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How to Find The Best Trek Gravel Bikes Guide

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Are you ready to take on rugged gravel roads like a pro? Maybe your cyclist dreams feature a calm gravel road in the countryside, instead? Whatever your reasons for picking up gravel bike riding, it’s come to my attention that cyclists, from beginners to experienced riders, need a guide for the best Trek gravel bikes.

Today, I’ll explain why Trek makes the best gravel bikes and show you some of their best models based on their performance , design , and price !

Table of Contents

The Best Trek Gravel Bikes at a Glance

These are my favorite Trek gravel bikes to recommend to people. If you’re a beginner or if you’ve been riding over gravel roads for years, Trek has never failed to provide premium bikes. I’m a fan of how these models utilize features specific to gravel bikes and their designs.

• Best Overall: Domane+ LT 9
• Best Design : Checkpoint SLR 7
• Best for Women : Domane SLR 6 eTap
• Best for Men : Boone 6 Disc
• Best Bargain : Checkpoint SL 5 

About the Trek Brand

Hesitant to put the money in the pocket of a company you know nothing about? I definitely am, which is why I’m going to give you some background information about this brand. Trek has a rich history with a line of products to be proud of, so we’ll dive into what makes them so unique.

What Makes Trek Stand Out

The original founders of Trek decided to make the first high-quality bikes available from mid to high price points in the United States. I love that this brand was founded on the principle of making a unique, well-built product that was the first of its kind in the states. Trek took bike production to the next level.

Trek’s Sustainability Plan

One reason why I recommend Trek so strongly is their sustainability. Trek has seriously reduced its overall carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources at its facilities, cutting down on plastic packaging, and reducing air freight milage.

Trek has also managed to create 15 products that are made entirely out of reclaimed materials. By using materials that would have polluted the ocean or ended up in a landfill, Trek is doing much more to cut down on global pollution than most other bicycle companies.

Trek is a Company of Racers for Racers

Trek is run and operated by a team that is deeply passionate about cycling. Trek’s team has created some of the best bikes used by famous racers because the team knows what features help competitors take the gold.

What Does Trek Offer?

Now I’m going to show you what products Trek can offer for gravel bike riding. This brand offers you everything you’ll need to hit the road and start pedaling. From well-constructed bikes to equipment that makes cycling easier to stylish gear, Trek’s got the whole package deal.

Trek’s signature products are bikes. Trek offers a lot of different bike varieties, including:

• Road bikes for racing and casual riding
• Cross-country bikes for gently rugged terrain
• Trail bikes that are perfect for family trips
• Downhill bikes meant for downhill racers
• Gravel bikes that traverse rocky roads

I’m a huge fan of the Checkpoint SLR 7 . This gravel bike is worth the steep price if you’re serious about the sport. Its sleek design and effortless functionality make it a summer afternoon favorite for me and tons of other riders.

Electric Bikes

Electric bikes aren’t quite what you’re thinking: you still have to pedal. Electric bikes do have a motor that makes it easier to pedal for longer periods of time. If you’re traversing long distances with your gravel bike, an electric bike makes the journey a breeze.

This electric gravel bike, the Domane SLR 6 eTap is a gorgeous, easy-to-peddle bike from Trek. I love that this bike is customizable with different color options, too. The overall construction, including the motor, makes this bike speedy, lightweight, and sturdy.

Trek offers equipment that makes your life as a cyclist easier. Trek sells all manner of bike parts, but they also provide classic riding gear every cyclist needs. My favorites are items out of collections of equipment, like the handy commuter set and winter cycling gear.

If you search Trek’s collection of gravel bike gear, you’ll find a ton of options for your country road adventures. They’ve got sturdy helmets, shoes that grip the pedals securely, front bike lights, bike racks, and much more.

Every cyclist has got to ride in style, right? Trek can help with that. Trek has everything from lightweight summer gear to warm and protective winter riding clothes . You can buy team wear, a ton of different helmets, and jackets.

My favorite section to look through is the jackets and vest section. Trek offers a lot of solid bright and neutral colors for both their men’s and women’s apparel.

What to Look for in a Gravel Bike

It’s important to know what to look for in a gravel bike that’s going to fit your individual needs. That’s why I’m going to walk you through the best gravel bike features to look for that will match your style of riding. Like gentle country roads? Going up and down steep hills? Just like how there’s an app for everything, there’s a bike for everything, too.

When you ride over gravel roads, thin tires can wobble around when they hit a sharp rock. That’s why gravel bikes are equipped with wide tires. Wider tires give you better traction, which is why I recommend checking the width of a bike’s tires before you buy it.

This next part is more your doing, but your gravel bike’s tires should be at a lower pressure than usual. Surprised? Lower air pressure in your tires is another great way to give your bike better traction. Better traction means a more comfortable ride over rough terrain.

Flared drop bars are the preferred handlebars for gravel bikes. Why? These handlebars give you better control (which you’ll need for gravel roads) than other handlebars. If you’re climbing uphill on your bike, these handles give you better stability by letting your body relax in a natural position.

Having a comfortable seat is paramount if you like bike riding for long periods of time. To avoid a stiff tailbone, choose a bike with a seat that offers cushy but firm and supportive material.

Be sure also to choose a gravel bike with an easily adjustable seat. Trek’s bikes are equipped with a micro-adjust seat master that makes it easy to change the height.

Unlike mountain bikes, gravel bikes don’t have much suspension. While suspension absorbs shock from the friction of the road, it also slows you down. When riding on a flat surface like a gravel road, this is something most cyclists don’t want.

Instead, brands like Trek use features like an ISO decoupler to absorb shocks so that you won’t be slowed down. Gravel bikes are built to be lightweight, too, which is another reason they aren’t built with the suspension capabilities of heavier bikes like mountain bikes.

Even though most serious cyclists have gloves to help them grip the handlebars, buying a bike with grips gives you even more stability. Extra stability is super important when you’re riding over bumpy, unforgiving roads where one slip-up could mean a crash.

Make sure you buy a bike with grips that feel comfortable to your hands. The last thing you want to deal with on a relaxing morning ride is blisters. Most grips for bikes are traditional grips, which are shaped cylindrically.

Other types of grips are winged ergonomic grips, dual compound grips made from 2 different materials, and lock-on grips that won’t slide across the handlebars.

Tips for Cleaning and Storing Your Trek Gravel Bike

Let’s face it-Trek gravel bikes are expensive. Since Trek’s bikes are a high-quality investment, it pays to take care of them. That’s why I’m going to offer you tried and true tips for making sure your gravel bike stays in peak condition for years after you buy it.

Trek bikes are meant to hold up for a long time. With a few simple steps, you’ll be riding your Trek bike decades from now.

Cleaning Your Trek Bike

When it’s time to clean your bike after taking on a muddy course or dust has taken away the frame’s shine, here’s what you do:

• First, rinse your bike outside with the hose on a low-pressure setting. Stand a few feet away from the bike as you rinse it.
• Fill a bucket with warm water and soap specifically formulated for bikes.
• Grab a sponge, dunk it in the soapy water, and use the sponge to clean the surfaces of your bike.
• Use a degreaser for bikes on the chain to make sure it will continue to run seamlessly.
• Put the hose back to a low setting and rinse your bike again.
• Dry every part of your bike with a microfiber cloth. Drying your bike is vital in making sure none of the parts rust.
• Afterwards, use a bike lubricant on the gear mechanisms and derailer.
• Press the pedals to move the chain so that the chain is in continuous motion as you use the degreaser on this part, too.

Storing Your Trek Bike

Firstly, be very careful about storing your bike outside. While Trek bikes are constructed to last, they are made of materials that will wear down if exposed to the elements for long periods of time. If it’s raining or snowing, storing your bike outside is an especially big no-no.

It’s best to store your gravel bike inside, but what do you do if you’re short on space? Storing your bike in the garage might not be an option if you live in an apartment complex. If you want to save space and store your Trek bike indoors, we recommend:

• Buying a freestanding bike rack to be placed indoors
• Buying a poll rack that doesn’t require drilling
• Buying a wall-mounted vertical bike rack if you own your home

The Best Trek Gravel Bikes

In my opinion, these 7 are the best gravel bikes from Trek. All of Trek’s gravel bikes are well-constructed from high-quality materials. Every bike has something about it that makes it unique and well fitted for a specific rider; however, these 7 gravel bikes take the cake for the best overall features.

Checkpoint SL 5

Best For: Best Bargain

The Checkpoint SL 5 is the least expensive gravel bike on our list. Though this is the most cost-efficient option, I wasn’t disappointed by its lightweight build and smooth-riding capabilities. This model comes in 2 color varieties: black and gray or red and dark blue.

This bike is perfect if you like to ride smoothly, comfortably, and fast. The IsoSpeed decoupler absorbs shocks in the road and the innovative geometry makes for a nimble design. You’ll be impressed by the sleek internal storage and various mounts throughout the bike.

• Material-OCLV carbon
• Price Range- $4,000-$4,100
• Warranty- Lifetime warranty
• Best Feature- Price point

Make sure to keep this Trek gravel bike indoors when you aren’t using it. Even during hot, sunny weather, it’s better for your bike to be kept indoors on a bike rack. Nowadays, there are many freestanding bike racks that don’t need to be mounted on a wall.

• Least expensive
• Comfortable and smooth riding
• Lightweight carbon makes it fast

Doesn’t include all the features of the other bikes

Domane+ LT 9

This may be the most expensive gravel bike on the list, but it’s priced high for good reason . Like the previous bike, this model can be purchased in black and gray or red and dark blue. Being an e-bike, it’s easier to ride for longer periods of time thanks to the fast and efficient motor.

You can always remove the motor and battery with a storage cover for a traditional ride. I enjoy that the front and rear IsoSpeed soaks up bumps and dips in the road. The endurance-centered geometry is made for perfect handling, speed, control, and responsiveness.

• Material- High-quality carbon
• Price Range- $17,000-$18,000
• Best Feature- High-quality materials and construction

Is it Worth it for You?

If you are a gravel bike racer or would rank gravel bike riding in your top 3 hobbies, this top-of-the-line bike is worth the price. I understand not everyone wants to invest over $15K on a bike they only ride a few times a season, which is why I’d only recommend this to very passionate cyclists who want the best.

• Made to feel like traditional bike riding
• Can connect to your smartphone
• Compatible with fenders
• High-performance geometry

Very expensive

Checkpoint SLR 7

Best For: Design

This gorgeous Trek gravel bike comes in 4 different color choices. Meant for the bumpiest gravel roads, you’ll like this bike if the terrain you tackle is rough. This bike also uses IsoSpeed suspension to absorb shocks.

The rear derailer makes the chain retention smooth, which allows for a more comfortable ride. I’m a huge fan of the mounts all over the bike, too, which make it easy to store water bottles, bags, and more.

• Material- OCLV carbon
• Price Range- $10,500-$11,500
• Best Feature- Gorgeous colors on frame and wheels

When you’re ready to wash this gravel bike, make sure to pick up soap, degreaser, and lubricant that is specifically made for bikes. Also, but sure to use a low water pressure setting as you clean your bike with a hose.

• Beautiful design with many colors
• Lightweight, fast, and durable
• Comfortable seat and handlebars

Domane SLR 7 eTap

Best For: Women

You’ll have an easy time flying through the course with this ultralight gravel bike. Its OCLV carbon composition makes it easy to carry around, even if you travel with your bike. This e-bike is almost half the price of the one above, so this is a great choice if you’re a casual cyclist.

This bike features an SRAM Rival AXS power meter that lets you keep track of your training. Through Project One, you can fully customize this model.

• Price Range- $9,100-$9,300
• Best Feature- Ultralight

What’s the Difference Between an E-Bike and a Traditional Bike?

The motor makes all the difference. While e-bikes are partially powered by a motor, you still have to pedal to make the bike go forward. The motor simply makes it easier to take on longer distances by giving your peddling extra power.

• Incredibly lightweight
• Powered by a motor
• 5 color options

Not as many features as the e-bike listed above

Checkpoint SL 7 eTap

Best For: Bargain E-Bike

This is the least expensive e-bike out of all the Trek gravel bikes on our list. This bike is under $10,000. Though you’ll only have one color option, blue and gray, you’ll have the option to ride with or without the motor.

The comfortable seat and handlebars make this bike ideal for endurance riding . Whether you like calm roads or bumpy trails, this gravel bike can handle it all with ISO speed suspension.

• Price Range- $7,500-$8,500
• Best Feature- Price point for an e-bike

Gifting Ideas

You can pair this e-bike with other accessories in the Trek store if you are buying this bike as a gift. We recommend you pair this bike with:

• Water bottle
• Cycling jacket
• Cycling shoes
• Inexpensive
• Amazing endurance with motor and materials
• Carbon wheels easily traverse rough terrain

Only one color choice

Domane SL 6

Best For: Calm Rides

If you include relaxing rides down rural roads in your free time, this is the gravel bike for you . The tubeless wheels are very hard to puncture, so you won’t have to worry as much about maintenance.

The geometry of this bike was designed with comfort in mind. Though built to sustain your comfort for long periods of time, this bike was also built for racing. You can enjoy a fast-paced ride with front and rear IsoSpeed.

• Price Range- $5,000-$6,000
• Best Feature- High-quality wheels

Ideas for Riding this Bike

Where are some perfect places to take this gravel bike? I’d like to ride this bike on:

• Flat nature trails
• Winding gravel roads
• Countryside
• Bike trails
• High-quality tubeless wheels
• Inexpensive compared to other bikes
• Offers a smooth and comfortable ride

Not for rough terrain

Boone 6 Disc

Best For: Men

I love that this gravel bike was created to handle rough roads. Muddy gravel, dips, and turns won’t be able to stand in your way with this bike. The chain retention and easy-to-grip handlebars give you optimal control.

Going uphill is made easy with the tube shapes and cross-specific geometry. You can buy this bike in black and gray or red and dark blue.

• Material- Carbon
• Best Feature- Durability

Why It’s Great for Rough Riding

This Trek gravel bike is ideal for tackling rough roads. This bike was designed with specific attention to chain retention, which gives you excellent control over the bike. The hoods and levers were also designed to give you a better grip.

• Amazing control and durability
• Lightweight and strong carbon build

Only rear IsoSpeed

Are you ready to have your most frequently asked questions about Trek gravel bikes answered? While these are 3 of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received about gravel bikes, I’d like to answer any more you might have. Leave a comment below if you don’t see your question answered in this next section!

Answer: Trek gravel bikes are incredibly good bikes to buy! Trek is a high-quality gravel bike brand that has made gravel bikes specifically for uneven terrain. Trek’s gravel bikes grip the ground like a mountain bike while giving riders agility like a road bike.

Answer: Depending on the kind of mountain biking you’re planning on doing, yes. Keep in mind that like a mountain bike, gravel bikes are made for uneven terrain. Unlike mountain bikes, gravel bikes aren’t as good as handling steep, muddy hills. If the mountain biking you’re doing isn’t extreme, a gravel bike should be just fine.

Answer: Some gravel bikes are more expensive than others. A high-quality gravel bike like a Trek bike is going to be more expensive than a low-quality model. That’s because gravel bikes require specialized gear that makes them good for riding over uneven roads, bumps, and dips.

The Last Lap

You’ve completed the last leg of the race! We went over what makes Trek gravel bikes an awesome choice for conquering gravel roads and what to look for in a quality gravel bike. We got to look over individual Trek gravel bikes so you can determine which is the best fit for you.

In my opinion, the Domane+ LT 9 is one of the best choices for its overall great features.

