The best entry-level gravel bikes give you a real taste of gravel riding without the need to spend on a premium, top-spec bike. “Entry-level” refers to the lower tiers within a brand’s range and doesn’t mean compromising on quality. These are solid, well-rounded machines that let newcomers get out and explore everything gravel riding has to offer.
The best gravel bikes can be expensive, especially for riders just starting out. So, in this guide, we’ve selected models that strike the right balance of affordability, capability, and long-term value. They’re versatile out of the box and provide a solid foundation to grow as a gravel rider.
These aren’t simply the best budget gravel bikes on the market; they’re models suited to everything from bikepacking adventures to gravel races, or just exploring off the beaten path closer to home.
You'll find our full list of recommendations just below, and if you’re still deciding what suits you best, scroll down to our How to Choose and Everything You Need to Know sections, where we run through sizing, components, and more.
Quick list: Best entry-level gravel bikes
The Specialized Crux DSW is one of the lightest alloy gravel bikes, featuring a carbon fork and clearance for up to 47mm tyres. With geometry closer to a road or cyclocross bike, it’s fast and responsive, and offers great value.
The Devote Advanced 1 offers tailored geometry, premium comfort and off-road versatility for women looking to explore everything from bikepacking to gravel racing.
With a Microshift SWORD drivetrain, climbing-friendly gears, and a responsive ride, the Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 Sword is an ideal all-rounder for beginners looking to explore rougher roads.
Cannondale's Topstone 3 is a remarkably versatile gravel bike offering an endurance-focused frame with a wide gear range. With an alloy frame, carbon fork, and extensive mounting options, it's ideal for long-distance bikepacking adventures.
Scott's Addict Gravel 40 is a high-performance gravel bike with a carbon frame and fork, Shimano GRX drivetrain, aero tube shapes, and integrated cabling. It’s fast and efficient on the road, yet built to handle gravel and rough terrain.
The Giant Revolt Advanced 3 features a carbon frame and fork, Shimano GRX drivetrain, and clearance for tyres up to 53mm, making it a comfortable and highly versatile gravel bike.
Last updated on 26th March 2026 The guide has been updated with new top-six recommendations. All models and specifications have been refreshed for the current year, and the “How to Choose” section has been converted into a bullet-point format for easier reading.
Best Entry Level Gravel Bikes
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Best overall
The Specialized Crux is built to be ridden hard, and the Crux DSW Comp is no exception, carrying over the same intent as its carbon counterpart, with geometry that leans closer to a road or cyclocross bike.
Claimed to be the lightest alloy gravel bike on the market, the Crux DSW - paired with a carbon fork - comes in at a stated 9.73 kg, undercutting some carbon gravel bikes in the process.
The DSW Comp comes fitted with a full mechanical SRAM Apex XPLR 1x12 groupset and hydraulic disc brakes, though it’s only offered in this single build option. The frame is compatible with both mechanical and Di2 setups, but is designed exclusively for a 1x drivetrain configuration.
The bike comes equipped with 38mm Pathfinder Pro tyres, but there is scope to run tyres up to 47mm on 700cc wheels.
Like the carbon Crux, it sticks to standard bottle mounts, with no rack or mudguard mounts. That makes it less suited to multi-day bikepacking, but ideal for shorter, faster adventures.
Overall, this is a lightweight, fast, and responsive bike with a drivetrain and gearing setup that offers excellent versatility.
Best for women
The Devote Advanced 1 is built using real-world geometry data specific to female riders, giving it a design that’s intended to feel natural and balanced on mixed terrain.
It features a SRAM Apex XPLR 1x12 groupset for reliable shifting and hydraulic braking and is well-suited to everything from all-day gravel rides and multi-day adventures to racing. You also get the choice between the stock dropper post or a standard seatpost, depending on your preference.
The 45mm Giant Crosscut Grip tyres are set up tubeless, allowing you to run lower pressures, and there's space for up to 53mm of rubber with 1x drivetrains and up to 45mm with 2x drivetrains.
