Gravel Bike Vs MTB | Iceland Bikepacking Epic - Which Is The Ultimate All-Rounder?

We challenged our friends over at GMBN to find out what the ultimate all-road bike is, a gravel bike or a mountain bike? But we weren't going to solve this question anywhere, so we went to the ultimate testing ground, Iceland!

In association with Moots, Reynolds, Cycliq, and Komoot.

Simon was joined by Neil for his icelandic adventure, GMBN vs GCN, gravel vs MTB, Drop bars and pretty skinny tyres vs suspension forks and flat bars. Just who would have the best tool for the job?

Over two days, and 200 kilometres Si and Neil traversed the Icelandic Highlands by bike. The guys aimed for the Icelandic summertime, but it turns out summer means something different over there, as the temperature hovered around 0 degrees Celsius in the daytime!

This was an absolutely incredible adventure over some of the most stunning terrain you can ride a bike on, and we'd love to know what you think of it. So leave us a comment down below this video!

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Watch more on GCN...

Music: Epidemic Sound
Fall-Copse
Some Kind Of Magic 1 - Niclas Gustavsson

*Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA
*Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA
*Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA

*© 2018 Microsoft Corporation, Earthstar Geographics SIO
*© 2018 Microsoft Corporation, Earthstar Geographics SIO

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Leave us a comment below!

[farturinn]

As an Icelander it gives me great pride to see foreigners make such fantastically scenic videos about and from Iceland, thanks guys

[TheGeotube]

I've just realised that GCN is Top Gear, but for bikes

[OnzaRob]

Who watched this and didn't want to ride their bike in Iceland? Thought so, no one!!! awesome adventure!

[magnusdagbro]

I would absolutely prefer the mountain bike on this trail. On a trek like this, being able to clear my mind and just take in the environment beats going a tiny bit faster uphill (and then having my eyes fixed in the dirt on the downhills and constantly adjusting to keep balance).

[alexhill]

I hope people appreciate the amount of effort put into these videos. It's phenomenal.

[MelbourneFisho]

That is the best cinematography of any of your videos. Was an absolute joy to watch

[tree_VR_Gliding]

Beautiful video but must have been difficult to travel with the orchestra and choir.

[geohikingjani]

The landscape 😍 Absolutely stunning. Nothing compares to exploring a country by your own physical strength. Great drone shots 👌
More bikepacking please

[jonathanmatthews]

I love the GCN/GMBN mashup's. Please do more of these.

[SusiBiker]

Thank you guys so much for this. You have finally got my husband interested in cycling again. I ride MTBs, but he fancies a Gravel Bike... THANK YOU!! I have been so lonely on my bike!!!! :D

[FlatSpinMan]

One does not simply walk into Mordor... one cycles.

[kingprone]

GNC just tops their production level every fricking video. I think it would have been interesting to have a section where you 2 would have ridden with powermeters and hold i.e. 220 watts or smth and see how muc hthe speed difference overall is.

[daydreaming_aristocrat]

Apart from being an exceptionally amazing adventure, this is some very remarkable cinematography! 👍

[Nathan-tggu]

I've never been more jealous of two dudes in my entire life.

[groovy_bear]

Great video, the scenery is gorgeous etc., but I can't believe you didn't even talk about... the *fork*. When I switch b/w my hard tail MTB and my cyclocross bike (ok it's not a gravel bike but still) and go offroad, the first difference I feel when the going gets rough is actually the suspension fork ! By far. Whether it is here or not makes a huge difference that completely changes the way you approach say a rocky trail or dirt road with potholes and rocks. I know you guys talked about these overall feelings in length but it just feels weird that you never even mentioned the fork, which is to me the essential difference b/w these bikes. Even the presentation of the MTB did not mention the fork. I'm sure others will follow me on that point.

Gravel bikes do tempt me that's for sure. I'd like to get one for off-road adventures but I feel like they're fine or even great on soft dirt roads and trails with volcanic dust, but as soon as you enter quite bumpy terrains with rocks and roots - and it doesn't have to be technical -, you get shaken around like hell and your elbows and shoulders get soar pretty quick. In the end, I see gravel bikes as cool all-arounders for mini-adventures on an hourly / daily basis, but I'm afraid they're not the right mount for the long haul. After days of ride on trails and dirt roads with a gravel bike your arms must be wrecked, aren't they ? Any feedback on that would be great :)

Again, thanks for sharing your adventure / bike review. Cheers!

[davidfordom]

Switching bike would've been a good idea then you could seen the difference between them

[steepndeep]

I can’t believe how far GCN has come. This is honestly Top Gear production quality. Amazing work

[markgilder]

That bit of film at 23:34, superb.
This is one of the best cycle tour videos I have ever seen. 👍🏻 to the film crew.

[aidifahami]

I swear, when the pandemic has gone, Scandinavian countries are high on my bucketlist of places to visit. Such a beautiful place...

[davidlewis]

When they set out I thought the music intro was their brakes squealing