Gravel or Mtb bike?

andrews7391

So I’m looking to a make a purchase on the bike to work scheme and need an all rounder. I’ve always liked mtb but living in Norfolk UK it’s pretty flat and other than Thetford I don’t go to any trail centres. I’ve had a classic kona Caldera for years and it’s started to show its age despite upgrades. I’ve found the look and style of gravel bikes quite appealing as I’ll be using it on the road for the occasional 10 mile round trip commute. I’m thinking an XC would suit over a trail HT which id use semi slips for the road stuff. The gravel bike would need to soak up the tracks bridal ways and rough ground I’d like to cover when on my current mtb

Of course the current shortage of bikes makes my purchase more challenging. The bikes that have caught my eye are the
Scott Scale 965 for mtb at £1200

https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/scott-scale-965-29er-2022-hardtail-mountain-bike--greysilver__73951

And the orange speedwork at £1300
https://www.startfitness.co.uk/orange-speedwork-hybrid-bike-2021-grey.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy_P9x-rJ8gIVkJftCh0mtwZdEAQYASABEgIRLPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Now I know they are completely different bikes but hopefully me explaining my situation will give an idea of why I’m looking at these bikes

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

singleton

It's not clear whether you're looking for one bike or two?
The answer really does depend on the type of riding you will do.

If you are planning to do mostly roads, towpaths and some light trails then a gravel bike will be fine - especially something that will take bigger tyres and maybe flat bars.

If you will do mostly trails with some road work then something like an XC 29er will probably be your best bet.

If you compare flat bar gravel bikes to hardtail XC bikes then essentially the difference is whether you want a suspension fork or not - you can always lock it out but it will add weight.

Stock is an issue, and I'm not sure what size you'd want - but here are some others I recently found when looking for something else:

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/giant-toughroad-slr-2-2021-aluminium-road-bike-eclipse__487712?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=2110148105&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3UsBsI3vf6pb-YeMA6u7MlEo1U5ObY5V8newWJof7tm6F9Q0pk5t3EaAjNOEALw_wcB

https://www.bikester.co.uk/marin-dsx-1-diamond-greyblue-1280862.html?_cid=21_1_-1_9_43_1280862_524292382310_pla&ef_id=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3VlkK1Zw5p4fi4zNXBjHrnA66vBzJkz1sS73HiKgk8kP8G-mHwwjpQaAtioEALw_wcB:G:s&campaign_detail=smart_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3VlkK1Zw5p4fi4zNXBjHrnA66vBzJkz1sS73HiKgk8kP8G-mHwwjpQaAtioEALw_wcB

https://www.highlandbikes.com/bikes/road-bikes/whyte-portobello-v2-2021-road-bike-matt-bronze--copper__17615?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=WPO4XV2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3UYW3e2Xt7XefKwsNV3wmT8S_r6Rp3EYF9jDjnHShE9I6gzWKtze1UaApPsEALw_wcB

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/cube-acid-hardtail-mountain-bike-2021-ginger-and-black__5548?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=40411017&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3WSwgl6BJVYYAVNqpcAemW1adgCsngKL_9UqZKXYVvF6Nt_hlM5fCcaAjIXEALw_wcB

https://www.jejamescycles.com/product/49663/orbea-orbea-alma-h30-mtb-white-red-2021/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3VIEDG6F2RD2Z08DQyiVe1OB5qNbeIm3HrOH6KSjfFGe5zZK93bcbwaAigbEALw_wcB

oxoman

I've got the choice of all gravel / cyclocross, hardtail for the kind riding you describe and I sometimes wish I'd got straight bars on my gravel / cyclocross bike for the faster more technical stuff just for the weight saving compared with hardtail. Personally I like the giant toughroad but I'm biased towards giant anyway. Your best bet is try and come up with which type of riding you do most.

DeVlaeminck

Ive been using my flat bar rigid mtb for light mixed /off road riding more than my gravel bike. That said I did a ride on the gravel bike the other day and the average speed was higher but I wouldnt say it was more fun. My mtb is heavy - steel and semi fat tyres - so Im thinking a lighter rigid MTB with somewhat narrower tyres than I have might be the sweet spot for me. I did nearly buy an on-one whippet the other day but decided it was probably a case of the grass seeming greener.

dabber

If you consider the (any) Giant make sure you understand the Giant warranty in full.

The Rookie

I think the OP has probably bought whatever they were going to buy in the last 17 months!