Do you have any questions or stories to tell about cycling on gravel roads? Let us know in the comments below! For more helpful bike guides, check out our picks for best mountain bikes !

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Trek Checkpoint SL 5 – First Impressions

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Checkpoint SL 5

https://www.trekbikes.com

Grab your flannel shirt, lace-up shoes and enamel camping mug, Trek has a new bike that might just be what you’ve been looking for. The all-new Checkpoint 5 SL might confuse you as to what it is exactly, but in fact, Trek has let you decide yourself what to do with it, so far what we can tell is they’re calling it a; ‘gravel bike for epic all-road adventures’.

We know what we’ll do with it – adventures! – but before we give it a run to the hills let’s take a look at this unique animal in closer detail.

So many things to look at.

It might look like a road bike from afar but take a couple steps closer and you’ll notice frame features you’d never see on a classic road bike. We’re talking about; rack/utility mounts, multiple water bottle cage mounts, loads of tyre clearance, 12mm thru-axles, impact protection under the downtube, and an adjustable wheelbase.

IsoSpeed decoupler, the fancy little bump-diffuser.

As seen on the Trek Procaliber is Trek’s unique vibration dampening system; IsoSpeed. Seen on Trek’s cross-country hardtail; the Procaliber, the Boone cyclocross bike and their endurance road bike, Domane.

It’s like the tiniest bit of suspension to take the sting out of the road.

It essentially uses a bushing and axle arrangement at the junction of the seat tube and top tube to allow the seat post to bend backwards independently from the top tube, adding comfort when seated. The top tube and seat tube tube are completely separate parts, joined by the decoupler unit.

See the IsoSpeed used for the purpose of mountain biking here: Trek Procaliber review.

Flow ‘GravelCross’ Bike, sorry, what?

We are aware that our name Flow Mountain Bike is completely void of words like ‘cyclocross’ or ‘gravel’, nor do we profess to be experts in the field of gravel but we’ve ridden quite a few nowadays, and our road bikes are gathering dust because of it. What’s going on?

C’mon, we know mountain bikers are hard on road bikes. There are even gravel events popping up like this one!

Isn’t it just a cyclocross bike?

In comparison to Trek’s cyclocross bike – The Boone – the Checkpoint’s frame geometry is lower in the bottom bracket, taller up the front and has considerably more tyre clearance. The adjustable wheelbase will provide the rider with the ability to select a fast and agile feel, or long and stable.

Other gravel bikes we’ve recently tried out.

Norco’s Search XR shares a lot of features with the Checkpoint, check out the chainstays, multiple mounts, tyre clearance etc. Have a look here.

Cannondale Super X SE is an adaption from a cyclocross race bike for the gravel, a fast bike indeed! Check it out here.

Checkpoint options?

Trek provides the Checkpoint in three models, the SL 6 for $4699 is the top-end carbon frame version with the fancy Shimano Ultegra, the SL 5 we have sells for $3699 with Shimano 105. The ALR 5 uses a is aluminium frame option for $2699.

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Best gravel bikes 2024: our pick of the top models

The best gravel bikes to suit all styles, terrain and budgets from bikepacking to gravel racing

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The Quick List

• 1. Best for adventure
• 2. Best for versatility
• 3. Best value
• PERFORMANCE
• 1. Best overall
• 2. Best for bikepacking
• 3. Best for racing

Gravel bikes: all you need to know

Gravel bike and adventure bike components, how we test.

Best Gravel Bikes 2023: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴

Best value 1. Best for adventure 2. Best for versatility 3. Best value

High-performance 1. Best overall 2. Best for bikepacking 3. Best for racing

Advice How to choose a bike Gravel bike components How we test

What is the best gravel bike? This deceptively simple question is almost impossible to answer as the gravel bike genre now covers so many different facets and sub-genres that what is best for you and your riding might be totally unsuitable for the next rider. We rode lots of bikes in our gravel bike of the year test, and some of them feature again here, including the overall winner, the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro.

In this article, we have bikes that are out-and-out gravel racers along with bikes that will make perfect bikepacking companions, all tempered with some more all-round options. There are premium bikes that cost more than $10,000 / £10,000 and some of the best budget gravel bikes too, so there should be something of interest for everyone.

What to look for in a good gravel bike is covered towards the bottom of the article with advice about fit, frame material and other features to look out for. 

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Best for adventure

The plethora of luggage mounts and the relaxed geometry found on the Specialized Diverge E5 will appeal to long-distance gravel riders. The Future Shock front end adds further comfort and provides effective isolation from trail chatter although some might find the ride a little too upright.

Read more here

Most versatile

The racy-looking Vitus Venon Evo-GR proved itself to be a rapid and enjoyable bike to ride. It's very light despite the aero wheels and would make a fine road bike too, but it does lack many of the mounts and bosses typically found on off-road machines.

Most for your money

Available with either 700c or 650b wheels, the Ribble Gravel AL Sport makes an excellent bike for tougher trails. The slack head tube angle coupled with long, low geometry gives it plenty of stability and capability off-road whilst the relatively basic GRX 400 groupset performed very well.

High-performance

Best overall

Gravel Bike of the Year 2023, the Revolt has proved itself a highly capable choice. A flexy seat post and comfortable carbon frame ensure plenty of vibration damping and the 2-position rear dropout allows for the geometry to be fine-tuned to suit terrain or rider. 

Best for bikepacking

Well specced for multi-day epics, the Checkpoint SL7 features plenty of luggage mounts and even has a space in the frame for spares. Trek's IsoSpeed decoupler allows the seat tube to flex for extra comfort on big days off-road and the long wheelbase ensures predictable handling.

Best for racing

The Kaius from BMC is unashamedly racy, with an aero frame and low riding position. Mounting points are limited, but there is clearance for 44mm tires and the short wheelbase keeps the handling suitably quick and engaging.

Best value gravel bikes 2023: Our picks

The Diverge is a do-it-all machine that can handle on and off road adventures

1. Specialized Diverge Comp E5

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If your riding leans towards the more adventurous end of the spectrum, exploring new trails, all-day epics and occasional multi-day bikepacking trips, then the Specialized Diverge Comp E5 is well suited to you.

It comes with a relaxed geometry and a high front end for a more comfortable riding position - with the caveat that we found it a little more difficult to weight the front tire sufficiently when really pinning the corners. 

There's a full complement of mounts, with pairs under the down tube and on top of the top tube, as well as triple bosses on the fork legs. Full fenders and a pannier rack are also catered for if you prefer a more traditional luggage-carrying and splash-defending setup.

However, the most significant feature of the Diverge Comp E5 is the Future Shock 1.5, which is usually only found on carbon models. This does a good job of damping out some of the trail chatter and high-frequency bumps, but we found that it's not sufficient to replace front suspension, if you were considering this as an alternative.

Read more: Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon full review

The Vitus Venon Evo Force AXS is light and versatile

2. Vitus Venon Evo-GR Force AXS

The Vitus Venon Evo combines a fast gravel bike and an endurance road bike in one all-road package, with Vitus selling GR specs geared towards gravel and RS specs for road use. We found the riding position is a good compromise between upright and aggressive.

This Force AXS XPLR 1x build is gravelly, with 40mm wide Michelin Power Gravel tires mounted on Prime Primavera 44 carbon wheels and clearance for 45mm if wanted. Even so, the bike weighed just 7.9kg, making for lively progress even on trickier off-road terrain. Swap in 28mm tires and you're good for endurance road rides too.

You do miss out on some of the mounting points typically found on the best gravel bikes, although no more so than on many gravel race bikes, and the aero front end and fast ride certainly make the Vitus Venon Evo a good option for competitive riding.

Read more: Vitus Venon Evo-GR Force AXS full review

Ribble's Gravel AL Sport comes equipped with a reliable Shimano GRX drivechain

3. Ribble Gravel AL Sport

The Ribble Gravel AL Sport has 47mm tires on 650b wheels, although you can also spec 700c wheels. The 650b option makes it a highly capable go-anywhere option that doesn't break the bank. 

The alloy frame is long and low, with a slack headtube. longish reach and short stem. There are loads of mounting points, although oddly not those needed for a rack. The 2x10-speed Shimano GRX 400 build is the bottom of the range, but still offers excellent performance and ratios down to 30x34t to tackle the rough stuff. 

Although not light, we discovered that the bike still felt quick and that it coped well with both degraded tarmac and rough tracks, although the grip tended to wane when we ventured on to muddier passages. 

Read more: Ribble Gravel AL Sport full review

Best performance gravel bikes 2023: Our picks

Best overall gravel bike.

Giant Revolt won the Gravel Bike of the Year award 2023

1. Giant Revolt

The Giant Revolt won our Gravel Bike of the Year title in 2023. It's a gravel bike that covers the broad spectrum of gravel riding really well. Its saddle comfort is augmented by a D-shaped seatpost with a claimed 12mm of flex, but it fits in a standard 30.9mm round seat tube, so you can fit a dropper if you ride more technical terrain.

The rear dropouts feature two-position adjustable geometry, which lets you choose between a more agile ride for racing or wider clearance with increased stability. You also have mounting points for bikepacking kit, including on the fork legs. 

The frame soaks up bumps well too, both front and rear, although we'd have preferred a shorter head tube for more versatility in the bike's set-up.

We were impressed with the value offered as well, with the spec tested including Shimano GRX RX815 Di2 electronic shifting and Giant carbon wheels.

Read more: Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 gravel bike full review

Trek's Checkpoint SL7 is ideal for long rides and bikepacking

2. Trek Checkpoint SL7

The Checkpoint majors on mounts, including on the fork legs, as well as storage in Trek's down tube cubbyhole for tools and a tube. The frame allows you to fit 2.1" 650bs and the IsoSpeed seat tube decoupler provides added comfort when in the saddle.

We thought that the Checkpoint's long wheelbase and high fork trail provided great stability for longer rides, without going overboard. It's still quick enough though, despite its carrying capacity, and remained good to ride whether fully laden for bikepacking or stripped down for a shorter blast.

Our long-term test concluded that the Checkpoint is best suited for crushing long-distance rides with its reassuring handling, comfy ride characteristics and considered componentry.

Read more: Trek Checkpoint SL 7 gravel bike full review

Best for gravel racing

BMC Kaius 01 gravel is perfect for racing

3. BMC Kaius

At the other end of the gravel spectrum from the Trek Checkpoint, the BMC Kaius is an out-and-out gravel race bike, with a low ride position and aero frame that borrows from the BMC Teammachine road race bike. 

The ride feels similar to BMC's road bikes as well and you get a pared-down road bike-style set of mounting points that doesn't even include fender / mudguard bosses. There is room for 44mm tires though, which might help mitigate the lack of comfort in the stiff, race-tuned frame.

When we tested it we enjoyed the novel combination of a short wheelbase and low bottom bracket, which gave the bike snappy, precise handling and prodigious speed.

This lower-spec model is more affordable than the top level of the BMC Kaius, but is still more expensive than the highest spec available for the Giant Revolt though.

Read our review of the BMC Kaius in our Gravel Bike of the Year coverage.

The Scott Addict 10 Gravel bike offers good value and great performance

4. Scott Addict Gravel 10

The Addict Gravel is designed for speed rather than off-road load-lugging, but still with a longer wheelbase and higher stack than other gravel race bikes like the BMC Kaius. This results in a well-balanced ride that's as good for fast, technical riding as it is for multi-day bikepacking, despite the absence of fork leg mounts.

We loved Scott's paint job on the Addict Gravel and the bike is good value, with the lower spec SRAM Rival AXS-equipped bike as reasonably priced as bikes from brands that are normally more value-oriented than Scott.

Read our review of the Scott Addict Gravel 10 in our Gravel Bike of the Year coverage.

The Topstone features Cannondale's Kingpin suspension system

5. Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon has a geometry that, on paper, looks aggressive, but is more forgiving than you'd expect. It also includes Cannondale's now-simplified and lower-weight Kingpin rear suspension. This provides 30mm of travel from a pivotless design which improves rear-end traction over rougher ground, although it doesn't aid front-end comfort. For that, you'll need the  Topstone Carbon Lefty  with its suspension fork. 

There's the option to spec Cannondale's Smart Sense lighting system, with its rearview radar. Cannondale's prices are competitive too, despite the high-tech frame features.

Our test of the Topstone 3 concluded that it is “a sublime blend of exuberance, speed and comfort” that gives a poised and playful ride, but it is also perfectly at home carrying overnight gear on multi-day epics thanks to multiple mounting points.

Read more: Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 full review 

The Crux is lightweight, stripped back and ready to race

6. Specialized Crux Pro

More reasonably priced than the S-Works Crux , the Crux Pro is still very light and has the same responsive geometry as the top-spec bike. That results in lightning-fast acceleration, although the 38mm tires result in a jittery ride over rougher surfaces.

You could plump things up to 2.1" 650b rubber though, which should help add a touch more comfort and extra traction whilst the round seatpost allows you to fit a dropper or suspension seatpost.

We reckon that the Crux fits the bill for riders who want agile performance on gravel, but with the ability to put down the power for outright speed. 

Read more : Specialized Crux Pro full review

What are gravel bikes?

Gravel bikes are drop-bar bikes that allow you to veer off paved roads and onto more exciting terrain.

From racing to bikepacking, there'll be a best gravel bike for you, built ready to cope with the demands of tricky terrain and longer, multi-day off-road rides.  

As with all bikes, it's vital that you get the best bike to fit you, and it doesn't need to be gender specified. But if you are after a women's specific model, which often includes smaller sizes and different touchpoints like a wider saddle and narrower bars, you might want to check out our best women's gravel bikes for off-road adventures page. 

If you're juggling a tighter budget, but still want the best, our page dedicated to the best budget gravel bikes: gravel bikes under £1,000/$1500 is ideal for getting the best value for money adventures on two wheels. 

Born with the spirit of adventure, the best gravel bikes sit somewhere between the best endurance and sportive bikes and the best cyclocross bikes , with a blend of the best hardtail mountain bikes thrown in. They're nimble on paved sections of road compared to fat-tired MTB steeds, but more confidence-inspiring when it comes to tackling rough surfaces when compared to their slick-tired road-going siblings. 

These bikes are ideal for mixed-terrain adventures; gravel paths, broken tarmac, fire roads, and of course unpaved dirt tracks. Taking cues from their cyclocross cousins and MTB siblings, don't let the drop bars fool you, these bikes can tackle some pretty technical terrain, including flowy mountain bike trails.

This crossover discipline can add a slight confusion in the cycling gear department too, i.e. to Lycra or not to Lycra. Thankfully our guide on the best gravel bike clothing: cycling kit for your gravel ride should sort out any kit quandries.  

The best gravel bikes will come with wide tires, with room for extra mud clearance, and disc brakes as standard. Expect anything up to 47c or more on either 700c or 650b wheels.

Mounts for pannier racks and extra storage will often feature on the best gravel bikes, as will the option for fitting fender / mudguards. In fact, that's probably the biggest difference between gravel and cyclocross bikes, along with bottle cage mounts.

Are gravel bikes any good on the road?

Compared to road bikes, you'll also find wider and lower gear ratios on the best gravel bikes, which will help you ride over loose or hilly terrain especially when carrying bikepacking bags if you're gearing up for multi-day expeditions.

In general, the best gravel bikes will also have a lower bottom bracket than a cyclocross bike, helping to provide enhanced stability on rocky, rooty and rough terrain.  For more details on exactly what the differences are, you might find our gravel vs cyclocross bikes: what is the difference page really helpful. 

