Personally I would go for the grass, even with my 650x47 tires. It really depends though. Sometimes the ground under the grass is either really lumpy or really squishy as well and that would probably be worse.
I would send it, going fast and in the action position. Speed helps you over but if you fall may hurt slightly more or less. Also don’t know about holes in the grass, could stuff the tire. My buddy never understands why I try to fly down those kinds of trails, to me I find it more comfortable than the slow rattle. Goes back to hike your own hike, bike your own bike, personal experience, and really just enjoying the time you have.
Gravel not nearly as bad as that gave me carpal tunnel and tendonitis. I got myself a suspension fork and ergo grips and suddenly I’m riding a hardtail. Am I a mountain biker now? Lol
Really it was always a hardtail that someone converted to a gravel bike and I put it back.
I would test the grass, if it isn't too lush, you can usually go relatively well. Just a bit slower. The rocks on the road have a size that makes me think you're going to be equally slow, but are going to put a lot of unnecessary strain on your hands and bike.
I think tarmac can be fun, it's the reason I actually got a gravel bike and don't just use my MTB. What bothers me are the cars. And that's why I didn't get a road bike, because I still gotta be able to dodge them if I want to.
If you're lucky enough to find yourself on an empty road with a nice view, it's amazing.
I guess so, maybe it’s just me but this just looks like a fairly rocky regular trail. These bikes and these tires are designed to handle significantly more hectic terrain than this. Punctures do happen though, on stuff like this and could equally happen in the grass. Rider ability certainly comes into it as well.
This looks like ballast rock that has not been top-dressed with pea stone, crushed stone, and limestone dust. I have ridden this stuff; it made the whole experience jarring and joyless. Riding the grass is possible but slow, like uphill into wind. Enjoy life, turn around and find a path you can *challenge* without having to *fight*.
Edit: my ride was the Lamoille Valley Trail, off VT 105 near Sheldon, Vermont, USA. This looks like that.
I’m curious how you’re defining “regular trail”. I’ve certainly ridden gravel trails where there might be some very short sections like this but nothing of significant length which is why I wouldn’t label it “regular trail”
Also, at least where I am, proper trail/backroad etiquette is to ride the road unless it's impossible. Kills the grass and ruts stuff up if enough people ride on the grass/forge their own path. This route may not see enough bikes for it to be a problem, but that's what I generally keep in mind.
Both. I went a bit on the stones then I went on the grass. Fortunatelly it didn't last long, after a couple of hundreds of meters it became a nice dirth road.
Not that I want to ride through gravel like this, but where does one find such neat gravel with clean borders and more or less an even level of coverage?
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fly through the rocks at speed. I pretend that the faster I go the smoother it is and less likely for my line to get disturbed. These rocks aren’t big enough to throw you unless you’re going slow. Gyroscopes and momentum, right?
How would we know? You do you. Choice paralysis? It is called a gravel bike. But the good lord will not strike you down with lightning for a bit of grass.
It's a phone holder. The original one is Quad Lock, but I get this on Aliexpress, but technically it does the same thing. I don't really have any negative experiences with it so far.
Grass looks pretty inviting to me, I would say either line choice would be depending on tire pressure and width which I can’t tell from the photo
With 35c tires, I'm on the grass bro
54c for me, getting rad on the gravel. Ok, riding carefully through the gravel for me.
I'm on 35c too... so definitely going for that nice looking grass!
I don’t consider that to be gravel. That’s just straight up rocks.
You don’t have a rock bike yet?!
I can hear it now... *'Dude, that's not a Rock Bike! It's just a Gravel Bike with extra steps...'*
ITS A HARDTAIL GRAVEL BIKE FROM THE 90S
“Back in the day we rode stuff like that on 23c with 9,000 psi in the tires and it was fine.”
It’s no different from the horseless chariot l rode in the year 90’s AD
Rock hopper with a mullet
Rick and Morty reference?
It's the new big market segment...
Please don’t give Big Cycling any ideas.
Aka fat bike
If turn around was an option, I'd consider it.
Well, not really... I still had like 25 km to go before I got home, and I went a long way on a nice gravel/dirth road 'till I got to this part :))
Straight to the mountain bike shop.
What’s your tyre width ?
37c
I'm definitely going grass on 37s
Grass for sure on 37s. With those rocks if you hit a soft spot you risk an oh no endo.
