>>1331354The concept itself is pure marketing, here in France from the 60 to the 90 (before the MTB rise) we had "randonneuse" bikes (road frames + panniers racks,fenders, with either 650B or 700 larger tyres (32mm) for countryside or urban roads. Gitane/Peugot and local manufacturers build these somwhat affordable/robust and polyvalant bikes that were dominant for a long time due to their qualities. I daily ride a gitane 1986 2x5 speeds, panniers and fenders with marathons 32mm tyres. Why spend a lot on a meme gravel bike when you can buy a robust and inexpensive bike (i spend like 100€ max on mine) ?
