The best gravel bikes cover a wide range of riding, although they all share some key similarities. Bigger tyres, stable geometry and a wide gear range balance off-road capability with a good turn of speed on-road too.
Although many gravel bikes are generalists, the genre is becoming increasingly divided. The spectrum ranges from fast gravel race bikes, which bring road bike-like speed to smoother gravel tracks, to bikes that will let you load up and head off on multi-day, off-grid adventures.
After extensive testing on gravel trails, singletrack and road, our top pick is the Canyon Grail CF SLX 8. That said, there are plenty more great options to choose from, and we have rounded up our pick of the best gravel bikes, no matter what type of gravel you subscribe to.
The gravel bikes covered in this guide can be ridden by men and women, however, if you are looking for a female-specific geometry or components, head over to our best women's gravel bike guide for more options.
While the bikes in this guide range from around £2,500 / $2,500 to upwards of five figures, we also have guides which cater to more affordable models. The best budget gravel bikes offer durability and reliability without hefty price tags, while the best entry-level gravel bikes feature our top picks for those new to gravel.
Read on for our pick of the best gravel bikes, or scroll down to the bottom of the page for our guide on different types of gravel bikes, tech and how to choose the best gravel bike for you.
Quick list: Best gravel bikes
Canyon Grail is an ultra-fast race bike, however, the sorted geometry gives a standout ride whether you're racing or just having fun around your local woods.
The SRAM-Red equipped S-Works Crux weighs in at 7.1kg. That's lower than many of the road bikes you'll see in the pro peloton, which, for a gravel bike, is incredible.
Ribble's Ultra Grit is a well specced fast gravel bike with 50mm tyre clearance and in-frame storage, available at a range of prices.
The Canyon Grizl ESC is a versatile gravel bike built for adventure with bikepacking bag mounts galore and comfort at the fore, with a suspension fork as an option. It's not a slouch, but it's geared towards adventure.
The Argon 18 Anti Matter is a fast, race-focused gravel bike that looks as good as it rides, with our wind tunnel testing backing up its impressive real-world performance.
Big 57mm tyre clearance and suspension make the Seigla capable of terrain that most other gravel bikes would struggle with.
See the next 2 bikes ↓
The Fairlight Secan 3.0 is a versatile steel gravel bike that's fast and nimble on smoother terrain while remaining impressively capable when the going gets rough.
Moots and its titanium frames have achieved almost legendary status. The RSL is the brand's raciest gravel bike option that can be tweaked to your requirements.
Best gravel bike overall
✅ You want a fast gravel bike: The aero tube profiles and efficient ride mean the Grail is fast on all terrain.
✅ You want impeccable handling: The Grail's geometry enhances grip and control for confident and controlled handling.
❌ You don't want proprietary features: A lot of the accessories, including the GPS mount, light mount, mudguards, aero extensions and on-bike storage, are specific to the Grail.
❌ You want huge tyre clearance: The 42mm clearance will satisfy most riders, but with trends going wider, this could be restrictive.
The Canyon Grail had a makeover in 2023, changing from the original all-rounder to a bike much more designed for gravel racing, which is 9.1 watts faster at 45kph than its predecessor.
The new Grail has the same aero tube profiles as the Ultimate road bike and the double-decker handlebars have been replaced by a new, more conventional design. The bars slope downward from the stem to the hoods, to place you lower. The reach has also increased and there's the option to fit bar extensions.
The Grail frame now has internal storage and Fidlock magnetic mounts for a frame bag and top tube bag. Tyre clearance has increased slightly to 42mm, although if we were to level any criticism at the Grail, we think the tyre clearance is a little restrictive based on current trends for bigger tyres.
Our Tech writer, Tom Wieckowski, tested the Grail and was impressed by the performance, as it feels fast on nearly all terrains. The ride is nimble and exciting, making it easy to change direction when doing things like climbing out of the saddle. On descents, the Grail is stable and adept in technical terrain, confidence-inspiring, and just downright fun. It's no slouch on the road or on quicker, smoother gravel sections, it doesn't feel a million miles away from a road bike, and the quicker wheels play their part in this by instantly responding to increases in power and effort.
