Gravel Bikes hit the market a few years ago in force, and it looks like they are here to stay. They are amazing do it all bikes, and many cyclists are now going from having three bikes of different disciplines to just having a single gravel bike. We think it’s amazing that a gravel bike just offers the rider so much more than most general bikes like a hybrid.
BMC URS LT2
(Best Overall)
MARIN DSX FS 700C 2022 BIKE
(Best Budget)
VAAST A/1 700c
(Best Value)
What do we look for in a Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes come in all shapes and sizes, and there are very few rules for companies on what gravel bikes should be, because of this, companies have got quite creative. To ensure we are getting the right bike for us and not just a mismatch of parts a company threw together. The best way to do this is to break the bike down into;
- Frame and Forks
- Groupset
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Special Features
Looking at these things, we can find the best of the best gravel bikes available and get you exactly the bike you need to be riding on all types of terrain.
Interested in a specific price point? Take a look at our budget specific articles.
Our Top Picks for the Best Gravel Bikes in 2023
1. Niner RLT 9 RDO 2-Star Bike
Do you want to go beyond the pavement without sacrificing too much road performance? If so, then the Niner RLT 9 RDO 2-Star is the bike to do it. Niner has a huge heritage when it comes to off-road cycling, and they have put this into their gravel bikes.
Features of the Niner RLT 9 RDO 2-Star Bike
| Frame and Forks: | Niner RDO Carbon Fiber Frame and Forks |
| Groupset: | SRAM Apex |
| Brakes: | SRAM Apex HRD Hydraulic Brakes |
| Wheelset and Tires: | Niner Alloy 700c |
| Special Features: | Lightweight, Fast, Mounts |
Let’s start with the frame and forks. You have here Niner RDO technology carbon fiber on this bike. RDO stands for Race Day Optimized, and Niner produces a higher quality, stronger light carbon fiber than the majority of companies on the market. The frame and forks are also full of mounts for drink cages and bikepacking gear to make this bike very adaptable for touring. Then we have the groupset. You have an excellent groupset here in the form of the SRAM Apex 1×11. This groupset is ideal for off-road riding with only having a single front chainring and a huge cassette on the rear.
Then you have the brakes. The Niner RLT 9 RDO has SRAM Apex Hydraulic disc brakes. Not only are these excellent for stopping fast. They are reliable, require very little maintenance, and are much easier on the hands to use. Then you have the wheels, and they are Niner 700c wheels. Not only are these fairly lightweight alloy they are also tubeless-ready, which could save you a fortune in converting later in time if you wanted to. They come with Schwalbe G-One Allround TLE in a 40c. Excellent tires for on and off-road riding. As far as special features, the mounts for bikepacking will come in very handy.
Pros and Cons for the Niner RLT 9 RDO 2-Star Bike
Pros
- Looks amazing
- Very lightweight
- Great Groupset
- Excellent Brakes
- Tubeless Wheels
- Mounts
Cons
- Not the cheapest
- Not a bike you want to drop
Why We Like It
The Niner RLT 9 RDO is an excellent bike, and no corners have been cut anywhere. It’s not the cheapest, but it will more than likely become your favorite bike after riding it once.
2. Best Overall: BMC URS LT2
Features of the BMC URS LT2
BMC is known for making incredible bikes. It’s like the designers are just on another level. BMC is a Swiss company, and they have created something very special in the URS LT2.
| Frame and Forks: | BMC Premium Carbon |
| Groupset: | SRAM Rival 12 Speed |
| Wheelset & Tires: | DT Swiss G1800 700c |
| Brakes: | SRAM Rival Hydraulic Brakes |
| Special Features: | Lightweight, Suspension, Rack and Fender Mounts |
The BMC isn’t like other gravel bikes, and a lot of it comes down to the frame and fork. This bike is super light with BMC’s URS premium carbon, and it also has micro travel technology. What is micro travel technology? It’s the 20mm of suspension travel this bike produces with the front fork. This doesn’t add too much weight, but it does offer so much relief on gravel for your hands, and also, you tend not to need to go around potholes. The Groupset is the SRAM Rival, and this is one above the Apex. It is silky smooth shifty on a 1×12 setup.
