A gravel bike is a modern type of bicycle that is ideal for a variety of surfaces. If you spend a lot of time on changing surfaces, the gravel bike offers extra grip thanks to its adapted wheels.

A gravel bike is not only different from other bikes, but also has features that are mainly found in this category of bike. As we have seen, gravel bikes are very versatile. This then results in specific requirements that a gravel bike should meet and characterize.

frame and material

Gravel bikes always use the so-called trapezoidal frame, usually in the classic form or with a slightly lowered top tube. The materials used to build the frame ultimately determine the price of the bike. Aluminum and carbon or a mixture of both materials are widely used, for example where the frame is made of aluminum but the fork is made of carbon. Carbon frames are generally lighter, but more expensive and somewhat more sensitive than aluminum. Because carbon allows more flex than aluminum, the frames are often perceived as more comfortable.

In recent years, steel has also experienced a kind of renaissance in frame construction and is now used in gravel bikes, among other things. Steel and aluminum are considered very robust and therefore ideal for bikes that you want to demand a lot from.

handlebars

The handlebars are a defining feature of a gravel bike's appearance. However, it's less about the look than about the tangible advantages that a racing bike handlebar, also known as a drop bar or bar, offers, such as the various possible grip positions. On long rides, you don't want your hands to go numb and a firm grip is required off-road. A wide handlebar is ideal for this, which on gravel bikes is usually between 440 and 460 millimeters.

By the way, a wide handlebar also makes it easier to attach handlebar bags. Gravel bikes also tend to have handlebars with drops pointing slightly outwards. This is called drop flare and widens the lower grip position of the handlebar. This gives you better control over the bike, especially on rough terrain.

Another aspect concerns the reach of the handlebars, i.e. how far forward the brake/shift levers are positioned. In order to sit stretched out on the bike, the reach must be large enough. Because a comfortable sitting position is more important on a gravel bike, the reach should be smaller.

However, the seating position is also influenced by other factors and can be adjusted, among other things, by the length of the stem. The handlebars on the gravel bike are made of either aluminum or carbon. Carbon handlebars have more flexibility and are able to compensate for light impacts. This ensures more comfort and is particularly noticeable on longer rides.

Tires

Finding the right tire is almost a science these days. Wider tires are a key feature of gravel bikes and are crucial for their wide range of applications. The frames are built so that tire widths of up to 50 millimeters are possible. The range of gravel tires on offer ranges from 33 millimeters to 50 millimeters. Gravel bikes typically use 40 millimeter wide tires with profile on the edges for grip on rough terrain and a smoother tread that also allows for faster riding.

This type of tire is called semi-slick and is available in a variety of versions. Almost all gravel bikes can now be operated tubeless, i.e. without an additional tube. This significantly increases puncture resistance, especially when riding off-road with lower air pressure.

pedals

Similar to racing bikes, gravel bikes are offered without pedals. Accordingly, the whole range of possible pedals can be used depending on preference. The first fundamental question is the system, i.e. either clipless pedals or flat pedals.

If you use your gravel bike mainly for everyday use, you should choose flat pedals. Clickies are a good option for sportier use. Pure road bike pedals are usually only the second best choice, especially because the road bike shoes that go with them are not suitable for walking. This is why so-called SPD pedals, which are also used on mountain bikes, are usually used on gravel bikes. Their advantage is the right mountain bike shoe with a profile, where the click mechanism is anchored in the sole and therefore does not interfere with walking.

components

When it comes to gears and brakes, gravel bikes also have a few special features that are less common on racing bikes. This starts with the brakes, which usually consist of a hydraulic disc brake. Cheaper bikes sometimes have mechanical disc brakes. This provides greater braking power while also being more comfortable to use.

The entire range of available models is possible when it comes to gears. In practice, however, many gravel bikes are equipped with mono-gear systems (Shimano or Sram) that use only one chainring. These allow for an equally wide range of gears, but have fewer intermediate gears. In recent years, the new gravel group from Shimano (GRX) has been increasingly used. It is available in various versions, similar to the 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace road bike groups. Its advantage is the wide range of uses expected of a gravel bike. It must be able to handle steep sections off-road as well as fast descents on asphalt roads.

Accordingly, the GRX offers a wide range of gear ratios with an 11-34 cassette and one or two chainrings. The group also allows for easy shifting over three gears. On steep off-road sections, this can make the difference between continuing to ride or having to push. With the robust design of the rear derailleur, chain snapping is a thing of the past and the group can even withstand a fall. The large non-slip handles on the cockpit ensure safe handling on any surface.

