Gravel Bike Vs. Hardtail Vs. Full-Suspension Mountain Bike

Which is the best bike for tackling a fastest known time challenge?

Back in the summer, we took on one of our biggest BikeRadar Diaries challenges to date, as we tried to break the record for the fastest known time across the Trans Cambrian Way, a mostly off-road route from one side of Wales, to the other. The only difference was we took it on as a relay, each of us riding a section of the route.

We promised you an entire video dedicated to the noble steeds we rode. And while it might be a wee bit late, a promise is a promise, so here we go!

We all tackled the route with quite different bikes. Felix chose a Lauf Seigla Gravel bike, with 30mm suspension forks. Jack took a Fairlight Holt, which is an “unashamedly cross-country” steel hardtail mountain bike, and Robyn took the all-out XC machine that is the Specialized Epic Evo Expert. But which one fared best?

Which bike do you think is the winner here? Let us know in the comments!

#FastestKnownTime #TransCambrianWay #BikeRadarDiaries

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Which bike did you choose & why?
04:31 Gearing Choice
08:19 Suspension
11:43 Tyres
14:00 Which was the best?

RECORD BREAKING Gravel Ride?! ⏱ Trans Cambrian Fastest Known Time Relay Challenge

The full BikeRadar Diaries Playlist!

EPIC Urban Gravel | Do NOT Underestimate This Route! | BikeRadar Gravel Diaries Ep 04

NEW Lauf Seigla Gravel Bike Review | Huge Tyre Clearance & Improved Compliance

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[bikeradar]

Which is your winning bike? Let us know! And extra kudos if you spot Felix's mistake at 11.53, it is actually a 2.2inch tyre 🚴💥

[arielaganon]

The old 2x and 3x MTBs are good enough for gravel race and events. I'm reconstructing an old XTC with 3x SLX. I think I'm gonna do fine with a 42-32-24 chainring for such events.

[davidfairburn]

Hard tail mountain bike in my opinion is the best all round bike. 2 x front chainrings. The do it all bike 🚴‍♂️⛰👍

[maxlloyd]

Hardtail!
Done a few endurance events over the years and my trusty hardtail has managed them all!
Titanium frame, 120mm SIDs and dropper post.
Covers ground on the road pretty good as well!

[peterknight]

Did the trans-cambrian earlier this year. I did it on a rigid gravel bike with 47c tyres. That worked, but I did feel a bit under-biked. I'd say that a bit of suspension is preferable if you're looking for an optimal setup and one of the new school of gravel bikes with some suspension (like the Lauf) is probably what I would recommend.

[CLH]

The essential structure of the ordinary British sentence --which is a noble thing....Eg., "Or, as I describe it, the color of cream of mushroom soup." Love it. :)

[CaninsLupus]

Seriously consider the holt. But eagerly awaiting the new Cotic Solaris which is going back to its more xc roots.

[Paganiproductions]

I would Pick the hardtail one of current xc hardtails would do fine

[spinwin]

Before the video even finishes, you’ll find more comfort in your position, suspension, and tire pressure vs what your frame is made up, i.e. carbon, steel, aluminum, etc.

[christiankilleen]

2x fo sho! Such versatility. Use a classic friction shifter to shift the chainrings and a trigger for the rear. Dead easy to maintain. I love my 2x off roading machine.

[GabeC]

I would definitely consider a 2X drivetrain for a long adventure ride.

[jesseschultz]

I’m rolling a chromag 29er ht with 11sp 2x - 38x11 for top, 28x42 granny. With the radius of a 29er, the top would compare to a 43x 11 road tire, and the granny is still decent. Hard to beat that range.
Not as efficient in pedalling as a road geo, and the big tires are draggy, so a gravybike is certainly easier to pedal, but not necessarily faster

[euflor]

What size and inseam length was the rider of the fairlight and the fairlight holt itself?:)

[danielreynolds]

Ah lads (and lady) ... no closing Whoop!!!??!

[Goodman-]

What stem was on the Fairlight? It has a very similar geo compared to my SC Chameleon (the gen 7 had the geometry that I thought at the time XC bikes would soon catch up with, and I was right), and low-and-behold I've been using it as basically an XC bike for the past 3 years I've had it. Just trying to figure out the stem lengths to make the bike more low down since I don't like how tall I sit on the SC anyway, without messing up the handling

[Damian-cklo]

Hard tail, 2018 Specialized chisel. 2by10. Better in the rough stuff and I have some chance of keeping it shiny side up.

[bobhauser]

Hardtail with plus tires. especially in dry weather.

[NoSecondSeason]

I can't hear what make/model the gravel bike is? Anyone know? 🤷‍♀

[c]

Hardtail every time for me. And ive a Fairlight bike. Weight of a bike irrelavent for most cyclists as most people are 5kg+ overweight. My gravel bike is always compromised on bumpy trails even with aggressive tyres. Like cross racing. Too demanding. Double chainring makes sense on MTB to provide wide range gearing without a gappy cassette. Full susser mostly unnecessary.

[stevec]

Nice concept for the video but wow you nearly sent me to sleep with the talking parts.