The brakes are SRAMs Rival Hydraulic Disc brakes, which are amazing for gravel riding. They stop fast and require such little pressure on the levers. The wheels are alloy DT Swiss G1800. An excellent gravel wheelset with incredible hubs. They come equipped with WTB Riddler 40c, perfect for mixed riding. As far as special features go, the suspension is just unbelievable, and the rack and fender mounts make it a very versatile bike for touring.
Pros and Cons for the BMC URS LT2
Pros
- Looks Great
- Very lightweight
- Suspension
- DT Swiss Tubeless Wheels
- Mounts
Cons
- Quite Costly
Why We like It
The BMC is a very cool bike, and it does offer so much in every department. It is costly, but you are getting a lot for your money. It comes very highly rated from us.
3. Evil Bikes The Chamois Hagar
Features of the Evil Bikes The Chamois Hagar
When I first saw the Chamois Hagar, I didn’t entirely know what to think. It has such a unique character to it. I almost didn’t believe it was a gravel bike, and though it was a company’s custom build project. It is very special and is a very versatile gravel bike.
| Frame Material: | Unidirectional Carbon Fiber |
| Groupset: | SRAM AXS 01 Eagle |
| Wheelset & Tires: | WTB Proterra Light i23 50c WTB Tires |
| Brakes: | SRAM Force Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Special Features: | Lightweight, Off-Road Geometry, Lot of Mounts |
The Evil bike frame is very cool and actually is more of a mountain bike frame than a road or gravel frame. This is the way we are seeing many companies go with their gravel bike frames. You can see its low slung geometry and short stem makes it a candidate for getting down low and keeping full control of the bike. Learn how to measure a stem here for your best riding experience.
It’s made with Evil Bikes unidirectional carbon fiber keeping it light and agile, and comes in a very cool stealth matt black. The gearing is incredible and is SRAM’s AXS 01 Eagle Wireless groupset. This is incredible, and you will get lightning-fast shifts and barely feel the change.
The brakes are SRAMs Force brakes which give excellent stopping power and a lot of reliability. Whatever the weather, these are going to have the ability to stop you straight away. The wheels are the tubeless-ready WTB Proterra Light i23 wheels, and they are equipped with giant 50c WTB Tires. As far as special features go, what makes this bike unique is that it’s a pretty much a rigid mountain bike pretending to be a gravel bike, and we love it because of this.
Pros and Cons for the Evil Bikes The Chamois Hagar
Pros
- Amazing Handling
- SRAM AXS Wireless Groupset
- Very lightweight
- Unique Frame Geometry
- WTB Wheelset with WTB Tires
- Mounts
Cons
- Not to everyone’s taste
- Mainly for off-road
Why We like It
The Evil Bikes Chamois Hagar is very unique, and you won’t see many bikes like it on the market. It has some amazing advantages for handling, and if you’re looking for a very capable gravel bike, this is it.
4. Best Value: VAAST A/1 700c
Features of the VAAST A/1 700c
VAAST makes a unique bike in the A/1, and throughout the years, the models have really progressed into something very special.
| Frame & Forks: | ELITE Super Magnesium Frame |
| Groupset: | Shimano GRX |
| Wheelset & Tires: | Stans Wheelset with 38c Tires |
| Brakes: | Shimano GRX Hydraulic |
| Special Features: | Magnesium Frame, Mounts, Internal Cable Routing |
The VAAST A/1 is a very cool bike, and instead of Carbon Fiber like the rest of these bikes on this list, you are looking at a Super Magnesium frame here with Carbon Fiber Forks. It’s light, fast, and strong. What’s not to like? You can expect an amazing ride quality from this bike, and even if you drop it on some rough terrain, it will be fine. The groupset it is paired up with is the legendary Shimano GRX Gravel Groupset and has been specially made for dusty fun. They use the GRX600 model here and have paired it with a Praxis crank, which is ok, but the GRX front chainset would have been nicer.
Then we have the brakes. Of course, the best set to suit this groupset and bike is the Shimano GRX Hydraulic brakes. They give excellent stopping power and are very reliable. The wheels have been outsourced. They are using a Stans wheelset with 38c Maxxis Rambler tubeless tires. Stans are known for making excellent tubeless products, so you will find this bike fully tubeless-ready to go. It also comes with a carbon fiber seat post and rack mounts on the front.
