Rediscovering an old school MTB route on a gravel bike: Are gravel bikes really old school mtbs?

Liam from road.cc recently put a gravel bike through its paces on the Quantocks Killer Loop, a route historically associated with mountain biking. The objective was to assess whether the modern gravel platform could effectively tackle terrain traditionally reserved for full-suspension or hardtail MTBs, essentially questioning if gravel bikes are merely a contemporary iteration of old-school mountain bikes. The ride aimed to compare the gravel bike's performance against the demands of a notoriously challenging, technical trail.

This exercise is significant as the gravel segment continues its meteoric rise, blurring lines between road and off-road cycling disciplines. For years, the Quantocks Killer Loop has been a benchmark for mountain bike capability, its technical descents and rugged climbs demanding robust equipment and skilled handling. Road.cc's test reflects a broader industry trend where manufacturers are pushing gravel bikes' versatility, often marketing them as 'one-bike solutions' that can handle everything from tarmac to moderately technical singletrack, directly challenging the traditional domain of the mountain bike.

Ultimately, Liam's venture highlights the ongoing identity crisis within cycling. While gravel bikes offer impressive versatility, expecting them to fully replicate the experience of a dedicated MTB on truly technical terrain is perhaps asking a bit much – or perhaps, just enough to sell another bike.