Gravel bikes share similarities with drop handlebar, off-road mountain bikes. The Ridley Ignite GTX bike model sparks discussion yet again about this classification.
New Gravel Bike Emerges, Blurring the Line Between Road and Mountain Bikes
The world of cycling is seeing a fascinating evolution, as gravel racing demands push bike brands to innovate and explore new territories. One such example is the new Ridley Ignite GTX, a gravel bike that boasts mountain bike geometry.
The Ignite GTX is marketed as an 'alpine gravel bike', designed for ultra-racing, bikepacking, and extreme adventure riding. Its geometry allows it to be used with a suspension fork, either rigid carbon or with 100mm of travel, catering to the growing technicality in gravel racing.
This bike accommodates up to 29 x 2.3" knobby tyres, providing excellent traction and stability over varied terrains. The Ritchey Venturemax handlebar, featuring 24 degrees of flare and a short drop, offers more control on technical terrain. In fact, the Ignite GTX can be considered a rugged gravel bike or a drop bar hardtail, with a slacker head angle and 'flex-stays' for additional comfort over rough terrain.
Interestingly, the Ignite GTX also offers a mullet setup option, with a 27.5" rear wheel and a 29" wheel up front. This setup, often seen in mountain biking, provides better manoeuvrability and traction in technical sections.
The increasing merging of mountain bikes and gravel bikes provides more choice for consumers, according to Connor Sens, the 2023 Australian Gravel Champion. Sens believes that improvements in bike technology will change people's riding styles and where they ride, leading to more technical sections in gravel racing as it evolves.
indeed, gravel races are becoming more technical, with single track sectors being added to the courses. This trend is reflected in the two-time Gravel Bike of the Year winner, the Giant Revolt X, which has a shorter and higher stack and reach compared to a 2010 Specialized Epic hardtail. The limited increases in rolling resistance seen from running ultra-wide tyres are encouraging their adoption in gravel racing.
The evolution of gravel bikes and the blurring of lines between gravel and mountain bikes is an exciting development in the cycling world. The release of the Ignite GTX and other bikes like it shows that the gravel discipline is continuing to grow and diversify, offering more opportunities for adventure-seeking cyclists.
The new Ridley Ignite GTX, with its mountain bike geometry, is a testament to the growing technicality in gravel racing, serving as an 'alpine gravel bike' for ultra-racing, bikepacking, and extreme adventure riding. This bike's versatile features, including the option for a mullet setup, accommodate diverse terrains and riding styles, reflecting the exciting fusion of gravel and mountain bikes in today's cycling world.
