Hardtail vs Gravel Bike: Conclusion!

This video is my final one in the series of Hardtail vs Gravel Bike. The series focuses on comparing a hardtail mountain bike (and a full suspension cross country mountain bike, for that matter) to a gravel bike for purposes of riding on gravel/dirt roads.

Other videos in the series:
Kickoff video:

Time trial test:

Gearing:

[Dinkys]

I sold my gravel bike and bought a hard tail. Gravel was great but love the versatility of the the hard tail. I do more mixed terrain where the mountain bike makes more sense. Bottom line is both are great, just a personal preference.

[racerx]

2 years later and this makes even more sense.

[brankododig]

Gravel bike is pretty fast on the road, though. I went on a group ride with my touring bike (similar to a gravel bike in most ways), out of which 40km were gravel and macadame, and 44km was road. Blew past all the MTBs on the road, then they'd overtake me offroad. So if you're looking for riding on the road as well, the gravel bike has some advantage in speed and comfort there.

[Anoalekontrieger]

I had this dilemma too! And I chose a hardtail mountainbike with 2 wheelsets. I have the factory wheelset and I bought another Supra wheelset with gravel tires on it. For me this is the perfect bike all round. I commute on it, I ride trails pretty hard on it and I can ride gravel roads and a little street on it.

Since I live in the Netherlands, which is a flat country I don't really feel the need for a full suspension bike. For now this is the setup for me!

Anyway, great video as always.

[christocr]

I have both (gravel bike and XC mountain hardtail), and I go back and forth all the time on which is my favorite. First, I don't ride in groups, couldn't care less about speed, and ride a wide variety of terrain from paved roads to technical single track, and everything in between, usually on long rides (like back country tours). My take is that the XC mountain bike will certainly do more without going "white knuckle." I do take the gravel bike on intermediate mountain bike trails, but no doubt it is limited compared to the XC mountain bike in what it will do and not do well. Then again, riding the gravel bike on a technically challenging trail can certainly be more fun and challenging. With the XC, it just bombs through whatever... not so on the gravel bike. You have to be way more aware of your line. I do like the wider tires and front shock on the XC mountain bike. The gravel bike can beat you to death on rough gravel, rough dirt, rocky or washboard roads. The mountain bike just bombs through it. On the other hand, I like the variety of hand positions on the gravel bike and the light and lively feel of riding it, compared to the XC.

Bottom line, though, is that if I had to choose only one, it would have to be the XC mountain bike. It's just at home in a wider variety of riding conditions all the way from pavement to black diamond MTB single track. As I said, I don't care about top speed. Going fast is not a priority for me. If it were, I might reassess which I'd keep if I could only have one.

[bikesbeardsbeers]

I used a fat bike on a gravel grinder event. Wrong tool for the job but it was so fun and so comfortable. I honestly feel like if you don't have the space for all the bikes, a cross country hardtail with a 2x is the best way to go. 100%

[Togged]

I sold my hardtail for a gravel bike and couldn't be happier. I bought a 29er wheelset and run 45c knobbies on trails and use my 700c wheelset for the pavement and gravel. Obviously there are limitations to a gravel bike on the trails especially the more extreme the terrain, but here in the midwest, this bike can handle just about anything the trails have to offer. I am just as fast if not faster due to a much lighter bike and newer/better components. Of course having multiple bikes for different terrain is ideal, but for those of us who are on a tight budget, a gravel bike is a great option.

[basrutten]

Nice comparison !! One thing I would like to add. On a mountainbike you can get more comfy, and way more aero, on higher speeds by using inner-bar ends. I use a pair of SQ Labs 411R’s, they are small and light but do wonders in making your bike more versatile. You can even operate the brakes when your hands rest on them.

[thetinusnl]

Your first point on 0:34 was spot on! The exact reason why I will be swapping my gravelbike (currently only bike) for a MTB + roadie.
The gravelbike's capabilities are limited on trails or rough terrain, whereas a MTB on gravel is perfectly fine, just a bit slower.

