Gravel bikes have become more popular recently, thanks to their versatility. They are great for everyday riding but are capable of allowing riders to mix up their rides by tacking rough terrain.

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So What Is A Gravel Bike?

A gravel bike looks a bit like a road bike with its drop bars, but its wide tires, low gearing, and stable handling give it the off-road capability of some mountain bikes.

The idea of a gravel bike is so you can take on routes with multiple types of terrain. They’re ideal for riding on gravel roads, forest tracks, and trails. Therefore, many gravel bike riders load them with camping gear for multi-day bike packing adventures.

Gravel bikes can look very different between manufacturers. This is because they can be biased towards on-road or off-road performance. The ones designed for off-road riding are closer to mountain bikes with their geometry, gearing, tire choice, and components.

Therefore, if you fancy a gravel bike, you must consider what type of riding you want before buying.

Let’s take a look at gravel bikes in more detail.

Frame Material And Geometry

Like regular mountain bikes, most gravel bikes are made from aluminum or carbon. Aluminum is light and stiff but less expensive than carbon. But the extra price of carbon frames gives you even less weight, more stiffness, and better vibration damping.

Even though a gravel bike may look like a road bike at first glance, its geometry makes it more stable on rough surfaces. The upright riding position, longer head tube, and short reach make them comfortable on long rides.

If you just want to occasionally ride a gravel bike off-road, choose one with similar geometry figures to an endurance road bike. However, if you plan on riding primarily off-road, choose one with chunky wheels and lower and slacker frame geometry.

Wheels And Tires

Gravel bikes have 650b and 700c wheels, but the larger size is the most popular due to their efficiency and smoother ride quality. However, 650b wheels can accommodate wider tires, improving grip when riding off-road.

Your tire choice will depend on the terrain you ride. If you ride dry and mellow trails, you’ll get away with tires with less aggressive tread patterns. However, muddy trails require more chunky patterns to cut into the dirt.

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Disc Brakes

You’ll find that most decent mountain bikes now have disc brakes, and it’s the same story for gravel bikes. Disc brakes offer excellent stopping power and a consistent feel on any surface. These benefits are more pronounced when your bike is fitted with hydraulic disc brakes, giving you more control when off-road riding.

Gravel Bike Gearing

Like most modern mountain bikes, gravel bikes come with either 1X or 2X drivetrains. 1x drivetrains have one chainring at the front, which is better for rough terrain, as you stand less chance of dropping your chain, and there’s less to go wrong.

1X drivetrains can give you as much range or more, depending on the rear cassette size.

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