In comparison to its siblings, the Advanced 2 features Shimano GRX across a range of builds, while the Advanced Pro with SRAM Force AXS is more race-oriented.
Overall, the Advanced 1 is a highly capable, versatile gravel bike with a simple 1x drivetrain, and geometry and components designed to inspire confidence across a variety of surfaces.
Check out our review of the similar Liv Devote Advanced Pro for more details.
Best budget
We think the Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 Sword offers exceptional value for riders looking to get into gravel riding, with a spec designed for comfort, versatility, and reliability.
It comes equipped with a MicroSHIFT SWORD drivetrain and climbing-friendly 40T chainset paired with an 11–48T cassette, giving a wide gear range for varied terrain.
At the heart of the GRVL AF series is an aluminium frame - AF stands for “Aluminium Frame" - paired with a carbon fork. Both feature plenty of mounting points for bags, racks, or mudguards, and the frame accommodates tyres up to 50mm. Out of the box, it comes fitted with 40mm Hutchinson Touareg tyres.
The bike comes with TRP Spyre cable-actuated disc brakes, and while not as powerful as hydraulic systems, they are simple to set up and maintain.
While it’s not the lightest gravel bike on the market, the GRVL AF 2 Sword is a capable all-rounder, ideal for exploring rough roads and mixed terrain without breaking the bank.
Best for bikepacking
The Topstone 3 is Cannondale's aluminium gravel bike featuring a SmartForm C2 Alloy frame and full carbon fork, 2x drivetrain, and mechanical disc brakes.
There's enough mounting points to carry anything. With mounts for three water bottles, top-tube storage, fork mounts, and racks, it’s well-equipped for bikepacking and multi-day adventures.
While its SmartForm C2 Alloy frame isn't light (weighing over 10kg/22lbs), it does offer fantastic stability across all types of terrain. The 'OutFront' geometry, which places the front wheel further forward, adds further stability and confidence. The carbon forks also help reduce vibration.
The Topstone 3 comes with Cannondale’s own GXD 1.0 wheels and WTB Riddler Comp 37mm tyres. The bike can fit up to 45mm tyres and some riders might prefer to go bigger, but we think this is a perfect place to start your gravel bike journey.
On the whole, we think this is an excellent option for bikepacking as it has more than enough mounting points.
Best for fast riding
If you’re looking for a bike built for speed, the Scott Addict Gravel 40 could be the one. It features a carbon frame and fork and incorporates technology borrowed from Scott’s aero road bike, the Foil.
The frame uses Scott’s patented airfoil design, while the handlebar system provides the same clean, integrated cable routing seen on the Foil and Addict models - keeping the cockpit sleek and leaving extra space for handlebar bags. It’s worth noting, however, that internal routing can make maintenance, such as changing cables, a bit trickier.
It comes equipped with Shimano's GRX drivetrain and Syncros wheelset wrapped in 45mm Schwalbe G-One RX tyres. Tyre clearance is slightly more limited than some other bikes in this guide, supporting tyres up to 45mm, or 40mm when using mudguards.
Despite being designed with speed in mind, the Addict Gravel 40 is versatile. It includes multiple mounting options for top tube bags, extra bottles and mudguards, making it suitable for longer rides or light bikepacking adventures.
Best for tyre clearance
The Giant Revolt Advanced 3 is a full-carbon gravel bike at a very reasonable price. The cost is kept down thanks to the component choices, including a Shimano CUES drivetrain and Giant's in-house parts.
Like the Liv Devote Advanced 1, the bike offers generous tyre clearance - up to 53mm with a 1x drivetrain and 45mm if you decide to fit a 2x setup.
A flip chip on the rear dropout allows you to adjust the wheelbase: the short setting provides more responsive handling, while the long setting enhances stability and accommodates the largest 53mm tyres. It does come at the sacrifice of a UDF (universal derrailuer hanger), although this wouldn't be a dea; breaker for us.
