What if we told you that there is a bike that is just as suitable for velotafing, extreme mountain sports and bike travel? It is the gravel bike, this ingenious American invention that is dedicated to different types of road cycling. What is a gravel bike and how to choose it? We tell you everything in this guide along with some suggestions of quality gravel bikes.
Here is our commitment, to make sure that we provide the best user experience and content quality:
You can support us by using our links to make your purchases (at no extra cost to you)! This sometimes earns us a commission which allows us to remain independent. More about us
Our selection
"Whether it's a nice asphalt road or an unlikely trail, this Trek gravel bike will do the job. Featuring the best components, like the famous…"
"Featuring an aluminum frame and fork, this Scrapper gravel bike promises speed and thrills with its 16-speed Shimano transmission."
"The Fuji E-Jari gravel bike will please those who lack legs to pedal and lovers of the adventure spirit behind the Gravel concept. Performance, comfort…"
"Honoring the gravel spirit, this travel bike will carry you over very long distances thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano transmission and puncture-proof tires."
Whether it's a nice asphalt road or an unlikely trail, this Trek gravel bike will do the job. Featuring the best components, like the famous Stranglehold dropouts, it will stay strong and reliable, no matter what you do.
1 839 £ on Alltricks
Featuring an aluminum frame and fork, this Scrapper gravel bike promises speed and thrills with its 16-speed Shimano transmission.
640 £ on Go SportThe aluminum frame and fork of this gravel bike make it a compact bike. Indeed, in size M, this bike weighs only 10.10 kg. Its main argument: versatility! Its cut is indeed thought to offer an aerodynamic position to the cyclist, but its modern look also suggests the use of this bike as a means of daily travel. And its studded tires confirm it: worn by 700C wheels, they have a 32C section for a better grip on all types of tracks.
As for performance, this gravel bike promises a pleasant riding sensation. It features a Shimano Claris 16-speed drivetrain, matched with a 46/36 crankset. You can easily reach 25 to 30 km per hour on paved roads. Such a performance necessarily requires a good braking system; hence the use of 140 MMM mechanical disc brakes that this Gravel bike is equipped with.
The Fuji E-Jari gravel bike will please those who lack legs to pedal and lovers of the adventure spirit behind the Gravel concept. Performance, comfort and sensations guaranteed!
3 041 £ on AlltricksThis electric gravel bike combines the rigidity and stability of an aluminum frame with the lightness and handling of a carbon monocoque fork. Honoring the gravel spirit, this versatile EAB will show remarkable agility on and off the road. In fact, the Lightweight Tubeless Casing 700x45C tires from WTB Riddler are there to remind you that you can hit the bumpy slopes as well as the city streets. Just remember to adjust the telescopic seatpost to suit your riding.
In terms of performance, this electric gravel bike is powered by a 250W Fazua Evation motor with 55Nm of torque. It is powered by a 250 Wh Fazua Evation battery, delivered with its charger. This battery-motor duo assists the Shimano GRX 1x11 speed transmission which will allow you to gain speed quickly. Nevertheless, to respect the regulations in force, the electric assistance will stop automatically as soon as you reach 25 km/h.
Honoring the gravel spirit, this travel bike will carry you over very long distances thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano transmission and puncture-proof tires.
799 £ on AlltricksAny specific needs?
The best high-end electric gravel bike
Your guide :
Rate this buying guide :By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!
| THE BEST | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Trek Gravel bike Checkpoint ALR5
|
Scrapper Spego Gravel 2.1
|
Fuji E-Jari - Electric gravel bike
|
Kona Sutra - Gravel bike de voyage
|
|
Whether it's a nice asphalt road or an unlikely trail, this Trek gravel bike will do the job. Featuring the best components, like the famous Stranglehold dropouts, it will stay strong and reliable, no matter what you do.
|
Featuring an aluminum frame and fork, this Scrapper gravel bike promises speed and thrills with its 16-speed Shimano transmission.
|
The Fuji E-Jari gravel bike will please those who lack legs to pedal and lovers of the adventure spirit behind the Gravel concept. Performance, comfort and sensations guaranteed!
|
Honoring the gravel spirit, this travel bike will carry you over very long distances thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano transmission and puncture-proof tires.
