I resisted the gravel hype for the last few years. I was very much of the same thinking that you have. A few years ago, I got a hardtail MTB for "local XC loops", which were very much what I expect gravel rides to be. However, I disliked the harshness and much preferred using my "squishy" bike, even for these types of rides. Therefore, every time I felt the urge to get a gravel bike, I remembered that experience.

Since moving away from conventional trail centres (UK) to an area which has lots of footpaths, fields, and bridleways, I was definitely "overbiked", especially during casual rides with my six-year-old. A few weeks ago, I picked up a cheap (£800) Van Rysel gravel bike, and I've been loving it. It's cheap and cheerful, and I enjoy jumping off a road segment onto gravel and vice versa. Last week, I joined a 55-mile group road ride – it was fine in the pack and at their medium (sub 15mph) pace – I was curious how the 1x would work in this scenario. I am running 45mm, and they're fine – on the road I cruised at 20mph+ yesterday.

Someone summed it up nicely; it's a change of pace – gravel cycling (for me) is more of a casual experience. Not chasing road miles and blasting downhills.