Pros and Cons for the VAAST A/1 700c
Pros
- Super Magnesium Frame
- Shimano GRX 1×11 Groupset
- Strong and Fast
- Stans Tubeless Wheelset 700c with Maxxis Tires
- Mounts
- Carbon Seat Tube
- Price
Cons
- It will be heavier than a carbon bike
- We would have preferred the GRX Chainset
Why We Like It
The Vast A/1 is a very cool bike and just offers something a little different. You get a lot for your money, and it is an excellent ride. t not only will make an excellent endurance road bike but will be amazing on gravel roads and other rough terrain.
5. Cannondale Topstone 2 Lefty
The Topstone 2 Lefty is the most equipped bike on this list and isn’t just going to give you gravel ability, but on a trail, it will handle itself amazingly.
Features of the Cannondale Topstone 2 Lefty
| Frame & Forks: | Carbon Fiber with Lefty Suspension Fork |
| Groupset: | Shimano GRX |
| Wheelset & Tires: | WTB KOM light rims and 44c tires |
| Brakes: | Shimano GRX Hydraulic |
| Special Features: | Suspension, Dropper Ready, Internal Cable Routing |
There are many different models of Topstone on the market, and Cannondale has made an excellent bike here. What’s special about the Topstone is the small rear triangle on the frame’s rear. It massively improves handling and extends the chainstays further back. This frame is a carbon fiber frame and has a kingpin suspension system. It has a rear pivot and a small suspension fork at the front giving 60mm travel. It’s a lightweight frame and fork and is very forgiving. Then you have the groupset. Of course, you have a GRX 1×11 speed with the beautiful shadow derailleur.
It has Shimano hydraulic brakes to help with stopping power, and the front and rear have 160mm rotors which are very different compared to the 140mm / 160mm combos we typically see. The wheels are the WTB KOM lite i23 in a 700c. These are great gravel bike wheels. They have 28 spokes but don’t be fooled. They are very strong, lightweight, fast, and tubeless-ready. These are paired up with WTB Riddler 44c tires, which I think are one of the best gravel and trail tires available. This bike not only has suspension, but it also has internal routing for a dropper post if you really want to get deep into off-road riding.
Pros and Cons for the Cannondale Topstone 2 Lefty
Pros
- Lightweight Carbon Frame
- Shimano GRX 1×11 Groupset
- Suspension
- Lightweight WTB Wheelset and Tires
Cons
- It will be heavier than a bike without suspension
- Quite Costly
The Cannondale Topstone is very special, and as far as the best gravel bikes go, this is one of the most capable on this list. This is one of the best gravel bikes on this list and far from a road bike.
6. All-City Bicycles Gorilla Monsoon
All-City makes some very cool bikes, and when we first saw the Gorilla, we were impressed. It’s just what Gravel biking is about and is just gorgeous to look at.
Features of the All-City Bicycles Gorilla Monsoon
| Frame & Forks: | 612 Select Chromoly Steel |
| Groupset: | SRAM Apex 1×11 |
| Wheelset & Tires: | WTB ST i25 27.5″ and 2.4″ Tires |
| Brakes: | Tektro Mechanical |
| Special Features: | Suspension, Dropper Ready, Internal Cable Routing |
The All-City Gorilla is an excellent example of a grassroots gravel bike. It has a Chromoly frame and fork and is the first steel bike we have on this list. The 612 Select Chromoly gives amazing strength and flexibility while not taking too much of a weight penalty. Riding steel is amazing, and it just rolls over bumps much better than carbon fiber and aluminum. I love the color scheme, and it very much stands out in a crowd. The groupset is the SRAM Apex 1×11. It gives you an excellent range of gears to choose from and is very reliable.
Then you have the brakes. This is where the bike is a little letdown. It has mechanical disc brakes, which are good, but they are not as strong as hydraulic, and although easier to maintain, I just feel they missed a trick here. The wheelset is the WTB STi25, and instead of being 700c in size is 650b, so it’s a very heavy duty off-road ready machine. The Gorilla has 2.4″ WTB Riddler tires, and these are massive and will give you a huge amount of traction.
