Top 10 Things To Look For In A Gravel Bike

July 14, 2022

Gravel bikes are booming right now, and for good reason. As paved roads become increasingly crowded and potentially treacherous, more and more cyclists are choosing to ride the path less taken. And once you’ve had a taste of the off-road adventure and spontaneity gravel riding can offer, there’s no going back. From crushed stone routes to singletrack trails, the best gravel bikes can take you there quickly and comfortably, while providing years of riding enjoyment along the way.

Photo Credit : Jayson O'Mahoney (Gravel Cyclist)

While a gravel bike shares a lot in common with its roadie counterpart, there are significant distinctions to be made between the two bicycle types. To anyone seeking the ideal all-terrain machine, we propose the top ten things you should be looking for in a gravel bike:

1. WIDER TIRE CLEARANCE

2. RESPONSIVENESS / PERFORMANCE

3. DEDICATED GEOMETRY

4. DURABILITY / TOUGHNESS

5. GRAVEL-SPECIFIC GROUPSET

6. COMFORT-ENHANCING FRAME

7. BIKE-PACKING CAPABILITIES

8. MUDGUARD

9. FLARED HANDLEBARS

10. GOOD LOOKS

Things To Look For In A Gravel Bike:

1. WIDER TIRE CLEARANCE

A gravel bike’s most distinguishing feature is the ability to fit maximum tires size and still leave some room for mud accumulation. Whether it’s 45x700c or 51x650b, bigger tires deliver the better traction you absolutely need off-road. This is also where comfort originates, with road vibrations being better absorbed by a fatter tire, preventing them from finding their way to the contact points (i.e. saddle, handlebars) with your body. Contrary to what some might think, running wider tires has been shown to not have a big effect on rolling resistance and related speed. That said, it makes a huge difference when it comes to how you good you feel on your bike – and ultimately about your gravel bike.

2. RESPONSIVENESS / PERFORMANCE

Not many of us are racing anymore. It’s partly why we are drawn to the adventure-riding and generally more relaxed nature of gravel cycling. That said, no one enjoys getting passed when they’re on their bike. We tend to want to respond, picking up the pace to catch-up or even pass the offending party. When you want to push, you want your bike to follow suit immediately. To do that effectively, a gravel bike frame needs to possess the same lateral stiffness of a good road bike, without compromising weight or the comfort-enhancement offered by a well-made gravel rig. It’s in balancing out these key characteristics that a bike frame designer earns his keep. The great ones use premium materials to do so at a higher level and throw-in superior handling and stability into the mix.

3. DEDICATED GEOMETRY

The standard gravel bike frame will feature a slacker headtube angle and commensurate higher fork rake as compared to performance-oriented road models. This provides more stability on looser terrain and results in a more sustainable riding position over long distances. A gravel frame will also tend to have longer chainstays and corresponding wheelbase to fit those wider tires everyone seems to be going for these days.

4. DURABILITY / TOUGHNESS

Anyone investing in a good bike wants it to last a long time. This is especially true at a time when the cost of quality bicycles is significant and rising. Given the extra knocks and conditions a gravel bike will have to endure as compared to its more civilized roadie brethren, impact-resistance and durability are of particular importance. Today’s carbon frames, if made properly, are sturdier than their predecessors. That said, they will never be comparable in terms of toughness or longevity to a steel or titanium frame. The latter has the additional advantages of never losing its properties over the long-haul (i.e. no cycle time) and being essentially corrosion-proof. Because rust never sleeps, and a Ti bike frame never rusts.

5. GRAVEL-SPECIFIC GROUPSET

Choosing a gravel bike inevitably brings about the question: 1x or 2x? The answer with regards to the choice of drivetrain is that it’s totally up to you. Riders coming from the MTB side tend to opt for the simplicity of a single chain ring (ex. 11-42), while road-oriented cyclists are drawn to the extra gearing possibilities offered by 2x setups (often featuring a 50-34 chainring with an 11-34 cassette). You will also want to have a rear derailleur equipped with a clutch; this keeps the chain firmly in place when riding on rougher terrain. Whether it’s Shimano GRX, Campagnolo Ekar or one of SRAM’s 1x groupsets, there are a variety of worthy alternatives today when it comes to gravel-specific drivetrains.

6. COMFORT-ENHANCING FRAME

The higher mileage and bumpier conditions of a standard gravel ride bring about the need for more a more comfortable ride. Some will call it ‘resiliency’; others will use the term ‘compliance’. One way or the other, it speaks to a well-conceived gravel bike frame’s capability to lessen the physical toll a bike ride can take on your body. Higher-end metal frames like steel or titanium are particularly effective in this regard. This aspect not only contributes to a more pleasant riding experience, but sets you up for success next time around, as faster recovery is a precursor to better performance.

7. BIKE-PACKING CAPABILITIES

A proper gravel frame has plenty of mounts to accommodate bike-packing and other light lugging. Rack mounts, eyelets for a bento-box, triple bosses on the fork legs… they all will help you carry the replenishments and accessories you need on a longer ride. The capacity to have multiple mounting points is partly at the root of the re-emergence of custom titanium and steel frames when it comes to gravel bikes, as these higher-end metals can have as many mounts as desired welded directly onto the frame without negatively affecting its integrity and durability.

8. MUDGUARDS

Chances are, you’re going to be riding in the muck more often…and enjoying it. Nevertheless, to keep most of it off of you, you’re going to want your gravel bike frameset to have integrated fender mounts (both on the rear triangle and on the fork) to allow you to install some nice mudguards.

9. FLARED HANDLEBARS

Gravel-specific dropbars are typically flared to offer more clearance for your wrists, allowing you shift to more readily shift your weight when manoeuvring off-road and providing added leverage when climbing.

10. GOOD LOOKS

We’re going to come right out and say it: looks matter. The more aesthetically-pleasing your gravel bike is, – both to you and to others – the more you’re going to want to ride it everywhere. And isn’t that the whole point of cycling?

Want to see a gravel bike that, as rated by Bike World News, “Does It All?” Check out the T-Lab X3 titanium gravel bike or build your own.

Top 10 Things To Look For In A Gravel Bike

July 14, 2022

SEE THE X3