For those wanting to head off the beaten track, but worried about keeping up, you might want to consider an electric version. Electric gravel bikes give you all-terrain capability and confidence-inspiring stability, but with some additional assistance.

Why are gravel and adventure bikes so popular?

If you’ve ever gone out on a ride on your best road bike and noticed unpaved roads, fire trails or alluring singletrack as you passed, wondering where they lead but hesitating to head off the tarmac, then a gravel bike or adventure road bike may be for you.

These bikes aim to meld on-road efficiency with off-road capability, so you'll find overlaps in design features with both road and cyclocross bikes, as well as incorporating elements from mountain bike technology. When you're shopping for your first gravel bike , as standard you should expect disc brakes and clearance for wider tires.

Whereas cyclocross bikes are designed with short, muddy races in mind, gravel and adventure bikes take longer unpaved rides into account. You'll still find race-orientated builds in the gravel category for gravel racing, alongside adventure bikes that feature additional clearance and mounts to accommodate luggage and often even wider tires for more remote journeys.

Does the frame and fork material matter on a gravel bike?

As with road bikes, gravel bikes can be made from carbon, aluminum, titanium or steel.

Carbon and aluminum are the two most commonly used frame materials, and all the bikes in this guide are made from one or other of these two options. Carbon tends to be more expensive and lighter whilst aluminum frames are heavier but cheaper. This means that for a similar price, you can expect better components on an aluminum-framed bike than on one with a carbon frame so you might have to decide where your priorities lie when choosing between the two.

The big advantage of using carbon as a frame material is that it can be added exactly where it is needed for strength and stiffness or removed where it is not needed to lower weight and fine-tune compliance. 

Titanium gravel bikes are less widely available, with aficionados often describing the ride quality as being more ‘lively’ than carbon or aluminum whilst also offering low weight and high strength among its qualities.

High-end steel frames offer an almost titanium-like ride, albeit with a bit of a weight penalty whilst at the lower end some manufacturers offer steel bikes as a potentially more durable and repairable option to aluminum.

Regardless of frame material, most gravel bikes have carbon forks as the carbon layup can be tuned to provide some degree of protection against trail vibrations which is important at the front end of an off-road bike.

How does gravel bike geometry differ from road bikes?

Stability and handling are key when it comes to riding off-road. Expect to see a lengthened wheelbase, slack headtube angle and lower bottom bracket compared to road bikes, all of which aid with technical terrain and steeper descents.

The rider position is typically more upright than on road bikes, both for comfort over long rides and to allow the rider to move their weight around more easily when negotiating off-road obstacles.

12mm thru-axle and hydraulic discs on a gravel bike

Do gravel bikes have other specialized features?

Thru-axles and disc brakes have quickly become standard on gravel (and many road) bikes, technologies borrowed from mountain biking. You can also find front and rear suspension, although these aren't commonplace yet.

The norm is 12mm thru-axles, which make for easier disc brake alignment and rigidity. Rear-axle spacing for disc brake wheels is typically 142mm (thru-axle), or occasionally 148mm Boost spacing for stronger wheelsets.

More adventure or utility-centric frames will come with mounts for racks and fenders so that the bike can be used as a sturdy commuter or year-round road bike. At the most extreme end of the adventure bike market, fork leg mounts and extra frame mounts are becoming increasingly common for even more luggage carrying options.

There is a wide range of specialist gravel bike components which add extra features for gravel rides that are different from those you'd find on road bikes. Below are a few things to consider when looking for the best gravel bike for your needs.

What are the best tires for gravel and adventure bikes?

You can find adventure road and gravel bikes shod with tires of pretty much any width between a 28c and 47c, plus tires measured in inches on 650b wheel builds! 

The best gravel bike tires can dramatically improve your ride. There's a real range of tread patterns available, which can add extra grip for muddy conditions or lower rolling resistance if you're mixing in more tarmac and cater for everything in between.

We think changing your tires is one of the best gravel bike upgrades you can make. Going tubeless is also a great option to improve comfort and reliability.

In the UK, you're likely to come across patches of wet mud or loose dirt year-round, so a more aggressive tread can be useful in those situations to help you maintain grip, albeit at the expense of on-road speed. 

But in the US, gravel roads can range from well-graded packed dirt that almost resembles tarmac, to the crushed and graded limestone you find in the Flint Hills of Kansas. 

Finding the right tires for your riding terrain may take some experimentation, and don't be afraid to try something with more or less tread than you're used to. You might also want to change your tires between summer and winter to get the best width and tread pattern for the conditions.

Most gravel and adventure bikes are specced with tubeless or tubeless-ready tires and rims, ready for conversion to a tubeless set-up . Rather than having to replace an inner tube every time you flat, the sealant in the system will (in theory) plug any punctures from sharp objects like thorns, which is a real advantage when it comes to riding off-road. 

You may need to re-inflate the tire a little if you have a puncture. Tubeless tire plugs can get you riding quickly, but make sure you're equipped with a spare tube and full tubeless repair kit for more serious tire damage.

What are the best gearing options for gravel and adventure bikes?

Adventure road bikes and gravel bikes are designed to be ridden on the road as well as off, so you'll typically find a wide gear range to allow both efficiency and speed on the road, as well as enough gears to cope with loose and steep terrain off-road. 

The choice between a double or single chainring up front is usually down to rider preference. A 1x (one-by) set-up gives ultimate simplicity and can allow for greater tire clearance, but sometimes at the cost of wider jumps between ratios, although the latest 12 and 13-speed groupsets go some way to avoiding this. 

Double chainrings offer more options for riders who prefer to spend more time on smoother terrain or on the road and may give you a greater overall range with smaller jumps between ratios.

A 1X drivetrain keeps it simple and can allow for greater rear tire clearance

Gravel bikes often feature a drivetrain that goes below 1:1 for off-road climbing and load carrying. That might be via a 1x set-up like SRAM XPLR with a cassette that goes to 42 teeth or greater or a two-ring supercompact chainset with 48/32 or 46/30 chainrings paired with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette. You'll even find "mullet builds" that mix a road chainset with an MTB cassette and rear derailleur for ultra-low gearing, as low as 38x52t.

Read our guide to gravel bike gearing for more.

What pedals are best suited to gravel and adventure bikes?

Pedal choice is a matter of personal taste and will be dependent on your riding style, but check out our guide to the best gravel bike pedals for advice. If you ride predominantly on roads and well-maintained paths where you rarely need to put a foot down, then road cycling shoes , clipless pedals and cleats may be a good choice.

On the other hand, more demanding off-road riding may mean that you need to dismount and walk with the bike or put a foot down for stability. In this case, gravel bike shoes and two-sided gravel bike pedals with grippy treaded soles and recessed cleats derived from mountain bike systems may be a better choice for their ease of walking and easier foot engagement with the pedal. 

Mountain bike style pedals make walking, mounting and dismounting easier

What components should I expect to find on the best gravel bikes?

Adventure and gravel bikes use disc brakes for their better modulation and more consistent stopping in dry, wet and muddy conditions. This also has a really positive impact on wheel rim longevity compared to rim brakes for off-road riding.

On higher-value models, the brakes will be hydraulic, while budget bikes typically have mechanical callipers. With Shimano's GRX and SRAM's gravel-specific groupsets available with hydraulic discs only, this tends to be the preference. You'll occasionally find mechanical disc brakes on adventure bike builds, where long-distance riders find them easier to maintain and repair in more remote situations.

Different types of handlebars are also worth considering on adventure bikes. Again, we've got a guide to the best gravel bike handlebars for more info.

Flared bars are generally accepted as a good upgrade to give greater stability in the wider drops for rough terrain and descending off-road. The wider the flare, the easier it is to fit a handlebar bag on the front of the bike and still be able to fit your hands on the drops and brakes at the same time. Raised bars such as the Specialized Hover Bar also help to give more clearance over the front wheel for smaller riders, as well as providing a more upright riding position.

With a lack of innovation-quashing UCI rules in the gravel sector, more ambitious designs are being tested, like the radical double-decker bar on the Canyon Grail , designed to add additional compliance to the ride.

Canyon's double-decker handlebar certainly divides opinion

Short travel suspension forks like the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR and the Cannondale Lefty Oliver are also an option that is sneaking into gravel bike design.

We have a dedicated team of testers here at  Cycling Weekly , whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in, day out in a whole range of conditions.

With huge experience, they're well-placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

Testing gravel bikes calls for the logging of plenty of miles - and our testers do just that. Depending on the bike, routes range from technical mountain bike-style trails to multi-day bikepacking adventures and plenty in between. We also make sure that we test the bikes on paved roads, given that many riders will use gravel bikes for commuting and winter riding and many gravel rides will involve some tarmac as well.

While out riding we asses the bikes across a range of factors, including comfort and handling, suitability for a variety of gravel terrain and bikepacking, as well as the quality and durability of components and the bike's overall value for money.

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After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third , completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12 .

But his favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures. Most recently, he’s spent two weeks riding from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia . 

Height: 177cm

Weight: 67–69kg

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Best Gravel Bikes

From lightweight carbon models to do-it-all aluminum and steel rigs, we break down this year’s top gravel bikes.

Switchback Travel ( Jason Hummel )

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us . 

Gravel bikes—also known as adventure or all-road bikes—are built to handle terrain ranging from forest service roads to pavement, dirt, and even mellow singletrack. In essence, they are more capable than road bikes yet more efficient than mountain bikes, transitioning nicely from daily commutes to weekend adventures. While the definition of these dirt-focused models still is up for debate, they share a few key design features including a more upright seating position for added comfort over long distances, high-volume tires to help smooth out rough roads, and multiple mounting points for extra water and gear. From leading budget options to range-topping carbon rigs, below are the top gravel grinders of 2021. For more background information, see our gravel bike comparison table and buying advice below the picks.

Best Overall Gravel Bike

1. cannondale topstone 1 ($2,150).

We’ll start by saying that we didn’t anticipate our top gravel bike pick being an aluminum-frame rig, but the Cannondale Topstone 1’s versatility, smart build, and competitive price tag won us over. In terms of design, the Topstone features the kind of premium aluminum frame that the brand is known for, a gravel-specific Shimano GRX drivetrain complete with hydraulic disc brakes, and appropriately wide wheels for soaking up bumps. Its balanced geometry also hits a nice sweet spot of responsiveness for climbs and road riding with a relaxed and confidence-inspiring feel on the descents. The cherry on top: the mid-range “1” manages to undercut much of the competition in price at a reasonable $2,150. From weekend gravel rides to daily commutes, the Cannondale Topstone is an excellent option.

The aluminum frame doesn't come without compromises, however. At about 22.5 pounds, the Topstone certainly isn't the lightest gravel bike on the market and likely won't be the first choice of speed-focused riders (if this sounds like you, the extra $450 for the carbon Giant Revolt Advanced 2 below might be worth it). And we’d like to see higher-quality rubber that’s tubeless-ready (they recently switched the tires to Vittoria from WTB’s Riddler, which leads us to believe it was a supply issue). However, these are relatively small nitpicks about an otherwise impressive all-around gravel bike. It’s worth noting that Cannondale also offers the Topstone Carbon with a lighter frame and their minimalist Kingpin rear suspension that helps cushion harsh impacts. See the Cannondale Topstone 1

A Close Second (With a Carbon Frame)

2. giant revolt advanced 2 ($2,600).

Giant has built a reputation around producing high-quality bikes at affordable prices, and their Revolt Advanced 2 is a shining example. For $2,600, you get a light and compliant carbon frame, a smooth-shifting Shimano GRX 22-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and ample clearance for tires up to 45 millimeters wide for damping rough roads. Other thoughtful features include a rubber downtube protector to ward off high-speed rock impacts and a chainstay guard to help keep the chain quiet on bumpy rides. Added up, you’d be hard-pressed to find a similarly equipped and well-made carbon design at this price point.

Why do we have the Giant Revolt Advanced 2 ranked below the Cannondale? Both are top-notch gravel bikes, but the simple answer is that we don't think the $450 bump in cost is worth it for most riders. The bikes share the same Shimano GRX 800/600 drivetrain and GRX 400 brakes, and we’ve found Cannondale’s aluminum builds are impressively comfortable (a common knock on aluminum is it’s too harsh). But if you’re more interested in gravel races than mellow rides, the lighter carbon-framed Revolt Advanced 2 is a solid buy. And for a hardcore racing bike, see the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 below.  See the Giant Revolt Advanced 2   See the Women's Liv Devote Advanced 2

Best Budget Gravel Bike

3. kona rove al 650 ($949).

Just because you can spend thousands of dollars on a race-ready carbon gravel bike doesn’t necessarily mean you should. For budget-oriented riders interested in exploring backroads or taking the scenic route to work, Kona’s Rove AL 650 is plenty of bike. For $949, the Rove includes a quality aluminum frame, ample mounting locations for accessories, water, and gear, and a dependable Shimano Claris drivetrain. Further, its wide 47-millimeter tires do an admirable job soaking up the kind of bumps, ruts, and rocks that you often find on forest service roads.

As with any budget offering, the Rove AL 650 has its fair share of compromises. Compared to the Cannondale above, the Claris is a significant downgrade in both components and features. Most notably, it forgoes thru-axles (which add stiffness and inspire confidence during fast descents) in favor of the quick-release style. Moreover, you miss out on a vibration-dampening carbon fork (the Kona’s is stiffer alloy), and it sports less-powerful mechanical disc brakes rather than hydraulic. For about $300 more, we recommend checking out Cannondale’s Topstone Sora, which addresses many of these issues. But for those hoping to stay under $1,000, Kona’s entry-level Rove is undeniably a good value. See the Kona Rove AL 650

Best Gravel Race Bike

4. trek checkpoint sl 6 ($4,000).

While small, niche bike companies have dominated the gravel race scene for years, this growing category has recently started to attract the big players. With decades of racing experience under their belt, Trek throws their hat into the ring with the Checkpoint SL 6. The biggest news with the Checkpoint is its IsoSpeed, which functions similarly to the rear suspension on a mountain bike. By decoupling the top and seat tubes, this technology effectively reduces vibrations and creates a less jarring, smoother ride. If you’ve ever spent time on washboard roads at speed, you’ll understand why this is so important.

This unique tech and impressive performance do come at a cost. For reference, the top-end variation of the Giant Revolt Advanced above (the “0”) is priced at $100 less than the Trek but includes substantially upgraded components like carbon wheels (the SL 6’s are aluminum). In addition, the IsoSpeed decoupler does add a little complexity to the design and will require occasional maintenance. In the end, if your cycling goals include winning the Dirty Kanza 200, it’s likely worth spending up for the Trek, and its more forgiving ride undeniably is a plus over long and hard miles. But for racers on a tighter budget, there are plenty of options that cost less. See the Trek Checkpoint SL 6

Best Electric Gravel Bike

5. cannondale synapse neo se ($4,500).

Germany-based Canyon might not have the name recognition of many of the brands on this list, but their Grail AL 6 adventure bike is an excellent all-around value. In short, it ticks most of the important boxes in this category, including a high-quality aluminum frame, lightweight carbon fork, and gravel-specific Shimano GRX 400 groupset (note: the GRX 400 series is 10-speed, while the 600 and 800 are 11-speed). The Grail’s proven and tubeless-ready DT Swiss wheels also are wrapped in one of our favorite gravel tires at the moment: Schwalbe’s 40-millimeter G-One Bite, which transition nicely from tarmac to trail. Finally, if appearance is a consideration for you, we think the silver and black version is one of the classiest-looking gravel bike designs on the market.