Pros and Cons for the All-City Bicycles Gorilla Monsoon
Pros
- Steel 612 Chromoly Frame
- Apex 1×11 Groupset
- 650b Wheelset and Huge Tires
- Looks Incredible
Cons
- Not the lightest
- Would have liked to see Hydraulic brakes
- Laggy on the road
The Gorilla is an incredible bike, and as far as mixed-terrain riding is ideal. I love the smaller wheelset with oversized tires, but if I got this, I’d probably want to upgrade to hydraulic brakes.
7. Best Budget: MARIN DSX FS 700C 2022 BIKE
Marin has stepped their game up massively, and we have something extraordinary here. This bike has to be on the best gravel bikes list. The DSX FS is an excellent mix and borderlines a gravel bike and a mountain bike, and I think they have found a remarkable gap in the market here.
Features of the MARIN DSX FS 700C 2022 BIKE
| Frame & Forks: | Aluminum Frame with Suspension Forks |
| Groupset: | Shimano SLX / Deore Groupset 12 Speed Groupset |
| Wheelset & Tires: | Marin 700c with WTB Tires 45c |
| Brakes: | Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Special Features: | Suspension, Flat Bars |
Where do we start with the new Marin DSX FS? There’s a lot to speak about. The frame is aluminum, and they have gone for a very relaxed gravel style geometry. They have paired this up with some suspension forks that give you 60mm of travel. It’s not mountain bike suspension, but it is perfect for light trails and gravel. This bike also comes with flat bars, and it’s the first bike on this list to see them. The groupset is actually a mountain bike groupset, and you even have trigger shifters on this. It’s a 12 speed groupset and a mix between Shimano SLX and Deore, which are amazing groupsets. The range is incredible, and steep hills will not be an issue.
The brakes, of course, are hydraulic and come from Shimano. You have mountain bike brakes levers controlling them on this bike, which alongside the trigger shifters, gives you a huge amount of control off-road. Marin has put their own wheelset on this bike and equipped them with 45c WTB Riddler tires. This bike is going to be very capable on gravel roads and challenging trails.
Pros and Cons for the MARIN DSX FS 700C 2022 BIKE
Pros
- Series 3 Aluminum Frame
- SLX / Deore MTB Groupset
- 700c Wheels with large tires
- Suspension
- Flat Bars
Cons
- Not the lightest
- Won’t be the fastest on the road
Why We Like It
I like what Marin has done here. They have made a flat bar gravel bike with suspension that does offer something very few other gravel bikes can. It’s very close to hardtail mountain bike territory but holds itself in the gravel market.
8. Rondo MUTT ST
Rondo makes prime candidates for the best gravel bikes list. You can see by looking at the other bikes in their range, such as the RUUT. We really like the new MUTT ST, and it has some pretty cool features that set it apart.
Features of the Rondo MUTT ST
| Frame & Forks: | Steel Frame and Carbon Fork |
| Groupset: | Shimano 105 2×11 |
| Wheelset & Tires: | Rondo Superlight 650b wheels with 47c tires |
| Brakes: | Shimano 105 Hydraulic |
| Special Features: | Fenders, 650b Wheels, Adjustable Geometry |
The Rondo MUTT is such a great bike and offers the user a bit of everything. Starting with the frame, we have a super comfortable steel frame with geometry for all-day comfort. To keep the weight down and make it look sportier, they have given the MUTT a carbon fork. The fork is pretty unique, too, and it has the ability to literally change the rake geometry via a small plate where the axle goes through. You can change it for road riding or off-road. Then we have the groupset, and it runs a Shimano 105 hydraulic road bike groupset, but with an FSA small ratio crankset, this means you have much lower gearing for climbing and off-road riding.
The brakes are Shimano hydraulic and have excellent stopping power. The wheels are Rondo’s own, and they are very good. They come tubeless ready as standard and are reviewed well by long-term users. They have gone for smaller 650b wheels here for better off-road control and to give the bike the ability to hold larger tires. They are equipped with an excellent set of WTB tires, a Byway 47c tire on the front and Horizon on the rear. These are excellent gravel tires that also hold their speed on the road. The bike also comes with color-coded fenders, which look incredible against the detailed gold fork.
