XC Vs Gravel Bikes | What’s The Difference? What's Faster?

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  • čas pƙidĂĄn 15. 07. 2022
  • Join Neil Donoghue and Blake Samson for an epic race across the wild Swedish landscapes as they put the question of XC Vs Gravel bikes to the ultimate test! Which rider will be victorious? Will the capabilities of the XC beat the outright speed of the gravel bike? There's only one way to find out! 🎬
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Komentáƙe • 218

  • @gmbn
    @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +8

    What's your go-to bike? Share with us down below! 👇

    • @tomassanesson902
      @tomassanesson902 Pƙed rokem

      Scott 29 hybrid

    • @YogiliciousP
      @YogiliciousP Pƙed rokem +2

      Whatever bike I have ATM! Althg MTB is more of a thrill!

    • @VWsandMtnBikes
      @VWsandMtnBikes Pƙed rokem

      I have a Fezzari Shafer gravel bike with two wheelsets, one for gravel/mixed terrain, and one for road/commutes. I have a Pivot Trail 429 for actual mountain bike rides. Why do you have to pick one OR the other? ;)

    • @davekendall1338
      @davekendall1338 Pƙed rokem

      The Nukeproof Digger. Got the factory version last year with the dropper and can't get enough of it. It's about as close as you can get to a quiver killer. Roads, gravel, rocky/rooty single track...it does it all.

    • @Paganiproductions84
      @Paganiproductions84 Pƙed rokem

      2X Orbea Alma one from 2018 and one from 2021 alu and carbon frame.

  • @SimonBauer7
    @SimonBauer7 Pƙed rokem +54

    for me the ultimate all round bike is a hardtail xc bike. enough suspension and wide enough tires to get you into trouble but not too much that it doesnt ride like crap on the road.

    • @f.9344
      @f.9344 Pƙed rokem +4

      yeah, hardtail xc is the best allrounder. i slaped race king tire on mine and it makes a huge diference

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +3

      Sounds like the ultimate bike, Simon! 👊

  • @charliecook6909
    @charliecook6909 Pƙed rokem +14

    I'm a cross country hardtail bike lover , not much use for a gravel bike around where I live , but doesn't stop me wanting one đŸ€Ł

  • @JimiAle
    @JimiAle Pƙed rokem +20

    I have both and love both. The XC bike is faster off road a lot more confidence inspiring. However the gravel bike tends to be more fun, choosing lines & bike control. Underbiking is where it at :-)

  • @chrisridesbicycles
    @chrisridesbicycles Pƙed rokem +11

    Saalbach has changed a thing or two. GCN presenters falling in love with MTB, Blake on drop bars. This is wild. Both have their use. Neil, did you have to use the lockout lever on the Exie?

  • @richardfarias2920
    @richardfarias2920 Pƙed rokem +4

    Blake! You spinning machine!! GMBN needs to bring you back to the USA to run some gravel races. Unbound, Steamboat, Belgian Waffle. You would tear it up!!!

  • @birkaster
    @birkaster Pƙed rokem +33

    This Gravel vs MTB thing gets really tiring now, honestly, doesn't really matter as long as you have fun. And probably it's an unfair comparison, a gravel is just a usable road bike for regular people: more relaxed geometry and capable to handle crappy roads, you can put bags on it, etc. If you have only the money to buy one bike just for biking, than probably the best choice, you can use it on- and offroad, commute. If you fancy off-road a bit more, than probably the XC is a very good choice.
    On the other hand, let's just appreciate that Blake probably could do this with a unicycle, that guy has crazy bike handling skills.

    • @dit4963
      @dit4963 Pƙed rokem +1

      I don't care that gravel bikes exist, for me it's only annoying that MTB companies and magazines are into gravel bikes. Why? (except there is profit to be made) Gravel bikes are way closer to road bikes, not MTB bikes.

    • @sashaciochina1166
      @sashaciochina1166 Pƙed rokem +3

      @@dit4963 Because MTB with rigid forks aren't really available. So why would I want a rigid fork? Less maintenance hassle, and the ability to attach bags to it. I personally went from an Enduro MTB to a Gravel bike, and have to say while the gravel isn't as fun, it's in another league when it comes to practicality. I can say, hands down, if you have money for only one bike, gravel is the way to go.

    • @dit4963
      @dit4963 Pƙed rokem

      @@sashaciochina1166 I don't know what "enduro" were you riding if you even compare enduro with gravel... Good luck riding EWS with a gravel bike. And I mean just finishing the race on the bike 😅 At most you can compare it with XC/downcountry, but with enduro or even trail makes no f sense.