Compared to the Cannondale Topstone 1 above, the Grail AL 6 costs around $450 less (technically the AL 7 is a more direct competitor at $1,999) but comes up slightly short in a couple key areas. First and foremost, buying from a consumer-direct company like Canyon sometimes can be a pain: availability is often limited and customer service can be hit or miss, plus you don’t get the convenience of walking into your local bike shop to ride the bike or get replacement parts before buying. Further, Cannondale’s lifetime frame warranty is more impressive than Canyon’s six years. But the Grail AL 6 is a solid value nevertheless, which is one of the biggest perks of buying consumer-direct. See the Canyon Grail AL 6

7. Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon ($4,200)

California-based Specialized is one of the biggest names in cycling, so it should come as no surprise that they offer a winner in the gravel-focused Diverge line. Similar to Trek’s Checkpoint SL 6 above, the most noteworthy component on the Diverge is its suspension that delivers a relatively high 20 millimeters of travel. But unlike the Trek, the Specialized bike focuses its shock absorption at the front rather than the rear. For anything from surprise impacts with rocks to rough washboard roads, this feature will considerably dampen your ride and reduce arm fatigue.

How does the rest of the build compare with the aforementioned Trek? The Diverge gets the edge in max tire clearance (47mm vs. 45mm on the Checkpoint) and includes in-frame storage with their unique and very functional SWAT system. That said, you get a little more cushion with the Trek and a very similar component group (including the same GRX 810 drivetrain) while saving $200. It’s a close call, but we give the slight edge to the Trek as a do-everything model that can still toe the race line. Of note, Specialized’s Diverge lineup is expansive, starting at $1,300 and going all the way up to $10,500, so most riders should be able to find exactly what they’re looking for. See the Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon

8. Salsa Warbird ($2,799)

We’d be remiss not to include Salsa’s venerable and highly sought-after Warbird on this list. Originally launched in 2013, the Warbird saw a host of changes at its last update: the geometry was tweaked slightly for improved stability at speed, a number of mounting locations were added to the frame, and the bike is now compatible with 650b wheels and tires up to 2 inches wide. We especially like the Waxwing fork, which features three-pack mounts that add versatility for storing water bottles or shuttling overnight gear. All told, Salsa’s fourth-generation Warbird is an enviable gravel race bike that happily pulls double duty as a lightweight bikepacking rig for weekend trips.

Our biggest complaint about the Warbird Apex is cost. At $2,799, we think there are better deals to be had in the gravel bike category. For example, the Giant Revolt Advanced 2 above comes in around the same price and features a more versatile drivetrain with a wider gear range (better for mountainous terrain). And although the Warbird’s high-performing TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes are one of the better options of their kind on the market, they simply can’t match the ease of use or stopping power of the hydraulic version on the Giant. That said, the Warbird’s additional storage spots on the frame and fork make it better-suited for all-day epics and backcountry adventures. If versatility is a key consideration, we think it’s a nice choice. See the Salsa Warbird

9.  Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX ($4,649)

Santa Cruz is lauded within the mountain biking community for their quality frames and remarkable attention to detail, and that reputation holds true with the gravel-oriented Stigmata. For last year, the Stigmata was redesigned with additional clearance for tires up to 45 millimeters wide (as well as 650b tires), updated geometry with a slightly longer head tube that translates to a more upright and comfortable riding position, and internal routing for dropper seat post compatibility. What does all this mean for you? In short, the versatile Stigmata is now just as at home on the cyclocross course as it is on far-off backroad adventures.

Where does the Stigmata fall short? Like all Santa Cruz bikes, the gravel rig is undeniably pricey at $4,649 for the GRX model, which includes the high-end 800 groupset. For $400-$600 less, the Trek and Specialized models above feature similar components but include a notable upgrade in ride quality over bumpy terrain with their proprietary suspension designs. That said, buying from Santa Cruz involves paying a premium for the brand’s attention to detail (all models are admittedly fantastic-looking), strong warranty, and reliable long-term performance. Whether that’s worth the added expense is up to you. See the Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX   See the Women's Juliana Quincy GRX

10. Evil Bikes Chamois Hagar ($4,799)

Evil is known for their progressive designs in the mountain bike world, and they’ve translated that to their playfully named Chamois Hagar gravel bike. The big news is its geometry, which has a downhill-oriented 66.67-degree head angle for an aggressive stance that’s impressively stable and confidence-inspiring on the descent (for reference, most gravel bikes are around 70 degrees or higher). There are only two build kits currently offered (plus a frame-only option), but the GRX model is well-appointed with high-end 800-series components, an all-carbon frame, and off-road extras like a dropper post and meaty tires. At $4,799, the Evil is not a price leader, but its fun factor is hard to beat.

What do you give up with the Chamois Hagar’s unique build? Uphill-focused riders that want a twitchy and extremely responsive ride won’t like the laidback stance or beefed-up construction, which adds weight. And the standard 50-milllimeter-wide tires are not the fastest-rolling or lightest around. If you plan to mix in a fair amount of extended and steep climbing and prioritize efficiency, it’s best to stick with a traditional, road-inspired design. But for mountain bikers looking for a familiar, fun feel while bombing down their local forest service road or even popping off small features, Evil’s gravel grinder has a lot of appeal. See the Evil Bikes Chamois Hagar

11. Norco Search XR A2 ($1,699)

Better known for their extensive lineup of mountain bikes, Norco did a nice job with the dirt-focused Search XR A2. For a reasonable $1,699, you get a 2 x 10 Shimano drivetrain that works well across most terrain along with a healthy selection of mounting locations for racks, bottles, and gear. Further, you get thru-axles for a stiffer ride in the rough stuff and tubeless-ready wheels (in our opinion, it’s is a no-brainer to set up your gravel bike this way for less weight, fewer flats, and more grip). While it can’t match the racing pedigree of the Trek Checkpoint SL or versatility of the Salsa Warbird above, the Search XR is an impressively capable companion for everything from backroad exploring to daily commutes.

At this price point, however, there are some entry-level components in the build. It’s nice to see Shimano GRX derailleurs and crank, but the shifters are from the road-focused Tiagra line, so they’re not as user-friendly on gravel. In addition, you get less-powerful mechanical brakes and the tires aren’t the best in slippery and dicey conditions, so many backcountry explorers will want to upgrade those right off the bat. For those looking for a little more capability at a still-reasonable price, check out Norco’s XR A Suspension model ($2,399), which features a front fork with 50 millimeters of travel and a dropper seat post. See the Norco Search XR A2

12. Cervelo Aspero GRX 810 2x ($4,500)

Cervelo has made their name in light, fast, and aerodynamic pavement racers, and they’ve taken that expertise into the gravel world with their Aspero collection. As expected from the brand, the Aspero models put a premium on climbing speed and responsiveness with a high-quality and very lightweight carbon frame, upright geometry that gives it a quick-handling and nimble feel, and a nice spec sheet with efficiency-minded components. Tack on off-road-ready features like protection along the chain stays and downtube and dropper post compatibility (note: a dropper is not included), and you get a nice option for road riders looking to add a gravel grinder to their quiver.

As expected, the Aspero’s road-inspired geometry and build make it far less stable and more prone to getting knocked around on steep and rowdy descents. Put another way, it’s the polar opposite of the Evil Chamois Hagar above, which crushes the downhills at the expense of power and efficiency when pedaling. It’s also worth noting the max tire width for the Aspero is 42 millimeters, which is a few millimeters less than most designs on this list. It’s not for everyone, but for riders that stick to relatively tame terrain and want a race-ready screamer, the Aspero is a great choice. Finally, Cervelo recently released the Apero 5 series , which is a lighter, faster, and even pricier version of the standard model here. See the Cervelo Aspero GRX 810 2x

13. Niner RLT 9 2-Star ($2,200)

Niner may not be a familiar name to many road cyclists, but this Colorado-based company has been pushing out quality dirt-focused models for about 15 years. From their lineup, the RLT 9 2-Star is a solid budget-minded build: it features SRAM’s Apex 1 x 11 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, can fit up to 700c x 50mm tires, and includes mounting locations for racks and fenders (the carbon fork even has additional spots for storing extra water on those all-day rides). Not to mention, we can’t help but love the old-school look of the RLT’s aluminum frame.

Compared to the top-ranked Cannondale Topstone 1 above, the Niner RLT 2-Star costs around the same (it's $50 pricier) yet sees a slight downgrade in the drivetrain department with its 1x drivetrain (the Cannondale features 2x Shimano GRX components). Not only does this include a wider gear range, but the Shimano parts are a little better tuned for off-road riding with easier-to-manipulate shift levers. Within the Niner lineup, you can get GRX components, but they’re only available in top-end 800-spec models that start at about $3,000. See the Niner RLT 9 2-Star

14.  Donnelly G//C Force ($4,000)

For riders just dipping their toes into the gravel world, Co-op Cycles’ ADV gravel bikes have a lot of appeal. For one, it’s a fairly simple buying process: Co-op Cycles is REI’s in-house bike brand, which brings nationwide access to shops, easy assembly and maintenance, and a reliable warranty. And their ADV collection includes solid performers like the mid-range 2.2, which comes in at a very competitive $1,599. For this price, you get the entry-level Shimano GRX component group, which is well-made but comes with slight compromises like a 10-speed cassette (compared with 11 for the upgraded versions). You also miss out on some nice upgrades like hydraulic disc brakes, although the Tektro mechanicals are decent performers and don’t require much in terms of maintenance.

As expected, the ADV 2.2 shouldn’t be on the short list for those looking for a speedy machine, but the design in general is well-balanced. The WTB Nano tires are proven performers, the wheels are tubeless-ready, and the bike has a sturdy feel to it in general. That said, it’s not an agile design and weight is decently high (REI gives it a median weight of over 23 pounds). As such, those looking for a longer-term investment may want to spend up to the Cannondale Topstone above—which is also sold through REI Co-op—but casual riders looking to add some gravel time to their weekends will likely be very happy with the ADV 2.2. See the Co-op Cycles ADV 2.2

16.  Surly Straggler ($1,625)

Diamondback is best known for their budget-friendly bikes sold at big-box stores, but being value-driven isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the gravel realm, we especially like their Haanjo 2, which is the most affordable design to make our list at $925. This entry-level ride features a 2 x 8 Shimano drivetrain, decently fast-rolling 38-millimeter tires, and mechanical disc brakes that are easy to operate and provide consistent stopping power. To be sure, the Haanjo 2 can’t match the performance or low weight of pricier models on the list, but it’s a serviceable companion for those who do a little bit of everything—including commuting, cruising mellow doubletrack, and exploring forest service roads.

With a similar price and component group (Shimano’s budget-focused Claris) as the Kona Rove above, the two bikes are natural competitors. In parsing out the differences, the 650b Kona has wider tires and does a nicer job cushioning impacts on washboard roads, while the narrower and faster-rolling Diamondback is the superior option for commuting and mixing in longer stretches on pavement. Both offer a nice entry point into the world of gravel riding, but the more capable Kona gets the edge for us. See the Diamondback Haanjo 2

18. Moots Routt YBB Force AXS ($9,853)

Moots’ Routt lineup has been around for years, but it’s the latest YBB version that really caught our eye. The “softail” design—first used on the company’s mountain bikes in the 90s—delivers 20 millimeters of rear micro-suspension that effectively reduces the harshness of rough roads. Combined with a smooth-riding titanium frame and beefy tires (up to 50mm wide), and this is a true backroads rig that’s ready to handle just about anything you throw at it. The elite-level build listed here also features the crisp shifting of SRAM’s electronic Force AXS drivetrain. Taken together, if price were no issue and we could only ride one gravel bike for the rest of our lives, it almost certainly would be the Routt YBB.

Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room. At well over $9,000, the Routt YBB is reserved for committed cyclists who ride often and ride hard (and have deep pockets). On the flip side, titanium undoubtedly is pricey, but Moots uses a high-quality, U.S.-made version that’s welded in-house at the company’s headquarters. In other words, it’s hard to put a price on such excellent craftsmanship. For those on a tighter budget who don’t want to make big sacrifices in ride quality, Trek’s Checkpoint SL 6 above is well under half the price and features similar bump-absorbing tech with its rear IsoSpeed. See the Moots Routt YBB Force AXS

19. Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1 ($1,599)

Co-op Cycles isn’t known for pushing the envelope in terms of frame design or technology, but what they offer is a major focus on value. The steel-framed ADV 1.1 is a prime example: for $1,599 (and often marked down further during sales), the ADV is a solid all-rounder that can confidently tackle adventures ranging from gravel road exploration to extended bikepacking and bike touring outings. And with a comfortable upright seating position, wide gear range, and included front and rear racks, it makes for a solid commuting companion too.

Why isn't the Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1 ranked higher? The steel frame and reasonably fast-rolling 700c x 38mm tires make for a comfortable ride on pavement and light gravel, but they also add a lot of weight. At about 30 pounds, the ADV is easily the heaviest bike on our list (not including Cannondale’s Synapse e-bike, which really is a different category). If the goal is covering ground quickly and efficiently, we recommend checking out a more focused design like Co-op Cycles’ ADV 2.2 above, which cuts significant weight, has more off-road-oriented tires, and features more performance-oriented geometry for the same price. All that said, the ADV 1.1 has its place for everything from cross-country trips to easygoing and leisurely outings. See the Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1

Gravel Bikes Comparison Table

Gravel bike buying advice, what is a gravel bike, frame material: carbon vs. aluminum, drivetrain and gears, wheel size: 700c vs. 650b, brakes: hydraulic disc vs. mechanical disc, proper tire air pressure (psi), going tubeless, shoes and pedals for gravel bikes, gravel, road, and cyclocross bikes: what are the differences, what about hardtail mountain bikes on gravel.

• Buying a Gravel Bike: In-Store or Online?  

As their name suggests, gravel bikes are designed to be ridden on surfaces like gravel trails, doubletrack, and forest service roads. While people have been taking their road bikes onto unpaved roads for decades, this emerging category has a number of thoughtful design features that make the experience much more enjoyable. In general, you should look for frame clearance to accommodate up to 700c x 45mm tires, multiple mounting locations (three or more) for water bottles and food, longer wheelbases that are more stable at high speeds, and disc brakes to handle long descents over varying road conditions. Put simply, gravel bikes can continue on when traditional roads bikes are forced to turn around, and they can easily handle the daily commute to work too.

It almost goes without saying that a lighter bike will feel sprightlier and more responsive than a heavier rig on the road or path. Not only does it make the uphills more bearable, but it also allows you to cover ground more quickly with less effort. And performance benefits aside, we always welcome lifting less weight onto our rack. However, weight often correlates directly with cost: the more you spend on a bike, the less it will weigh. For example, the $1,599 Co-op Cycles ADV 2.2 tips the scales at around 23.5 pounds, while Santa Cruz’s carbon Stigmata Force 2X ($5,849) weighs just over 18 pounds. We think the sweet spot is in the 20- to 23-pound range for most riders, which will usually set you back roughly $2,000. Race-focused cyclists likely will be willing to spend up for less weight.

One of the best and least expensive upgrades you can make to your bike is upgrading to tubeless tires . The biggest benefit is the ability to run lower tire pressures, meaning the tires are better able to absorb impacts without increasing the risk of a pinch flat. This also translates to a larger contact patch with the ground, making them ideal for off-road use. Plus, eliminating tubes in favor of sealant can drop a little rotational weight from your kit.

