Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
I think "new bike category" might be a stretch. Seems to me that the ideal "gravel bike" all along was essentially a mountain bike that handled and felt like a road bike. So we're just getting closer and closer to that ideal.
I do not agree with this at all. Gravel bikes weigh 10 - 12 pounds less, have no front suspension, do not use heavy tires, have completely different handling and geometry, have drop bars, etc. I do not see much similarity at all. Gravel bikes fall into two categories, "traditional" that have a longer wheelbase and geometry akin to touring bikes (Warbird, Renegade) and a smallwer category more like road bikes with short wheelbase, more vertical steerer and shorter stack (Open, 3T). Neither are very much like a mountain bike. Both are a lot of fun though!