These aren't the types of bikes meant by the one you're replying to, I think: these are basically mountain bikes with modifications for day to day road use. The other are gravel bikes (which is what I assume means the ones used in cyclocross i.e. a sturdier version of a road bike) modified for day to day road use. But yes these citybikes were very popular in Europe.
Re:Myths in cycling: wider tires are slower
by mymythisisthis on Tuesday June 15, 2021 @06:45AM
(#27513399)
Touring bike is my favourite.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touring_bicycle#/media/File:Lo...
Very similar to cycle cross (a wide range of gears) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Fo...
The hybrid has straight handlebars https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/AE...
Mountain bikes, gravel bikes, are slow. Gearing is for climbing a mountain. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/No...
Mountain bikes, gravel bikes, are slow
Given the huge difference between the 2 I'm not sure what you mean? Also because these days 'mountain bike' is an umbrella term, whereas gravel bike is still rather specific. E.g. that last link shows already a rather specific segment of maountain bikes: dual suspension, quite a lot of travel on the front suspension, totally suited for going down the hill fast as well.
Re:Myths in cycling: wider tires are slower
by chemmail on Thursday June 17, 2021 @04:49AM
(#27537462)
Yeah the bottom one is close to being a Bomber.
Indeed, for anyone curious, have a look at the 1985 Raleigh (a notable UK company at the time) catalog, and compare the "Road Sport" category with "Sport Touring": https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/catalogs/1985/ind...
Their distinguishing feature was that a "mountain bike" comes with gears (normal bikes don't), which was very popular. The city edition came with fenders, luggage racks, a nice bell, stand, etc.
Big fat tyres, comfy geometry. The tires usually had a slick strip in the middle and grooves on the sides so you had slicks running on pavement and got massive grip turning on gravel.
As it got cheaper, they even started having front suspension.
Looked kinda like this:
https://www.bolha.com/image-bigger/gorska-kolesa/mosko-gorsk...
https://www.velo.si/modules/uploader/uploads/s_product/pics_...
https://www.bolha.com/image-w920x690/mestna-kolesa/mestno-in...