We've selected the middle spec CF SLX frame here, but there are three tiers of Grail bikes to choose from.
Curious to find out more? Then read our in-depth review of the Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AX.
Best race gravel bike
✅ You want a bike that feels fast: Low weight, sharp handling and snappy acceleration encourage spirited riding.
✅ You want a super light gravel bike: The Crux is one of the lightest gravel-capable framesets available.
❌ You want an easily customisable bike: The integrated cockpit limits adjustability, and the frame is designed around 1x drivetrains only.
❌ You want a stable bike over rough surfaces: Racey geometry can feel nervous on challenging terrain.
The latest Specialized S-Works Crux has moved away from its cyclocross roots to become a dedicated gravel race bike, combining a lightweight frame with impressive aerodynamic performance.
It delivered one of the strongest showings in our wind tunnel testing, ranking second as a bike only and taking the top spot when tested with a rider.
At 7.1kg on our scales with SRAM Red XPLR and Roval Terra Aero CLX wheels (with builds starting from 6.9kg), it was a full kilo lighter than the other bikes on the podium. For comparison, the Argon 18 Anti Matter weighed 8.2kg in Force XPLR spec, while the Wilier Rave SLR ID2 came in at 8.1kg with Red XPLR.
The Crux also offers 55mm tyre clearance front and rear, matching its rivals for versatility. Josh gave it five stars, praising its combination of low weight, tyre clearance and aerodynamic performance.
The integrated cockpit and internal cable routing create a race-ready front end, although they may limit adjustability compared with a separate bar and stem setup. While aero-optimised gravel bikes will have an advantage at higher speeds, the Crux’s lightweight construction means it flies up the hills too.
You can read more about our experience with the Specialized S-Works Crux in our first ride impressions and our wind tunnel performance testing.
Best value gravel bike
✅ You want a fast, comfortable gravel bike: The Ultra Grit is racy and engaging to ride, both on road and off.
✅ You want a high-spec bike at a competitive price: Ribble has included all the modern gravel bike features, including 50mm tyre clearance and in-frame storage.
❌ You don't want to pay for extras: Ribble's in-frame storage bag and computer mount are extra-cost items, as are tape and tubes to set up the Vision wheels tubeless.
As with Canyon, Ribble offers race and adventure-focused gravel bikes, with the Ultra Grit designed for fast gravel rides and racing and the All Grit more of an all-rounder.
The Ultra Grit has aero features, internal cabling, top tube, under-down tube and mudguard mounts and in-frame storage, although you'll pay extra for the bag to fit, as well as Ribble's computer mount. You'll also need to buy your own rim tape and valves to set up the Vision wheels spec'd on the test bike to run tubeless.
Tom found the ride racy enough for road-only rides, but still with the chops to handle technical trails. There's plenty of comfort too on the specced 45mm tyres and the clearance to increase to 50mm width.
The high spec Ultra Grit, which Tom reviewed, is towards the top end of the range, but you can buy SRAM Rival or Apex XPLR AXS bikes if you're looking for something more affordable, and there's even a flat bar variant. For £300 you can upgrade to a Rockshox suspension fork and, as usual, Ribble lets you choose wheel and other upgrades, as well as your preferred handlebar and stem dimensions and custom colours.
Read our full Ribble Ultra Grit review for more details.
Best adventure gravel bike
✅ You want a very capable gravel bike: The Grizl's geometry inspired confidence on rough terrain, especially when fitted with 54mm tyres.
✅ You want to go bikepacking: Comfortable ride, built-in dynamo lights and all the mounts you could need make the Grizl a superb multi-day adventurer.
❌ You want a choice of mudguards: The Grizl is only compatible with Canyon's own proprietary mudguards.
❌ You want less complexity: Our review bike had issues with Eclips - a non-dynamo spec might be a better option if you don't need the built-in power.
