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This article explains the differences, pros, and cons of mountain vs. gravel bikes. I have experience with both bike types, so explain them in an easy-to-understand form. By the end, you will know how they differ, where they excel, and their weaknesses.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The main difference between mountain and gravel bikes is that gravel bikes use drop bars, while mountain bikes have flat handlebars. Mountain bikes have more relaxed geometry and are more comfortable thanks to the suspension fork and usually wider tires. They allow you to ride in rougher terrain but are not as fast as gravel bikes on paved roads. Choosing between a mountain bike or a gravel bike is tricky and depends mainly on the terrain difficulty you want to ride in.
Quick Comparison of Gravel vs. Mountain Bikes
Here is a summary of the main differences between mountain and gravel bikes (and other bike types).
| Feature | Road Bikes | Gravel Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | Mountain Bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Endurance or performance oriented | Endurance or performance oriented | Usually endurance or upright Sometimes performance oriented | Usually more upright |
| Suitable for | Paved roads | Paved, gravel, dirt, or forest roads | Paved, gravel, dirt, or forest roads | All types of terrains |
| Unsuitable for | Most terrains except paved roads | MTB-like terrain | MTB-like terrain | Paved roads |
| Versatility | Low | Great | Good | Great |
| Gearing | 2X Sometimes 1X | 1X or 2X Sometimes 3X | 3X or 2X Sometimes 1X | 1X or 2X Sometimes 3X |
| Suspension | No suspension | Sometimes front suspension Occasionally suspension seat post | Sometimes front suspension | Front suspension Rear suspension |
| Brakes | Disc or rim | Usually disc brakes | Disc or rim | Disc or rim |
| Maneuverability | Good | Good | Great | Great |
| Relative comfort | Bad | Good | Good | Great |
| Handlebars | Dropped | Dropped | Flat or curved | Flat |
| Tyres | Narrow | Narrow or wide | Narrow or wide | Wide |
| Wheels diameter | 700c | 650b, 700c | 700c, 26โณ | 26โณ, 27.5โณ, 29โณ |
| Browse | Road Bikes | Gravel Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | Mountain Bikes |
Mountain Bikes Overview
Mountain bikes (also called MTBs) are suitable for various terrains. Together with gravel bikes, it’s the most versatile bike type. Their versatility and riding comfort come from wide, high-volume tires and front (eventually also rear) suspension.
Mountain bikes are suitable for terrain like trails, single tracks, forest roads, etc. However, you can also use them on paved roads. But it will take more effort to reach the same speed as on a road bike.
Hardtail mountain bikes only have a suspension fork, but full-suspension MTBs also have rear suspension.
Gravel bikes are a subcategory of road bikes. They are suitable for various surfaces, including paved, gravel, forest, and dirt roads. This versatility comes from wider tire clearance and tires. Gravel bikes for lighter terrain mostly use 700c wheels, while those for rougher terrain have 650b wheels.
They allow you to ride relatively fast on paved sections, but you don’t have to limit yourself to them only. Some gravel bikes also come with a suspension fork, contributing to higher riding comfort.
Check out the following table, which summarizes the benefits and disadvantages of gravel and road bikes.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Mountainย Bikes | โข Are versatile (i.e., suitable for a wide range of terrains) thanks to the wide tire clearance and tires โข Have suspension fork (and rear suspension) โข Often have a more relaxed geometry โข Are more suitable for rough terrain โข Are more comfortable โข Don’t require high body flexibility | โข Are not as fast (especially on paved surfaces) โข Are less aerodynamic โข Are heavier |
| Gravel Bikes | โข Are versatile (i.e., suitable for a wide range of terrains) thanks to the wider tire clearance and tires โข Are faster, lighter, and more aero than mountain bikes โข Can have suspension fork or seatpost โข Can have a wider drop handlebar for more leverage when riding out of the saddle โข Are compatible with more accessories like fenders, panniers, additional bottle cages, etc. โข Can have a wider drop handlebar for more leverage when riding out of the saddle | โข Entry-level gravel bikes are more expensive than entry-level MTBs โข Require more body flexibility โข Are not as suitable for rough terrain โข Are not as comfortable |
Features Comparison of Gravel vs. Mountain Bikes
Let me now compare gravel and mountain bike features in depth.
