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Gravel bikes are supposed to be practical
I thought that was touring bikes? Gravel & touring seem to have made a somewhat inevitable crossover that's confused things a bit.
Gravel bikes did originate in gravel racing, so features like ISP and other racy stuff are bound to feature sometimes :-)
BareNecessities-
To me that's what differentiates a gravel bike and a CX bike. A CX bike is to a gravel bike as a TT bike is to a tourer. They're just the off-road equivalents.
I mean, it's got 4 bottle cage mounts on the frame; it's obviously supposed to be taken to remote places and to carry weight, rather than to enter a race on.
I bet they've given it a press-fit BB as well
frankenbike
Because what do you do when you're riding in the Outer Hebrides and your seatpost breaks and the only bike shop for miles has 27.2mm posts and no toppers? Your options are to cancel your holiday, sit straight on the mast, or buy a new frame. What about if you've just bought a nice new 27.2mm dropper post that you want to put on your gravel bike? You can't buy this Trek.
Gravel bikes are supposed to be practical; niche parts that no one sells or owns are not practical. The bike industry hasn't brainwashed me, they just have a real problem with constantly inventing new standards.
@Ricochet I guess, if the topper is necessary because of the suspension, it sort of makes sense. I wouldn't buy it though.