The Canyon Grizl is the direct-to-consumer brand's do-everything-go-anywhere gravel bike that's designed to take on everything from epic gravel rides to laden exploration, covering a broad spectrum of terrain. This contrasts with the Canyon Grail, above, which majors on gravel racing, with a sideline in faster, lighter loaded adventure.
The Grizl’s update in 2025 saw the geometry made slacker, taller and longer. It also split the Grizl into two spec variants: the OG is most like its predecessor (it signifies Original Grizzler), while the ESC specs are aimed at bikepacking and longer rides.
Both include an option with Canyon's suspension fork and one with its Eclips dynamo-powered lighting. The ESC range also includes a handlebar with a central extended section to mount bags. There's also an alloy Grizl available.
At the launch in Girona, a challenging and very wet ride was a great first test for the bike.
I felt confident attacking a challenging, long and rocky descent on the bike, the latter stages in heavy rain. The bike was very stable in the drops on wide, fast sections but I could brake hard, change line quickly and get it through rocky, steep turns with confidence. Its off-road handling credentials are there.
On smoother asphalt, the bike still felt engaging and pleasant to ride, not too upright or boring. Canyon has struck a nice balance with the geo changes and hasn’t taken things too far in one direction.
All the framesets have plenty of mounts for accessories, including Anything Cage mounts of the fork that can carry up to 3kg on each side. However, be warned that the mudguard mounts are only compatible with Canyon's mudguards.
Our reviewer Tom is currently testing the Canyon Grizl ESC w/ ECLIPS, but has had issues with the Eclips electronics and has necessitated his test bike to be returned to Canyon for investigation. Only a couple of the Grizl's are equipped with Canyon's dynamo-powered lighting, so if you don't need the built-in lighting, there are alternative options.
Best aero gravel bike
✅ You want a super fast gravel bike: The Anti Matter is very fast on pretty much everything but rough off-road terrain.
✅ You want a good looking bike with a strong spec: The attractive frame design is complemented by a thoughtfully selected spec.
❌ You want maximum comfort on rougher terrain: The stiff frame and race-focused geometry can feel harsh over rougher terrain.
❌ You want a bike for bikepacking and adventures: There's no internal storage and the frame has limited mounting points for carrying luggage and accessories.
The Argon 18 Anti Matter is a striking race gravel bike with an aggressive aero-focused design, sharing plenty of DNA with Argon 18’s Nitrogen Pro road bike.
Our wind tunnel testing confirmed its aerodynamic credentials, with the Anti Matter finishing just behind the Specialized S-Works Crux 5 and Wilier Rave SLR, separated by only a couple of watts.
"The Anti Matter feels absolutely rocket-ship fast, particularly in faster gravel or off-road sections. Even on my first ride, I mouthed to myself ‘this is rapid’ on a fast and flowy dirt section", says tester Tom.
In terms of design, the bike possesses the features a top-end race bike needs. The Anti Matter has 55mm tyre clearance, not quite class-leading now but still very healthy. The 1x-only, all-SRAM build options give it away, but the frame is UDH-friendly and is designed around a threaded T47 bottom bracket standard.
Argon 18 has also made some strong spec choices that in some cases feature on all three models. All three have CeramicSpeed SLT headset bearings, and come with 45mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tyres. The Force and Red-equipped bikes come with CeramicSpeed T47 BB Alpha units, the brand's top-spec bottom bracket.
More information can be found in our full Argon 18 Anti Matter review.
Best gravel bike for extreme terrain
✅ You want an ultra comfortable gravel bike: Lauf's Grit 3 fork offers impressive vibration absorption, along with the Sieglas huge tyre clearance.
✅ You want a gravel bike that's easy to maintain: Exposed cable routing at the front, threaded bottom bracket and suspension fork with no moving parts makes servicing straightforward.
❌ You don't want any toe overlap: Even on our size 54cm test bike we still had toe overlap.
