Gravel bike: the marketing chaps have rediscovered tourers, versatile bikes that can take on almost every task.
OK, away with the cynicism. Anything that brings bikes back from single-purpose, over-specialised machines is a good thing in my view. It's a reaction to superlight carbon road bikes and long-travel full suss MTBs. Neither is great fun for a 100 mile round trip of mixed road and towpath carrying a change of clothing for an overnight B&B stop.
Yes, they are easy to build. Pick an early 90s midrange MTB frame (later ones or higher-end ones tend to be too long), fit semi slicks, add a short stem and drops and go and enjoy.
Like these: a 40 year old road bike with generous clearances for 32c tyres, and a 30 year old MTB with drops. Here are ours, used for a 5 day tour in France kipping in cheap motels.
OK, away with the cynicism. Anything that brings bikes back from single-purpose, over-specialised machines is a good thing in my view. It's a reaction to superlight carbon road bikes and long-travel full suss MTBs. Neither is great fun for a 100 mile round trip of mixed road and towpath carrying a change of clothing for an overnight B&B stop.
Yes, they are easy to build. Pick an early 90s midrange MTB frame (later ones or higher-end ones tend to be too long), fit semi slicks, add a short stem and drops and go and enjoy.
Like these: a 40 year old road bike with generous clearances for 32c tyres, and a 30 year old MTB with drops. Here are ours, used for a 5 day tour in France kipping in cheap motels.