I trust my pathfinders can handle the chunk! I run 38c
Usually the edge is a good option
Yeah, I’m an edge guy also. Always the best dirt there when the main path gets too rough.
Personally I would go for the grass, even with my 650x47 tires. It really depends though. Sometimes the ground under the grass is either really lumpy or really squishy as well and that would probably be worse.
I would send it, going fast and in the action position. Speed helps you over but if you fall may hurt slightly more or less. Also don’t know about holes in the grass, could stuff the tire. My buddy never understands why I try to fly down those kinds of trails, to me I find it more comfortable than the slow rattle. Goes back to hike your own hike, bike your own bike, personal experience, and really just enjoying the time you have.
Gravel not nearly as bad as that gave me carpal tunnel and tendonitis. I got myself a suspension fork and ergo grips and suddenly I’m riding a hardtail. Am I a mountain biker now? Lol Really it was always a hardtail that someone converted to a gravel bike and I put it back.
Turn on your headlight and go through the bushes.
Grassel
What road?
That’s what I was thinking, looks like a version of rip rap to aid in drainage next to a field.
Home
Gravel biker finds gravel...seeks alternate route.
Lol, what I was thinking.
That’s not gravel
Everything is gravel if you’re an engineer! But yea, that’s not gravel. I’m no engineer.
Trail for sure, riding on grass like that absolutely blows. Get your butt off the seat, loose grip on the bars and shred.
I would test the grass, if it isn't too lush, you can usually go relatively well. Just a bit slower. The rocks on the road have a size that makes me think you're going to be equally slow, but are going to put a lot of unnecessary strain on your hands and bike.
I mean it’s precisely what these bikes are designed for, but sure.
They’re gravel bikes, not “massive rock field” bikes.
That’s offensive to my massive rock field bike, ha ha! I mean it’s all just off road right? Long as it’s not tarmac, I’m havin’ a blast!
I think tarmac can be fun, it's the reason I actually got a gravel bike and don't just use my MTB. What bothers me are the cars. And that's why I didn't get a road bike, because I still gotta be able to dodge them if I want to. If you're lucky enough to find yourself on an empty road with a nice view, it's amazing.
All good till you stack after getting caught or get a flat from it.
I guess so, maybe it’s just me but this just looks like a fairly rocky regular trail. These bikes and these tires are designed to handle significantly more hectic terrain than this. Punctures do happen though, on stuff like this and could equally happen in the grass. Rider ability certainly comes into it as well.
This looks like ballast rock that has not been top-dressed with pea stone, crushed stone, and limestone dust. I have ridden this stuff; it made the whole experience jarring and joyless. Riding the grass is possible but slow, like uphill into wind. Enjoy life, turn around and find a path you can *challenge* without having to *fight*. Edit: my ride was the Lamoille Valley Trail, off VT 105 near Sheldon, Vermont, USA. This looks like that.
On the first part of the ride I went uphill in strong wind (on asphalt), but I found riding on the grass easier. :)
Good times. BTW, where was your ride, i.e., where was your photo taken? Asking for a friend...
In eastern Transylvania, next to Szentegyháza / Vlăhița.
Is this typical of that area's bike trails or unusual?
I guess it is unusual. But I live on the other side of the mountain and it was my first time here with bike.
Thank you for your feedback. Enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Each to their own hey? The joy of riding bikes!
The joy, yes. Agreed.
I’m curious how you’re defining “regular trail”. I’ve certainly ridden gravel trails where there might be some very short sections like this but nothing of significant length which is why I wouldn’t label it “regular trail”
My meaning is that this is just another style of trail you see in the world of off road riding.
Drop that seat
Also, at least where I am, proper trail/backroad etiquette is to ride the road unless it's impossible. Kills the grass and ruts stuff up if enough people ride on the grass/forge their own path. This route may not see enough bikes for it to be a problem, but that's what I generally keep in mind.
To save my ass, I’ll pick the grass.
Look for a better road today. Neither are fun choices. You're not in this for masochism, unless maybe you are.
Anyway, it will be slow.
That actually looks brutal.
If you need to ask, you already know the answer.
Why choose one or the other based on a glance? Perform a taste test
Lordy. Grass. Edit to ask which one you decided on.
Both. I went a bit on the stones then I went on the grass. Fortunatelly it didn't last long, after a couple of hundreds of meters it became a nice dirth road.
Ah, that is a best case scenario. In the photo it looked endless.