All that said, it can be a challenge converting your bike to tubeless. While installation has become significantly easier over the last few years due to improvements in the technology, you still get the occasional tire-and-rim combination that just doesn’t want to inflate. You’ll also have to replace the sealant a couple of times per year—it has a tendency to dry and become ineffective at sealing small holes. And finally, tubeless setups can be a bit of a mess should you ever need to put a tube in your tire. If you don’t feel comfortable with the initial installation, we recommend asking your local bike shop for help.

Those who already own a hardtail might be wondering: “Can’t I just ride my mountain bike on gravel roads instead of purchasing something new?” And the answer is a resounding “yes.” In fact, we actually encourage riders to use what they already have whenever possible. After all, people have been riding all sorts of bikes on dirt roads for decades—long before the advent of this niche category. 

All that said, there are many benefits to purchasing a true gravel-focused bike. For example, models like Trek’s Checkpoint SL 6 are significantly lighter than mountain bikes, the drop bars offer multiple hand positions for all-day comfort, and you get more mounting locations for food, water, and gear. Gravel bikes also feature a wider gear range for the varied terrain you can expect on forest service and backroads. While a hardtail with skinny tires certainly will do the trick (we did this for quite some time), for those who plan on spending a lot of time on pavement and gravel, it’s hard to ignore the performance differences. There's good reason why this is one of the fastest-growing bike categories.

Mountain Biking Gear Reviews

Cannondale Topstone Review

Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2024

Best Mountain Bike Brands of 2023

27.5 vs. 29er Mountain Bikes

7 Best Trail Mountain Bikes of 2022

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The 6 Best Gravel Bikes for Touring, Commuting, and Casual Trail Rides

Glide over rocks and roots with one of these powerful and speedy bicycles made to handle gravel.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Finding the right gravel bike means grabbing a versatile beast that’s good for various kinds of riding. If you’re looking for a gravel bike for commuting, touring, road riding, and bikepacking, these are the best on the market.

Need more wheels? Check out our picks for the best bikes , electric scooters for adults , and e-bikes .

The Best Gravel Bikes

Best Overall

Cannondale topstone carbon 4 gravel bike.

Most Affordable

Surly preamble gravel bike.

Best for Beginners

Specialized diverge e5 gravel bike.

Best for Touring

Trek checkpoint sl 5 gravel bike.

Best E-Bike

Ride1up roadster v2 gravel bike.

REI Co-op Cycles ADV 2.2 Gravel Bike

What to consider.

Road bikes have skinny tires built for pavement, while mountain bikes have wider ones for rough terrain. Gravel bikes sit somewhere between the two, meaning they can handle the best of both worlds.

Tire size is told in two measurements: The first number indicates wheel diameter and the second, tire thickness. The diameter of most gravel bike wheels is 700c (the “c” means nothing here; it’s from an old French naming system) or 27.5 inches, though that varies a bit based on the tire’s tread pattern and type. Widths for gravel bike tires generally fall between 30 and 50 millimeters. (So, a gravel bike product listing may state that the bike has 700cx41mm tires, which means the tires are 27.5 inches in diameter and 41 mm in thickness.)

The wider the tire, the more stable and supportive your ride will be. Opt for wider tires if you’re taking a gravel bike on the trails or hauling cargo while bikepacking. If your gravel bike will double as a commuter, reach for one with thinner tires that can handle occasional off-roading.

Suspension is for smoothing out bumpy rides. Some gravel bikes stabilize the rider with frame-flexing technology, while others have front suspension, softening the impact of bumps and preventing you from accidentally jerking your handlebars. While grabbing a bicycle with many shock-absorbing mechanisms can provide a smoother ride, remember that these features add weight and may needlessly run up maintenance costs. A gravel bike with no suspension handles rough terrain just fine, so only opt for a suspension pick if you really want the extra stability over bumps.

Mount and Accessories

Your gravel bike can act as your mule on long rides, helping to haul cargo and carry extra accessories, but you need mounting points on your bike to do so. Many gravel bikes have built-in mounts for customizing your cargo-carrying ability. This is useful for long-distance travel and bike tours where hauling extra food, water, and camping gear is essential. We recommend saddle bags and backpacks for those on short commutes and trail rides. In any case, don’t forget a water bottle cage.

Gravel bikes occasionally come with fender mounts, which are coverings that go over your tires to block rain, moisture, and mud from hitting your legs. Fenders, also known as mud guards, are an excellent investment for those planning to bike in unpredictable weather or sloshy terrain.

How We Evaluated

To find the best gravel bikes, we consulted our review archives from Bicycling , and talked with deputy editor Tara Seplavy for recs on the best gravel bikes we’ve tested in our labs over the years. We also referenced cycling publications like Cycling Weekly , Bike Radar , and Cyclingnews . In addition to critical reviews and competitive testing, we also read through customer reviews to see what users had to say about our picks.

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon 4 is a well-rounded gravel bike that can handle a rough trail as easily as a smoothly paved commute.

Its carbon frame makes the bike light and nimble, while the proprietary Kingpin thru-axel (the wheel’s attachment system) suspension allows the bike’s rear to flex and soften the blows of cobblestone, gravel, and uneven paths.

This bike has multiple mounts for racks and bottles, plus six millimeters of clearance for fenders. Its dropped chain-stay design—which allows for more chain slack between the pedals and rear wheel—accommodates tires sizes up to 45mm in width. It has plenty of power for climbing steep hills and it’s a solid price for its package.

The Preamble is Surly’s budget gravel bike made of hefty steel, kitted out with only the features that matter most. This barebones philosophy of the Preamble’s build helps slim down an otherwise heavy material while cutting costs, with prices starting at $899.

The bike comes in sizes XS to XL, fitting riders from 5 feet tall up to 6 foot 7. It has a maximum tire clearance of 650b (the standard tire size for smaller bikes) x 41 mm tires for the smaller sizes and 700c x 41 mm tires for the larger sizes, with plenty room for mudguards. The bike is also available in flat and drop bar configurations to fit your preferences.

The bare minimum components also means this bike may be more effective as a commuter than a touring bike. Although there are rack mounts in the front and rear of the frame, some reviewers say the Preamble is best suited for light backpacking trips and small adventures where you don’t need to overload the ride.

The aluminum-framed Diverge E5 from Specialized is an excellent bike if you’re new to the gravel world. The bike features a huge tire clearance, handling sizes up to 700x47mm or 650b x 53mm, for smaller frames. It has plenty of mounting points for bags, accessories, racks, and fenders. It also doesn’t have any integrated parts, which means you can take care of maintenance at home, without the use of professional tools.

Bicycling tester Dan Chabanov says it’s one of the most versatile bikes on the market, adopting a sportier or more rugged feel with a simple swap of the tires. It can also fit a wide range of bodies with seven different sizes available.

While it’s not as super loaded as the pricier options on this list, the Diverge E5 is a beginner-friendly pitch to cycling due to its versatility, ride quality, and price.

Trek’s Checkpoint series carries some of the company’s most popular gravel rides, and its SL, or super light, model is a solid entry for bikepacking or touring. This carbon-frame bicycle has several mounts for racks, cages, and mud guards, and even has internal storage in its downtube—the front part of the bike's frame closest to your shins—for safekeeping small items.

The proprietary suspension technology helps stabilize the bike over gravel and terrain, smoothing rough rides. It’s also got enough clearance to support large tires up to 700x45mm.

This bike is one of the more comfortable options we recommend, and comfort is vital when you’re spending a long time on a bike saddle.

City dwellers and light trail shredders should consider the Roadster v2 to power through their commutes. This Roadster v2 is a lightweight e-bike with a concealed battery, a quiet motor, and an aluminum frame. It has a 350-watt geared hub motor and can reach 24 miles per hour at top speed. It also has pedal assist to help climb, with one San Francisco-based user saying it has the power to push them up most of the city’s hills with no issues.

This top-rated product is best for casual users who seek an e-bike that doesn’t look like one. Don’t expect this to take you far, though—the battery life range varies between 20 and 30 miles, making this a better pick for commuters than for adventurers. It’s also heavy, which could be a pain for those frequently using stairs for their living or office spaces.

If you’re a newbie to the gravel world and want peace of mind with that hefty price tag, the ADV 2.2 is a low-risk purchase with tons of positive reviews and generous customer support. Made under REI’s in-house bike label, Co-op Cycles, this bike comes with a one-year adjustment period to ensure you love what you’re riding. REI Co-op members also get access to free flat tire repairs as needed.

Straightforward, comfortable, and beginner-friendly, the ADV 2.2 has 20 gears for uphill traction and runs very smooth on the trail. Customers recommend it for REI’s generous return policy, tune-up services, and reliability. Some don’t like the bike’s mechanical disc brakes, which are weaker than hydraulic ones, but they’re cheaper to upkeep.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.

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2024’s Best Gravel Bikes

8 Great Bikes for Grinding Gravel, Riding Dirt Roads, or Racing Cyclocross

Each year, Bicycling ’s test editors choose the Best Bikes from the thousands available across dozens of categories. Our process starts with analyzing price, features, and how each bike solves a rider’s needs. We also monitor cycling trends, research emerging riding categories, and closely follow new technologies. Then we tighten our focus on the bikes with the most potential, get them, ride them extensively, and discuss them rigorously amongst the test team and with other cyclists.

Almost no one uses a bicycle only how it’s portrayed on bike brands’ websites. So we test bikes in ways our readers ride them. We go to group rides and events, dig through social media posts, and dive into the minutia to give us insight into obstacles riders face and how they use their bikes to solve them.

State 6061 All-Road Apex XPLR AXS

Lauf seigla core wireless, ritchey outback break-away, argonaut gr3 custom, colnago c68 gravel sram red xplr axs, trek boone 5, canyon grizl:on cf 7, blackheart al gravel, best gravel bike.

BlackHeart Bike Co. has a small and well-considered lineup of bikes and its newest addition—the Gravel AL—fits right in. As the name suggests, the Gravel AL is an aluminum gravel bike, with gravel-specific geometry and most importantly, clearance for 47mm tires.

When I first saw the Gravel AL, it reminded me of classic aluminum crit bikes. A simple design with an “everything you need and nothing you don’t” philosophy. A bike made for going fast.

The Gravel AL is fabricated using double-butted 7005 aluminum tubes and weighs 1,660 grams (claimed) for a size 54cm frame. The frame features modern touches such as integrated cable routing, an aero kammtail downtube, and a pair of dropped seat stays. All presumably to aid with the bike’s aerodynamics, although Blackheart does not make any specific aero claims for the Gravel AL.

Gravel-specific geometry is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but what it means in terms of numbers varies greatly from brand to brand (and sometimes even from model to model). For the Gravel AL, gravel geo means a head tube angle between 71 and 71.5 degrees, matched to a seat tube angle of 73.5 to 73.5º (both measurements depending on size). Chainstay length is consistent (427mm) across all sizes, with a trail figure between 66 and 64mm. And it’s incredibly impressive to see a relatively small company like BlackHeart offer eight sizes of the Gravel AL, from 46cm up to 62cm.

Blackheart AL

One of the things that sets the Gravel AL apart from the many other gravel bikes on the market right now is the personalization BlackHeart offers at the time of purchase. Riders can pick from, no joke, 137 colors of Cerakote finish for their Gravel AL, with a single color frame paint and a 2nd logo color included in the price. For build kit options, most Shimano and SRAM groupsets are available. Although the Gravel AL isn’t compatible with mechanical 2x options (mechanical 1x and electronic 2x work just fine though).

Pricing for standard bikes starts at $3,200 (1x mechanical Shimano GRX) and tops out at $4,750 (2x Shimano GRX Di2). But it’s easy to build a much more expensive version of the Gravel AL through the numerous upgrades that BlackHeart offers. Riders can upgrade to various carbon wheels, CeramicSpeed bottom brackets, or power meters—even Enve’s new single-piece cockpit ($980) is an option. Most critically, riders can select their desired stem length and bar width when buying—a crucial option when purchasing a bike with an integrated front end.

Since BlackHearts gets so many details right, I expected the Gravel AL to ride well. It did not disappoint me in the slightest. The Gravel AL was the exact off-road dropbar bike I wanted as someone who enjoys fast road riding. On the pavement, I describe it as stable, but as soon as you get it onto the dirt, it comes alive. The bike‘s steering is precise and responsive, but never twitchy. On flowy gravel roads, it felt the way I would expect a road bike to feel. On tight singletrack, it brought enough verve to make me think I was on a cyclocross bike.

The Gravel AL’s sporty handling and spirited ride quality—paired with an excellent value proposition and BlackHeart’s customization options—make this a great bike. But don’t dismiss it as a budget alloy option, it’s as good of a performer as many pricier carbon bikes. In a sport like gravel racing, known for literally grinding delicate carbon chainstays into dust, there is certainly something to be said for an aluminum race bike. Just like I loved aluminum crit bikes in years past, I think I’m now in love with aluminum gravel race bikes. — Dan Chabanov

BEST BUDGET GRAVEL

True to its name, State’s 6061 All-Road is for the rider looking to try a little bit of everything an off-road drop-bar bike can offer—bike packing, trail riding, gravel racing, and maybe even the occasional cyclocross race. And State keeps the bike’s price lower than many of its competitors.

At the heart of the All-Road is a low-fuss, 6061 aluminum (hence the name) frame with thru-axles front and rear. The fork is carbon and includes mounts for fenders. State offers several options and upgrades (color, wheels, saddles, etc) for the 6061 All-Road, including a killer price on SRAM’s Apex AXS XPLR group. This is one of the best deals for electronic shifting and hydraulic brakes on a gravel bike.

The 6061 All-Road can fit 650b or 700c wheels and State offers buyers a choice at purchase (or buy both for a $400 up-charge). Some argue that handling compromises must be made to accommodate both sizes but at this price, the versatility is well worth it. The option allows riders to personalize their All-Road or use their bike for distinctly different terrain or rides.

State Carbon All-Road

However, don’t let the All-Road name fool you, the State is not meant for paved miles—pavement is where the All-Road is weakest. But as soon as I was on dirt, the All-Road lit up. The bike was pure fun when weaving through the trees, hopping logs, diving into bermed corners, and skidding around tight turns. The sluggishness I felt on the tarmac was replaced with responsiveness on the trail (without being overly twitchy). On the dirt, the bike’s light and nimble personality came through.

Compromises have to be made somewhere, and I was happy to accept the slower pavement miles for the All-Road’s downright thrilling performance in the woods, where the big tires ate up roots and rocks. The relaxed front end made it feel at ease descending on choppy singletrack or fireroads, and the All-Road allowed me to tackle with confidence. If your riding involves minimal pavement, and you want a gravel bike with electronic shifting, State’s 6061 All-Road is hard to beat. — D.C.

BEST BUDGET GRAVEL SUSPENSION

Somewhere along the way, Lauf’s bikes became some of the best deals in cycling.

Take, for example, the Seigla gravel bike with the Core Wireless build. For a smidge less than $3,000, it offers a carbon frame with Lauf’s maintenance-free carbon suspension fork, a SRAM wireless electronic drivetrain, and a carbon handlebar.

But great deals are less great if you’re getting a bullshit product. The Seigla is not.

This is one of the smoothest gravel bikes on the planet. Between the 30mm of travel from the suspension fork, the compliance-enhancing rear end flex, and the massive tires it fits—up to 57mm—the Seigla is the answer to the world's roughest gravel roads. Mountain bike-like geometry creates a stable, confidence-inspiring bike that offers no surprises in challenging terrain or to tired riders at the end of an epic ride or race.