Geometry and Riding Position
The geometry of mountain bikes is relaxed, but thanks to the slacker head angle and lower bottom bracket, they provide better stability and handling. However, their geometry also differs based on an MTB type. The basic categorization of mountain bikes is on:
- Cross-country mountain bikes
- Trail mountain bikes
- Enduro mountain bikes
- Downhill mountain bikes
For example, downhill MTBs have longer fork travel (to absorb large jumps and bumps) and push the rider’s center of gravity to the rear (to tackle steep descents). Consider the terrain you want to ride in the most often. This will give you a better idea of what MTB type to choose.
The following table shows fork travel (that influences bike geometry) of different MTB types.
| Type of Mountain Bike | Suspension Travel |
|---|---|
| Cross-country | 90-120mm |
| Trail | 120-150mm |
| All-Mountain/Enduro | 150-180mm |
| Downhill | 180-200mm |
Gravel bikes are almost like road bikes but with more relaxed geometry (lower stack and longer reach) and wider tire clearance. Their geometry, however, is not as relaxed as on mountain bikes. This means you will be in a more aerodynamic (i.e., faster) riding position.
Some people may struggle with the more aggressive riding position if they are not flexible enough. It may take some time to get used to.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels and tires differ on gravel and mountain bikes, but not much. Mountain bikes use 26โณ, 27.5โณ or 29โณ wheels with wide, knobby, high-volume tires. The tire width usually ranges from 1.9โณ to 2.5โณ (and up to 5โณ on fat tire bikes). This width allows you to tackle almost any terrain.
The general rule is that smaller wheels accelerate faster and are more agile but less stable and comfortable than larger wheels.
Gravel bikes use 700c or 650b wheels. The tires depend on the terrain you want to ride in. The benefit of high-volume tires is that you can inflate them at lower pressures so they can absorb more bumps and vibrations. This results in better overall riding comfort. See the following table for more reference.
| Grade | Definition | Suggested Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarmac, bad paved roads with cobbles | 700ร25 โ 700ร32 |
| 2 | Dirt roads | 700ร28 โ 700ร35 |
| 3 | Light gravel | 700ร32 โ 700ร38 |
| 4 | Rough gravel | 700ร35 โ 700ร40+ |
| 5 | MTB terrain | 700ร38+ / 650b |
Source: cyclingtips.com
Handlebar
Flat vs. drop handlebars are one of the biggest differences between mountain and gravel bikes. Drop bars curve downward and offer multiple hand positions for various scenarios (climbing, spriting, riding on flats). They allow efficient riding position but provide less control on rough terrain and encourage a forward-leaning posture.
Mountain bike handlebars are typically flat and are wider for better stability and control. They support an upright posture for comfort and visibility but create more wind resistance, making them less efficient for speed and long-distance cycling.
Gearing
Mountain bikes use 1X drivetrains, which are simpler to use, lighter, and easier to maintain. Entry-level and beginner mountain bikes come with 2X or even 3X drivetrains. I don’t recommend the 3X MTBs because more things can go wrong.
Gears are easier on mountain bikes because mountain bikers often face steep climbs. They often need to ride in the saddle so they need easier gears.
| Shimano | SRAM | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | Tourney | Mechanical | |
| Entry level | Altus | Mechanical | |
| Entry level | Acera | X5 | Mechanical |
| Mid range | Alivio | X7 X9 | Mechanical |
| Mid range | Deore | NX GX | |
| Mid range | SLX | GX Eagle | Mechanical |
| Pro | XT | X1 | Mechanical |
| Pro | XT Di2 | X01 | Electronic |
| Pro | XTR | XX1 | Mechanical |
| Pro | XTR Di2 | X01 Eagle XX1 Eagle | Electronic |
Gravel bikes, on the other hand, often have 1X drivetrains (1ร11spd, 1ร12spd, or 1ร13spd). This applies mainly to gravel bikes for rougher terrain. It’s a trend copied from mountain biking.
