Mark6363

It’s been about a year since I asked a similar question on here, and took the advice of holding on to my Hardtail MTB ( and Road) while I got a good feel for the gravel roads around here…. Almost ready now to N+1, so also interested in the inputs.

Good fun - enough to keep a look out for a good deal for a third bike ( which means 2 bikes as I ride with the wife)😁. From what I gather from others, the gravel was in better condition to most other rides, so I see how a few comments have been "it depends on the conditions"..

84kg and 1.86m. All the feedback and inputs have been really good - thanks. In the end, slapped on some innerbarends ( tested and so far so good) and going to have some fun tomorrow as a training ride on the hardtail. Being the first gravel race/ride, who knows, if the bug bites, there seems to be options before the Around the pot.

Super helpful and thanks to everyone...

Hi - Currently have an aero road bike and XC Carbon MTB. (Trek Pro caliber). The MTB is used for a short gravel road near the house, before going onto tar. (basically a training bike) Have entered the Rhonde Van Riebek (50 mile) and the Around the pot 100 mile. I know from previous pictures that a lot of people use MTBs' for gravel in SA, but wanted to know from anyone who has done these rides before, what the gravel road is like.. ie Is it more suitable for a gravel bike vs MTB? From what I understand, if the gravel is "hard", gravel bike is faster and has more comfort for hand positions vs MTB more comfortable with front suspension. If gravel is the way, looking between the Trek Checkpoint AL 5 (2 x set up) or Specialized Sport ( Carbon 1 x set up)? Also, I tried to read up on gearing, and it appears that if you use a gravel bike on road and gravel, a 2 x set up is better? Thoughts and inputs would be really helpful.