What Are The Defining Features And Characteristics Of A 'Mountain Bike'?

[mattr]

I never see any of the other cyclo cross races, because apart from the Three Peaks event, they're not run in areas I usually visit. And in any case, if 33mm tyres is the regulation for cyclo cross, quite a few gravel bikes would be disqualified.


Surely it depends how rough the trail is. Some trails and canal tow paths are so smooth you could take a road bike with 25, or even 23 tyres. Other off road trails would be awful on narrow tyres.

Yes, most gravel bikes wouldn't be allowed to start anything under UCI rules, not sure how rigorously the three peaks adheres to them these days. And CX runs *everywhere* in the UK, there are leagues pretty much everywhere, COVID has knocked a big chunk out of it, but the calendar was rammed last time I looked.

And FWIW, I live in the middle of what is pretty much ancient forest, on granite, so it's all rocks, roots and orrible crap.