|
|
|
Frame
|
Aluminum Alpha 300 series
|
Aluminum
|
Super-Butted Aluminum
|
Aluminum 6061
|
|
Wheels/tires
|
Bontrager Tubeless Ready 700C / Bontrager GR1 Comp 40C
|
MACH 1550-700C / HUTCHINSON CYCLOCROSS - 700x32C
|
WTB HTZ i23 TCS 2.0 / WTB Riddler Lightweight Tubeless Casing 700x45C
|
Double aluminum rims / Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Plus, 700 x 35C
|
|
Transmission
|
Shimano GRX 11-speed
|
Shimano Claris 16-speed
|
Shimano GRX 1x11 speed
|
Shimano Sora/Deore 3x9-speed
|
|
Brakes
|
Hydraulic disc brakes
|
Mechanical disc brakes
|
Hydraulic disc brakes Shimano GRX
|
Mechanical disc brakes
|
|
Accessories
|
About all
|
Above all
|
Bottle cage, rack mount
|
Mudguard, luggage rack eyelets
|
Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!
We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.
We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.
To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!
When it comes to gravel bikes, you can choose between three frame materials: carbon, steel and aluminum.
If you want to learn about this type of bike, which is at home in the city as well as on the rough trails that wind through the mountains, choose a gravel bike with a steel or aluminum frame. Although flexible, these two materials provide more stability and cost less.
If you're already a road cyclist and want to get off the beaten path, look to gravel bikes with carbon frames. You'll get much of the same feel as a road bike, especially when climbing hills. Carbon seduces by its lightness, and if it is sometimes nervous when going downhill on bumpy terrain, the professional that you are will know how to control it.
Gravel bike and cyclocross have a common point: the use of wide tires with a section of 30 to 40 mm for a better grip. The most versatile gravel bikes rely on knobby tires for ease of riding on shoddy terrain. If you're looking for a higher end tire, don't hesitate to look into tubeless tires that will reduce pressure when riding on rough trails. What's more, tubeless tires significantly reduce the risk of punctures.
Gravel bike wheels are usually 700C, although models with extra-wide tires are 650b. You will gain in rigidity and stability by opting for wheels with through axles, but these cost more than classic wheels.
gravel bike or not, the transmission remains a determining criterion in the choice of a bike. As far as brands are concerned, we can only recommend Shimano derailleurs with 9, 18, 22 or 24 speeds, or the Compagnolo drivetrain, which is known for its efficiency. In any case, if you plan to hit the slopes with your gravel bike, you'll need a balanced cassette with long and short ratios.
Typically, gravel bike manufacturers rely on single or double chainring transmissions. When you want to make your bike lighter, you opt for a single chainring transmission that allows you to shift gears quickly. That's why most mountain bikes have them.
Because gravel bikes are not limited to urban riding, but also take on rough trails and steep hills, manufacturers generally use hydraulic disc brakes. Nevertheless, mechanical disc brakes are available for entry-level models. The goal here is to get responsive, powerful brakes with consistent efficiency.
Certainly, accessories don't interfere with the performance of the gravel bike in any way, but they do make it more comfortable to use. If you like adventure and travel, you'll appreciate gravel bikes with luggage racks or even eyelets for attaching travel bags. In many cases, gravel bikes come with a light system, bell, kickstands, etc.
Much more than just a bike, gravel biking is an adventure-oriented concept. Born in the U.S., it was born out of the creativity of road cycling and mountain sports enthusiasts who had the wonderful idea of mounting wide knobby tires on conventional road bikes so they could go anywhere. The result: a Gravel bike with bold curves that braves the off-road like no other.
That's where the gravel bike gets all its success. Unlike other bikes, it doesn't cater to just one profile of rider. It puts road cycling enthusiasts in its pocket, who can ride on asphalt, literally off the beaten path, and go on bike trips.
The gravel bike also charms mountain bike enthusiasts, who consequently gain a lighter, but equally effective bike for climbing and hurtling down the slopes. Finally, there are also hiking enthusiasts and travelers who will happily discover the comfort of a bike suitable for very long rides.