Riding the Lauf Seigla Ultimate for a great few months has been a revelation. Initially, I wasn’t sure about the wild-looking Grit 3 fork, but once I got it out on the gravel, it all made sense. The leaf-sprung fork smooths out fine trail chatter in a way no traditional suspension or rigid fork has ever done for me. It offers 30mm of travel, never needs maintenance, and genuinely improves comfort and control without compromising speed. Paired with 50mm tyres, the ride is so smooth it feels like floating over rough ground.
The spec on my Ultimate build has been faultless — SRAM Red XPLR AXS, carbon wheels, and thoughtful finishing touches like the vibration-damping headset bearing and ergonomic Smoothie bar. Lauf has clearly prioritised rider comfort and usability with external brake hoses, a round seatpost and a threaded bottom bracket, making it refreshingly easy to live with.
It's fast, stable, and confident on descents but still fun and agile when things get technical. This bike hasn’t put a foot wrong, and I’ve grown to really admire Lauf’s no-nonsense, rider-focused design ethos. The Seigla is seriously capable, incredibly smooth, and surprisingly easy to love.
Check out our in-depth review of the Lauf Seigla Ultimate gravel bike for more details.
Best steel gravel bike
✅ You want a versatile gravel bike: Engaging ride, huge tyre clearance and well-thought-out details mean the Secan can turn its hand to all forms of gravel riding.
❌ You want a light bike: There is no getting around it, steel is heavier than other frame materials.
Another versatile gravel bike, the custom Reynolds steel-tubed Fairlight Secan has the skinny good looks of the best steel bikes and details like a third in-frame set of bosses on larger frame sizes and custom-made dropouts.
The small-ish volume manufacturing means that you can choose your own geometry and spec for the Secan. We've ridden the bike under pretty much every gravel scenario and come away impressed by its do-it-all nature. Add big tyres and you can tackle MTB territory; load up and it's a bikepacker; thinner tyres and it's a pretty good cyclocross bike; slicker ones and it's good for that 300km Audax ride.
The Secan was also featured in our gravel bike group test and came away with the best backpacker award due to its customisable nature and steel frame. It's a really solid all-rounder that's fast and nimble on the flat but can also handle a surprising amount of rough stuff.
It's worth noting that Fairlight has now released the Secan 3.0, which continues where the Secan 2.5 left off. The latest Secan gets a newly shaped chain and seat stays, new dropouts, a carbon fork and even more tyre clearance, with space for up to 700 x 53mm and 62mm in 650b.
We have put in a ton of miles, using and abusing the Fairlight Secan 2.5 for a year and a half. Read our long-term review to find out more.
Best titanium gravel bike
✅ You want a boutique forever bike: The legendary ride quality will make you feel special every time you ride.
✅ You want a timeless-looking bike: On a group ride packed with the latest carbon race bikes, the Moots will stand out with its effortless aesthetic.
❌ You don't want any toe overlap: Even on our size 54cm test bike we still had toe overlap.
Moots and its titanium frames have achieved almost legendary status. The RSL is the brand's raciest gravel bike option, with its premium custom butted tubing and 3D-printed dropouts. Although not totally custom, Moots frames can be tweaked to your requirements.
Beyond the frame itself, the build is also customisable. The 50mm tyre clearance means that your options aren't limited, and you can fit something that will take you into tough terrain.
We raved about the ride feel that's stiff at the head tube and bottom bracket, but disperses vibration and larger hits for great comfort. Although the frame and fork aren't the lightest, the ride surpasses this.
You can read more about our 320km endurance ride on the Moots Routt RSL here.
