I am a road cyclist, and I intend on getting a new bike soon. I’d like to use it to zoom around town for fun like I already do on my road bike, but I also want to be able to commute with it. As such, I’d like it to be able to handle light grass and dirt when I need to (no mud, gravel, excessive drops, etc). I’ve been thinking about a gravel or cross bike, but they’re just not quite “zoomy” enough for me; I like more aggressive geometry and a nice, aero frame. Additionally, there has been a growing trend for thicker tires on road bikes, so a modern road bike should be able to fit cross tires. Should I just get a new road bike and throw some 33mm cross tires on it? Or should I suck it up and get a cross/gravel bike that’s actually designed for dirt? On one hand I want to zoom and won’t be on dirt/grass all that much, but on the other I don’t want to ruin an expensive bike by taking it off-road when I shouldn’t. Help a brother out.
The occasional trail just to avoid traffic, sure. That’s the gateway drug right there and suddenly you’re climbing muddy 15% trails after heavy rainfall. Talk about a slippery slope! The disappointment in your dad’s face.
You can certainly feel very fast on a gravel. Since my bike came out before Shimano’s GRX groups did I have a regular 2x11 Ultegra road group on mine (fine, I swapped to the 11-34 cassette at some point, 36/52 chain rings in front.) 28mm slicks, and I’m pretty sure what I’d have is a road bike. (Hypothesis untested.)