The market also offers gravel-specific groupsets like Shimano GRX, SRAM XPLR, or Campagnolo Ekar. Those have easier gears that allow you to tackle steep climbs in the saddle.
| Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | GRX 10spd | Mechanical | ||
| Mid range | GRX 11spd | Force XPLR eTap* | Ekar | Mechanical |
| Pro | GRX Di2 11spd | RED XPLR eTap | Electronic |
*Force XPLR eTap is electronic.
Should you get a 1X or 2X groupset on a gravel bike?
The choice mainly depends on the terrain you want to ride in. For paved roads and light gravel, 2X groupsets are better because you have more and harder gears. If you want to ride more off-road, choose 1by setup with easier gears. Many gravel bikes use road bike groupsets like those in the table below.
| Level | Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Claris | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Sora | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Tiagra | Apex | Mechanical | |
| Mid-range | 105 11spd 105 12 spd 105 12 spd Di2ยน | Rival Rival eTap AXSยน | Centaur | Mechanical |
| Mid-range | Force | Chorus | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Ultegra Di2 | Force eTap AXS | Chorus EPS | Electronic |
| Pro | RED | Record Super Record | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Dura-Ace Di2 | RED eTap AXS | Super Record EPS | Electronic |
ยนShimano 105 Di2 and Rival eTap AXS are electronic groupsets.
Brakes
Mountain bikes and gravel bikes come almost exclusively with disc brakes (some beginner mountain bikes are exceptions). The main difference between disc and rim brakes is their weight and effectiveness in wet conditions.
Rim brakes are lighter but less effective, especially with carbon mountain bike wheels. Disc brakes can provide better stopping power but are more expensive. Disc brakes are either mechanical or hydraulic. The hydraulic ones are more convenient but more expensive. I believe the price difference is worth it, so if your budget is limited, save a little bit more and pay for quality brakes.
Suspension
We can distinguish two mountain bike types regarding their suspension:
- Hardtail mountain bikes (only front suspension)
- Full-suspension mountain bikes (front and rear suspension)
Hardtail mountain bikes are lighter and offer more efficient power transfer. However, they don’t allow you to ride on as technical terrain as full suspension bikes. The full-suspension ones also provide a whole new level of comfort. I remember the first time when I experienced the difference. It was mindblowing. On the other hand, they are heavier and more complex. So again, you have to think about the terrain difficulty you will want to ride.
Gravel bikes are usually rigid. But some have a suspension fork, seatpost, or even rear suspension. Manufacturers simply try to offer their customers ways to make their rides more comfortable.
Only you decide whether or not these features are a costly gimmick or a must-have feature. I like the simplicity and low weight of bikes. What about you?
Frame Materials
Mountain and gravel bikes have mostly frames made of aluminum or carbon. Steel and titanium are in the minority. Aluminum is a cheap and relatively lightweight material suitable for entry-level bikes. You can find them on beginner mountain bikes and budget gravel bikes.
Carbon is stiffer and lighter but more expensive. It can absorb more vibrations, contributing to a more comfortable ride. Carbon is more common on the more expensive mountain and gravel bikes.
Accessories
Mountain bikes are not as accessories-friendly as gravel bikes. Gravel bikes have mounts for accessories like two or more bottle cages, panniers, etc.
I believe gravel bikes are better if you are into multiday bike adventures. But it depends on your preference and the things you want to take with you. You can equip a mountain bike with plenty of accessories as well, but gravel bikes are more convenient in this aspect.
Conclusion
Mountain and gravel bikes are versatile and suitable for various terrains. While mountain bikes are designed mainly for terrain, gravel bikes are also fast on paved roads. When choosing between them, consider your riding style, the area where you live, and your body flexibility.
Both these bike types are suitable for those who don’t want to limit themselves and want to enjoy fun off-road. If you want to continue with your research, I recommend reading my in-depth guides on:
Or maybe you already know which bike type to buy, then feel free to:
I hope you find this comparison helpful. If you do, feel free to share it and let me know in the comments below which bike type you are more interested in.
