What Is A Gravel Bike?
You have probably heard of the newest bike segment called gravel. As with many bike types, the category can be very broad. Gravel bikes are a style of bike that is designed to be versatile on both paved and dirt roads. Gravel bikes blend into cyclocross, adventure, cross-country, even mountain biking. The multi-purpose vehicle of bikes, gravel bikes are made to handle well on rough roads, graded dirt, and even trails. Designed to be a bit sturdier than a regular road bike, gravel bikes can carry all your gear, handle difficult weather and still provide a sporty ride on the road. Snappier than a mountain bike. Light and fast like a road bike. Several attributes distinguish a gravel bike from other bikes.
Check out these hallmarks that define Gravel:
Wider Tires. Gravel frames can accommodate wider tires – many can handle up to 48c. Road bikes rarely can handle more than 32c. Wider tires allow the gravel bike to tackle rough roads, with greater traction and comfort. Most gravel bikes come with a 32c – 42c tire, sporting a small-block knobby tread. Many riders change the tire to suit their unique ride requirements – skinny for road and fat for dirt. Additionally, most wheelsets come equipped for a tubeless setup. Running tubeless lets you drop tire pressure, improve traction, and avoid many annoying punctures. (Side-note: punctures may not seal very well above 40psi. Anticipate running below maximum pressure after a puncture.)
Geometry. The way a gravel bike is designed improves stability and handling when the road surface gets tough. Compared to road bikes, gravel frames have a lower bottom bracket, slacker headtube angle, and longer wheelbase. These variations can be subtle but yield a very confidence-inspiring ride experience.
Brakes. Mud, rain, dirt, and steep descents challenge any braking system. Gravel bikes come equipped with disc brakes to meet the demanding challenges found when riding off-road. New brake designs have filled in this niche with compact and lightweight disc braking systems that perform well, even when stressed to their limits.
Versatility. Backcountry adventures require extra gear. Unlike road bikes, gravel bikes will typically come ready for fenders, racks, water bottle mounts, and sloping top tubes to accommodate more standover clearance and a lower center of gravity, improving balance when loaded.
Handlebars. Difficult riding surfaces require more turning leverage and a lower center of gravity. Gravel bikes come with wider handlebars, flared drops, and a slightly more compact cockpit. This yields greater control and stability. As well, some models come with flat bars, for a more MTB riding style.
Saddle. Generally, the saddle on a gravel bike is more like a mountain bike, with a shorter nose and greater variety in riding positions, compared to road bikes. Some gravel bikes anticipate the need to adjust seat height on the fly. Accordingly, you may find a dropper-style Seatpost on some models.
Gears. Typical for many bikes today, the trend is toward 1x drivetrains. Eliminating the front shifter saves weight and reduces complexity. You still get a wide range of gear choices and plenty of climbing power and a simplified shifting pattern. Road bikes, in comparison, need tall gears for rapid descents and low gears for long, steep climbs. Road bikes usually are 2x drivetrains to accommodate a much broader range of speeds. Mountian, on the other hand, focusses on slower speeds over more rugged terrain.
Suspension. Gravel frames are more forgiving. Some, like the Specialized Diverge and Creo, come with the Future Shock, front suspension. Having modest suspension on the front vastly improves comfort, but also maximizes handling and agility in the dirt. A few in this category have rear suspension, like the Cannondale Topstone and Topstone Neo, with Kingpin suspension. However, gravel bikes do not have long travel designs like mountain bikes, emphasizing improved pedal efficiency, compared to MTB.
Electric. Need a little boost? All gravel bikes are available in electric models. Gravel e-bikes are typically equipped with smaller motors and batteries, compared to urban e-bikes. This makes them lighter and more agile. Electric is a great choice to extend your ride and explore more, across a greater range of terrain, for the same effort. Completely adjustable power means you can still get a great workout and extend your fun. After all, there is nothing better than to get some help when you have to turn into the wind on the way home.
There is a continuum for the gravel segment. Some models lean toward road riding, while others are more robust, emphasizing rugged off-road use. Either way, there is a gravel bike that will likely suit your needs.
Copyright Randy Archer 2024
