Gravel biking has rapidly gained popularity among riders seeking the perfect blend of adventure, endurance, and exploration. In essence, a gravel bike is designed to handle a variety of terrains, from smooth roads to unpaved gravel paths and even rugged trails.

It features a unique frame geometry that strikes a balance between the aggressive stance of a road bike and the stability of a mountain bike. This versatile design allows riders to maintain a comfortable position for long rides while navigating challenging terrains.

They are equipped with wider tires, typically ranging from 32mm to 45mm or more. This broader tire profile provides enhanced stability and traction on gravel, dirt, and uneven surfaces.

1. Specialized Diverge E5

Source : sportslulu

Price: $999.99 (Amazon)

The Specialized Diverge E5 bike is built upon a Premium E5 Aluminum frame that provides a stiff, light, and durable platform.

When mated to the full carbon FACT fork, the Diverge E5 becomes a light, lively, and versatile bike ready to attack any surface

Pros: 

  • Comfortable ride
  • Versatile
  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Adaptability across gravel genres
  • Future Shock for front end comfort and compliance

Cons: 

  • Stock tires are not the best for off-road riding
  • Geometry might not be aggressive enough for some
  • Not the lightest bike
  • Internal cable routing can be tricky
  • Future Shock can be divisive

2. Ribble Gravel SL

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Price: $2835.00 (Ribble)

The bike is built upon a lightweight yet robust carbon monocoque construction and aero frame shapes that have been designed to carry speed over the most extreme trails while maintaining a planted feel on technical terrain. 

Pros: 

  • Lightweight and fast
  • Excellent value
  • Highly customizable
  • Comfortable ride
  • Versatile frameset with plenty of configuration options
  • All the mounts you'll ever need

Cons: 

  • 1x only
  • Steady rather than engaging
  • One-piece handlebar/stem limits upgrade options
  • Not the most comfortable for long distances
  • Not as stable as some competitors
  • Limited tire clearance
  • Internal cable routing can be tricky to maintain

3. Vitus Venon Evo-GR

Source : sportslulu

Price: $3399.00 (Vitus)

The bike is decked out with gravel-specific componentry to create a bike that’s built for those fast, hard rides on endless gravel roads. 

Pros: 

  • Frame Quality
  • Groupset
  • Braking System
  • Tire Clearance
  • Geometry
  • Wheelset
  • Component Compatibility
  • Fast and exciting ride feel
  • Can double up as a road bike with a tire swap 
  • A comfy aero carbon bar and wheels 

Cons: 

  • Cost
  • Weight
  • Maintenance
  • Brand Reputation and Support
  • Availability
  • Terrain Suitability
  • Slightly problematic seat post clamp wedge

4. YT Szepter Core 4

Source : sportslulu

Price: $4499.00 (Amazon)

The YT Szepter Core 4 has a mountain bike-inspired geometry with a long reach measurement, short stem length, and a 69° head angle to instill confidence on technical terrain. 

Pros: 

  • Highly capable off-road
  • Stable and comfortable geometry
  • Versatile tire clearance
  • High-quality components
  • Unique and eye-catching design
  • Up to 40mm front suspension
  • Dropper post
  • Great spec for the price

Cons: 

  • Heavy
  • Not the fastest
  • Higher maintenance
  • Polarizing aesthetics
  •  YT offers a two-year warranty on the frame and fork
  • Direct-to-consumer sales only

5. Argonaut GR3

Source : sportslulu

Price: $14,369.00 (Argonaut)

The bike has a short chainstay of 415mm which allows for a 50c tire clearance and makes it incredibly stable while descending. 

Pros: 

  • 50mm tire clearance
  • Short chainstay
  • Surprisingly affordable
  • Incredible stable descending
  • No toe overlap
  • Plenty of mounting points for bottles
  • Custom geometry and carbon layup
  • Very slack front end for fast descending
  • Short chainstays for snappy handling

Cons: 

  • Lacks mudguard mounts
  • Waiting list

6. Factor Ostro Gravel

Source : sportslulu

Price: $10900.00 (Amazon)

The Factor Ostro Gravel is a new model that combines the design cues of the road-specific OSTRO with aero advantages and wider tire clearance for gravel racing. 

Pros: 

  • Very light, stiff, and fast
  • Great ride on smoother gravel or tarmac
  • Aerodynamic and agile
  • Notably light
  • Fast acceleration
  • Quick handling
  • Customizable finishing kit

Cons: 

  • Uncomfortable
  • Electronic groupset only
  • Jarring rides on rougher gravel
  • High price for a bike that has fairly limited versatility

7. Giant Revolt Advanced Pro

Source : sportslulu

Price: $5500.00 (Giant Bicycles)

The Giant Revolt Advanced Pro is a versatile and reliable gravel bike that has been designed to tackle a range of terrains and riding styles.

Pros: 

  • Very versatile
  • Benchmark-setting
  • Plenty of mounting points for bottles
  • Wide clearance and long wheelbase
  • IsoSpeed seatpost decoupler for comfort

Cons: 

  • Stem length may not suit some riders
  • More expensive range than other gravel bikes reviewed

8. Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1BY

Source : sportslulu

Price: $3399.00 (Canyon)

The bike is built upon a lightweight and durable carbon frame that provides a comfortable and responsive ride. 