    • @sashaciochina1166
      @sashaciochina1166 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@dit4963 I'm not comparing them in terms of ride-style, I'm comparing them in terms of "your only bike". Majority of people don't have the budget/space for more than one bike. So, in that regard a gravel bike is versatile, and also, as someone who's run on a Canyon Torque a good deal, found that the Grizl handles off-road surprisingly well (as in, it will handle single-track too)

  • @garethbingham8584
    @garethbingham8584 Pƙed rokem +1

    Love this video...have both, albeit a more trail orientated MTB, but watching has reinforced why I gave up road riding for off-road...so much more fun!!!

  • @snowman22ism
    @snowman22ism Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci

    Wicked shot of Blake riding through the puddle... Love it... The video quality at GMBN is outstanding...

  • @tsurutom
    @tsurutom Pƙed rokem +40

    I have exactly those, a hardtail XC and a gravel bike, love both, and use both for nearly the same things. They're so close together, and it all depends on the tyres you put on them. The gravel bike goes just that bit faster on flat surfaces and the XC bike can ride a bit bumpier off road stuff, but for me (and probably the average rider) there's like 90% overlap.

    • @thecappy
      @thecappy Pƙed rokem +2

      Same here. All though it’s fun to take the gravel bike on single track.

    • @dangerfulmind
      @dangerfulmind Pƙed rokem +2

      Yeah, exactly, same here HT and gravel, same route with mix of everything and they're very close in overall speed, gravel makes up time on roads, makes you feel like you're faster off road than you are because I spend a lot of the time riding right on the limit of the bike and quite frankly... Scaring myself to death. 😜

    • @bambamty
      @bambamty Pƙed rokem +2

      I imagine there's an overlap over all of the off road cycling disciplines? With gravel at one end and downhill at the other. And as you move higher up the scale the bike is only really faster if it is handling terrain that the others can't!

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +7

      That's right. There is a good overlap between the two bikes. Although, having both is always nice! 😉

    • @bambamty
      @bambamty Pƙed rokem +1

      Can't argue with that!

  • @YogiliciousP
    @YogiliciousP Pƙed rokem +2

    Love the head to head! Suggestion: when you pop up a view of where on the map one of them was, overlay the other’s in an alternate color. Now swap bikes and do the same race!

  • @noakwesterberg
    @noakwesterberg Pƙed rokem

    Cool to see you coming out to Sweden! A harttail XC is my go to bike. Also have a gravel bike, but mainly use it for on road biking ironically...

  • @scossar
    @scossar Pƙed rokem +20

    Yeah, gravel bikes are great general purpose bikes, but really come into their own on logging roads. They're also a great way to get out onto single track if you don't have a car.

    • @martintin250
      @martintin250 Pƙed rokem +1

      This I can agree with, I’m still however stuck with what to buy. A 29er XC, or a gravel bike
..

    • @scossar
      @scossar Pƙed rokem +1

      @@martintin250 I've got an aggressive hard tail and a gravel bike. The hard tail is the most fun bike ever, but it's a bit of a slog riding it on pavement. If I could only have one, I'd choose the gravel bike. Maybe a 29er XC would be a good compromise.

    • @Coerced
      @Coerced Pƙed rokem +2

      @@martintin250 personally also got an aggressive 29 hardtail. I do ride a road bike as well but got used to mtb geo because of enduro racing. Now, the HT is the most versatile machine I have. Tires will change the ride plenty for me for it to be all-purpose

    • @joelhenderson3723
      @joelhenderson3723 Pƙed rokem +2

      @@scossar I've got a pretty similar pair to yours, but I am considering getting rid of the gravel bike. I want to get a folding bike for commuting, and can't justify 3+ bikes. It might rule out group rides on the road/gravel, but it's a compromise I'm willing to make since road riding is a fitness thing for me, and mountain biking is where I have most of my fun.

    • @user-fu9or4uk7t
      @user-fu9or4uk7t Pƙed rokem

      @@martintin250 not sure if you've bought yet but I had a gravel then an aggressive hardtail. Didn't get on with either for different reasons.
      Now have a xc hardtail and perfect compromise, with summer race tyres it's not much slower than my gravel bike on road. And can abuse it a bit more on trails and shite UK roads.

  • @Bacciagalupe
    @Bacciagalupe Pƙed rokem

    Both awesome - thanks Guys!