It’s also an easy bike to own. The Seigla doesn’t use weird standards or proprietary components—just easy-to-find parts and details like external brake hose routing, threaded bottom bracket, standard seat collar, and UDH hanger. This makes it easy and quick to service and repair. The only note I’ll make is the sizing and seat tube angle may make it tricky for some people to dial in their ideal fit.

If you’re looking for a true gravel bike—not an all-road bike—with a focus on comfort and love a deal, there’s a Lauf Seigla in your future. — M.P.

BEST TRAVEL GRAVEL BIKE

With so many great gravel events and riding locations across the country (and the world!), many cyclists want to bring their bikes along for a trip versus renting a poorly fitting and unfamiliar bike at their destination. But for a machine meant to take us places, traveling with a bicycle can be a major pain in the ass.

Fortunately, Ritchey’s time-tested Break-Away system simplifies travel with a bike. The bike quickly and easily disassembles and packs into its included 8.5”x26.5”x31” travel case. Since the Outback has external cable routing, packing the bike doesn’t require wrestling with integrated bars or cables routed through forks or headsets. And because Ritchey’s case is approximately sized, it helps you avoid the extra fees incurred by some bike travel bags.

Many riders might wrongly assume that Ritchey trades ride quality for pack-ability with the Break-Away system. But the Outback rides exceptionally. It feels well-damped over rough road and washboard sections (aided by the frame’s steel tubing and high-volume rubber—the frame clears up to 700x48mm or 27.5x2.1” tires) and the bike’s fit and geometry are dialed. When riding, you completely forget that the Outback Break-Away is designed for travel and breaks down in minutes with a few Allen wrenches. On one tarmac descent, as the speed on my computer neared 50 mph, I giggled because the bike felt so confident and composed. There was no hint of speed wobble or shimmy, and only the tidy fitting on the downtube reminds you of the bike’s ability to separate into two pieces.

The bike’s handling leans more toward the road end of the gravel spectrum than some gravel-specific chassis. But that’s a good thing, and it adds to the bike’s overall usability. Use the Outback Break-Away with some narrow tires for a road-oriented trip or outfit it with knobbies for travels to locales with gravel roads. And since the bike fits racks and fenders, you can install all sorts of gear and bags and take the Outback on bikepacking vacations.

My only wish for the Outback Break-Away is that I would have owned one years ago. I previously traveled 20+ weeks per year for work and bringing a bike along was often tedious. I spent too many hours packing bikes into travel cases and wasted tons of money on excess bag fees because I was too stubborn to buy a bike purpose-built for the task. A Ritchey Break-Away is the bike I needed. — Tara Seplavy

BEST USA-MADE GRAVEL

In an impressively short timeframe, Argonaut has established itself as one of the world’s finest builders of dropbar bicycles. Its RM3 is a masterpiece and a bike that sings on the road like few others.

Argonaut hopes to capture some of the RM3’s exquisite essence in the GR3 gravel bike. Like the RM3, it is made in Bend, Oregon, and employs a modular carbon monocoque design that allows Argonaut to customize fit and ride characteristics to suit an individual rider’s needs. While the GR3 is custom, the platform is intended to be very high-performance and agile. It is designed for fast gravel riding and racing, not off-road touring or bike packing.

That’s one reason why, although it is a custom bike, handling geometry is largely fixed. The GR3’s geometry is quite road-like and features very short 415mm stays (very impressive considering the 50mm tire clearance). The only thing that gives it away as a gravel bike is its 68.5-degree head angle.

Argonaut GR3

It’s also a stripped-back frame for 1x drivetrains only, with no rack or fender mounts, although it does have a location for a bolt-on top tube bag and a third bottle mount under the down tube. A 27.2mm round seat post allows riders to run a suspension post or RockShox Reverb wireless dropper as desired.

While I did not find the GR3 to be as revelatory as the RM3—although few bikes could be—it is a magnificent bike for riders who want their gravel bike to be as fast and agile as their road racing bike. This bike is so snappy that the GR3 is largely devoid of the typical gravel bike dragginess on smooth tarmac. It’s almost as fast and responsive on pavement as on dirt. This comes at the expense of some stability when under-biking rowdier singletrack. But this is a compromise I’m happy to live with because it makes the GR3’s performance sharper on the terrain I traverse for 90-plus percent of my gravel riding.

One great way the GR3 is like the RM3 is in compliance and rider comfort. This is a well-damped frame with plenty of vertical give. And it’s necessary when you’re on a bike this fast. — M.P.

BEST ITALIAN GRAVEL BIKE

While Tadaj Pogacar and his UAE team are among the very best road racers, they do not race on Colnago’s premier bike. The team races the Taiwan-made V4Rs; Colnago’s most-premium bike is the Italian-made C-series.

The C-series is not made to be—as required for a top-flight UCI race bike—the lightest and most aerodynamic bike possible. The C-Series is instead a bike that emphasizes craftsmanship, quality, and heritage. The C-Series is also, says Colnago, “Stylish.”

The latest generation of C-Series, the C68, sees a complete revamp of the platform . It moves away from the tube-and-lug construction of previous generations to a modular monocoque system that’s lighter, more tunable, and more modern looking but still permits custom geometry. But, although custom geometry is, technically, possible, Colnago has so many orders for stock-sized C-Series bikes that it states they are, for now, not opening the custom order book.

Although hinted at when the C68 platform debuted in 2022, it took a few more years for the C68 Gravel to arrive. And other than geometry, tire clearance, and a few minor details, there’s nothing significant that distinguishes the C68 Gravel’s frame from the C68s Road and All Road: Materials, construction, and overall positioning of the platform are the same. The Gravel version even shares its seatpost and integrated brake hose routing with the other C68 models.

Colnago C68 Gravel

Fit for the five available sizes is gravel specific: shorter and taller than a road bike, but still “aggressive” says Colnago. Handling geometry borrows from the mountain bike school of longer reach with a shorter stem. And it helps increase the front center and wheelbase of the bike for greater stability.

Tire clearance is on the spare side, 42mm maximum, and it’s free of typical gravel bike features like a third water bottle mount, rack mounts, fender mounts, or cargo mounts. All you get is a spot for a bolt-on top-tube snack bag. Surprisingly, there’s no UDH derailleur hanger, though I strongly suspect Colnago will make a running change in the near future.

While Colango does not call the C68 Gravel a race bike, it rides like one. It is stiff, efficient, and precise and its handling is about as close to perfect for fast gravel riding as any bike can get.

It does not have the pillowy compliance of other gravel bikes. This is a firm-riding bike that’s more suited to riding swiftly on dirt roads than it is for underbiking on singletrack. Unlike many gravel bikes, however, the C68 is suspension-corrected and ready-to-accept forks (like the Fox 32 TC and RockShox Rudy) without effect on its fit or handling. So, riders who need more comfort have that option.

Ultimately, the C68 Gravel is everything you’d expect from an Italian-made bike from one of the most legendary brands in the drop bar space: It is beautiful, exclusive, and very fast. — Matt Phillips

BEST CYCLOCROSS

Purpose-built, cyclocross-specific bikes are a dying breed. And that’s unfortunate because ‘cross bikes are some of the most versatile dropbar bikes you can get. While cyclocross bikes are slightly heavier and use more stable geometry than road race or endurance road bikes, ‘cross bikes often handle quicker and are lighter (lacking suspension forks or extra gear mounts) than many gravel bikes. It makes ‘cross bikes ideal for riders splitting time between dirt roads, light-duty gravel, or with wider slick tires on paved roads.

While other brands market bikes for “cyclocross,” the offerings often feature wide tires, slack and low geometry, low gearing, or flared bars, making them better suited for gravel riding and racing than cyclocross tracks. Trek is among the few brands selling a race-ready ‘cross bike.

Trek built the Boone 5 around an OCLV carbon frame, the same as raced by the Baloise Trek Lions professional squad to several World Cup wins. Our testing of the $2,800 Boone (1,870-gram, size 58cm) frameset found the frame‘s IsoSpeed rear damper helps take the edge off across frozen ruts and rough roots when racing cross while also giving the bike added capability (with slick tires) as an all-day bike for riding rough pavement or dirt roads.

The complete bike Boone 5 model is equipped with SRAM’s wide-range Apex XPLR 11-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and tubeless-ready wheels. At $4,000, this Trek is a great starting point for aspiring cyclocross racers or riders looking for a solid all-arounder. — T.S.

BEST ELECTRIC GRAVEL

The biggest benefit of e-bikes is their ability to take more people to more places. And Canyon’s Grizl:ON turns that to the maximum.

The Grizl:ON starts with the basic underpinnings of a solid gravel bike—slack geometry, flared handlebar, and slightly knobby tires—but Canyon fortifies it with Bosch’s latest motor, RockShox Rudy suspension fork, and integrated Lupine lighting. This transforms the Grizl:ON into an adventure-ready dropbar machine suitable for gravel, light trail riding, bikepacking, or commuting.

Canyon packs its product line with models for almost every possible cycling niche, and sometimes use cases for those bikes bleed into one another. The brand has two main gravel bike platforms, one biased towards fast-paced gravel riding and racing (Grail) and the other platform (Grizl) leans into adventure and rugged terrain. Both have e-bike variants.

Canyon Grizl:On

The differences between the electric versions of the Grail and Grizl are muddier. Despite having a suspension fork, the new Grizl:ON is the lighter weight of the two bikes (by over 2 pounds). This is due to Canyon’s use of the lighter Bosch Performance Line SX Sprint motor and 400 Wh battery for the Grizl:ON. While the Grail:ON’s has 30 Nm additional torque and a 100 Wh larger battery, it only has slightly more claimed range.

After spending a bit of time riding and racing the non-electric Griz, I was excited to check out the ON version. Canyon always puts together great-value bikes, and the Grizl:ON is no exception—the bike is solidly equipped throughout. While the Grizl:ON doesn’t use the latest 12-speed Shimano GRX , the 11-speed GRX RX812/RX600 components reliably handle shifting and braking duties. And the new Bosch motor is a good match for the bike (not feeling like a full-power e-MTB set-up). The only knock against the Grizl:ON is the standard 60mm stem. Make sure you account for this when selecting your size as Canyon doesn’t yet offer longer lengths. — T.S.

More of the Best Bikes of the Year:

Road | mountain | commuter.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.  

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. 

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Best entry-level gravel bikes- Versatile options to head off-road

The best entry-level gravel bikes will give you a taste of cycling's hottest trend

What to look for in an entry-level gravel bike

The best entry-level gravel bikes will allow you to get a taste of adventure cycling without the commitment required to go out and buy one of the best gravel bikes .

Our picks aren't necessarily the lowest priced - for that check out our pick of the best budget gravel bikes - but they are gravel bikes that will allow you to tackle the range of challenges that gravel riding presents, from bikepacking adventures to gravel bike racing or just exploring off the beaten road closer to home.

We've also selected entry-level gravel bikes that you could upgrade relatively easily. That often means prioritising a quality frame, sometimes with a lower spec, where adding a set of the b est gravel cycling wheels , for example, can make a discernable difference to performance.

We've got some other upgrade suggestions in our buyer's guide lower down this page, but first here's our pick of the best entry-level gravel bikes.

The best entry-level gravel bikes available today

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Cannondale Topstone 2

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Cannondale offers tons of options under the Topstone name badge and has recently updated the alloy Topstone with dropped seatstays and increased tyre clearance.

The alloy frame lacks the rear suspension of the Topstone Carbon , not to mention the full suspension of the Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 but it gains a lower entry price point and all-around usability. 

1x drivetrains are excellent choices but if you feel like you'd rather stick with a 2x setup the Topstone 2 provides an option with a wide, low-gear range. Shimano GRX400 gets you hydraulic disc brakes and a 10-speed drivetrain specifically designed for gravel riding. The Topstone 1 upgrades this to an 11-speed GRX groupset.

Cannondale was one of the pioneers of aluminium frame building. The CAAD line of aluminium race frames is often considered the very best of what's possible in an aluminium frame. The Topstone uses all that expertise but rather than an ultra-aggressive race frame it's a gravel-friendly endurance design with Cannondale's OutFront geometry, designed for stability. It's a design that's equally happy on-road and off.

Canyon Grail 7

At the top end of Canyon's aluminium Grail range, the Grail 7 is equipped with a carbon fork and Shimano GRX RX810 11-speed drivetrain with matching hydraulic disc brakes. Rolling on DT Swiss Gravel LN wheels wrapped in Continental Terra Trail rubber, this bike has an excellent spec that will have you catching the gravel bug in no time.

The addition of Canyon's SP0043 VCLS CF carbon seat post enables the rear end of the bike to soak up some of the terrain chatter and smooth out the ride, while the aluminium HB 0063 handlebar keeps the cockpit simple and minimal.

Pairing a 46/30 chainset with an 11-34 cassette, the Grail 7 can spin up almost any gradient you're likely to encounter as a beginner gravel cyclist, which not only makes the ride much more enjoyable but gives you a bonus confidence boost as well. It's important to have a bike that feels capable, and that's exactly what you'll get from the Grail 7.

Liv Devote Advanced 2

For women who find unisex frames tend to be a little too long or tall for them, the Liv Devote offers a great solution. Created for women by women, using body geometry data from women only, the Devote is the first gravel bike of its kind.

While the Devote is available in a slightly cheaper aluminium range, the Devote Advanced offers excellent value for money, as well as an incredibly confidence-inspiring ride. Fully kitted out in Shimano GRX components (mixing elements of the 400, 600 and 800 series), this bike is ready for whatever you decide to throw at it, whether it's backcountry bikepacking or cross-continental gravel racing.

What's more, the entire Devote Advanced range covers all build options, so if you want something more race-oriented, the top-end Advanced Pro comes stock with the SRAM Force AXS electronic groupset, whereas for those more drawn to singletrack and technical descents, the Advanced 1 comes kitted out with a dropper seat post.

Check out our review of the similar Liv Devote Advanced Pro for more detail.

Vitus Substance CRS-1

The Vitus Substance gravel bike is available in an array of builds and with an alloy frame. But we particularly like this carbon framed model, which is specced out with a Sram Apex 1x 11-speed groupset with a 40T chain ring and 11-42T cassette, giving a wide gear range.

This model rolls on 650b wheels with 47mm Maxxis Rambler tyres, although the Substance is available with 700c wheel models as well. We reckon that the 650b wheel spec is a great option if you want to dip your toe into bikepacking. It's also good to put more rubber on the ground if you want to ride more gnarly trails or plan to go long off-road. You can add a dropper post if things are likely to get properly technical.

Focus Atlas 6.8

Our expert review:

Focus' first foray into gravel came in the shape of the Atlas 6.8 and rather than going fully radical, the brand created a smooth-riding and easy-cruising off-roader that offers true versatility and all-around capabilities.

It's distinctly comfortable, with reassuring handling and delivering a standout smooth ride, all for a really good price. The many mounting fixtures mean you can load it up with as much as you need for a bikepacking trip out in the wilderness, plus it's compatible with a front suspension fork and dropper post, should you wish to take it off on much gnarlier trails.

If you’re not at the stage where you need the lightest, fastest ride, then you'll find the Atlas 6.8 to be a tough, versatile, future-proofed and fun all-rounder.

Check out our review of the Focus Atlas 6.8 for more information.

Rondo Ruut AL2

Rondo offers the Ruut in just about every configuration you could think of. A titanium frame, a carbon frame, a steel frame, and this aluminium frame are all available options. There are also multiple build options within those frame choices and if you want to later switch to a 650B wheel, that's a choice as well.