Pros and Cons for the Rondo MUTT ST
Pros
- Steel Frame, Carbon Fork
- 105 Modified Groupset with Low Ratio
- 650b Wheels with unique tires
- Color-Coded Fenders
- Looks incredible
- Adjustable fork geometry
Cons
- Not the lightest
- Very gravel focused, Road, Trails will be ok
Why We Like It
The Rondo MUTT ST is a gorgeous bike to look at and will be amazing on gravel. It’s going to be a lot of fun and would make an excellent bikepacking bike too.
9. GT Carbon Pro Gravel Bike
GT has been around for many years in the cycling world and continually produces a good bike. They recently have hit the gravel market, and they have made some very cool bikes. The top of the line GT Carbon Pro is one of their best models, and it’s very fast.
Features of the GT Carbon Pro Gravel Bike
| Frame and Forks: | Carbon Frame and Carbon Fork |
| Groupset: | Shimano GRX |
| Wheelset and Tires: | Stans Notubes Crest with 40c Tires |
| Brakes: | Shimano GRX Hydraulic |
| Special Features: | Dropper Post |
The GT is an incredibly light bike, and a lot of this comes down to this super lightweight carbon fiber frame and fork. The triple triangle frame and floating seat stays provide the user with a decent level of comfort on a very stiff racing frame. It performs great, but it also looks the part with a stealthy black edge to it. The Groupset is the Shimano GRX R800, so you have a 1×11 speed groupset here. They have made one modification and given the bike a Praxis Zayante Carbon-S crank to make the bike even lighter.
The brakes are Shimano GRX too, and these are so powerful and very reliable. The wheelset is 700c, and they have gone with a Stans Notubes Crest MK3 wheelset, which is excellent. The tires are the WTB Nano TCS, and this setup is tubeless and ready straight out of the box. One very nice special feature is the dropper post this bike comes with. A dropper post drops the seat lower, giving you the ability to lower your body to help with control. It’s very useful if you like a trail with a cheeky steep descent.
Pros and Cons for the GT Carbon Pro Gravel Bike
Pros
- Carbon Frame, Carbon Fork
- Triple Triangle Frame Design
- GRX Groupset with Carbon Praxis Crank
- 700c Tubeless Wheels with WTB tires
- Looks incredible
- Dropper Post as standard
- Very light
Cons
- Not a bike you’re going to want to drop
Why We Like It
The GT is a very performance focused gravel bike, and if you are looking to be very fast, then it’s the bike for you. It will be a lot of fun but not a bike you’ll not want to drop or crash on too much.
10. Surly Ghost Grappler
The Surly Ghost Grappler is an amazing bike, and we expect it to be up there with some of the legendary bikes Surly has given us in the past. It’s probably the most comfortable and capable bike on this list and is made for massive miles.
Features of the Surly Ghost Grappler
| Frame and Forks: | Chromoly Frame and Fork |
| Groupset: | Microshift 10 Speed Groupset |
| Wheelset and Tires: | WTB ST i40 TCS Rim and Teravail Tires |
| Brakes: | Tektro Mechanical Brakes |
| Special Features: | Dropper Post |
Surly has a huge pedigree when it comes to off-road bikes, and the Ghost Grappler does keep up. The frame and forks are made of Chromoly steel. It’s very forgiving when it comes to bumps and is designed full of mounts for bikepacking and touring. One thing I liked about this bike is the geometry. You can see it has a tall headtube and nice high handlebars so the user can stay in a nice upright position keeping them on the bike for longer. The groupset is a microshift 10 speed with a single front chainring. It’s good for gravel, gives you plenty of options for climbing, and is very easy to use.
The brakes are Tektro Mechanical. We prefer hydraulic, but on around the world trips, mechanical brakes are much easier to work on the roadside. They will work well, and if you look after them, they will give you no trouble. Then we have the wheels and tires. These are actually mountain bike wheels and are 27.5″ in size. They are equipped as standard with 2.5″ Teravail Ehline tires, which are massive. You have clearance to go even bigger as well if you need it. The bike also comes with a dropper post, and if you are planning on some serious off-road, this will come in very handy.