Comfort and compliance are also a focus, with the cockpit made entirely of Giant-branded D-Fuse components. This includes the Giant Contact XR D-Fuse handlebar with lightly flared drops and a D-Fuse seatpost, which flexes vertically to absorb shocks and vibration, providing a smoother ride over rough terrain.
How to choose the best entry-level gravel bikes
Gravel bikes are incredibly versatile but with that versatility comes an overwhelming abundance of choice and it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is the best gravel bike for your needs. With that in mind, we'll break down some crucial factors to consider when purchasing your entry-level gravel bike...
- What should the frame be made from? Most entry-level gravel bikes will be aluminium - it's light, durable and affordable. Some bikes also come with carbon forks to reduce front-end vibration and save weight.
- How much tyre clearance do I need? Wider tyres (40-50mm) offer more comfort and control off-road. If you’re planning to ride gravel trails or fire roads, aim for clearance of at least 42mm.
- What mounting points should I look for? The best entry-level gravel bikes come with mounts for racks, mudguards, and multiple bottles, making them ready for commuting, touring or bikepacking.
- Should I go for a 1x or 2x setup? Look for a wide gear range. A 2x setup offers more fine-tuned control, while a 1x drivetrain is simpler and great for off-road adventures. If you’re riding steep hills, we'd recommend a gravel bike with a sub-1:1 gear ratio.
- What should I look for in a gravel bike for bikepacking or touring? Focus on durability, comfort, and plenty of mounting options. Steel frames are a great choice, and wider tyres will help improve comfort over long distances.
- What makes a gravel bike good for commuting? Look for bikes with rack and fender mounts, puncture-resistant tyres, and a more upright geometry for comfort and visibility. It might be worth considering step-through options too.
Everything you need to know about the best entry-level gravel bikes
Are all gravel bikes the same?
Gravel bikes are increasingly divergent, so it's worth considering what you might want to use your entry-level gravel bike for.
At the pointy end of the gravel bike market are gravel race bikes. These will offer a little more tyre clearance than the best road bikes, although, with the ever-increasing space between the stays of road bikes, even that isn't a given.
But a gravel race bike will have a more stable geometry than a road bike, for a less edgy ride. It will also seat you in a more comfortable ride position, as gravel races are typically over long distances.
At the other end of the spectrum are gravel bikes designed for bikepacking. They'll usually have very wide tyre clearance, and low gearing and will often be equipped with 650b wheels for a more comfortable ride when loaded up.
Should I buy something specific or versatile?
When buying an entry-level gravel bike, it's common not to have a deep understanding of the type of gravel riding you'll prefer. You're new to this after all. So if you're not sure what you're going to want to do on your gravel bike, it's worth looking for a bike that can handle a range of duties from bikepacking and racing through to setting up with mudguards and a rack for commuting.
Most entry-level gravel bikes are designed to handle all of the above, but it's worth checking that you can mount everything you might need if you're contemplating trying bikepacking. Likewise, make sure that there's plenty of tyre clearance if you might want to try out more challenging terrain. If where you live gets muddy over the winter, extra clearance may also help keep you rolling more easily and avoid mud accumulation on your frame.
What wheel size is best for my first gravel bike?
Start looking for a gravel bike, and it won't take long before you find yourself presented with a choice of wheel size. When it comes to the best road bikes, it's almost unheard of to find anything other than 700c wheels. Start looking at off-road frames, and there's a lot more variability. 650b, also sometimes referred to as 27.5-inch wheels, are a common option, and some frames work with both options. How do you decide which is best for you?
The simplest breakdown is that a 700c wheel is more desirable for less technical riding, and a 650b wheel works better for rougher riding. It's actually much more nuanced and less critical than that might sound, but that's an easy place to start. You can do a lot to fine-tune your set-up by choosing the best gravel tyres for the type of riding and the conditions you expect.
What material should my first gravel bike be made from?
