'Monstercross' coming of age?

[NotSoBigBen]

Since I've only ever had Monstercross bikes and no true 'gravel' bike this article was of great interest .... 'gravel' bikes with MTB hardtail frames and suspension forks, the wheel turns?

https://www.bikemag.com/news/why-drop-bar-mountain-bikes

['Kaze Pete]

Does "The All-Terrain-Bicycle might be the next big thing in cycling." mean it now needs a proper downhill fork?

[NotSoBigBen]

2 hours ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

Does "The All-Terrain-Bicycle might be the next big thing in cycling." mean it now needs a proper downhill fork?

They said 100mm mos ....

[Martin Albrecht]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Seems the longer one stays a cyclist, the truer this gets. 
 

For me personally, I have never gotten the gravel bike bug, it never made sense, and if I got one, it would purely be as a commuter bike that is a bit more versatile than a pure road bike. 
 

Even for true “gravel” riding or touring, I don’t really see the point of drop bars and all the awkwardness they bring to braking and shifting on rougher terrain, especially at speed. I have done many 100+ KM days touring the backroads on bikes, and never seen the need for drop bars. Maybe if doing multiple back to back days over 160km the additional hand positions might come in handy, but I have never found myself looking for more positions than my flat bars with stubby barends could provide. 

[Mook]

11 hours ago, Martin Albrecht said:

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Seems the longer one stays a cyclist, the truer this gets. 
 

For me personally, I have never gotten the gravel bike bug, it never made sense, and if I got one, it would purely be as a commuter bike that is a bit more versatile than a pure road bike. 
 

Even for true “gravel” riding or touring, I don’t really see the point of drop bars and all the awkwardness they bring to braking and shifting on rougher terrain, especially at speed. I have done many 100+ KM days touring the backroads on bikes, and never seen the need for drop bars. Maybe if doing multiple back to back days over 160km the additional hand positions might come in handy, but I have never found myself looking for more positions than my flat bars with stubby barends could provide. 

Very true @Martin Albrecht

Rather than chasing the latest or newest fashion, stick to what works for you. When it comes to bikes there is no such thing as "one style fits all".

[Stretched@Birth]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CC8PU6uo9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[michaelbiker]

https://escapecollective.com/drop-bars-banned-from-the-leadville-trail-100-mtb-race/

[NotSoBigBen]

24 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

https://escapecollective.com/drop-bars-banned-from-the-leadville-trail-100-mtb-race/

Makes sense to me, drop bars banned in races considered to be MTB events as much as there should be only drop bars allowed in true gravel events! But hey don't mind me .....

[Martin Albrecht]

34 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Makes sense to me, drop bars banned in races considered to be MTB events as much as there should be only drop bars allowed in true gravel events! But hey don't mind me .....

I’m not sure I agree with this. Each event organiser is free to make their own rules though. I can understand banning drop bars from MTB events, especially because it is a real safety concern for riders if there are any properly technical sections, and provides a clear advantage on the non technical sections in terms of aero etc. 

 

But what possible benefit, or safety risk could flat bars possibly pose on a true gravel event? 

[NotSoBigBen]

1 hour ago, Martin Albrecht said:

I’m not sure I agree with this. Each event organiser is free to make their own rules though. I can understand banning drop bars from MTB events, especially because it is a real safety concern for riders if there are any properly technical sections, and provides a clear advantage on the non technical sections in terms of aero etc. 

 

But what possible benefit, or safety risk could flat bars possibly pose on a true gravel event? 

Why I said don't mind me .... just a personal thing with more specifically 'gravel' races

My unpopular opinion is that if it's a 'proper' MTB event then a gravel bike should not be suitable anyway (there'll always be the Audie Murphy types but that's human nature I guess) and if it's a proper gravel route then a gravel bike should be the best tool for the job

But as you say the organisers anyway make their rules so my take is moot ... saw a guy yesterday at the Summer Fast One MTB race have an eina fall on a gravel bike coming down 'peaches and cream'