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What are Gravel Bikes, Let us explain

Bike Chaser News

CycleFans Publisher

Friday, 10 April 2020

In this article we take a look at Gravel Bikes. Everyone is talking about gravel these days and from our point of view, it’s not hard to see why; so what are gravel bikes? Well allow us to take you on a journey to understand what a Gravel Bike really is, what makes them different and why they are here to stay.

Regardless of where your from you would have easy access to plenty of unpaved service roads or basic gravel that you could tackle on your roadie. The problem is these surfaces wreak havoc with your standard roadie headset, wheels and can shake you into unconsciousness, and lets not even consider if you encounter a slightly technical up or downhill section.

Enter the gravel bike

What is a Gravel Bike?

Gravel and all-road are terms used for this rapidly growing segment of the drop bar bikes. These bikes have generous tyre clearance and geometry that is more stable and forgiving than traditional road bikes.

As the name suggests, gravel bikes are primarily designed for gravel and fire roads. Gravel bikes are made to accommodate the luggage bike-packers need on their multi-day trips and come with rear/front rack attachment points.

Gravel bikes originated from the American Midwest, where racing on gravel roads took hold a decade ago and has steadily gained popularity. In the early days, riders tackled these endurance events on cyclocross bikes with the largest tyres that would fit.

Is a Cyclocross bike the same as a gravel bike?

Gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes do have a lot in common, however there are some key differences.

Cyclocross is a sport and the bikes are designed for racing. So what, well that will generally mean a lower and more aggressive riding position. Likely to have sharper steering and higher gearing. The tyre clearances aren’t as generous, since the UCI has a 33mm maximum rule for competition, you’re less likely to have mounts for mudguards and racks.

The benefits of a gravel bikes then rise to the surface, because gravel bikes aren’t restricted to racing they are designed to accommodate endurance type riding having less aggressive frames and overall will be more practical.

The Gravel vs. Cyclocross Bikes Debate

Clearly differentiating between cyclocross and gravel bikes can sometimes be tricky as they both feature a pretty similar design and components. However, both are optimized for different purposes. Gravel bikes (more comfortable) are for fun seekers who want a single bike for gravel/dirt and paved roads and want more storage options for multi-day trips. Cyclocross bike (prioritize speed) on the other hand are meant for competitive cyclocross events. They are not as comfortable as gravel bikes due to subtle differences in geometry and other components. Both these types of bikes are not as fast as road bikes on paved roads and not as comfortable as
mountain bikes on challenging terrains.

So Should You Buy a Gravel Bike?

Gravel bikes are meant for riders who want to explore challenging terrains that otherwise are not easily accessible with road bikes. However, these bikes are not as comfortable as full-suspension mountain bikes. This makes them unsuitable for the most challenging of terrains, which usually require enduro or downhill MTBs.

Gravel bikes are not designed for winning road championships, but they will provide a great balance between on/off road performance. Traditional road bikes are designed for on-road performance and mountain bikes for off-road adventures. Gravel bikes are a nice middle ground between them and prioritise stability and comfort over speed and rolling resistance. This makes them a great choice for recreational activities and exploration.

Some key differentiating factors of gravel bikes include: Designed for better endurance and a more comfortable upright sitting position Steadier and better control Allow using both 700C and wider 650b wheels Larger tire clearance of up to 47mm Most gravel bikes have attachment points for storage racks, hence the term bike-packing

Our Top 5 Gravel Bikes

2020 Giant Revolt Advanced

REVOLT ADVANCED 0

This high-performance all-rounder made a big splash with its 2018 debut, landing podium finishes at big-time gravel events including Grinduro and the unofficial “Gravel Worlds” in the U.S. The frame is integrated for disc brakes and has clearance for larger tires up to 45c so you can float through the rough stuff. Add in some clever frame details, including the X-Defender downtube protector and smart mount system for racks and accessories, and you have everything you need for your gravel adventures.