Pros and Cons for the Surly Ghost Grappler
Pros
- Solid Chromoly Steel Frame
- Huge tires for off-road
- Microshift 10 speed groupset
- WTB Tubeless wheelset
- Very comfortable geometry
- Dropper Post as standard
Cons
- Heavy
- Color is not to everyone’s taste
Why We Like It
If I had to pick a bike to go around the world on, it would probably be this. It’s very easy to maintain, it can go everywhere, and it’s just so rough and ready for anything.
11. Breezer Doppler Cafe+ Bike 2022
You won’t see many gravel bikes like this, and that’s exactly why we must tell you about the Breezer Doppler Cafe+ because it’s amazing and so unique.
Features of the Breezer Doppler Cafe+ Bike 2022
| Frame and Forks: | Chromoly Frame and Fork |
| Groupset: | Shimano Deore |
| Wheelset and Tires: | WTB ST Lite i23 TCS 650b Rims and WTB Tires |
| Brakes: | Shimano Hydraulic Brakes |
| Special Features: | Lighting and Fenders |
You have probably taken a look at this bike and thought that it looks like some kind of round-town shopper, don’t be fooled. This bike has got some serious clout. The frame is high end Chromoly steel and has flat bars with a super relaxed geometry. It has a Chromoly fork too and attached to that, you have off-road flat sweeper bars. The groupset is the Shimano Deore 10 speed and has a huge 11-42 cassette on the rear, making this bike a climber.
The brakes are also pretty awesome and are the Shimano MT200. These are powerful hydraulic brakes that typically you see on off-road mountain bikes. The wheels are the WTB ST Lite i23 TCS rims. These are tubeless-ready and 650b in size. They are equipped with WTB’s legendary 47c Horizon tires, and these are excellent for multi-surface riding and very comfortable. One thing I absolutely loved about this bike was the fact it had lighting front and rear. It gives you another level of safety and looks good all mounted on the fenders. Speaking of fenders, this bike has a set too to keep you clean and dry.
Pros and Cons for the Breezer Doppler Cafe+ Bike 2022
Pros
- Solid Chromoly Steel Frame and fork
- 650b WTB wheels and tires
- Deore MTB Groupset
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Very comfortable geometry
- Fenders and Lights
Cons
- Heavy
- Looks like a casual bike more than a gravel bike.
Why We Like It
The Breezer Doppler Cafe+ Bike is pretty amazing, and it just is so well equipped but also so casual. There are very few bikes like it, and it’s perfect for gravel riding and long tours.
Gravel Bike Buyers Guide
Gravel bikes are an amazing tool. They have a fantastic ability to be able to take you anywhere. If you are going to own one single bike, we highly recommend it be a gravel bike as you will get more out of it than any other type of bike. The gravel bike market can be very challenging to navigate because they differ themselves so much. We are going to break down a gravel bike and tell you what you need to be looking for when it comes to frame, forks, gearing, brakes, wheels and tires so you understand exactly what you’re getting.
Frames
Ok, let’s start with frames. The first thing you want to think about is material. Steel is the most comfortable, cheapest to buy, and heaviest. Then you have Aluminum, which is quite stiff, reasonably cheap to buy, and fairly lightweight. Then finally, you have carbon fiber, which is very stiff, expensive to buy, and very lightweight. Another honorable mention is titanium, it has the flexibility of steel, and it’s nearly as light as carbon, but it can be very expensive to buy.
Then we have geometry. You can get seriously aggressive racing gravel bikes, and you can get long distances cruisers too. Without going into a full bike fit terminology, the key is to ensure you’re going for the right bike for what you want to do. A good rule of thumb is to look at the height of the handlebars. High handlebars and big headtubes typically mean the bike is made for comfort and not speed.
Forks
When it comes to forks, they will typically be made of the same materials as frames and share the same properties. Steel for comfort, Aluminum for a mix of speed and comfort, and Carbon for speed. You also get suspension on some gravel bikes, which typically comes on the fork. Suspension does take the edge off all the bumps but does come with extra servicing and a weight penalty.