The vast majority of bike frames, gravel or otherwise, use carbon or aluminium for the frame. To a lesser extent, you can also find titanium or steel frames on the market. Like wheel size, each material has advantages, but its downsides won't hold you back.
The least common options are steel and titanium. Steel was at one point the only option for bike frames, but as lighter, stiffer options became available, steel nearly disappeared. In today's world, steel and titanium find their place mostly with small custom builders.
Both metals flex in a predictable fashion, and those who know how to take advantage of that can tune a frame. Titanium is lighter, but it's also more expensive and harder to work with. Steel is an excellent choice if you plan to be in remote areas of the world. It's heavier, but it's easy to work with, and any craftsman who can weld an axle can fix a broken steel frame.
How many chainrings is best for my first gravel bike?
Commonly, you will see this referred to as 1x or 2x, but call it what you want; it refers to how many gears you have available. 1x11, for example, would mean 11 total gears, while 2x11 would be 22. More is not always better, so it's not a clear-cut decision, as there's overlap between the gear ratios on the two rings in a 22-speed set-up, so the actual discrete number of gear ratios you get may not be many more than with a single ring, although you may have smaller jumps between them mid-range.
The primary argument in favour of 1x gearing is simplicity. Many people will tell you it's less weight and less to break, but in use, those are minimal concerns. What you will notice, on every ride, if you choose a 1x drivetrain, is the simplicity of not worrying about the front chainring.
If you want easier gear, move up the cassette and if you need harder, move down. It's especially handy when the riding gets rough and you've got a lot going on. Sounds pretty good, so why would anyone ever choose 2x?
The extra gears available with 2x make it easier to find the perfect gear. Two chainrings in the front allow for both more range and less space between gears. Mud clogging can be exacerbated by a front derailleur, which can stop working properly if it gets really bad.
Bikepackers who need exceptionally easy gear ratios for carrying supplies up steep grades often want 2x, or even 3x, to find enough range. Fast riders who spend a lot of time racing might also want to optimise cadence with a 2x setup
Why not choose the lowest priced entry-level gravel bike?
At the cheaper end of the market, gravel bikes often come equipped with road-going groupsets. These may not give you the gear range to tackle off-road steep sections, so you might find yourself walking sections that a bike with a lower-ratio gravel groupset would let you ride.
Likewise, cheaper gravel bikes might have cable-operated mechanical rather than hydraulic disc brakes. You'll also get lower-spec wheels and tyres that may not be tubeless-ready. Tubeless is pretty much essential for gravel riding to lower the risk of punctures and eliminate pinch flats.
So the cheapest gravel bike isn't necessarily the best entry-level gravel bike option; you want a bike that does the gravel bike basics well but that you'll be able to live with and potentially upgrade as you get more into gravel riding.
The challenge is that when starting out it's hard to justify spending a lot of money on something you aren't yet sure you'll enjoy enough. Is gravel riding going to be a lifelong passion worthy of spending serious money on, or a fleeting hobby not worth the big investment? Are you going to gravitate more towards gravel racing or bikepacking? Or maybe you'll end up preferring singletrack you can only barely handle on a drop-bar bike. You won't know until you spend some time trying things out.
Of course, price matters, but try not to make it the only goal; instead, try to focus your search on versatility. As you gain more experience with gravel cycling, you'll be able to look for a more niche bike that matches your interests, but in the beginning, look for an all-rounder that can work for whatever you want to try. If you stay flexible, that first bike won't hold you back.
How we test?
Testing is the backbone of the tech department at Cyclingnews and how we test is taken seriously, so read on to find out more.
At Cyclingnews, we put gear through real-world conditions to help you make informed decisions. For this entry-level gravel bike guide, we tested 8 bikes over hundreds of miles across a wide range of terrain, from loose singletrack and fire roads to tarmac and urban trails. We paid particular attention to factors that matter most to entry-level riders such as frame quality, gearing range, tyre clearance, comfort, and long-term versatility.