Gravel bikes are derived from cyclo-crass bikes. This means they are suitable for different types of terrain and are also easy to ride on gravel. Dirty roads, gravel or rough paths are no problem with this bike.

Gravel bikes are true all-rounders and can be ridden on straight roads at high speeds or on rough terrain. Unlike a mountain bike, the bikes have round handlebars.

The name itself provides a first clue. Gravel means nothing other than gravel. This already roughly outlines the area of ​​application. Further clues are provided by the history and origin. In the early years of cycling, when asphalt roads were still rare, racing bikes had to cope with rough surfaces.

Wide tires and a robust construction, usually made of steel, were the norm. Over time, the roads improved, new materials such as aluminum conquered the bicycle world and made it possible to build lighter and faster racing bikes.

However, classic racing bikes quickly reach their limits when they are not used on paved roads. This is an experience that many cyclists in the USA have who live away from major urban areas and do not just want to pedal on the highway. On endless gravel roads, high demands are placed on the rider and equipment. Mountain bikes were usually used for this, but as cycling races on unpaved roads became more popular, the desire for more speed on the bumpy roads also grew.

One of the oldest and most famous gravel races is Unbound Gravel, formerly Dirty Kanza. Thousands of participants race over 200 miles of gravel roads and dirt tracks through the rural regions of Kansas. Many consider the race to be the breeding ground for today's gravel bikes. The truth is probably a bit more complicated, as off-road racing bikes were already being ridden over a hundred years ago.

Today's trend can certainly be traced back to the cycling scene in the USA and is closely linked to the name Tom Ritchey, legendary frame builder and one of the co-inventors of the mountain bike.

While many bike enthusiasts today follow the n+1 rule, meaning you can never have enough bikes, Ritchey was clear that you only need one bike, and that it has to fit the conditions you usually ride in. This approach already seems to provide a definition for the gravel bike.

Some call it an all-rounder, others a jack of all trades. One thing is certain: a gravel bike should enable fast, comfortable and long rides on rough terrain. On the one hand, this provides a clear picture, but on the other hand, it allows for a wide range of interpretations.

What does a gravel bike have to do with a road bike?

If you think a gravel bike is a racing bike with wide tires, you are not quite right, but you are not wrong either. Sure, it looks like a racing bike at first glance, but it also has features that are rarely found on racing bikes. The most striking feature of the similarity is the downward-curved racing handlebar, also called a bar. This is also, besides the usual trapezoidal frame, the only obvious similarity with a classic road racing bike orAero BikeIt has the same frame geometry as the more comfortable Endurance bike. Gravel bikes are often offered with full equipment, such as lights and mudguards, and are then more like a Randonneur. These bikes are mainly used for long-distance races, the so-called Brevets or Marathons.

However, one category of racing bike is particularly similar to gravel bikes: cyclocrossers. These are usually used in autumn and winter for lap races on muddy or sandy surfaces, where obstacles must be overcome along the way. Cyclocrossers are very similar to racing bikes because they are also designed for performance, but have 32 millimeter wide, coarse-tread tires according to the UCI standard. With the gravel bikes and cyclocrossers available on the market, the transitions are sometimes only noticeable in nuances, usually in the possibility of using even wider tires.

Some manufacturers have taken inspiration from themountain bikeThis is reflected, for example, in the slightly different frame geometry with a significantly lowered top tube.

The big advantage of a gravel bike is that it allows you to ride safely and stably on field, forest and gravel paths. If you like to be sporty and go on tours away from paved roads, this bike is a great choice.

The first encounter with a gravel bike often triggers the reflex: I have to have that! But before you immediately pull out your credit card, you should clarify a few questions. As with other bikes, the frame size is the most important thing. The rule is to choose a frame that is a little smaller than too big. The reason is simple: a smaller frame can be adjusted to the right body size, while a frame that is too big cannot. For the right frame size, it is not just body size that is relevant, but also inseam, and also the length of the upper body and the length of the arms.

Basically, the size should be chosen so that you can comfortably spend longer periods on the bike. A shorter setting makes for a more maneuverable bike and a more upright sitting position. Alternatively, a longer setting makes for smoother running and a more stretched sitting position. Basically, the frame geometry of a gravel bike is designed for a more upright sitting position.

Once you have found the right frame size, it's time to decide on the intended use. Gravel bikes can be used for everyday use, for cycling trips or exclusively for sporty rides. Each purpose requires a few special features that should be taken into account when buying. If the gravel bike is used for everyday use, it should have mudguards and lights installed. If, on the other hand, the focus is more on touring, there should be enough options to attach luggage and water bottles.