Bike comparison table
Bike |
Weight |
Groupset |
Wheelset |
Tyre clearance |
Sizes available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AXS |
8.2kg / 18lb |
SRAM Force XPLR AXS |
Zipp 303 Firecrest |
700 x 42mm |
2XS-2XL |
Specialized S-Works Crux 5 |
7.1kg / 15 ¾lb |
SRAM Red XPLR AXS |
Roval Terra Aero CLX |
700 x 55m |
49-61cm |
Ribble Ultra Grit |
8.68kg / 19 ⅛lb |
SRAM Force XPLR AXS |
Vision SC45 |
700 x 50mm |
XS-XL |
Canyon Grizl ESC |
9.72kg / 21 ⅜lb |
Shimano GRX RD-RX822 |
DT Swiss GR1600 |
700 x 54mm |
2XS-2XL |
Argon 18 Anti Matter |
8.3kg / 18 ¼lb |
SRAM Force XPLR AXS |
Zipp 303 XPLR S |
700 x 55mm |
XS-XL |
Lauf Seigla Ultimate |
8.59kg / 19lb |
SRAM Red XPLR AXS |
e*thirteen Piedmont |
700 x 57mm |
XS-XL |
Fairlight Secan 3 |
9.77kg / 21 ½lb |
Configurable |
Configurable |
700 x 53mm or 650b x 2.4in |
10, plus tall and standard frame options |
Moots Rout RSL |
8.62kg / 19lb |
Configurable |
DT Swiss G 1800 Spline / ZIPP 303 XPLR |
700 x 50mm |
50-60cm |
How to choose the best gravel bike
- What type of gravel riding are you doing? Most bikes will perform well as all-rounders, although some have become more specialist. If you're racing, look for a bike with aero frame features and a performance-oriented riding position. For adventure riding, you will want a more relaxed riding position and features that promote comfort.
- What size tyres do you need? Tyres are a complicated subject, but we recommend leaning towards bikes with wider (45mm plus) tyre clearance. However, if your local gravel is very smooth, 40mm will be more than enough.
- Do you need suspension? Suspension comes in a range of different forms and aims to reduce vibrations going from the trail into the rider. Bigger tyres will add a lot of comfort, but if you need more vibration dampening, look for a gravel bike with front or rear suspension.
- What frame material should I choose? Carbon is lighter and can be designed to offer both better stiffness and comfort, but it's expensive. Metal is more durable, with alloy offering a reasonably lightweight and affordable option, while steel frames can give a classic springy ride feel and titanium frames are durable, don't rust and can take knocks.
- What gearing do I need? Most gravel bikes will come with a drivetrain that has a single chainring on the front, referred to as 1x (one-by) although there are plenty of 2x options. Gravel bikes aimed at flatter, faster riding will have a larger chainring. If you're tackling steep climbs, you will want a larger cassette to give you an easier gear, ideally heading below 1:1.
- Do I need bikepacking mounts? If you want to go bikepacking, look for a bike that has mounting bosses on the fork, top tube and under the downtube.
Everything you need to know about the best gravel bikes
Gravel cycling is an incredibly popular branch of the cycling tree, with most brands offering at least one gravel model.
It's hard to know what the ideal gravel bike for you will be when there is such a dizzying array of options on the market. Luckily, we have learned a lot from testing the best gravel bikes and have some answers to the key questions, as well as suggestions on a few questions you need to answer honestly to get the most out of your new purchase.
As a starting point, decide on a budget. Ultimately, as always, this dictates everything. It's probably also a good idea to know what type of off-road riding you think you will be doing most and look for bikes that fit this bill in your research.
As an example, if you're looking for an aggressive, burly off-road bike to take on tough terrain, a fast, race bike with an aggressive riding position and narrow handlebars may not be the best option.
The converse is true; if you like to ride fast on less demanding gravel and want to be able to keep up a good pace on tarmac as well, you may want to look for a gravel bike that has narrower tyres, higher gearing and possibly aero features.
If you're not sure what you're looking for, we've got a guide to what a gravel bike is, which explains more about this versatile style of bike.
Can I use a gravel bike for road cycling?
Any gravel bike can be ridden on the road, although some key differences between gravel bikes and road bikes should be considered. Gravel bikes will have lower gearing, which may limit your speed, and the stock knobbly tyres will roll more slowly on tarmac. That said, gravel tyres can be easily changed to slick road tyres, and unless you are road racing, you are unlikely to miss the top-end speed.
