maybe 30 if you got way into my crotch lol but it really dings me on standover lol