[zez]

Hello Clint! José here from São Paulo, Brazil. I recently, 2 months ago, bought a MTB to be a hybrid bike. I have a road bike, Cervelo R3, which I use only for training on the asphalt on the bike path in São Paulo.
I liked and agree with your opinion about the good versatility of a hardtail MTB. My MTB is a Brazilian Audax ADX 100, which I bought to have fun in the city (asphalt) and if I want, I can also go on weekend rides on dirt roads or trails. Important upgrades that I did and am doing on my MTB ADX 100: I changed the tires, the 29 x 2.20 with high studs came out and 700x42 Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready gravel tires came in. These are a little narrower tires with very low studs, but they are ideal for rolling around in the city with bad asphalt, giving good speed and also taking a dirt road. I also changed the groupset, leaving the Shimano Alivio 2x9 speed and entering a Shimano Deore 1x12 speed. And yes, MTB continued with suspension because we have many imperfections in Brazilian asphalt.

[genebaker]

You told me in the first 1 min 30 seconds what I've Been trying to figure out for a week now. Thanks

[jockorogers]

Thoughtful and even handed presentation, Clint. Thank you. I'm a 73 year old guy and have been riding for decades. For me, The XC MTB with 2x has been an all-around joy. I can do the trails around Santa Cruz (maybe a little more carefully than the guys on big enduros), but I can also motor on the roads when the weather has washed everything out.

I want to add the geezer's perspective. You're doing a lot to help people get the most out of riding. My career was as a San Francisco cop. Cycling (including racing), off-duty kept me sane in that crazy job. The wise presentations you offer are going to help a lot of folks get through this life a little easier because they've got this sport. S___ happens, but getting on a bike can really help even out a lot of angst. Keep doing your great work

[DilbertMuc]

Now, if you want to go fast on an XC MTB one might watch videos about the bikes in the Cape Epic. One of the fastest, Burry Stander (RIP), had a 2x10 Crankset with 42/26. There wasn't a spinning out at downhill and they were on many gravel roads faster than most gravel bikes.
I don't know why 1x11 or 1x12 is promoted now so heavily. Weight savings are marginal with those pizza sized monster cassettes and the gaps between gears just can't be smoothly filled compared to a 2x10 or 2x11 with little incremental gear steps.
Or maybe it is just marketing and the single chainring is heavily promoted to get folks forking out new cash in a saturated market.

[theBidon]

If you had to choose between a road bike and a gravel bike -> choose the gravel bike.

If you had to choose between a mountain bike and gravel bike -> choose the mountain bike.

If you had to choose between a road bike and a mountain bike -> choose the mountain bike.

If you don’t have to choose, buy all three 😃

[toddeyster]

Clint, I just rode my first gravel race, the DirtyKanza Lite (50mile), exactly like you described. I bought a Lynskey MT27.5 in the fall and spec'ed it out with the 2X drivetrain (36/26 front) as I knew I could not afford 2 bikes and would use it for gravel also. I had my local shop build me another set of wheels and mounted up some WTB resolutes in 650BX42 on the stock rims with an 11-40 cassette. These make a huge difference in speed and efficiency. When swapping wheels I do have to re-align the brakes and the derailleur. I rode with standard sag on the fork (Fox 32) and ran the lockout at about 1/3 open. There were a couple of hills that I dropped it into the weenie chaingring and hammered past the drop bars, who did then re-catch me on the flats. On the last 10 miles or so we had a 20-25mph headwind and I really wished for drop bars. I had contemplated some clip on aero bars just for another hand position and better efficiency at higher speeds, I should have followed through on that idea. I passed quite a few drop bar guys that day and managed to finish mid pack. The riding position of the hardtail is very comfortable for long distances.

[samjenkins]

In terms of time spent riding:
Gravel > Road > Singletrack - Gravelbike
Singletrack > Gravel > Road - Hardtail
Road > Gravel > Single - Road plus bike

[arnopr]

Super, super useful for deciding between the two, and what to keep in mind! Thanks a lot! (for all the videos on this topic)

[jamese]

I have a gravel bike and a Jones Bike (rigid MTB). During the winter the MTB serves as my all around bike because I just don't feel as cold riding it. Something about the upright body posture and not extending the arms to expose the armpits. Also, if roads are snowy or icy an MTB provides more stability. So I would add winter riding as another use of MTB on gravel. Great series, Clint. Thanks!

[zacharysmiles]

I ride a Trek X-Cal 29er hardtail with a 2x10 drivetrain and Continental XC Kings 2.25 tires. On the long gravel grinders we have in OH, I love it. We have alot of logging roads, and I'm not the best at descending, so this works great for me. I can open the fork, and feel more confident. This set up works for me. And I never spin out.

[zerodad]

The most versatile bike for me has been my hybrid bike. It is slap bang in the middle of a road bike and a mountain bike.
I managed to get round the multiple hand positions using butterfly style handlebars.

Great video and now a subscriber.