  • @beigemaster
    @beigemaster Pƙed rokem +21

    The main reason I love my gravel bike is because I loved being able to go straight from my door wherever I want to go, so if (like me) you have at least 10 miles of road to access the good off-road stuff then it’s a game changer. No need to take the car or long slow miles on an XC bike on the tarmac.
    I guess if you’re limited to space and finance then the gravel bike is the ultimate utility bike- can ride mine with 48mm 650B wheels or 700cc with road slicks to do century rides.

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +2

      That's a great reason to have a gravel bike! Blake has shown in some of our previous videos that gravel bikes can shred. They're also brilliant for the odd bit of road riding! 👍

    • @liquidwombat
      @liquidwombat Pƙed rokem +1

      A Friend recently got a 3T race/max, she runs 700 x 42 Soma Supple vitesse and has the most comfortable bike on the group road ride with no issues keeping up and runs a 27.5 x 2.4 Conti Cross King for a stupid amount of off road capability

    • @amikamharamikamhar4870
      @amikamharamikamhar4870 Pƙed rokem

      Just put your xc bike 50T chainring i think xc bike more capable than gravel bike

  • @cliffsangelsphotography
    @cliffsangelsphotography Pƙed rokem +4

    It's about time I see an Ibis on the channel

  • @bergerniklas6647
    @bergerniklas6647 Pƙed rokem +18

    We need a GMBN vs GCN, but the Raody rides the MTB and vice verca. And they have to promote the bike they ride. Maybe a multi day adventure

    • @thecappy
      @thecappy Pƙed rokem

      Gmbn person would win.

    • @markgeorge2200
      @markgeorge2200 Pƙed rokem

      There is already a video like that

    • @giselebch
      @giselebch Pƙed rokem

      czcams.com/video/vvGjtNAUkcw/video.html

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +3

      We've made a similar video, but we haven't swapped bikes properly yet! Sounds like a good video idea! 👍

  • @ChrisKim-eo9ku
    @ChrisKim-eo9ku Pƙed rokem +2

    Blake's just out here riding Scandinavian rally roads, no wonder he had fun!

  • @jamesweldon8118
    @jamesweldon8118 Pƙed rokem +1

    Great idea for a series

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem

      Thanks, James! Have you seen the other What Is Faster videos?

  • @1paulbeth
    @1paulbeth Pƙed rokem +6

    Mtb, road, gravel... why can't we all be friends?

    • @rahuldasmajumder5121
      @rahuldasmajumder5121 Pƙed rokem +2

      Exactly. I don't understand the hatred. I am just a bike lover. Love all the bikes.

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem

      đŸ€—

  • @BobAzarcon
    @BobAzarcon Pƙed rokem

    Neil's enjoying the view and the ride, Blake's enjoying his free lunch.😁

  • @adrian_veidt
    @adrian_veidt Pƙed rokem +77

    I think Martyn said it. Gravel bikes are XC bikes with crappy geometry lmao

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +4

      Haha! Possibly?! đŸ€·đŸ˜‚

    • @danshilling4240
      @danshilling4240 Pƙed rokem +16

      Gravel bikes are just road bikes with a gritty tires on them used to do it as a kid all the time and nowadays they have to call them gravel bikes🙄
      I like to say the gravel bikes have an identity crisis they don't know if they want to be a road bike or a mountain bike

    • @captjerski4165
      @captjerski4165 Pƙed rokem +1

      Cant afford a gravel bike so I put a rigid fork and slightly skinny xc tires on my DJ bike now I have a gravelish bike that handles well on chattery rock section and can bunny hop too.

  • @paul07mountainbiking
    @paul07mountainbiking Pƙed rokem +2

    Neil. You need to get out around Kielder Forest or the Galloway Forest to try gravel riding. And there’s plenty of MTB in the areas to get both types of riding in. Another GMBN vs GCN challenge? đŸ€”

  • @Desmond17
    @Desmond17 Pƙed rokem +10

    Wait, what ?!? Blake is going with the gravel over the MTB ? I see the roadies at GCN (Hank especially) have started their shenanigans to bring Blaky boi to their side.
    Sneaky buggers...

    • @SimonBauer7
      @SimonBauer7 Pƙed rokem +3

      in a few years we will be seeing blake with lycra talking about ftp and things like that.