A few points distinguish the Gravel bike from other types of bikes. First of all, its frame and fork are rigid (steel or aluminum) with a wide enough travel to gain comfort. As for the handlebars, their shape differs from that of a road bike only by its flared line and its height designed to allow the cyclist to take an aerodynamic posture.
As for the tires of the Gravel bikes, they will be wide and will have sections of 30 to 40 mm. This hybrid bike has truncated the usual inner tube with tubeless which is more robust to reduce the risk of punctures. Finally, for the weight, a Gravel Bike worthy of the name will never exceed 15 kg!
The mechanical (or classic) gravel bike honors the very essence of cycling: you pedal with the strength of your legs alone, although the quality of components such as the transmission, the wheels and the frame has a significant influence on your performance. A cheaper choice, the classic gravel bike is more affordable in terms of price, but also in terms of maintenance.
It also doesn't have the heavy weight of a battery, is not subject to the constraint of autonomy and works independently of the weather conditions. This is why the mechanical gravel bike has a long life span. Of course, this mechanical bike remains the best choice if you really want to work your muscles.
We like:
We like less :
Contrary to prejudices, electric bikes are not scooters nor a denaturalized form of the "mechanical" bike. On the contrary! Riding an electric gravel bike does not take away the joys of pedaling, but you simply benefit from an electric assistance that propels the bike forward and increases the efficiency. In other words, you pedal with less effort than on a conventional gravel bike, but your speed will not be affected.
The electric gravel bike, like any other EAB, runs on a battery whose autonomy varies from one model to another. This battery must be equipped with a waterproof protection so that the bike can function, even in the rain. With an electric gravel bike, if your battery runs out, you can always choose to do without the electric assistance and pedal by muscle power.
We like:
We like less:
Both gravel bikes and mountain bikes claim to be versatile. How do these two types of bikes differ? Should you choose one over the other?
The gravel bike is the new fashion in the world of cycling. This it-bike, which has won over well-known sportsmen and manufacturers, flourishes in all environments: asphalt city roads, rocky country roads, rough mountain trails, etc. Thanks to its versatility, the gravel bike is a hybrid design, combining the technical advantages of road bikes, mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes.
Like all bikes, the gravel bike is available in a classic and an electric version. Its particularity: a frame with wide chainstays to accommodate large tires, handlebars similar to those of a road bike, but with a flared shape, wide tires and low pressure. It is by combining all these advantages that the gravel bike is dedicated as well to the urban displacement as to the practices of intensive sport in forest.
Like the gravel bike, the mountain bike is also said to be versatile; in fact, its name says it all. It is halfway between a city bike and a country bike, but it is not intended for regular or even less intensive sports use. Instead of calling it a sport bike, we describe it as a fun bike.
Like the gravel bike, the mountain bike is a hybrid design that combines the flexibility of a sport bike with the comfort of an urban bike. This means that the VTC can be used on unpaved and slightly steep roads without any problems.
The gravel bike and the VTC share a hybrid design, but their similarities end there. While the gravel bike is more aggressive and competes with mountain bikes in intensive mountain sports, the VTC is more comfortable in the city or in the countryside. Nevertheless, the VTC comes with a unique comfort and a very affordable price.
Why would you be tempted by the gravel bike, which is so famous for its ability to appeal to a variety of riders? Here are some good reasons that have built the reputation and fame of this outstanding bike.
This is the main argument for a gravel bike. While most bikes are dedicated to a specific use, the gravel bike has no limits and can be used for road cycling, urban commuting, long rides in the wilderness, bike travel, intensive mountain sports, etc. In other words, the gravel bike is a great bike for all types of cycling. In other words, the gravel bike is open to adventure and to the discovery of the cyclist's potential.
We must admit it: the performance will be there with a gravel bike. Of course, this will depend on its components, but given the versatile use of this type of bike, it brings together the best equipment: a quality drivetrain, a braking system with hydraulic discs (or mechanical discs in some cases), wide knobby tires mounted on 700C wheels, etc.
The reason why gravel bikes are so popular with travellers and touring enthusiasts is that they have the same type of frames as endurance bikes. You can ride for hours on end, because the height of the handlebars has been designed to ensure your comfort.
