Gravel Bikes: Popular Manufacturers and Selection Tips

Nowadays, bicycles are no longer just fun. For many people, this is often used and beloved transport, and for cyclists, it’s the main part of life. Choosing the right bike is a crucial decision. Each variety and model has its own characteristics, the main thing is that the owner feel as comfortable as possible on a bicycle.

In this article, we will take a closer look at such a variety as gravel bicycles. In recent years, they are rapidly gaining popularity, and many buyers are increasingly paying attention to such models as the most fashionable and modern.

Here we will tell you about the main advantages of gravel bikes, the best models and their manufacturers today, as well as what to look for when choosing a bike.

Gravel bike was created for the so-called gravel races and has incorporated all the best from many other varieties. However, in our country this type of cycling is not very common. Therefore, the appropriate bikes are not particularly suitable for Russian cyclists. But lovers are increasingly paying attention to gravel bicycles, since for the price of one bike they get several opportunities at once.

Adaptability is the word that characterizes the main feature of a gravel bike. Their owners can easily move around their hometown daily, and then go on a long trip on their bike.

Comfort of movement is ensured by large tires and special geometry with a large angle of inclination of the head pipe. Of course, gravel bikes were not pioneers in this area. They were created on the basis of an older variety, which also solved the issue of cross-country movement. These were road bikes. Nonetheless the gravel type turned out to be better in many aspects, mainly due to larger tires.

A kind of gravel bike has a whole a number of significant advantages that made it so popular among bike lovers.

• Multifunctionality - These bikes can be called all-terrain vehicles from the world of bikes. They were created on the basis of bicycle ergometers and cycle crosses, incorporating all the best from these varieties.
• Design - It includes such important components as disc brakes and a frame with a large clearance for installing tires. Thick tires provide movement on various types of surfaces and easily overcome obstacles.
• Compact and manoeuvrable - gravel bike makes it easy to move along busy city streets, maneuvering between pedestrians and vehicles, and also feels great on narrow roads.
• Reliability - gravel bikes are highly durable and able to travel long distances.
• Comfort of movement - the presence of a short suspension travel provides the best adhesion force of the wheels to the surface.

Of course, gravel tales also have their drawbacks, but most of them are more likely subjective. Everyone will decide what does not suit him in a particular model. But these disadvantages will be insignificant. In general, the disadvantages can be attributed to the unsuitability of such bicycles for sports cycling, as well as the external similarity with reinforced road bikes, because of which they can be easily confused when buying. And how to avoid this, we will tell a little later.

If you decide to purchase a gravel bike, you should give preference to well-known trusted brands. In most cases, their cost does not differ in availability, but such is the price for reliability and comfort. Especially for you, we have prepared a rating of the best gravel bikes from leading manufacturers. However, we did not begin to distribute the models in places, since each of them has its own advantages and deserves attention.

• Giant revolt - Includes aluminum frame and 50 mm tires. This allows the bike to move easily even through dirt. This model is usually equipped with a carbon fork with disc brakes and a wide steering column. The cost of Revolt bikes starts from 50 thousand rubles.

• Specialized diverge - A model released in 2015 that allows you to install tires up to 35 mm wide. Such a gravel bike is more likely for more even roads. But all the bikes are equipped with mud flaps, mounts for racks and anti-vibration inserts. The frame is aluminum and carbon, which affects the cost. The current price of bicycles starts at 70 thousand rubles.

• GT Grade AL 105 - a series that saw the light in the same year as the previous model. In many ways similar to her. Carbon or aluminum frames and tires up to 35 mm wide. The hallmark of the GT Grade is its flexibility. It is provided by individual elements integrated in the frame and plug. The cost is approximately 92 thousand rubles.

• Cannondale Topstone SE 105 - a real monster among the "gravel", which appeared in 2019. Combines the best qualities of road and mountain bikes. It has an aluminum frame, cone steering cup and disc brakes.However, the cost may seem quite high - from 127 thousand rubles and above.

• Raleigh Mustang Elite Is the best gravel model from Raleigh. It was released in 2016. The aluminum frame of this bike has a double docking, which allows it to easily move not only on smooth roads, but also on bumpy off-road. If you like to travel around the wild, be sure to pay attention to this model. But for it you will have to pay at least 87 thousand rubles.

• Surly Straggler - the manufacturer characterizes it as a multifunctional bike of increased strength. In general, this is a standard gravel bike, and its distinctive feature is an unusual design, which can both attract a buyer and scare him away. But it does not affect convenience. Today, the price of a bicycle is approximately 111 thousand rubles.

• Raaleigh rocker pro - Another gravel model from Raleigh, but this time more expensive. A bicycle will cost you 180 thousand rubles. Many experts argue that the model is worth the money, as it is very convenient, moves well on any type of surface and at the same time maintains a high uniform speed. The tire width is 35 mm, the bike is equipped with disc brakes and a reliable transmission.

• Niner RLT 9 - a bike with longer feathers and a head angle. The maximum tire width is 45 mm. Niner was previously a well-known manufacturer of exclusively mountain bikes, but recently decided to expand its range with a gravel variety. The cost of this model starts from 175 thousand rubles.

• Shad stoater - One of the two most expensive models in our ranking. It costs more than 235 thousand rubles. The manufacturer claims that the bike provides maximum riding comfort in all conditions. The model is suitable for both daily movement around the city, and for long trips over rough terrain. The frame and fork are made of steel, the maximum tire width is 45 mm, there are mounts for racks and mud flaps.

• Jamis Renegade Elite - Another expensive bike, but slightly cheaper than the previous one, from 207 thousand rubles. The multifunctional bike has a carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, mudguards and rack mounts. Maximum tire width 40 mm. The model is known for its low weight. Available in 5 variants, differing in configuration and, accordingly, cost.

Nonetheless this is only a small part of worthy bicycles of this type. It is likely that you will find cheaper or more practical models that are not in our top.

If we consider the functions and design of gravel bicycles, they will be located between the road type and cyclocross. Because of this, an amateur cyclist can easily confuse these varieties. To prevent this from happening, we will tell you what to look for when choosing.

For gravel bikes, it should be slightly heavier than for other types in order to successfully carry luggage during long trips. For its manufacture, aluminum or carbon is most often used. As well as the frames of "gravel" should be equipped with various mounts to accommodate luggage and wings against dirt.

Their geometry is different - the pipes are located at a smaller angle than the pipes of other bicycles. This provides a more stable control, as well as a vertical position of the rider.

Another element that distinguishes gravel bikes from bike bikes. If on the latter there are classic 46/36 stars and medium-sized cassettes, then on gravel ones - 50/34 stars with a larger cassette. However, you always have the right to establish more suitable configurations for you than experienced travelers often use.

For good adhesion to various types of surfaces, they should be wider than standard tires, i.e. more than 33 mm. Often manufacturers produce gravel bikes with tubeless wheels, which eliminates the unpleasant possibility of tire puncture. In this case, the wheels have reduced pressure.

Type of disc brakes appeared in 2010, which was a serious impetus for the appearance of a variety of gravel bicycles. They are all equipped only disc brakes, since only their strength is able to provide the necessary stability in various types of weather.

Now you know what to look for first when buying a bike that can drive anywhere.

More information on gravel bikes awaits you in the video below.