In some areas of cycling, the argument is pretty settled on which is the best frame material between carbon and steel. For top-end road performance, carbon is a pretty clear winner with its aerodynamic tube shapes and lighter overall frame weights. For long-term trekking and round-the-world rides, the durability and strength of steel is hard to argue with.
But what about gravel riding and, more specifically, the non-competitive adventuring side of that genre? Here second-saving optimizations aren’t as important as at the pointy end of road racing - longevity is also a proportionally greater concern. Then again, even if not racing, a lighter and more sprightly bike is simply just great fun to ride - nobody wants to lug around more weight than they need to!