Gearing
You can expect anything on a gravel bike when it comes to gearing. You will see Shimano 105 and SRAM rival, typically seen on many road bikes. You might find Shimano Deore and SRAM eagle seen on many mountain bikes. Gearing is normally equipped to a gravel bike for its intended use. If it has a road groupset, then assume it will be for road and light off-road. If it has a mountain bikes groupset, then it will be made mainly for off-road riding. The thing I would recommend looking out for the most is to ensure it has a decent range to it to help with those steep climbs which might need some serious spinning.
Brakes
On a gravel bike, you are going to want disc brakes. They stop you quickly, work in all different types of weather, and they are very reliable. You will see two different types of disc brakes on gravel bikes hydraulic and mechanical. Hydraulic is where you have fluid in the system, and mechanical is where you have a cable in the system. Hydraulic is much better, and not only will it stop you faster, but it’s also much easier to use on the hands. The only real drawback to hydraulic is it can be difficult to work on when on the roadside and at home as these need to be bled if broken. Mechanical brakes are much easier to work on but typically require more maintenance and are not anywhere near as powerful. They will lock your wheel, but for those long gravel days out, you notice your hands will struggle after a while.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels on gravel bikes come in two sizes, typically 700c (29″), which is the same size as a typical road bike wheel, and 650b (27.5″), the same as a typical small mountain bike wheel. The larger 700c wheels will typically have smaller tires on and be more suited to road and light off-road terrain. The 650b wheels will have larger tires and suit off-road riding but still be capable on the road. I would recommend the 700c if you are going to do a lot of road riding and the 650b if you’re going to be off-road a lot.
Tires come in all shapes and sizes. The larger the tire, the more surface contact it will have and the better it will be able to handle rough terrain better. The smaller the tire, the more efficient it will be on the road, but it will have less capability off-road. Then you have tread, the more knobbly the tire, the more it will be suited to different terrains such as forest paths and slippy terrain, but it does reduce the contact patch. Pick a tire that is right for the riding you want to do.
Tubeless is another feature you will hear a lot about. This is where you have sealant inside instead of a standard inner tube. It is typically lighter, has a chance of self healing after a puncture, and can be run at lower pressures. It is amazing, and we highly recommend going tubeless as that’s the way it seems to be going in the tire market is going now and in the foreseeable future. It is more expensive though, and you still might need a tube if you get a rip in the tire.
Special Features
Special features like suspension stems, flared bars, lighting, fenders, and even bottle openers go a very long way, and we highly recommend keeping an eye out for these as they can add so much value to your riding. The most important special feature I would look out for is rack mounts if you plan to use the bike for touring. A lot of steel bikes will have them, but many carbon and aluminum bikes won’t, and it can be very limiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a gravel bike?
I personally think it comes down to what your budget is more than anything. If you are going into professional gravel bike races, you will want to spend a lot, but for general riding, even an entry-level gravel bike will be ok.
What are gravel bikes good for?
Gravel bikes are good on the road, they are good on light trails, but they excel on gravel. The beauty of a gravel bike is that it is very adaptable to various situations.
Are gravel bikes good for bikepacking?
They are excellent for bikepacking. They are strong, light, fast, and also can carry gear well and go on multiple terrains.
What is the most unique feature on a gravel bike?
The most unique feature was probably the Canyon grail cf sl twin top handlebars. There have been many and will be many more.
Are gravel bikes like road and cyclocross bikes?
Most gravel bikes do look like a typical road and cyclocross bike but the biggest difference is the larger tires and slack head angle.
Conclusion
Gravel bikes are excellent, and we can see why they have become such a big thing in cycling. Riding gravel bikes gives you so many options of routes to go on. They can be used for touring and bikepacking, and they do look incredible with those oversized tires and flared bars. We believe if you are going to invest in one bike, the best bike for most is by far a gravel bike. We hope by reading this article you found the best gravel bike for you.
Expert Tip
When you get a gravel bike, don’t be scared to modify it. Go with smaller tires on those road rides, larger tires for the off-road rides, and shorten the stem to make it feel more agile, even add bags and go bikepacking. Embrace the adaptability of a gravel bike and suit it to your riding style.