    • @Desmond17
      @Desmond17 Pƙed rokem

      @@SimonBauer7 well tbh, with his shaved gorilla physique, Blake is one of the few that can pull it off 😅

  • @colinl2908
    @colinl2908 Pƙed rokem +4

    Nice fire trails there. Ours are more sandy or rubble with heaps of potholes, so suspension is more a necessity.

  • @cgriggsiv
    @cgriggsiv Pƙed rokem +1

    You guys definitely know how to have some good fun

  • @jasonridyardhome
    @jasonridyardhome Pƙed rokem

    Great vid guys, I struggle to find good gravel where I live. Prefer the road or just standard XC.

  • @elrictdb
    @elrictdb Pƙed rokem +6

    The road conditions where I stay almost require a full sus gravel bike. Road bikes just really suffer from big impacts and loose gravel on our main roads and that's before the rain starts.

    • @Daividu
      @Daividu Pƙed rokem +1

      Get a XC bike thenđŸ€·đŸŒâ€â™‚ïž

    • @elrictdb
      @elrictdb Pƙed rokem +2

      @@Daividu Wife says no :- (

    • @Daividu
      @Daividu Pƙed rokem +1

      @@elrictdb now that’s just sad my man😂

  • @stevesnailfish
    @stevesnailfish Pƙed rokem

    I use both types as I ride MTB's and gravel/CX bikes....All good fun off-road but there is stuff around here (Peterborough UK) I don't tackle on drop bars.
    Having a Redshift suspension stem (20mm travel) and 45c tubeless tyres on the gravel bike does help through the rougher stuff though......

  • @yesyoucanTellme
    @yesyoucanTellme Pƙed rokem +9

    GMBN and GCN uploaded at the same time

  • @DukeOfArrakis
    @DukeOfArrakis Pƙed rokem

    I've been thinking about this for so long!

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +1

      Well now you know! 😉

  • @timjacob991
    @timjacob991 Pƙed rokem +1

    Absolutely love Ibis!

  • @I_Am_Bone
    @I_Am_Bone Pƙed rokem +3

    At 52 and just getting back into riding, I'm thinking suspension may not be as "required" as I once thought. I certainly won't be following Blake down A0Line, but is there a gravel bike with front forks w/LO you would recommend? The Canadian road system does have some gravelly surfaces here and there...... but also some fun double track.

  • @AmvC
    @AmvC Pƙed rokem +4

    great camera work!

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +1

      Thanks! We've got such a great team of creators which make all our videos possible! 👊

    • @AmvC
      @AmvC Pƙed rokem

      @@gmbn thanks for everyone's effort :) i do corporate video and i know how hard it can be to stay creative and sensitive to everything around oneself. The puddle reflection - unneccessary but it carries a lot of subtext... subimage? Just plain nice to watch :)

  • @sherab2078
    @sherab2078 Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci

    I loved the video! Perhaps because it wasn't about downhill-oriented mountain biking but more versatile, cross-country adventuring. When it goes to preferences - It all goes to where you live, and what type of rides you prefer or have available. I live in the lowlands. I don't have true MTB bike parks in the vicinity. I ride mostly for joy and the feel of adventure, not for performance so much. I rather stick to the tarmac but try to avoid most busy roads, which forces me sometimes to go by forest fire roads and gravel. Hence, I chose a gravel bike as my main machine (and since I'm rather low on budget, my only machine).

  • @1GayMTBr
    @1GayMTBr Pƙed rokem +1

    Should do XC vs “Down country” so people know the different between racing hard tails and trail bikes with xc tires for people that want a duel suspension for blues

  • @joeymalin
    @joeymalin Pƙed rokem

    I would love to see the results on a race like “grinduro” 70 mile cyclocross/gravel race on a cx bike vs Xc race bike such as supercaliber 60/100mm suspension

  • @lostinature
    @lostinature Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci

    it's like comparing a Land Rover to a rallycar. My XC mtb will go anywhere, anytime all day long. Slow and fully customized for bikepacking it's as capabla as ever, but lovable and approachable to strangers as I ride. It's jolly, if anything. My gravelbike on the other hand, urges me to go fast over anything reasonably smooth be it tarmac or dirt. A different kind of fun that is.

  • @nicolaswilson5035
    @nicolaswilson5035 Pƙed rokem +2

    Are you guys in my head? Or are you just that intuitive? With gas prices and the lack of local MTB trails, I’ve been looking into getting a gravel bike. I open up CZcams and bam here’s this video!

