28/09/2023
What is a gravel bike?
A gravel bike is a drop-bar bike designed to enable you to ride over many different surfaces.
The drop handlebar and sporty geometry mean you can make good progress on the road – but, with wider tyres, lower gearing and stable handling, you can also head off-road with confidence.
Riding a bike designed for multi-terrain excursions means you can link together gravel routes in new ways, taking in sections of gravel roads, forest tracks, trails, byways and bridlepaths. Or you can load up your gravel bike with camping kit for a multi-day bikepacking adventure.
Like any bike category, a gravel bike from one manufacturer can look very different from another. That’s, even more, the case here, with some gravel machines pitched more towards road speed and light off-road riding, and others bearing more resemblance to mountain bikes.
Choosing the right gravel bike for you depends on the type of riding you have planned. So let’s take a closer look at the design features that define the typical gravel bike.
Gravel bike frame material
Like most other bikes, gravel bikes are made from a variety of frame materials. The most common options are aluminium and carbon.
Aluminium is affordable, durable and relatively lightweight, making it a good material for a budget gravel bike under$1,000 or a gravel bike under $2,500.
A carbon frame is typically lighter than an aluminium chassis. Carbon can also be engineered to fine-tune stiffness and comfort, and can offer more opportunities for aerodynamic tube shapes (yes, you can get aero gravel bikes).
