Originally Posted by
Newspaper_Nick
My two cents:
Short answer: No, if we think speed, lightness and aerodynamics are the main factors of a road bike. If you want a road bike, get a road bike. If you want gravel, get a gravel. If you want both, buy two bikes.
Speed, lightness, and aerodynamics might be the main considerations for road
racing bikes, but not necessarily for all road bikes.
Some gravel bikes (Cervelo Aspero, Open U.P., Allied Alfa Allroad, etc.) are essentially road bikes that accommodate larger tires. They are just as light and fast as a lot of road bikes when fitted with narrow wheels and tires. It would be quite easy for one of these to take the place of two bikes.