All purchase choices aside, the stand-out feature is the adjustable fork. If you are looking to tackle rowdy singletrack and need to be more upright with greater stability that's an option. If, instead, you decide you want to get low and racy, just adjust the rake of the fork. The second setting gives steeper angles, a smaller trail and a lower riding position and it's relatively easy to switch between the two.

VAAST A/1 650b Rival

Magnesium is kind of a mythical frame material. It's lighter than titanium or aluminium, it has a natural dampening flex similar to titanium or steel, and it's cheaper than carbon. It's one of those materials always right around the corner but never quite on the market.

VAAST has made it work with an alloy from ALLITE and paired it with an impressive build kit. Choose the 650b option and it's paired with a Sram Rival 1x groupset, big 650x47 tyres, and a threaded bottom bracket that won't ever creak.

You might not have ever heard of the VAAST brand but its part of the same parent company as Niner bikes. United Wheels Limited ships more than five million bicycles a year. The brand is new but there's plenty of experience behind it.

Evil Bikes Chamois Hagar GRX

Evil Bikes is a company known for mountain bikes. When it decided to enter the drop-bar gravel bike market the company took what it knew about mountain bikes and reapplied it. Modern mountain bikes are long and low to add stability no matter how rough the terrain is.

This is definitely a bike that skews heavily towards off-road riding. The huge tyre clearance and stable and slack geometry design show Evil's prowess loud and proud. It might not ever be the best on-road option but that doesn't mean it's not versatile. There are more than enough bottle mounts for bikepacking or endurance racing and nothing says you can't run smaller tyres. Feeling stable is also going to be a big plus for anyone new to off-road riding.

Co-op Cycles ADV 2.3

REI is an American company that's an outdoor pursuits generalist, but it has always been a bike shop to some extent with a number of name brands stocked. It also sells its own range of Co-op Cycles bikes across a range of categories from hybrids to electric bikes, as well as gravel bikes.

The ADV 2.3 is an adventure-minded all-around bike that's well-specced at a good price. The dropper post will help with the rowdy single track while the 11-speed Shimano GRX groupset, hydraulic brakes, 40mm WTB Nano tyres and 700c wheels make it workable on or off-road. REI offers great after-sales care and the ADV 2.3 is pretty much the definition of a modern do-everything bike.

Ribble CGR AL

The CGR in the Ribble CGR AL bikes name stands for cross, gravel, and road. That versatility speaks to exactly what a first gravel bike should be. You might not know exactly what you want to do on a gravel bike but it doesn't matter – if you spend some time on the road getting to gravel you won't get left behind.

If you want to enter a few cyclocross races you won't need a different bike. Or if you want to spend hours in the mountains on forest roads then this bike will do it. All you've got to do is pick the best gravel tyres for the ride and you are set. There are even plenty of mounts for mudguards should you find yourself commuting in the winter or getting out in the mud.

Choosing your first gravel bike can be a bit daunting since there are so many choices out there with a multitude of decisions to make. Here are the key things to consider, which should help you narrow down your options.

Are all gravel bikes the same?

Gravel bikes are increasingly divergent, so it's worth considering what you might want to use your entry-level gravel bike for.

At the pointy end of the gravel bike market are gravel race bikes. These will offer a little more tyre clearance than the best road bikes, although, with the ever-increasing space between the stays of road bikes, even that isn't a given.

But a gravel race bike will have a more stable geometry than a road bike, for a less edgy ride. It will also seat you in a more comfortable ride position, as gravel races are typically over long distances.

At the other end of the spectrum are gravel bikes designed for bikepacking. They'll usually have very wide tyre clearance, and low gearing and will often be equipped with 650b wheels for a more comfortable ride when loaded up.

Should I buy something specific or versatile?

When buying an entry-level gravel bike, it's common not to have a deep understanding of the type of gravel riding you'll prefer. You're new to this after all. So if you're not sure what you're going to want to do on your gravel bike, it's worth looking for a bike that can handle a range of duties from bikepacking and racing through to setting up with mudguards and a rack for commuting. 

Most entry-level gravel bikes are designed to handle all of the above, but it's worth checking that you can mount everything you might need if you're contemplating trying bikepacking. Likewise, make sure that there's plenty of tyre clearance if you might want to try out more challenging terrain. If where you live gets muddy over the winter, extra clearance may also help keep you rolling more easily and avoid mud accumulation on your frame.

What wheel size is best for my first gravel bike?

Start looking for a gravel bike and it won't take long before you find yourself presented with a choice of wheel size. When it comes to the best road bikes it's almost unheard of to find anything other than 700c wheels. Start looking at off-road frames and there's a lot more variability. 650b, also sometimes referred to as 27.5-inch wheels, are a common option and some frames work with both options. How do you decide which is best for you?

The simplest breakdown is that a 700c wheel is more desirable for less technical riding and a 650b wheel works better for rougher riding. It's actually much more nuanced, and less critical than that might sound but that's an easy place to start. You can do a lot to fine-tune your set-up by choosing the best gravel tyres for the type of riding and the conditions you expect.

If your riding is likely going to include long stretches of paved riding to get to the off-road riding then 700c is a better choice. If your off-road riding is going to mostly be well-graded unpaved roads or smooth trails 700c is again going to be a good choice. If you think your riding will be a bit more adventurous, a 650b wheel package is a better choice.

The overall diameter of the wheel and tyre combined affects the handling of a bike and the design of the frame. Making room for a big tyre and wheel means a longer frame and less manoeuvrability. One way that frame builders solve this design challenge is to switch to a 650b wheel and tyre combination. With the wheel size reduced the tyre can be bigger to make up the same external diameter. A larger tyre footprint gives more traction in loose dirt or mud. A larger tyre also has more air volume and allows for lower pressure. Lower pressure adds comfort over rougher roads or when travelling loaded up for bikepacking.

Whichever direction you go at the beginning it's okay to change your mind later. Many modern gravel bikes support both 650b and 700c and making a change only requires a new set of wheels and tyres. Even if you can't change wheels, or don't want to, whatever wheel size you have isn't going to hold you back. There are advantages to each but if you want to use 650b wheels on a road ride, or 700c wheels on chunky gravel, tyres are an easy change to make.

What material should my first gravel bike be made from?

The vast majority of bike frames, gravel or otherwise, use carbon or aluminium for the frame. To a lesser extent, you can also find titanium or steel frames on the market and we've highlighted the unique magnesium alloy Vaast above. Like wheel size, each material has advantages but their downsides won't hold you back.

The least common options are steel and titanium. Steel was at one point the only option for bike frames but as lighter, stiffer, options became available steel nearly disappeared. In today's world steel and titanium find their place mostly with small custom builders.

Both metals flex in a predictable fashion and those who know how to take advantage of that can tune a frame. Titanium is lighter but it's also more expensive and harder to work with. Steel is an excellent choice if you plan to be in remote areas of the world. It's heavier but it's easy to work with and any craftsman who can weld an axle can fix a broken steel frame.

For most people, the choice is going to be between aluminium and carbon. Aluminium is less expensive and is often looked at as the inferior option. That's a mistake in general but especially in the gravel world.

The main advantage of carbon frames is weight and tunability. Carbon is a much lighter material than any metal but it's the tunability that makes it special. Using different types of carbon, thickness, and directionality of the weave changes the stiffness. With this in mind, a manufacturer can add, or remove, flex anywhere in a frame.

Aluminium is less labour-intensive, which saves money, but is also less tunable. Like all metals, it's more difficult to change stiffness in only one area of a tube. Aluminium carries a reputation for harshness but a quality modern aluminium frame is a joy to ride. There are also some advantages to aluminium for gravel. A layer of sand that works its way under a frame bag can rub through the paint on an aluminium frame. If it's carbon it can actually rub through the frame itself. Don't be afraid to choose aluminium and save some money for other aspects of the build.

How many chainrings is best for my first gravel bike?

Commonly you will see this referred to as 1x or 2x but call it what you want, it refers to how many gears you have available. 1x11 for example would mean 11 total gears while 2x11 would be 22. More is not always better though so it's not a clear-cut decision, as there's overlap between the gear ratios on the two rings in a 22-speed set-up, so the actual discrete number of gear ratios you get may not be many more than with a single ring, although you may have smaller jumps between them mid-range.

The primary argument in favour of 1x gearing is simplicity. Many people will tell you it's less weight and less to break but in use those are minimal concerns. What you will notice, on every ride, if you choose a 1x drivetrain is the simplicity of not worrying about the front chainring. 

If you want easier gear, move up the cassette and if you need harder move down. It's especially handy when the riding gets rough and you've got a lot going on. Sounds pretty good, so why would anyone ever choose 2x?

The extra gears available with 2x make it easier to find the perfect gear. Two chainrings in the front allow for both more range and less space between gears. Mud clogging can be exacerbated by a front derailleur though, which can stop working properly if this gets really bad.

Bikepackers who need exceptionally easy gear ratios for carrying supplies up steep grades often want 2x, or even 3x, to find enough range. Fast riders who spend a lot of time racing might also want to optimise cadence with a 2x setup.

Why not choose the lowest priced entry-level gravel bike?

At the cheaper end of the market, gravel bikes often come equipped with road-going groupsets. These may not give you the gear range to tackle off-road steep sections, so you might find yourself walking sections that a bike with a lower-ratio gravel groupset would let you ride.

Likewise, cheaper gravel bikes might have cable operated mechanical rather than hydraulic disc brakes. You'll also get lower-spec wheels and tyres may not be tubeless-ready. Tubeless is pretty much essential for gravel riding, to lower the risk of punctures and eliminate pinch flats.

So the cheapest gravel bike isn't necessarily the best entry-level gravel bike option; you want a bike that does the gravel bike basics well but that you'll be able to live with and potentially upgrade as you get more into gravel riding.

The challenge is that when starting out it's hard to justify spending a lot of money on something you aren't yet sure you'll enjoy enough. Is gravel riding going to be a lifelong passion worthy of spending serious money on, or a fleeting hobby not worth the big investment? Are you going to gravitate more towards gravel racing or bikepacking? Or maybe you'll end up preferring singletrack you can only barely handle on a drop-bar bike. You won't know until you spend some time trying things out.

So when we talk about the best entry-level gravel bikes here, it isn't all about cost - in fact, there's a good chance you can bag one of the best gravel bikes, where we've not made cost a primary consideration, at a really good price point. 

Of course, price matters but try not to make it the only goal; instead, try to focus your search on versatility. As you gain more experience with gravel cycling , you'll be able to look for a more niche bike that matches your interests, but in the beginning, look for an all-rounder that can work for whatever you want to try. If you stay flexible, that first bike won't hold you back.

Of course, if the price is more of a priority for you, then be sure to check out our list of the best budget gravel bikes, or our guide to the best gravel bikes under £2000 .

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Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx

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Best electric gravel bikes in 2024: 9 gravel ebikes rated and reviewed

How to choose an electric gravel bike

Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Paul Norman

The best electric gravel bikes combine two of cycling's hottest trends. The mix of gravel riding with electric bikes gives you the off-road capability of the former and the extra power of the latter to up your gravel enjoyment while getting the benefits of riding an electric bike .

Like the best electric mountain bikes , electric gravel bikes make a lot of sense for climbing off-road, particularly if your gravel riding regularly takes you onto steep, sketchy surfaces.

Having a motor to help on the climbs makes them a lot easier to tackle, while, on the way back down, there’s little downside to the extra weight of the motor and battery.

As with any electric bike, electric bike laws dictate an ebike motor's assistance will be limited to speeds below 15mph / 25kph in the UK, EU and Australia, and 20mph in the US.

For more advice on what to look for in an electric gravel bike, including the different types of motors available, our full buyer’s guide is at the bottom of this article .

But if you'd rather stick to paved surfaces, check out our guide to the best electric road bikes .

Otherwise, here are the best electric gravel bikes, as reviewed by BikeRadar's expert testers.

You can also head to our pick of the best gravel bikes for our top-rated, non-assisted options, and our guide to the best women's road and gravel bikes . If you're on a budget, we've got a round-up of the best cheap gravel bikes under £1,500.

The best electric gravel bikes in 2024, as rated by our expert testers

Gt grade amp.

• £2,900 / €3,200 as tested
• Alloy frame carries over non-powered Grade's responsive handling
• Quite a firm ride over rougher ground
• Weight: 14.8kg
• Motor: Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor

An aluminium frame powered by the Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor system forms the basis for the GT Grade Amp.

The geometry is carried over from the non-powered GT Grade Carbon , so the Grade Amp feels responsive despite its 14.8kg weight, even when ridden with the motor off.

We really like the shape of the Grade's slightly flared bars, but they're stiff, which in combination with a firm fork and the alloy frame, makes for a sapping ride over bumpy terrain.

The 42mm WTB Resolute gravel tyres help, though; they roll fast on the road, handle confidently on dry ground and cope okay in mud, making them good all-rounders.

3T Exploro RaceMax Boost

• £7,200 / $6,999 / €6,999 as tested
• Neatly integrated motor and battery
• Top-end chassis and build make for an expensive bike
• Weight: 12.5kg
• Motor: Mahle ebikemotion

Like the GT Grade Power Amp, the 3T Exploro RaceMax Boost features the Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor.

3T has even found room to fit the battery into the Exploro's frame without any mods to the pedal-powered bike, which means not only does it look smart, but the geometry is carried over, too.

The motor, in combination with the generously low gears (thanks to the 40t chainring and 11-42t cassette) and 12.5kg weight, makes even 20 per cent off-road gradients rideable.

The RaceMax Boost is kitted out with wide, aero 3T carbon wheels, with differential front and rear depths, and 35mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M tyres that roll fast on-road, but hang on well off-road, too.

This is an expensive option, though, and the forward-facing charging port on the bottom bracket is prone to collecting dirt.

• Read our full 3T Exploro RaceMax Boost review

Cairn BRAVe 1.0

• £2,789 / $3,632 / €3,334 as tested
• Huge off-road capability
• Heavy going on the road
• Weight: 18.9kg
• Motor: Shimano Steps E7000

The Cairn BRAVe is an electric gravel bike that borders on electric mountain bike territory, thanks to its powerful Shimano Steps E7000 mid-mounted motor and massive 2.35in tyres.

Whereas Cairn's E-Adventure uses the subtler Fazua motor, the Shimano motor here jacks things up, with up to 70Nm of torque.

It's a genre-defying bike – and while the weight and chunky tyres may hold you back on the road, if you want a drop-bar bike for seriously rugged off-road riding, the Cairn BRAVe fits the mould.

• Read our full Cairn BRAVe 1.0 review

Cairn E-Adventure 1.0

• £2,989 / $4,149 / €3,800 as tested
• Updated geometry gives great stability in the rough
• Quality build with 650b option available
• Weight: 16kg
• Motor: Fazua

This latest iteration of the Cairn E-Adventure, updated from the original 2018 bike , gets shortened seatstays and a sloping top tube to make it easier to manoeuvre on tight or technical trails.

The E-Adventure is powered by a Fazua motor, with a top-tube controller instead of a bar-mounted unit.

With Cairn coming from the same stable as Hunt wheels , there's naturally a good set of hoops for the job. We'd have preferred grippier tyres, though, because the Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres are inadequate when things aren't, well, dry.

There's a version of the Cairn with 650b wheels and a dropper post if you're after more off-road grunt.

• Read our full Cairn E-Adventure 1.0 review

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 1 Lefty

• £8,000 / $9,500 / €8,999 as tested
• Hugely competent off-road
• We'd expect better bars and possibly a dropper for the price
• Weight: 17.8kg
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX

With 30mm of suspension front and rear, thanks to its single-leg Lefty Oliver fork and Kingpin rear linkage, the Topstone Neo offers bags of comfort when you hit the rough stuff.