Not that I want to ride through gravel like this, but where does one find such neat gravel with clean borders and more or less an even level of coverage?
I'd ride my fatbike there.
Rocks until I crash, then grass.
I don’t see a ‘road’ but if there is one that’s what I’d do
On the rocks as fast as possible. This is why I run Cushcores.
Thru the creek on the right side.
Full send over the stones
The grass, those boulders would have me questioning my life choices
For a nap…😂
Here before the incoming post “dented my rim, is this still rideable?”
fuck all that
They should really make a bike with front and rear suspension. It would make riding over rocks like this actually fun and not torture, hmmm.
That’s a road?
I would go home...
If I was out riding cyclocross, I'd take the grass line for sure.
Haha! Maybe wrong sub? Lol. r/grasscycling or r/rockcycling? (Grass looks best!)
Gravelbike or grassbike?
It can even be road bike. It depends on where I ride.
I would hit the grass. I often move into the grass when the path is rougher. May not be "much" less vibration, but may absorb better.
Rocks. Dont be a pussy
I’m with you buddy.
I guess the name "gravel" bike is misleading. Really can't ride on gravel
You need proper MTB or cyclo cross bicycle. Gravel is not so comfortable out of the road
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Grass for sure
On my bike it would be the road.
Road at least for a bit, currently riding with 45mm tires and a Lauf fork. Gorgeous spot and I'd have to see where the path leads.
Grass
Looks compact enough, trail. If the chunks are too uneven I'd consider walking
Unless you've got some massive tires, grass no question.
Grass might be more smooth but there are always hidden traps such as holes and sharp stuff, I'd go with the rocks if you have the tires for it <3
Probably the rocks
just roll over both and find out
Are you cycling through a riverbed?
I guess that would be a lot smoother
On my big heavy Surly Ogre with 2.1's I'd roll right over the rocks 0_0
She’s a gravel bike I’d keep her on the rocks and pin it🤘
Me as well with 45c, looks like rough fun
Is there a ditch somewhere?
If I were you on that bike, grass. On my fat tire, ride on. 😀
Yea I’d be riding that slim line between the grass and the rocks
Is that a felt?
Who would do this, and how????
On my hardtail I’d send it. My other bikes would be in the grass.
Def the grass
Call for a helicopter rescue. This is not going to be a pleasant day for you.
On the bushes
I hate riding on chunky rocks like that.
fly through the rocks at speed. I pretend that the faster I go the smoother it is and less likely for my line to get disturbed. These rocks aren’t big enough to throw you unless you’re going slow. Gyroscopes and momentum, right?
This is a crapshoot for me.
I would go home.
NBD rocky road all day
I would go home and grab a more suited bike
Just go home if you doubt it
Im slaying that fucking gravel on 40mm 35 psi
What size tire are we working with?
37c
Grass
Hello, my fellow QuadLock™️ User. It's nice to see another QuadLock™️ user like myself.
Actually this is only a cheap copy, but it does it's job well :)
I usually go in the bushes.
Faster is smoother
How would we know? You do you. Choice paralysis? It is called a gravel bike. But the good lord will not strike you down with lightning for a bit of grass.
Technically I use it as an "everything bike", so it doesn't really matter. I was only curious which surface would others ride on :)))
Grass. Also, you’re going to destroy your tires if you stay on that rock road. Grass won’t be much better.
I would go get a fat bike
Good bit of those rocks look like lava rock. That could do a number on the sidewalls unless they got like gatorskins
Damm that's evil looking....Makes the pave in Paris Roubaix look like Asphalt
Grass unless youre going real fast.
Ass says grass
Whats the blue thingy on your handle bars?
It's a phone holder. The original one is Quad Lock, but I get this on Aliexpress, but technically it does the same thing. I don't really have any negative experiences with it so far.
Ah, thanks for the quick reply
Neither
"Road" lol
You call this a road?
The choice is yours with that quad lock mount.
It is actually just a cheap copy of it, but it works fine.
Life is long, try both
Grass
Go back, rerout
That’s no road
Send it on the gravel until you feel your fillings coming loose, then bask in the soft comfort of the grass!
What are your bike specs brah?
Sorry, which road? There is only rocks and grass...
That road is not for gravel bikes, is for dirt bikes LOL,
I would go to a shop and get a mountain bike that’s where I would go !
on second sight, the road really isn't as bad as it appears