Jan. 2, 2025, 4:59 a.m. -  Lynx .

Rolly, don't worry, you're not alone, I guess like cyclocross to me, have zero interest or see the fun in riding skinny tyres with drop bars is nasty, super muddy conditions, but I'll try to explain the "gravel" thing as it sits today (not interested really myself, except) What they're calling "gravel" these days is just basically what we used to call XC, fireroads, but with drop bars, that's about it, because honestly if you look at the geo and size tyres they're now running, you realise they're very close to early rigid MTB. Trend right now in tyre size has crept slowly up to now using 50mm, i.e. 2" tyres, i.e. early "fat" MTB tyres of the 90s.  The whole drop bar thing they say is because it gives you loads of hand positions and good position for long cranks, but an early MTB with 2" tyres, flat bar and some bar ends can accomplish the same thing, but be more familiar to you if you're accustomed to riding MTB. Best advice is to see if you can find an early 2000s HT/rigid 29er frame that takes discs, like maybe a GF Sugar and then build that up as your "gravel" bike and enjoy some nice XC riding :-D