  • @von0Essen
    @von0Essen Pƙed rokem +1

    Damn that near where I live! Rocking a trail HT and looking to get a gravel next for mostly commuting. Have been riding road before but sold the road bike cause lack of interest to much traffic tbh. Gravel feels like the roadies get away from the traffic and a more relaxed style of riding getting away from all the rules of road riding.

  • @metamurph
    @metamurph Pƙed rokem

    hard tail XC and Roadbike. Thinking about adding a gravel. But my road is "all road" and is fine for majority of gravel in phoenix and what it isn't good for is great XC single track. the XC is also my errand bike because generally it has flats.

  • @andrewblakesley4202
    @andrewblakesley4202 Pƙed rokem

    I own a gravel bike (mainly for bad B roads) but just bought an XC bike. I don't have Blake's talent for taking that gravel bike everywhere and am getting too old to rattle myself to pieces.

  • @naj114
    @naj114 Pƙed rokem +1

    I own full sus trail bike with 2.6" tyres for red and black MTB routes, gravel bike with 40mm fast nobbly tyres for adventure riding and spare carbon deep rims with 30mm slick tyres for belting it on the road.

  • @lolbubs11111
    @lolbubs11111 Pƙed rokem +3

    If only there was a way to get a wider gear range, smaller jumps in ratios, and a lower degree of cross-chaining. Perhaps by using two chainrings. 1x gravel bikes only make sense in Kansas.

    • @paulw575
      @paulw575 Pƙed rokem +2

      Yep, my gravel bike is a 2x10, plenty of gears whether I am on flat roads or fire roads in the mountains.

  • @dcv9460
    @dcv9460 Pƙed rokem +1

    AWESOME!!! 😎

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem

      Glad you enjoyed! Cheers! 👊

  • @jmounce50
    @jmounce50 Pƙed rokem +1

    GMBN vs. Si from GCN it would be hilariously good fun

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +1

      For sure! That would be fun to film!

  • @vetzaaak
    @vetzaaak Pƙed rokem

    I'm kinda on the fence. I only plan on doing relatively smooth trails when I join my buddy on his mellow mtb rides. I'm guessing less than 10% of all my riding will not be on tarmac/gravel where a hardtail xc mtb would be the typical choice. So as a non-competitive 40 year old amateur who just wants to have fun and stay healthy and can't afford two seperate dedicated bikes...it kinda looks like the whole gravel bike concept actually makes a lot of sense. I guess it's mainly a matter of picking the right tires to meet the 90% road 10% off-road requirements...

  • @MarlowWhere
    @MarlowWhere Pƙed rokem

    That orbea xc weight you cited is without a fork right?

  • @thegefster1988
    @thegefster1988 Pƙed rokem +1

    I think it is more fun taking a gravel bike on somewhat techy but not overly techy stuff. Neil could have easily won if he used a gravel bike on that type of terrain. I am not 1/10 of the rider these guys are and I take my gravel bike on much rougher stuff than that. Makes it challenging and fun! I love my xc bike too!

  • @Cheapsh0t247
    @Cheapsh0t247 Pƙed rokem

    would be cool to see Blake smash that gravel bike through some of the Pro lines in the Bike Parks

  • @rogermeneses2893
    @rogermeneses2893 Pƙed rokem

    I think Blake could've handled the same terrain as Neil if his Hakka used the 650b tires as well. I've seen people push a Hakka way further than you'd think.

  • @nicemakgaiver5991
    @nicemakgaiver5991 Pƙed rokem

    god.....thx for subtitles

  • @RBStriker
    @RBStriker Pƙed rokem

    I'm riding a gravelbike with 38mm tires, my brother has a proper hardtail MTB with a dropper post. He's can push out a lot more power then me, still I feel I can keep up with him better on my gravelbike. Even when we ride single track we both have tons of fun.
    I like the racy looks and position with the dropbars, he likes his dropper post and wide tires to swoop down the crazy decents.
    So what bike is best? The one you like most!!!

  • @Emolokz
    @Emolokz Pƙed rokem

    I intend to get a gravel bike since it's more useful to me as an all-road bike than a road bike would be, then I'm going to step from my ancient 2001 xc bike to likely an enduro rig as a second bike.

  • @SpiritualSpeed
    @SpiritualSpeed Pƙed rokem +1

    I'm on a Giant TCR as my Road Bike and on a Trance X 150/135 as my offroad one. If it just had to be one Bike i think i'd take an XC Hardtail.

