Pennine Bridleway bike choice

I’d be comfier on an MTB on the bits I know, there’s some bits that would be uncomfortable on a gravel bike and I can think of a few descents I’d rather be on an MTB (and spinning up the next hill loaded up would be nicer with MTB gearing).

Ive only ridden the southern parts but there are so many rocky farm track sections, not a ride for 37mm rubber imho. It's not a ridiculous proposition but the bfe would need to be pretty bad not to take it.

Isn't the bfe geometry pretty comfy? I used to have a 26 one but can't recall too much about the ride, if you're not in a hurry you could tap out the miles ok?

The route I’ve got planned on GPS my Ride is about 100 miles with about 25% on tarmac. ( my dad moved to Sheffield and my self in the Dales thought it make a different ride out) Bfe is very comfortable just very heavy (in hindsight should of got a SolarisMax but at the time it was a purely economical choice) I’ll stick some less aggressive tyres on Bfe I’m not in a rush. Cheers all

Thinking about it you are missing max rock on the pbw with those end points, no Dales or Dark Peak, so maybe gravel bike would be decent (plus the tarmac). See what others suggest - I've not done the mid part below Settle so don't know what it's like.

Whichever one is easier to mount and dismount as it's gate city

I've done this a couple of times on 40mm tyres, which was also my choice for Mary Towneley's loop, but you'll probably have a good time whatever. I guess it depends if you're comfortable with riding more MTB-style trails on your gravel bike.

I'd still go with the HT, the Mary Towneley Loop and down to past Saddleworth is that hard jarring non-technical ground. Looks as if it should be plain sailing but isn't, lots of embedded stones, setts, half-bricks, etc.

I'd actually avoid the Long Preston to Gisburn section (even the horse riders have given up on it), go over the top to Otterburn, then Bell Busk, cross the A65 and work through to West Marton on BWs and follow the LL canal to Barnoldswick and pick up the PBW there.

I road it south to north over 4 days on a full suss.

The start is an old railway line. We found it all pretty tame until west Yorkshire. I remember thinking nice off road climbs with tarmac descents until we approached summit and the Mary townley route where the full suss came into its own.

There were a few sections near Clapham that were just grassy field bridleways through cow fields that were hard going and boring. Personally I'd avoid these and find a back road alternative.

I think you could do it on a gravel bike, you would probably be faster overall but have less fun on the downhills.

If you aren't in a rush take the mtb.

I think it comes down to whether you're trying to keep up a decent pace, or just ride relaxed and comfortable. I think the gravel bike will be faster overall for the section you've chosen, especially if you take Whitestone's advice (which is good advice, BTW). But if you just want to spin and watch the world go by, take the HT.

Id forget Barndoldswick completely (unless you want to slog up Weets to be rewarded with a boring downhill) and go West Marton - Thornton - along railway line through Earby to Sough and then use quiet lanes to get to Wycoller as the PBW is a lot of effort for no reward

100 miles isn't a huge amount and so I'd rather be comfortable, safe and not destroy my kit than chase efficiency for road bits. Also, bike touring should involve smelling the roses, go for the HT and spin up some hills!

This is great advice cheers all. @whitestones this is brilliant to know as I couldn’t decide wether to spin out to Gargrave on road then tow path to Barlick or mastilles to settle so you’ve decided for me. Once again thanks everyone

I’d actually avoid the Long Preston to Gisburn section (even the horse riders have given up on it), go over the top to Otterburn, then Bell Busk, cross the A65 and work through to West Marton on BWs and follow the LL canal to Barnoldswick and pick up the PBW there.

I'd echo this. I did it a couple of weeks ago on the CX bike and whilst it's rideable the field is generally chewed up by cows. That said the sction after Halton West is usally quite pleasant in the dry. Personally I'd stick to an MTB rather than a gravel bike as some sections won't be particualrly pleasant. I guess it depends on what your aims are.

I couldn’t decide wether to spin out to Gargrave on road then tow path to Barlick or mastilles to settle so you’ve decided for me.

If you're heading direct from Settle towards Long Preston, then keep going up to the main Settle-Airton road where it meets Stockdale Lane, then head east for about half a mile or so, after a little dip there is a byway which heads south-east towards Otterburn. It's very quick, although it turns into a FP and has a short, boggy section near Otterburn. Then you head for Bell Busk, cross the A65 and head for the towpath. Or you can continue via a BW to Gargrave and pick up the towpath there.

The Co-op in Gargrave is currently shut if you were thinking of resupplying there.

Just bumping this - did the OP @mrmrhill ride it.

A few of us are doing Settle to Glossop in July, riding Saturday and Sunday with stop overs in B&B's. Three have MTB's and CX/gravel bikes and two of us MTB's, one XC and a Trail, although one of the CX'ers considering MTB.

Looking at using my FS with faster tyres than Minions. We're all local to the Glossop end so know the area well.

I'm likely to use a lightweight rucksack. I do have a choice of a rigid MTB but don't fancy the constant battering I'll get. 40ish miles each day, all pretty fit (we all commute MTB and road ride). It's more of a jolly with beers and food.

There's nothing too extreme on the route. Personally I'd take my rigid mtb out of the full suss, gravel and rigid especially if you are just doing 40 miles a day and you are in good shape. I don't think I'd want to do it on a gravel bike.

I think the best riding is kirkby stephen to settle but just miss out the very first hiker bike big hill. The views are amazing.

I’m likely to use a lightweight rucksack

Hard work, better the attach the load to the bike.

The rigid MTB would just need a tyre change, and the guards taking off (although could leave on) as it's got a pannier rack. As said it's more of a jolly, not expecting to break records, just two days out with bikes, beer and food.

This beasty:-

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Been riding PBW in sections, there and back so end up riding a lot twice. Did Mary Towneley to Settle last couple of days, we use FS for big days of mixed riding, just less fatigue don't feel knocked about it's not technical but can be lumpy.

Echo the earlier comment about Gisburn to Long Preston it was miserable slurry filled fields a boat would have been better but we did it one way for completeness.

Happier times North of MTL: