Gravel bike

[Wombat27A]

I was watching YouTube and somehow ended up watching GCN and a film about gravel racing...

I'm looking for something to do over the winter, can't run or walk much due to arthritis in hands and feet but need to get fitter, as that's good for the pain.

I want a bike that actually fits, as my current and previous bikes (dutch/mountain) definitely do not as I have odd dimensions. Perfect for powerlifting, tho...

Just been in Halfords for something else, do you have any gravel bikes, nope, do you have any in this size, nope. I will toddle down an independent but I need a bit more idea of what's current as things have moved on since I last bought a bike in the early 90's.

And does anyone do Zwift?

I've been cycling but have obviously had my head stuck somewhere as I'd not even noticed the introduction of gravel bikes. They look great and would love one but don't fancy spending £3k+ on a new bike (as it's what I'd do!).

Instead I've just put some wider tyres on my single speed. Nothing remotely comparable but is still fun on trails etc.

The only difficulty with buying anything now is availability and price. I personally hate it when you can't haggle or find a bargain.

I've not used Zwift but hear it's great. I still use YouTube if doing anything indoors.

I ride a cycloX bike, which is old name for gravel bikes. It wouldn't be good on your arthritis, sorry, lots of vibrations come thru the handlebars (I have hand troubles). Firm grip needed on brakes at times, fast sharp steering. Tree roots are banes.

Zwift is very popular so presumably a lot of fun, good value for many.

The bike scene has changed out of all recognition since the 1990s. You might want to browse a good online bike magazine like Bike Radar, lots of useful articles and descriptions of different bikes.
My daughter has a gravel bike and I have a Specialized Rockhopper. TBH there's not much difference between them in my opinion. My bike, still nominally an MTB, has two chainwheels at the front, a block of 9 at the back and it tackles any slope or terrain with ease and is very stable. It has disc brakes and forks at the front, of course.
What kind of cycling do you do? Gravel bikes are aimed at off-road and although you can ride them on the road, they don't always have quite the top gear for road speeds. I hate the thick tyres on gravel bikes too. I don't think you need them unless you are on very unstable surfaces or rough, stony tracks.
I sympathise with your arthritic hands, I get pains in my thumb joints and it's a hassle, flat bars are a problem for that and gravel bikes tend to have drops so I suppose that is a bonus because you can change hand position. Good luck.

haha, my complaint (sore issue between me & DH) is that my cycloX bike doesn't have a granny ring (for going low enough speeds). I simply can't get it up steep hills. I never need a chain ring above 34T to be honest, on any bike.

If you have an Evans near you they stock gravel bikes. I got one as a transition from mountain to road cycling. I love it but want a full road bike now of course. (N+1!).

Ain't that the truth! :-)

Can recommend Planet X for gravel bikes, great price and get a lot for your money imo.

Right, because I have super-short legs and lots of biomechanical issues, I went and got a bike sizing and also had a really good chat with a bike shop.

Bike is now on order, bought a better helmet too!

Thanks all.