Gravel & Cyclocross Bikes

What is a gravel bike?

A gravel bike is the perfect mix of a road bike, cyclo-cross bike and mountain bike.

And because a gravel bike takes elements of all 3 types of bikes above, its one super-power is versatility.

Because gravel bikes can be used on paved roads, rail trails and light off-road tracks.

Our customers use gravel bikes for general fitness, commuting into work, touring and bike packing.

Key features of a gravel bike

The most important feature of a gravel is frame geometry. We'll cover more of this next. For now, to summarise:

Compared to a road and cyclo-cross bike, a gravel bike places its rider in a position that's more upright. This position is more forgiving for longer rides.

It also means new riders who are not conditioned to riding can get comfortable on a gravel bike quickly.

Depending on the gravel bike, tyre width varies from 35mm to 45mm wide. Properly designed frames are designed to accommodate slightly wider tyres if you prefer to spend more time off-road.

Like road bikes, gravel bikes use similar drop-bars.

However, unlike road bikes, drop-bars used on gravel bikes are wider. The extra width delivers more stability on unstable surfaces

Frames can also carry more stuff.

Multiple mounts around the frame allow riders to mount mudguards, water bottles, pannier racks and pannier bags.

Gravel bike gear ratios

Gear ratios on gravel bikes have been tuned to handle steep inclines. This wide range ratio allows riders to climb serious gradients easier.

Plus, gravel bikes can come with either a:

Single front chainring (called a 1-by or 1x)
Double chainring (called a 2x)

A 1x setup is simpler. There's no front derailleur, gear shifter or cables.

The downside is riders are a little limited in gear selection.

A 2x setup gives the rider more range to accommodate almost any gradient.

As a simple consideration:

If you're spending time riding flatter with undulating paths and want an easier gear to climb with, then we'd suggest the 2x setup.

For riders who are spending more time off-road, the 1x setup makes sense because you don't need to focus on front gear shifts.

Rather, you can be concentrating on your line choice, terrain and body position.

Gravel bike geometry (and handling)

Compared with their road bike cousins, gravel bikes use very different angles. The angles and lengths a frame uses is collectively called bike geometry.

Important: bike geometry determines handling.

And in this case, the handling of gravel bikes has been designed for calm steering, stability at high speed and confidence on unstable surfaces (think loose dirt and gravel).

What is a gravel bike good for?

The purpose of a gravel bike is to open up where you can ride efficiently.

Efficiently, is the keyword here.

Because:

A mountain bike can go anywhere a gravel bike can.

So why not just buy a MTB instead?

Because unless you've got serious sustainable power in your legs, the mountain requires a lot more energy to move.

There's way too much rolling resistance.

A lot of our customers use gravel bikes for commuting and general fitness.

Gravel bikes are also robust.

Not just from a frame design but also the gears.

Shimano and SRAM use tech borrowed from their mountain biking components to improve the durability of gravel bike gearing components.

Can I ride a gravel bike as a road bike?

Yes, under these conditions:

Your gravel bike has a 2 front gears.
Your gravel bike doesn't have super wide rims.

If you don't have 2 front gears, you're going to very quickly reach top speed.

And if your rims are wider than normal, then you're restricted to how narrow of a tyre you can fit.

For example:

Most gravel bikes use a 21-25mm internal rim width (with a 38mm wide tyre).

For road riding, you can go down to a 28mm wide tyre.

What makes a gravel bike different?

Let's compare gravel bikes to a road bike.

These are the key differences:

Gravel bikes have lazier steering. Sounds bad but it's actually good. On unstable surfaces this is going to help you steer.
On road, this same steering make the front end of gravel bikes really stable and predictable; less nervous and twitchy.
Gravel bikes are also lower to the ground.
Gravel bikes also have a longer rear end.
The lower frame and the longer back end deliver superb stability; producing a hug-the-ground, solid feel.

Not all gravel bikes are the same.

Like with most things in life, the devil is in the details.

And so not all gravel bikes are built to handle the same.

Yes, they have the same overall theory of stability and control but it's the nuances.

For example, take these 2 gravel bikes:

Giant Revolt
Orbea Terra

The Revolt is going to be little more stable at high speed but compared to the Terra, the front end handling is a touch more reactive.

Orbea's Terra will suit road riders or those transitioning off an aggressive mountain bike.

Because:

The Terra has a shorter back end that delivers power faster. And the front end handling is a slightly more stable on rough surfaces.

It's almost the perfect mix of fun, responsive and stability.

FiltersFilter & Sort

What is a gravel bike?

Key features of a gravel bike

Gravel bike gear ratios

Gravel bike geometry (and handling)

What is a gravel bike good for?

Can I ride a gravel bike as a road bike?

What makes a gravel bike different?

Not all gravel bikes are the same.

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