  • @ilikewasabe
    @ilikewasabe Pƙed rokem +1

    Should have been a hardtail mtb vs a gravel bike in the same gravel trail. Slam the stem on the hardtail and slap on some gravel tire and narrowish handle bar and you get a do almost anything bike

  • @raziel8321
    @raziel8321 Pƙed rokem +2

    In my opinion, the cross bike is the clearly superior all-round bike. With comparable wheels and gears you can reach the same speed as the Gravel bike on the road. Only the air resistance is a real problem. But off-road and typical gravel and forest roads, a cross fully can drive much faster thanks to its suspension before you lose control. With the Cross I have fewer restrictions on where to go and it's perfect for exploring the surrounding area and areas with less than good roads.

  • @richjones2767
    @richjones2767 Pƙed rokem

    Pretty sure the Hakka weight includes the fork and also pretty sure the Orbea doesn't, the rigid option is another 500g.

  • @GregLanz
    @GregLanz Pƙed rokem

    For that a gravel bike. I like the challenge of taking my gravel bike places where most people take their mtb's. I like the challenge where it's more about technique, experience, and skill than what the bike can do. Then again I'm old and remember when mtb's had no suspension aside from the tires

  • @The_One-Eyed_Undertaker
    @The_One-Eyed_Undertaker Pƙed rokem +1

    I knew it! The tanlines he showed in the hot tub video were dead giveaway: Blake is a MINO!!! (Mountain biker In Name Only) 😂

  • @brendonnoble5227
    @brendonnoble5227 Pƙed rokem +2

    Sorry guys but you have to do it again. With the xc bike on the gravel roads and the gravel bike on the xc route. Hope you dont mind.

  • @TheSandkastenverbot
    @TheSandkastenverbot Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci

    Being rather new to drop bars I find my gravel bike A LOT more similar to a road bike than a hardtail mtb. I really love my gravel bike on roads and well-prepared forest paths. But let's be honest, they reach their limits really quickly with their more rigid frame, narrow handlebars, brakes that are harder to operate (and usually just worse than on a similarly priced mtb) and higher gear ratios. Having too few gears can really suck on a bikepacking tour with 10 or 20kg of baggage. On top of that you get way less bike for the money.
    So for my purposes, fiddling around with drop bar mtb's is the way to go.

  • @Axel-xl2vh
    @Axel-xl2vh Pƙed rokem +1

    I love Swedish trails they are awesome I live in north of Sweden

  • @GrafRamolo
    @GrafRamolo Pƙed rokem +2

    If money is not an issue then light xc full is the weapon of choice. You can be fast on the road, gravel, or dirt and even do some jumps, or a bike packing trip. I have one and I would never change it for anything. Oh except for my downhill bike :P This is useless in all but one scenario. (picking chick in my flat as table town ) ;)

  • @mellissanash7517
    @mellissanash7517 Pƙed 4 měsĂ­ci

    This needs to be done somewhere else with the Santa Cruz Stigmata(rigid) vs a Santa Cruz Blur.

  • @ACTIVEPAIR
    @ACTIVEPAIR Pƙed rokem +2

    When I’m on Gravel Bike (with road tyres) love Road.
    When I’m on Gravel Bike with 45mm tyres love fire roads.
    When I’n on Hardtail love fire roads and trails.
    When on Enduro Bike love trails.
    Simple đŸ‘đŸœđŸ˜‚

    • @rt-ik7ik
      @rt-ik7ik Pƙed rokem +2

      Lol, gotta work hard for all those bike s though! Well deserved I bet! I make do with my trusty hardtail. But it s the Netherlands, so a hardtail or maybe even gravel bike is really all you need over here. No real downhill over here in flatland (or highland, depends on what you re smoking i guess).

    • @ACTIVEPAIR
      @ACTIVEPAIR Pƙed rokem +2

      @@rt-ik7ik yes I did work hard!! If I could only have one bike đŸ€” think here in Scotland it would be the Hardtail đŸ‘đŸœ in the ‘High’ lands 😂😂

  • @danielcedolin2034
    @danielcedolin2034 Pƙed rokem

    Would love to see how your specialised kenevo Sl stacks up against a full fat Ebike on a 13 ish mile race round a trail centre like llandegla where 80 percent of ebikes end up . All we ever see Is a steep climb that the full fat E wins . Probably better to do it as a timed loop on different dry days . đŸ€”

  • @mansbergdahl5427
    @mansbergdahl5427 Pƙed rokem +1

    How long will you be in Åre? Please anser, we are going to Åre soon!!