It has serious grunt too, with an 85Nm Bosch motor paired to a 500Wh battery, which should get you up anything you might encounter.

There’s top-drawer kit on the bike as well, with a SRAM eTap AXS electronic groupset in a mullet configuration, combining SRAM Force road components and SRAM Eagle mountain bike parts.

That gives a massive range of gearing, thanks to the 42-tooth road chainring and 10-50t MTB cassette.

It’s an expensive proposition though, and given the Topstone's full-suspension intentions, it wouldn't be a stretch to expect a dropper post and better handlebars at this price.

The Topstone Neo has now been joined by the Topstone Neo SL , with a lower-powered Mahle ebikemotion motor, alloy frame and cheaper price.

• Read our full Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 1 Lefty review

Canyon Grail:ON CF 7

• £4,599 / €4,999 / $5,699 as tested
• High-powered assistance, enjoyable ride
• Impractical dual-level bar
• Weight: 16.6kg
• Motor: Bosch

The Canyon Grail:ON CF 7 is brilliant fun to ride on technical terrain. Its 50mm-wide Schwalbe G-One Bite tyres are grippy and fast. The compliance from the VCLS seatpost boosts the comfort the tyres provide.

In addition, the Bosch motor is potent enough to help you up sheer, gravel-strewn inclines at higher levels of assistance, such as its Turbo mode. In more economical modes, the 500Wh PowerTube battery managed 140 off-road kilometres in testing.

However, the double-decker Hover bar is difficult to fit bags, bike computers and bike lights to.

• Read our full Canyon Grail:ON CF 7 review

Giant Revolt E

• £4,999 / AU$7,999 as tested
• 53mm max tyre clearance
• Integrated ebike system
• Weight: 18.17kg
• Motor: Shimano

Despite the similar name, the Giant Revolt E is not quite an electrified version of our 2022 Bike of the Year winner , the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0.

Geometry is slacker and longer, but remains relatively racy, which keeps the Revolt E 's handling agile. Cushioning from seatpost, saddle and handlebars makes the Revolt E comfortable on bumpy stuff.

The Shimano EP8 mountain bike motor delivers a massive 85Nm of torque and compensates for the bike's bulk, propelling you up vertiginous slopes regardless of the surface.

Range is also impressive for a bike of this weight. Our tester eked out nearly 120km and 2,000m of elevation.

• Read our full Giant Revolt E review

Trek Domane LT

• £7,800 / $9,250 / €8,000 as tested
• Space for 38mm rubber
• Front and rear IsoSpeed for off-road comfort
• Weight: 13.8kg

Okay, so it's not technically a gravel bike, rather an electric road bike, but the Trek Domane LT has the space for 38mm-wide rubber, so there's the potential to kit it out to head off-road, although you'll want to swap out the 32mm tyres fitted, as we found out.

The front and rear IsoSpeed system makes for a comfortable ride over lighter gravel. The Fazua motor system means the bike has shed weight from the original electrified Domane too and is removable, so you can also ride the bike unassisted.

With a road-going 50/34t chainset and 11-34t cassette, you don't have the great range of an all-in gravel bike, but that's where the motor comes in to help you out, while Shimano Ultegra Di2 gives you consistent shifting in tricky conditions.

• Read our full Trek Domane LT 7 review

Vitus E-Substance Carbon

• £4,000 / $5,000 / €4,700 as tested
• 650b wheels with wide tyres give plenty of grip
• Large gear range and sporty handling make for good progress off-road
• Weight: 14.7kg

The E-Substance is built to ride fast whatever the terrain, with the same snappy handling as its pedal-powered sibling and 47mm tyres on 650b wheels.

Since it uses the mid-mounted Fazua motor system, you can swap out easily to run a standard 700c gravel wheelset as well. There's a big range of gears to tackle a wide variety of terrain.

Other finishing kit is well specced and the E-Substance handles a good mix of off-road conditions well, without being overpowered by the assistance. However, as you'd expect, the wide tyres and 650b wheels do roll a bit more slowly than 700c wheels and tyres on the road.

Also consider…

The following bikes scored fewer than four out of five stars in our testing, but are still worth considering.

Bianchi Impulso E-Allroad TRK

• Electric commuting bike with light-adventure potential
• Weight: 15.5kg

Another bike that isn't a gravel bike, but we've included it here because the Bianchi Impulso E-Allroad TRK has plenty of multi-terrain potential.

In this build, the Impulso is designed as an electric hybrid bike for cycling to work , but the E-Allroad chassis at its heart is designed with gravel riding in mind.

The bike has a slightly more upright riding position than the drop-bar gravel version, thanks to a tweaked cockpit design, while spec choices include SKS full-length mudguards, a rear rack and rear Lezyne lights powered by the Mahle X35 hub-based motor.

Should you wish to venture onto light off-road terrain, such as the towpath pictured above, there are Kenda Flintridge Sport 35c tyres.

Kinesis Range

• £3,550 as tested
• Good riding position, if a little firm
• Some tyre squirm from narrow rims
• Weight: 16.8kg

We rated the Kinesis Range's handling and comfortable ride position, although the rear is a little firm on rough terrain.

It's well equipped, but we would have preferred wider wheel rims and more compliant tyres with less squirm when we dropped the pressure.

The Range is another electric gravel bike powered along by the popular Fazua Evation motor. It's a bit on the heavy side at 16.8kg though, so we had to run the motor on its highest output, which ate through the battery and limited range.

Buyer's guide to electric gravel bikes: what to look out for

Electric gravel bike motors explained.

Almost all electric gravel bikes are powered by either a rear-hub motor design or a ‘mid-drive’ motor.

The rear-hub motor systems tend to be the lighter option in terms of both the weight and the assistance they offer, making them a great option for road-based sports bikes. Rear hub motors are also often used on the best electric hybrid bikes and some electric folding bikes .

The mid-drive system positions the motor unit in the bottom-bracket area, and it’s connected directly to the cranks.

Having the weight of the electric bike motor lower and more centrally located in the bike delivers better handling, and provides greater torque and smoother traction – all useful off-road.

With that in mind, gravel bike motors tend to come in one of two flavours.

On the one hand, like electric road bikes, you’ll find smaller, low-profile units from brands such as Mahle ebikemotion (rear-hub) and Fazua (mid-mounted).

Although they put out 250 watts, they have quite low torque figures of 40Nm and 60Nm respectively. That results in a subtler, more progressive level of assistance, though they may lack a little grunt for tougher off-road endeavours.

Other electric gravel bikes come with a higher torque figure – up to 90Nm – and use units from the likes of Bosch, which you’ll also often see on electric mountain bikes.

That really helps you crest steep, technical inclines, particularly if you’re loaded up for bikepacking , but the motor will be larger, heavier and more intrusive, and it will be a lot more obvious that you’re riding an electric bike .

Which type of setup works for you will depend on where you’re riding, what you’re carrying and how much help you want.

Electric gravel bike batteries explained

Lower speeds, and more ups and downs, are likely to drain your battery more quickly on an electric gravel bike, compared to an electric road bike, so plenty of battery capacity is a must.

Whereas road ebikes favour lower weight over all-out range, the opposite is likely to be true for a gravel ebike.

As a result, on electric gravel bikes with more powerful motors you’re likely to see beefier batteries with capacities nearer to 500Wh, rather than the 250Wh or so of a road ebike.

For many riders, that might be overkill. So, as with their motors, other gravel ebikes will come with a smaller in-built battery and may have the option to add an external range-extender battery. This sits on the frame, often in a bottle cage, and may almost double the available range.

For most electric gravel bikes, it’s an optional accessory though. Also, it won’t be a cheap upgrade and it will block up one of your bottle cages, so load-carrying capacity is reduced.

Electric gravel bike controls explained

Electric bike motors offer a range of modes, with power output to match – from 'eco' for maximum mileage to 'turbo' for ultimate power and torque.

Most ebikes have controls on the handlebar or top tube, and some have LCD screens, which makes it easier to switch between modes, monitor battery life and see your speed and mileage. You'll up your range if you switch to lower-output modes on flatter terrain, saving the highest outputs for steeper climbs, so easy access to the controller is useful and a bar-mounted switch is a better bet here.

If you want to ride an electric bike for fitness , you will get more of a workout in lower-powered modes while also extending range.

Some systems also now offer Bluetooth connectivity and phone apps to track your heart rate and other data, so think about getting a quality bike phone mount to make the most of the data.

Electric gravel bike wheels and tyres

Having a well-built set of gravel bike wheels and grippy gravel bike tyres with plenty of volume is vital on an electric gravel bike, given the rough terrain a bike like this is designed for, along with the torque produced by the motor.

With the extra weight of the motor and battery, you’ll be adding several kilos to the bike’s weight, so you need the tyre grip for handling and the wheel strength to deal with the extra torque coming from the motor.

As with any gravel bike, the frame clearance for wide tyres (with additional mud clearance) will be important.

Be prepared to swap out tyres for something more aggressive if the going is particularly bad, or for a lighter tread if you’re doing more road riding and taking on lighter trails.

While most gravel bikes have 700c wheels, smaller-diameter 650b wheels are an option if you want to increase your tyre volume.

That can help add grip and smooth out the terrain, which can be particularly useful with the extra weight and power of an ebike.

As with all gravel bikes, tubeless tyres have huge benefits too, helping to stave off punctures and allowing you to run lower tyre pressures for improved off-road grip and comfort.

Electric gravel bike drivetrains

If you’re riding off-road, you need the all-terrain features that have made gravel bikes so popular. That starts with low enough gearing to deal with steeper climbs.

Most non-assisted bikes now have drivetrains that go below 1:1 in terms of gravel bike gearing , with a super-compact 48/32t (or similar) crankset paired with a wide-ranging cassette .

A 1x drivetrain is also a popular option, keeping things simple by using a single chainring (with no front derailleur ) and, once again, a wide-ranging cassette to provide a big spread of gears suitable for a variety of terrain.

Even if you’ve got a motor to help, you’ll want plenty of low-gear options. Most motors work better if you’re climbing seated than if you’re riding out of the saddle too, because your power delivery is smoother and it’s easier for the electronics to match. You may find the power delivery from the motor is jerky if you’re standing to climb.

Single-ring drivetrains are very popular on gravel bikes, for their simplicity and lower weight, paired with ample range. It’s something you’re likely to find on many electric gravel bikes too.

On higher-spec bikes, you may get electronic shifting, either from SRAM’s 12-speed eTap AXS or from Shimano GRX 815 Di2 . Their slick gear changes work well with a motorised system and you’re less likely to experience a mis-shift than with cable-operated derailleurs. They also usually require less maintenance than a cable operated groupset.

A mullet build with a SRAM eTap AXS Eagle rear derailleur borrowed from its MTB range will come with a really wide-range cassette, while the SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide option is designed to give space for wider tyre clearance up front, while still giving the option to run a double chainset. You can read more on gravel bike setup in our in-depth guide.

Bolts and bosses

As with any gravel bike, the versatility to take on a range of adventures will be important.

Expect to see features such as rack and mudguard mounting points, and bolts to fit a top-tube bag.

Mounts for a third bottle cage under the down tube are also the norm. They’ll be particularly important if you decide you need a range-extender battery, because you’ll lose one of the two in-frame mounts.

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Gravel's newest star Torbjørn Røed leaves road behind with Unbound in mind

Torbjørn Røed emerged on the US road racing scene in 2022 when he began to post a number of results with a Canadian Continental-level team and a collegiate programme. The next year he surged to the forefront on gravel, winning Belgian Waffle Ride Kansas and Big Sugar Gravel, and now people know how to pronounce his name, sort of.

Røed won a stage at the Tour of the Gila for the small Yoeleo Test Team p/b 4MindProject and finished third overall two years ago. Later in 2022 he would accumulate five gold medals across three disciples at US collegiate nationals riding for Colorado Mesa University, including the road race national title. He also added a fifth overall at the UCI 2.2 Joe Martin Stage Race. 

In 2023 Røed finished third overall at Tour of the Gila and was third in the mountains classification at Tour of Norway, riding for the Norwegian national team. His name began to pop up in gravel results, such as third at Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona, third place, and FNCL GRVL, 13th.

Who was the Norwegian rider, nicknamed Toby for easy English pronunciation? He answered that question rather emphatically with the BWR Kansas and Big Sugar victories, and getting noticed by the Life Time Grand Prix . 

“I think that one [Big Sugar Gravel] did the trick,” he said about getting noticed and landing an invitation to race the Grand Prix off-road series in 2024; his application was not accepted in 2023. 

“I think the biggest thing for me was definitely that I did gravel races. Before last year, I haven't done a single gravel race, and I hadn't done any of the marathon mountain bike races, either. 

“Even though I had skills from both sides, I think just doing some of the events is very important. They seem to look at their own events results first. And then of course, winning one of their events is very, very helpful.”

To start his gravel schedule this year, Røed finished third at Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona and then won The Mid South gravel race, taking the sprint from a six-rider lead group after 100 miles of racing on the red dirt of Oklahoma. With a fifth place at the BWR Utah race, he is now in second place in the men’s standings, eight points behind Tripel Crown leader Peter Stetina. The decisive third round of the Tripel Crown is Sunday at BWR California, where the top riders in the Waffle-length races will battle for a share in the $25,500 prize purse.

“It’s one of the spring objectives, for sure, and preferably in the top three overall,” he told Cyclingnews . 

While Røed returned to a week of road racing at Redlands Bicycle Classic, earning a pair of top 10s as a guest rider for Above and Beyond Cancer Cycling Team, he has used extra time in southern California to recon the BWR course and get his new setup with the Trek Driftless team dailled in. 

His teammates on the Trek Driftless off-road team are Russell Finsterwald, Haley Smith and Paige Onweller. The team aspect of gravel racing has generated momentum from the earlier days of only ‘privateers’, and Røed was looking forward to the new adventure, especially since all four are in the Life Time Grand Prix .

“I think it's really good strength to have Russell. I definitely come from a stronger road background, so I might know more tactics. But he knows pretty much all the gravel races and mountain bike races that we're doing this year. It's really good to have our combined experiences and then we'll be able to make a really good plan,” he said about riding with a rider like Finsterwald who comes from a mountain bike background and is one of the veterans in Grand Prix races. 

The Norwegian moved to the US when he was 20 years old, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Eivind Andreas Røed, who also attended Colorado Mesa to race mountain bikes. A visit to see his brother in the small town of Grand Junction was his first trip to the US, and it made a big impression. He now uses Colorado as his home base, and the elevation is a key to his success on gravel.

“It was a place that I was looking for. I wanted mountains. I wanted to be able to ride 365 days a year. It's just a beautiful area for anything you want to do outside. You can go skiing all winter, and you can also ride in town the same day,” Røed said, who grew up racing cross-country MTB as a youth in Norway. He picked up track and some cyclocross while in college.

“I do love the adventure aspect and you're able to like do both road and trails, just kind of go out there and don't worry too much about the surface. You'll you'll get through it.”

Once the Tripel Crown of Gravel is decided this weekend, Røed turns his attention to the Life Time Grand Prix. At the series opener at Sea Otter Classic’s Fuego XL 100k, he endured a few falls and a late puncture to finish 14th overall, and 11th among the series competitors. His full attention is on a first appearance at Unbound Gravel 200 on June 1.

“I was invited to race Tour of Norway with the national team at the end of May, but I ended up declining that because it's so close to Unbound. That’s a big target for me.”

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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