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Yeah, a good cross country mountain bike may be just what you want.
In addition to what was mentioned above – Mountain bikes tend to be long/low/slack – meaning longer wheelbase, longer top tube (short stem), lower BB height, slack head tube angle. (although realistically I think most mountain bikes are gonna have a pretty high BB bracket).
Mountain bikes are often designed to be fast going downhill – making them more stable. Although there is a lot of diversity and specialization in each area. There are gravel bikes that ride handle more like a road bike or more like a mountain bike. Conversely, there are mountain bikes that climb well, and those that descend well.
Some other visual differences – mountain bikes tend to have long top tubes and very short stems, and relatively high stack to make room for a suspension fork.
As for riding – one of the biggest differences is gearing – as a mountain bike tends to have a small chain ring for off road.
In race type conditions on gravel – they can be pretty similar in a lot of ways. Some differences – gravel bikes can be pretty light, the wheels/tires are lighter. I find on a gravel bike, I have a much higher top end (due to aero and gearing) and can climb a lot faster (due to weight wheels/tires and a stiff rear end). But if I’m not sprinting – the mountain bike can be a little faster just because at speed when I can’t pick your line – the bigger tires are gonna be a lot more forgiving, and the bike is a lot more forgiving cornering on loose stuff (more stable drifting).
Pipeliner wrote:Some people can ride flat bars for extended periods comfortably. I can't because old Arther gives my wrists and hands trouble. If you would be OK with giving up the choice in hand and riding positions that drops give you then the benefits of a dedicated road/ gravel flat bar bike over your Ripley are going to be weight and wind resistance plus rolling resistance of the tubeless gravel tires.
The main disadvantage will be the inability to tuck in the drops at higher speeds or when riding in a headwind. If you plan to do group rides or races, that disadvantage will had you questioning your decision.
If you just don't like drops, experiment ing with different models might be worth the effort.
Dacha wrote:Usually due to higher stack height of the frame you'll have more upright position on a rigid MTB especially if the steerer tube is uncut. Many MTBs have lower seat tube angles what gives you the feeling of sitting on top of bike's rear wheel. A combination of
short chainstays and sweep handlebars gives you perfect-ish nimble handling especially in contrast with a drop bar bike. Also some folks have their preferences in MTB or road Q-factor depending on individual anatomic biases. Nowadays riding drops is not the only way to go comfy & aero. Alternative flat bar designs have found their testimonies.
chas wrote:Yeah, a good cross country mountain bike may be just what you want.
In addition to what was mentioned above – Mountain bikes tend to be long/low/slack – meaning longer wheelbase, longer top tube (short stem), lower BB height, slack head tube angle. (although realistically I think most mountain bikes are gonna have a pretty high BB bracket).
Mountain bikes are often designed to be fast going downhill – making them more stable. Although there is a lot of diversity and specialization in each area. There are gravel bikes that ride handle more like a road bike or more like a mountain bike. Conversely, there are mountain bikes that climb well, and those that descend well.
Some other visual differences – mountain bikes tend to have long top tubes and very short stems, and relatively high stack to make room for a suspension fork.
As for riding – one of the biggest differences is gearing – as a mountain bike tends to have a small chain ring for off road.
In race type conditions on gravel – they can be pretty similar in a lot of ways. Some differences – gravel bikes can be pretty light, the wheels/tires are lighter. I find on a gravel bike, I have a much higher top end (due to aero and gearing) and can climb a lot faster (due to weight wheels/tires and a stiff rear end). But if I’m not sprinting – the mountain bike can be a little faster just because at speed when I can’t pick your line – the bigger tires are gonna be a lot more forgiving, and the bike is a lot more forgiving cornering on loose stuff (more stable drifting).
Lammark wrote:
I’m leaning that way. The main type of ride I’m thinking of is a long, adventurous rides in the mountains involving dirt roads and single track. It’s a ride where I think the Ripley would be overkill and slow. I could probably get through on my drop bar gravel bike, but it would be hard. So maybe a nice XC.
I like your point about not having to be so careful about picking a line. I have 650b with 47s for my gravel bike, but even then I have to carefully choose lines in rock gardens. I could be a little less careful and go a little faster on an XC with, say, 2.3s.
Angstrom wrote:My first "gravel bike" was my 2nd gen Niner SIR9 steel hardtail. Put fast 2.2" race tires on it and did rides up to 60 miles with 6k of climbing. Eventually swapped the suspension fork for rigid carbon because for the riding I was doing -- New England dirt roads -- the big tires were enough, and I was happy to lose the weight and fork bob.
For me the drop-bar bike is a better choice when the ride is mixed pavement and dirt, but for all dirt or rougher dirt the flat-bar hardtail is a good choice. it inspires a lot more confidence on rough descents. If I hadn't bought the drop-bar bike I was seriously considering putting aero bars on the flat-bar bike for the paved sections.
What works for you is very personal.
Rede4303 wrote:
On the other hand, if you decide to use an mtb tire, I've done a couple of DIRTY KANZA 100s on Continental Race king 2.2s and finished 8th out of 350+ in the 110 mile half in 2013, you really don't have to worry about line selection due to it being an mtb tire and the huge volume allows you to increase comfort by running lower pressure without fear of a pinch if you're using tubes or dinging the rim.
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