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem

      You've just missed us, unfortunately. We came back last week! We hope you have a good time out there! It's amazing! đŸ€˜

  • @Cycling_Crazed_Fool
    @Cycling_Crazed_Fool Pƙed rokem

    So I’m the lover of the worlds best hardtail, the Nukeproof Scout. However I ride my gravel bike the most and I adore it. For those that say ‘it’s a road bike with nobbly tyres’ haven’t ridden one. They are epic and very capable. However N+1 so never sell the Scout.

  • @E.T_rode_bikes_As_well
    @E.T_rode_bikes_As_well Pƙed rokem +3

    Whats better: a skinny person on a fatbike or a fat person on a gravel bike?

  • @dara_1989
    @dara_1989 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

    ors , energy bar , sandwich , banana 😂😂😂👍

  • @benjaminroys6613
    @benjaminroys6613 Pƙed rokem +1

    Blake is a monster you could put him on his sons bike and he would win!

  • @lyubravia
    @lyubravia Pƙed rokem +3

    maybe not only for me, but for my needs, a good ol' hardtail XC bike does the job. gravels looks nice, but i think they aren't way too much applicable everywhere on the planet. especially if the road becomes a bit bumpy, muddy, etc.

  • @plepgeat
    @plepgeat Pƙed rokem

    "40 mm tires aren't as good over rough terrain."
    Blake:

    • @TrIpMo1981
      @TrIpMo1981 Pƙed rokem +1

      He wasn't laughing that much after the race 😜

  • @dangerfulmind
    @dangerfulmind Pƙed rokem

    These races they do always make me laugh, spend half the time talking and stopping, surely a race means head down and go!

  • @therealkayj
    @therealkayj Pƙed rokem

    XC Bike & slap some TT-Bars on them and you have the ultimate do-it-all bike for long days in the woods

  • @dpie4859
    @dpie4859 Pƙed rokem +5

    XC all day long please. Love it.

  • @MrBob303303
    @MrBob303303 Pƙed rokem

    The New Forest works well for gravel

  • @cccycling5835
    @cccycling5835 Pƙed rokem

    both. sometimes you wanna smash the trail, other times just a tickle

  • @KristianSchoeler
    @KristianSchoeler Pƙed rokem +4

    to be fair there are hardly any people who can throw around a dropbar gravel bike the way Blake does... Riding single track or slightly rough gravel road most people will be most comfortable (and safe) riding an mtb. You should do an amateur and new rider comparison video with XC mtb and gravel bike on different types of terrain/road, and let them explain pros and cons.

  • @ridgebackdk
    @ridgebackdk Pƙed rokem +6

    why not do both bikes on both trails ,we get to see the real differences and get to see the plus and minus of both bikes... xc bike with the 1x gearing i find spinning out is an issue on flatter rides ... these days i ride a mix of flat failrly smooth gravel and quite bumpy harsh trails neither are anything very difficult .. and while in the market for a new bike i kinda have this issue, xc or gravel .. i prefer xc for the riding position but a lot of new bikes dont allow anything more than a 34 or 36 up front ..most are sold with a 32... ahhhh first world problems ...!!!

    • @maaduece5132
      @maaduece5132 Pƙed rokem +1

      You'd have to find a mid 2010 s 29er that had a 2 x setup

    • @ridgebackdk
      @ridgebackdk Pƙed rokem

      @@maaduece5132 i agree ... iam sure iam not alone in the issue ...bikes are geared for the climb and gravity ...not really riding ... the old way a mountain bike did it all lol now days you need different bikes for everything ..

  • @JB-1138
    @JB-1138 Pƙed rokem

    The fact that Blake's route was longer indicates his bike is faster. And at the end. This was proven.

  • @snowman22ism
    @snowman22ism Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci

    XC for the win... Can do what a Gravel bike can... and then more... If you don't like riding trails in the forest with rocks and roots and drops and jumps, then a gravel bike might be for you but if you even have a small itch to venture into the wilderness, then XC or even a Trail bike for the win! :)

  • @Cees1984
    @Cees1984 Pƙed rokem

    Great video and a i think a really Nice place to test the gravel BikeđŸ˜đŸ€™. Does anyone know if it’s possible to build a 1x12 mtb fully rigid Bike into a gravel bike due to the shifters and brakes ?? The Bike is fitted with Shimano slx drive train and 160mm brakes. Otherwise i just keep my staight bar on it. Thanks

    • @maaduece5132
      @maaduece5132 Pƙed rokem +1

      There are some adapters out there have a look a wolf tooth and look around the forums

    • @Cees1984
      @Cees1984 Pƙed rokem

      @@maaduece5132 thank you 🛠 👌

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +1

      There are some options out there that allow you to do this. Take a look at the Surly Corner Bar as a start. Hope this helps you make a decision

    • @Cees1984
      @Cees1984 Pƙed rokem

      @@gmbn thank you !!👍 will have look at that đŸš”đŸ»â€â™€ïžđŸ’š

  • @sammybrownfox6265
    @sammybrownfox6265 Pƙed rokem

    Two different course's?

