Comparison: The 10 best 2022 Gravel Bikes on the market
The Gravel Bike is a bike halfway between the road bike, the travel bike and the cyclo-cross bike. It borrows some specificities from each discipline to become a versatile bike.
The Gravel Bike will allow you to ride on different playgrounds, from the road to the paths and whatever your practice (competition, velotaf, travel). It is an all-purpose bike, equally at home on a road trip in the Cantal or on the track leading to the Col du Portet. The Gravel Bike differs from a road bike in that it has a comfort-oriented geometry, wider tyres, the possibility of attaching luggage racks and an adapted transmission with a gear ratio between road and mountain bike.
As a new practice, the Gravel Bike is constantly innovating, with brands coming up with new bikes every year. To help you in your quest, we have selected 10 Gravel bikes to accompany you on your adventures.
Top 10 best Gravel Bikes
| Gravel BMC URS LT TWO | Gravel Trek Checkpoint SL 7 | Gravel BH GravelX | Gravel Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 | Gravel Fuji Carbon 1.3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price incl. VAT | €5,999 | €5,999 | €1,599.90 | €3,799 | €1,599 |
| Transmission | Sram Gx Eagle AXS 12v | SRAM Force eTap AXS 12v | SRAM Rival 1x11v | Shimano GRX 800 1x11v | SRAM Apex 1 11v |
| Frame/Fork | Carbon | Carbon | Aluminium/Carbon | Carbon/Lefty | Aluminium/Carbon |
| Weight (kg) | 10 | 8.9 | NC | NC | 10.58 |
| Tyres | WTB Raddler, 700x40 mm | Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 700x40c | Hutchinson Overide 700x38c | WTB Venture TCS 650bx47c | WTB Raddler TCS Light, 700 x 40c |
| Brake | Disc | Disc | Disc | Disc | Disc |
| Gravel Cervelo Aspero | Gravel Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 | Gravel Cannondale Topstone 1 | Gravel KONA LIBRE | Gravel Kona Rove | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price incl. VAT | €3,399 | €2,299 | €2,199 | €2,099 | €1,199 |
| Transmission | Sram Apex 1x11v | Shimano GRX RX810 11v | Shimano GRX 800 2x11v | Sram Apex 1x11v | Shimano Sora 2x9v |
| Frame/Fork | Carbon/Carbon | Aluminium/Carbon | Aluminium/Carbon | Aluminium/Carbon | Aluminium/Aluminium |
| Weight (kg) | NC | 10.17 | NC | NC | NC |
| Tyres | Panaracer Gravel King SK Sport 700 x 38 | Bontrager GR1 Comp 700x40C | WTB Riddler, TCS Light, tubeless ready, 700 x 37c | WTB Riddler TCS 700x45c | WTB Venture TCS Dual, 650x47c |
| Brake | Disc | Disc | Disc | Disc | Disc |
Why a Gravel Bike
It's simple: with the Gravel Bike, you can do anything! Taking roads, paths, trails... Walking through the woods and over a mountain pass, enjoying nature to the fullest by venturing onto paths without fear of not being able to continue.
The notion of adventure and the exploration of new places are an integral part of the concept, taking advantage of the landscapes, getting lost... If there is anything to remember about this discipline it is this: freedom!
With this in mind, brands have developed adapted bikes, capable of combining the advantages of a road bike and a mountain bike. These include the American brand Cannondale, who designed the Topstone range to combine comfort, speed and stability. The geometry of the Topstone frames is unique to the range (we're getting closer to a cyclocross bike) and the latter are designed to accommodate luggage racks and mudguards. There's also more clearance to allow you to fit wider tyres for the off-road parts.
Having fun behind the handlebars of your Gravel Bike
You don't need big elevations to have fun. The Gravel Bike is therefore not reserved for residents of the Alps, the Pyrenees or the Jura. All you need to do is discover the paths, tracks and forests near your home to enjoy your Gravel Bike.
The important thing in gravel biking is to have fun, whether it's uphill or downhill (or even on the flat). Set yourself goals during your rides to push your limits and progress in Gravel Bike. Don't forget that the Gravel is above all a community spirit with a lot of exchange and sharing.
In short
The choice of your Gravel Bike will depend on several factors (practicality, budget, transmission, etc.). The transmission is an element not to be neglected in your choice, just like the braking. If today all Gravel Bikes are equipped with disc brakes, it is advisable to opt for a more reactive hydraulic (versus mechanical) braking system.
The big brands like Trek, Kona, Cannondale, BMC, Cube and specialists like Rondo, 3T etc. offer a wide range of Gravel for all practices.