The main advantage of a gravel bike vs a road bike is the ability to get away from traffic and take to untarmacked paths, which opens up a lot more riding options. They are just another way of having a lot of fun cycling and exploring new terrain on your own or with friends in places a road bike couldn't necessarily take you. It also means that you may find novel ways to link roads together and devise new routes. If you're finding your road riding a bit samey, a gravel bike can really spice things up, without losing a lot of on-road ability.
Can I use my road bike on gravel?
We think most people would be in agreement that once the trail starts to feature rocks, then a road bike really isn't a sensible choice, from both an enjoyment and a safety standpoint.
However, there has been a trend towards wider tyres in almost all cycling disciplines in recent years, and road bikes can now regularly be seen sporting rubber with widths greater than 30mm. Given that cyclocross bikes are limited to a maximum of 33mm for racing, you can be forgiven for wondering if you can use your road bike off the tarmac.
If you're only venturing off the blacktop on occasion and not going over anything more than nicely graded trails, your road bike may be absolutely fine. That being said, even the best road bike tyres aren't designed to be ridden over dirt, gravel, or through mud, so remember to use a bit of common sense. Many road bikes now have the clearance to fit the best gravel tyres in narrower widths, adding grip off-road.
Conversely, many of the gravel bikes on this list from the racy end of the spectrum will perform admirably on the tarmac with a set of slick road bike tyres or even a set of road wheels swapped in.
What type of gravel do you want to ride?
Being honest with yourself about the type of riding you intend to do is paramount. Buying a gravel race bike when you really want to go on an expedition could be a costly and uncomfortable mistake.
If speed matters, and you're targeting gravel races and events, then a pure gravel race bike is likely what you're after. Eschewing all unnecessary add-ons, these will prioritise speed and will have geometry more suited to less technical riding. They'll also likely have some aero flourishes, but you can't necessarily expect to be able to fit mudguards or luggage.
If you want to go far, over several days or want to explore some more technical trails at your own pace, then look for something slacker and with wider tyres to inspire confidence when the going gets steep, and with the capacity to carry luggage.
Gravel-specific suspension systems and dropper posts appear to be here to stay and aren't limited to either end of the extended gravel bike universe, so it's your choice if you want some spring in your step.
What gearing should I look for?
Riding off-road is often slower than on tarmac and there can be steeper inclines. On a road, you might power up these out of the saddle, but on loose surfaces, you usually need to sit in and spin up to avoid wheel slippage.
That's led to many newer gravel bikes being specced with subcompact groupsets. In place of the 50/34t chainrings usually found on the best endurance road bikes, a subcompact groupset typically offers 48/32t or 46/30t ratios or sometimes even lower.
The smaller chainrings are usually combined with wider range cassettes that typically go up to 34 or 36 teeth. This, in turn, gives a sub-1:1 lowest gear ratio that can really help with steep seated climbs.
The flip side is that the highest ratios are lower, so it's easier to spin out on faster roads or downhill gravel sections.
Many gravel bikes feature single chainring (aka 1x) groupsets. These reduce complexity and weight over a double chainset. There's less to go wrong or get clogged with mud, and the single chainring is designed to improve chain retention.
A 1x groupset is usually paired with a wide range cassette, with 40 or more teeth on the largest sprocket. This gives a similar gear range to a double chainring set-up, although the jumps between ratios may be a little larger. It needs a rear derailleur designed specifically to work with the cassette, and which usually includes a clutch.
The most extreme 1x configurations pair a road chainset and shifters with a MTB rear derailleur in a so-called mullet build. This can give a really wide range of gears, which includes very low ratios, which can be good for bikepacking or riding the toughest terrain.
The latest 1x 12-speed groupsets from SRAM and Shimano include options with 50 or more teeth, for very wide gear spreads without the mullet, although SRAM's 13-speed XPLR AXS groupsets only work with a 10-46t cassette.
What wheel size do I need?
700c, 650b or even 26"?