Pros: 

  • Excellent all round balance
  • Impressively rapid and power-happy
  • Rough smoothing ride
  • Stable without being dull
  • Super durable spec
  • Great direct delivery bike value
  • Extremely versatile do-it-all gravel bike
  • Geometry is well-considered
  • Looks fantastic

Cons: 

  • Potentially troublesome ThreadFit PF86 BB
  • Comes in a box, not from a shop
  • Luggage prices are higher due to Brexit
  • Canyon-specific mudguard mounts

9. Trek Checkpoint SL7

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Price: $5999.99 (Trek Bikes)

The bike has a fast and confident ride on the road, in the dirt, and over thick gravel. 

Pros: 

  • Lightweight, agile, and responsive
  • IsoSpeed shock adds comfort
  • Underbody protection for the eye-popping paint job
  • Effective geometry
  • Sensible spec
  • Neat extra frame features
  • Comfortable

Cons: 

  • SRAM Force eTap AXS 1X drive is not suited to mixed road/gravel
  • The top tube is too wide near the seat tube
  • Toe overlap in the smallest size
  • Heavy
  • Non-removable front derailleur mount
  • The headset cable integration design is not watertight

10. Polygon Bend R5

Source : sportslulu

Price: $1749.00 (Polygon Bikes)

The Polygon Bend R5 bike is built around an ALX alloy frame with 6061 triple-butted tubing and heat-treated for strength and durability. 

Pros: 

  • Best suited for big adventures over rough terrain
  • Great value for money
  • Plenty of capability
  • Comfortable

Cons: 

  • Weight
  • Only comes in three sizes

11. BMC Kaius

Source : sportslulu

Price: $11999.00 (Revolution Bike Shop)

The bike has an unprecedented carbon layup and gravel-specific geometry that ensures the perfect balance of stiffness, lightweight, and compliance for optimal traction on loose surfaces, front-end stability, and unmatched climbing prowess. 

Pros:

  • Lightweight, agile, and responsive
  • IsoSpeed shock adds comfort
  • Underbody protection for the eye-popping paint job
  • Dropper post compatible
  • 1x and 2x compatible
  • Comfortable narrow bars
  • Aero at every detail
  • Stable geometry 

Cons: 

  • Limited build options
  • Expensive
  • Downtube protection would not go amiss
  • Tires won’t be ideal for all situations

12. Trek Checkpoint SL6

Source : sportslulu

Price: $4299.99 (Trek Bikes)

The Trek Checkpoint SL6 bike is built upon a lightweight and stiff carbon frame that provides a comfortable and responsive ride.  

Pros: 

  • IsoSpeed shock adds comfort
  • Underbody protection for the eye-popping paint job
  • Mud-guard mounts
  • Mounting points for every bag you can think of
  • Non-proprietary seat-post provides options
  • Internal storage is convenient
  • Downtube protection eases worry
  • Threaded bottom bracket
  • Ideal all-around gearing

Cons: 

  • Short stem for added stability means handlebar/knee interference
  • Lacks included protection for the chain stay
  • Detail behind the fork steerer collects water and is difficult to clean
  • SRAM Force eTap AXS 1X drive is not suited to mixed road/gravel
  • The top tube is too wide near the seat tube
  • Toe overlap in the smallest size
  • Non-removable front derailleur mount
  • The headset cable integration design is not watertight

13. Fairlight Secan 2.5

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Price: $2500.00 (Pink Bike)

The bike is designed to be a rambunctious drop-bar bike that can tackle everything from long gravel rides to steep and spicy single-track. 

Pros: 

  • Exceptionally beautiful
  • Clever details
  • Comfortable
  • Versatile
  • Great workmanship

Cons: 

  • Maybe a little heavy
  • Competitive weight for steel, but heavy relative to carbon
  • A waiting list for builds

14. Ribble CGR Ti

Source : sportslulu

Price: $2550.00 (Ribble Cycles)

The Ribble CGR Ti bike is built upon a lightweight yet robust carbon monocoque construction and aero frame shapes that have been designed to carry speed over the most extreme trails.

Pros: 

  • Plenty of accessory mounts
  • Compatible with 1x or 2x drivetrains
  • Tire clearance for 700 x 50mm
  • Downtube storage
  • Threaded T47 bottom bracket
  • 27.2 rounded seat tube with a dropper or rigid Seatpost options

Cons: 

  • Maybe a little heavy
  • Narrow bar

15. Enve MOG

Source : sportslulu

Price: $5500.00 (Enve)

The Enve MOG bike is fully kitted out with everything that the gravel rider who loves the freedom of exploring without limits needs.

Pros: 

  • Lightweight yet durable
  • Plenty of accessory mounts
  • Compatible with 1x or 2x drivetrains
  • Tire clearance for 700 x 50mm
  • Downtube storage
  • Threaded T47 bottom bracket
  • 27.2 rounded seat tube with a dropper or rigid Seatpost options

Cons: 

  • Engineered around 700C wheels only
  • Available in chassis