For a more sporty setting, however, the focus should be on the frame geometry and weight. When buying, the aspects that should be considered first are those that cannot be changed later. This definitely includes the geometry and material of the frame, but also the attachment options that are permanently attached to the frame. Components such as lights and mudguards, on the other hand, can be easily retrofitted.

Finding the right tire usually takes some time spent with the bike. Preferences develop over time. When buying, it is important to choose a frame that allows for the widest possible range of tire sizes. The right choice of gear group should also be made when buying. Individual components or entire groups can be replaced later, but there are natural limits. For example, a front derailleur cannot be retrofitted to a carbon frame. The decision to only use one chainring must then be kept. All other components such as the pedals, saddle or stem can be selected according to personal preferences and subsequently adjusted.

If you are riding a gravel bike, you can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h. Of course, the decisive factors here are the surface, the weather and the gradient of the route.

Yes, gravel bikes usually have a frame geometry that allows a more upright sitting position. Unlike performance-oriented racing bikes, gravel bikes are designed for comfort. Even if the values often only change by a few centimeters or millimeters, they have a serious influence on the riding characteristics. The most noticeable differences include a significantly longer chainstay, a longer head tube and a slightly higher bottom bracket. This extends the wheelbase, the sitting position becomes more upright and the ground clearance is higher. In addition, gravel bikes usually have little or no seat elevation, so the sitting position is less low and stretched out than on a racing bike.

This depends on the materials used. Gravel bikes are generally a little heavier than comparable racing bikes, and carbon is lighter than aluminum and steel. For gravel bikes that are built lightly, you can expect them to weigh around 8 kilograms, but the average is probably around 10 to 11 kilograms. Then there is the equipment, which can add a few extra kilograms depending on the setting, for example for bikepacking.

Inexpensive entry-level models are available from around 1,500 euros. However, you have to make significant compromises at this price, for example in terms of weight and the components used. The mid-range with hydraulic disc brakes and, for example, the GRX group from Shimano starts at around 2,500 euros.

For a well-equipped gravel bike with a carbon frame, however, you will have to put at least 3,000 euros on the table. Of course, the prices are only rough guidelines and cover the respective entry-level price. As is well known, there is no upper limit. So you can easily spend 5,000 euros or more on a gravel bike.

Absolutely. Even if the seating position seems unusual at first, gravel bikes have long since established themselves as everyday bikes and are already available in numerous versions equipped for this purpose. In addition to mudguards and lights, a luggage rack can also be attached to most gravel bikes.

Most gravel bikes are equipped with 28-inch wheels or 700c, but 27.5-inch wheels or 650b are also being used more and more often. The differences are mainly evident in the tire width and the possible area of application. While 700c tires are more likely to be used for widths between 34 and 42 millimeters, wider tires of up to 55 millimeters are used on 650b tires.

Gravel bikes, which are mainly used for fast riding on smooth asphalt or gravel, should use narrower 700c tires. For predominantly off-road use, the wider 650b tires are ideal, and can also be used with even lower air pressure.

Even if a gravel bike looks like a racing bike, the same top speeds are unlikely to be achieved. How fast you can actually ride depends on the gear ratio you choose, the aerodynamic resistance, the rolling resistance and, last but not least, your own muscle power.

In principle, you can reach higher average speeds on longer tours with a gravel bike than with a classic touring bike. However, because speed alone contradicts the nature of a gravel bike, this aspect can be neglected. For speed junkies, the aero bike is the better choice.

In any case, you could also say that the gravel bike is predestined for cycling tours, especially when it comes to so-called bikepacking, i.e. riding with little luggage. There are now a variety of bags for the frame, handlebars and saddle available on the market, with which a gravel bike can be transformed into a touring bike in just a few minutes.

Due to the wide range of uses of a gravel bike, there are hardly any limits to the destinations you can visit. A scene has now developed in Germany that regularly organizes overnight or so-called self-catering races, which can sometimes last several weeks.

Yes, the trend towards e-bikes is not stopping at gravel bikes either, and there are now several models on the market. The basic idea and purpose of an e-gravel bike is no different from that of models without electrical support.

However, there are a few differences that are mainly due to the drive. For example, the battery and motor have to be accommodated on the bike without restricting the attachment options for bikepacking bags, for example. This can affect the frame geometry and the handling characteristics. Overall, the weight of the bike is increased by the drive and the more stable frame. Around six to eight kilograms must then be taken into account. And the price of an e-gravel bike is also significantly higher.