Beyond the initial debate over what constitutes a gravel bike, the most appropriate wheel size is perhaps the most hotly debated topic. 700c was initially all that was on offer, but then a resurgence in 650b, an old touring standard, upset the apple cart somewhat. The tide has turned again in recent years, with most newer gravel bikes coming with 700c but specced with wider tyres from 45mm to 50mm in diameter.
650b rims have a smaller diameter than 700c, and can therefore fit a higher volume tyre within the same diameter (so the theory goes). In simple terms, a 650b rim and a larger tyre have essentially the same diameter as a 700c rim with a smaller tyre. As a rule of thumb, you're more likely to find 700c on those bikes designed for racing, while 650b tends to be found on bikes aimed at tackling the really rough stuff and bikepacking. There is significant crossover, however, with many framesets able to take either.
Some manufacturers are thankfully also taking into account the needs of smaller riders. Constraints in frame geometry mean extra small frames can sometimes come with 650b wheels or even 26", in contrast to the rest of the size range, to keep handling characteristics consistent between bike sizes.
What extras do I need?
Are you a thirsty person? Maybe an extra set of bottle bosses on the downtube will suit you. Do you want to carry absolutely everything? Rack mounts for panniers, or triple bosses for high-capacity cargo cages on your fork legs, will probably fit the bill.
Gravel is a relatively new genre, and as such, there has been a great proliferation of new tech, innovations and differing design philosophies in a relatively short space of time. Whether you're after suspension, internally geared hubs, enormous tyres or something that can double up as a commuter, then there will likely be a bike for you out there.
Dropper seatposts are another feature that's making its way onto gravel bikes and may be specced on some builds. A dropper allows you to lower the saddle, so that it's out of the way if you're tackling steep terrain, allowing you to push your weight back more easily and lower your centre of mass for greater stability.
Is a gravel bike the same as a cyclo-cross bike?
A staple of any decent comments section is someone angrily insisting that a gravel bike is exactly the same as a cyclo-cross bike. Sure, they share some similarities, but now, especially following recent evolution in gravel bikes, they are definitely different beasts.
While the cyclo-cross vs gravel bike conundrum certainly coaxes strong opinions from some, it simply boils down to differences in use case. A CX bike is designed to be raced for a maximum of one hour around extremely technical courses. Comfort isn't as high on the priority list, and a super wide gear range isn't overly necessary as, beyond a certain gradient, riders shoulder their bikes and run instead. The geometry is designed for sharp handling to navigate tricky courses rather than stability for all-day riding.
Gravel bikes, in contrast, are designed with longer days in the saddle in mind. Multi-day epics aren't out of the ordinary, and so frame design and componentry choices are tailored for greater stability and to account for tired legs, protracted climbs and moderate loads.
While a CX bike can certainly be used for gravel riding, in the same way a trail bike can be ridden on an enduro course, it's not the best tool for the job. If you do need something for a filthy hour in ankle-deep mud on a freezing Sunday, our roundup of the best cyclo-cross bikes will help you cut through the slop with ease.
How we test the best gravel bikes
Here at Cyclingnews, we all ride varying definitions of 'gravel', and our tech team will always have at least one gravel bike in for testing.
Our everyday gravel riding is done aboard whatever test bike we have in at the time, but in addition, we'll put each bike through a set of semi-repeatable tests. For example, we each have set routes that all bikes will be tested on, which will incorporate all types of gravel terrain, from road to basically mountain bike trails, up steep climbs and down the other side, with rocks, roots and more. This is to give each bike a thorough shakedown on all terrain that eventual buyers might face.
We can't control the weather, so that's why I say 'semi-repeatable', as we do have to be careful when comparing bikes ridden months apart. But with enough riding on each, we're able to tease out the differences, the pros and cons, and ultimately whether a bike is among the best gravel bikes and thus, worthy of inclusion on this list.
In addition, where possible, we'll get the team together to ride similar bikes together, back-to-back testing them, sharing notes, and group-testing gravel bikes where we feel there's value in doing so.
Read our guide to how we test for more details on our review team and our pledge to readers.
