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Mr. Pink
10-29-2018, 08:10 AM
A gorgeous setting to "compare" the benefits and downsides of either type of off pavement bike. Essentially an ad for Moots, but, that's ok, very pretty. I want to go there.

https://youtu.be/GsAlxJjuY7E
sparky33
10-29-2018, 08:26 AM
A gorgeous setting to "compare" the benefits and downsides of either type of off pavement bike. Essentially an ad for Moots, but, that's ok, very pretty. I want to go there.

https://youtu.be/GsAlxJjuY7E

It looks like Neil was having an easier time of things (more fun) on the mtb.

As much fun as a gravel bike is, it takes a lot more focus and energy, leaving less for enjoying crazy scenery. Maybe a hartail 29er is the middle ground there.

Good video, as usual from GCN/GMBN/Moots.
d_douglas
10-29-2018, 08:36 AM
What gorgeous scenery by bike. I was there two summers ago with my family, but we were in a little Toyota Corolla, windshield wipers on high :).

Iceland is a very interesting country.
Lionel
10-29-2018, 08:57 AM
I want to go there too !

For something with basically zero road I would pick my hardtail.
kingpin75s
10-29-2018, 09:01 AM
Great scenery. Just visited that region a couple of months ago. Beautiful but be prepared for plenty of wind and rain.

I would go tweener. 28 Incher!
benb
10-29-2018, 09:44 AM
It looks like Neil was having an easier time of things (more fun) on the mtb.



The opening shot tells me that.. the guy on the gravel bike has the bike setup in a way putting him in an extreme posture.. his back is curved forward in a pretty extreme manner and his shoulders are thrown forward to an extreme degree to reach the bars.

Hardly necessary/comfortable/performant for this use case is it?
ptourkin
10-29-2018, 09:48 AM
The opening shot tells me that.. the guy on the gravel bike has the bike setup in a way putting him in an extreme posture.. his back is curved forward in a pretty extreme manner and his shoulders are thrown forward to an extreme degree to reach the bars.

Hardly necessary/comfortable/performant for this use case is it?

Simon was an elite MTB and road racer. The bikes were borrowed from Moots. I doubt his position was completely dialed, but he knows what he's doing. Check out the video of him at Three Peaks in Yorkshire or the series where he's teaching Emma Pooley CX basics.
kingpin75s
10-29-2018, 09:49 AM
The opening shot tells me that.. the guy on the gravel bike has the bike setup in a way putting him in an extreme posture.. his back is curved forward in a pretty extreme manner and his shoulders are thrown forward to an extreme degree to reach the bars.

Hardly necessary/comfortable/performant for this use case is it?

Good call. Had not looked closely. Slammed stem and all. Would not set mine up that extreme even if I was a bit more flexible. Maybe it works for him, but I am with you on this one.
p nut
10-29-2018, 12:15 PM
This is where a bike like the Cutthroat would shine. Fat tire clearance, dropbar specific, lightweight, rough-fireroad--high-mileage bike.

http://www.bikepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/salsa-cutthroat-review-07.jpg
jwalther
10-29-2018, 12:16 PM
Watched that last night. What a spectacular ride!
HenryA
10-29-2018, 12:40 PM
“This video requires payment to watch.”

What is that about?
trener1
10-29-2018, 01:35 PM
Hmmm I just clicked the link, worked fine, didn't see anything about having to pay.
jr59
10-29-2018, 01:35 PM
Baxter looks to be about the right bike here
John H.
10-29-2018, 05:29 PM
I thought the gravel bike (and the rider on it) looked totally at home on that terrain.
I would likely opt for gravel bike- Or my 29'er hardtail since it is as light as most gravel bikes.

Looks like a terrific venue for a trip!
HenryA
10-29-2018, 06:21 PM
Link working fine now.

I might have picked the MTB but if I had not I would not have felt put out. Does anyone put ultra short travel suspension forks on their gravel bike? Is there such a thing?
Jaybee
10-29-2018, 06:28 PM
Link working fine now.

I might have picked the MTB but if I had not I would not have felt put out. Does anyone put ultra short travel suspension forks on their gravel bike? Is there such a thing?

There is such a thing. Fox and MRP make a relatively traditional looking 40mm fork, Lauf makes the carbon leaf spring thing.
Geeheeb
10-29-2018, 07:50 PM
i would choose the routt 45
p nut
10-29-2018, 08:28 PM
There is such a thing. Fox and MRP make a relatively traditional looking 40mm fork, Lauf makes the carbon leaf spring thing.


Lefty Oliver as well.
Dave Ferris
10-30-2018, 12:59 AM
Wow, incredible jaw dropping scenery. And expertly shot. Thanks for posting.

I'd opt for my Potts 29er out there, not being a skilled off road gravel bike guy.

Or maybe this Potts 27.5 + with the Type II fork I just spotted on Black Mountain Cycle's FB page:
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/44764606_10157472523685021_6095853972340342784_o.j pg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=6e5a169c5c5d0b0228969c686cf23120&oe=5C4F807F
Blue Jays
10-30-2018, 05:04 PM
That spectacular footage inspires me to obtain yet another bicycle.
Not that my arm needs to be twisted too hard for that...but still!
In that particular terrain I would likely prefer the mountainbike.
Cornfed
10-30-2018, 11:27 PM
Link working fine now.

I might have picked the MTB but if I had not I would not have felt put out. Does anyone put ultra short travel suspension forks on their gravel bike? Is there such a thing?

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/cutthroat/2019_cutthroat_apex_1_sus

Not "ultra short", but old men like me might appreciate it when bombing down a glacier. Oh wait, old men like me don't bomb down glaciers ... ;)