The very concept of gravel biking pushes you to push yourself, to get out of your comfort zones and into the unknown. While those who enjoy a leisurely ride on a nice asphalt road are invited to brave nature trails, those who love to ride downhill and uphill can discover the joys of a simple ride in their spare time. Without having to change bikes, you can enjoy extreme sports as well as a family ride or a bike tour.
The riding experience of a gravel bike is its appeal. The combination of all its components makes it a nimble and very maneuverable bike on any terrain. While the handlebars offer precise steering, the large tubeless studded tyres are a guarantee of reliability, as they grip on any type of track, even slippery ones.
In our opinion, the best brands of gravel bike in 2022 are :
Born at the foot of the Vercors mountains in 2000, Scrapper has become a true icon in bike design in the UK and Europe. It designs and sells gravel bikes that honor the spirit behind this type of bike.
With its centuries of experience in bike design, the Japanese brand Fuji remains synonymous with reliability. When they start designing electric gravel bikes, the result is well worth it.
Trek Bicycle Corporation is an American company with an international reputation. It flirts with hybrid design and offers Trek branded gravel bikes and Bontrager accessories that its competitors do not hesitate to use.
Cannondale Bicycle Corporation has succeeded in reaching beyond the borders of Connecticut and has established itself as a major player in amateur and professional cycling, even on the Old Continent. The brand's gravel bikes are expensive, but every euro is well rewarded by the quality offered.
Since 1988, Kona, a Canadian company, has been designing and marketing bicycles. Today, the brand intends to redefine the velotaf and offers Kona Bikes "from the city to the trails"; gravel bikes that are intended for different uses.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
To climb a slope with a gravel bike
To maintain traction when climbing a muddy hill on a gravel bike, try not to push too hard on the handlebars: distribute your weight between the saddle and the front of the bike. If you have to stand up, take it easy and don't accelerate too fast to avoid skidding. Professionals recommend smooth, light pedaling to keep the tires gripping optimally.
To avoid back pain with a gravel bike
If you're riding a gravel bike for very long distances, consider wearing a lumbar support belt. While the frame and handlebars of the gravel bike are already designed to optimize your comfort, this accessory will be an added bonus that you'll definitely appreciate.
To go downhill with a gravel bike
Unless you're riding on a paved slope that's in very good condition, ride downhill by standing up and distributing your body weight between the saddle and the back of the gravel bike. Bend your arms and legs slightly to dampen the vibrations and hold the handlebars firmly throughout the descent.
To tackle the curves
The way you approach turns on a gravel bike depends on the nature of the track you're riding on. The rule of thumb is to turn smoothly as much as possible. To do this, follow the classic "enter, apex, exit" principle. Be aware, however, that the level of grip on the gravel bike's tires determines how you will take a sharp turn.
To maintain your gravel bike
The gravel bike, if used for daily commuting, should be cleaned weekly. Take advantage of this time to oil and grease the various components that need it (chain, chainring, etc.). If you ride your gravel bike in the mountains, you should clean and maintain it after each ride, especially if you invest in an EV.
You can go anywhere with a gravel bike: major city streets, streets, trails... in short, any place where two-wheelers are allowed. This versatility is one of the many reasons why you should have a gravel bike. Indeed, it's made to flourish everywhere: it's just as much a pleasure to ride as it is to travel and to enjoy thrills.
Ride in double file without exceeding 20 cyclists if you are travelling in a group. Ride in single file at night or when visibility is poor. Always use a bicycle path if one is available or follow roads with little traffic. Strict adherence to the Highway Code is mandatory, regardless of the type of gravel bike used or the area crossed.
There are many reasons why one should choose a gravel bike; just to mention its versatility of use, its ability to adapt to different types of tracks, its handling, the comfort it offers, its performance and its efficiency. If you feel like giving it a try, we have carefully selected a few models suitable for beginners and professionals.
Gravel bike refers to a type of bike that originated in the United States and has a hybrid design: it is a cross between a road bike, a mountain bike and a cyclocross bike. Behind the gravel bike, there is this idea of adventure, this desire to use the same bike to go to work, to face the muddy tracks in the forest and to travel.
Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.
Copyright © 2022 - Made with ♥ by buyingbetter.co.uk
Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!