  • @gibbykirwan7788
    @gibbykirwan7788 Pƙed rokem

    Hell no. No drop bar nonsense for me. My fatbike is my xc bike & gravel bike in one

  • @sspirito3130
    @sspirito3130 Pƙed rokem

    I own a high end gravel bike (3T Exploro Racemax) and a high end carbon hardtail (Bianchi Methanol) setup with the same Vittoria Barzo 2.1 tyres. On any non-technical stuff the gravel bike is significantly faster, on average about 4km/h faster over my usual 50Km loop. I lost interest in technical MTB trails, so the hardtail doesn't get much use

  • @annon-ski7985
    @annon-ski7985 Pƙed rokem

    drop bar 29er hardtail

  • @coldforgedcowboy
    @coldforgedcowboy Pƙed rokem

    @Global Mountain Bike Network... That isn't an XC bike that is a trail bike. A proper XC bike will have 100mm of travel, at least two water bottles, and hopefully be a swing link design with platform , such as the Specialized Epic, Canyon Lux, or Cannondale Scapel. Heavy and complicated multi link suspension bikes like that DW need to be culled from heard.

  • @tomassanesson902
    @tomassanesson902 Pƙed rokem +1

    😁😁😁awesome đŸ€˜đŸ‘â€

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +1

      Thanks, Tomas! Safe riding!

  • @joeonejoeone
    @joeonejoeone Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci

    Spent about 500 miles on it and so far so good. czcams.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA Pros:1. Very light2. Solid quality build3. Fast delivery: It arrived 5 weeks earlier than expected.4. Easy assemblyJust a few cons but nothing major:1. Cheap tin tubes and had flat on first day... but not a big deal. I replaced the tubes.2. Seat is a bit uncomfortable but that's pretty much the same situation with most bikes.3. Seat post is a bit long/high for a smaller size 48 bike - had to saw 2 inch off to fit properly. The lowest setting is too high. The post locking system does not seem to hold well (perhaps because I saw 2 inch off).4. wheels are not tubeless compatible (from what I can tell)

  • @rowerowysztos
    @rowerowysztos Pƙed rokem

    light xc bike for the win!

  • @sashaciochina1166
    @sashaciochina1166 Pƙed rokem +2

    Got a Canyon Grizl a few months back, and I have to say, it's as close to a do-it-all bike as you can get. Handles off-road surprisingly well, has a lot of attachment points for bags and holders (even went grocery shopping with it XD ), and with the absence of suspension, maintenance is way less of a bother. I saying this because I switched from an enduro bike which was loads of fun, but boy was keeping it up and running a bother. Plus, the bike is amazing on long distances.

  • @nicetry213
    @nicetry213 Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci

    Should have taken the same route. Hard to compare otherwise.

  • @MountainBikeMusings
    @MountainBikeMusings Pƙed rokem

    XC is more fun, but i plan to buy a gravel bike for roadwork.

  • @philippedeutsch
    @philippedeutsch Pƙed rokem

    wtf the coat !!! its summer !

  • @dara_1989
    @dara_1989 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

    xc fun , gravel exercise

  • @bobothericefarmer1878
    @bobothericefarmer1878 Pƙed rokem +3

    XC is way better then gravel

  • @ashpunting
    @ashpunting Pƙed rokem +2

    I enjoyed that friendly race for cake but thats wot made it fun I think Neil forgot about the race and just enjoyed the scenery 😀 đŸ‘đŸŸ

    • @gmbn
      @gmbn  Pƙed rokem +2

      Nice, Rory! Thanks for watching! XC bikes have to be the ultimate exploration bike to just relax and enjoy riding on! 👍

  •  Pƙed 4 měsĂ­ci

    you can't compare unless on the same track and tyre width, The main difference is the handle bars.. long road rides , grave wins, tricky tracks the mtn bike wins..