Gravel bike: aluminium, carbon or electric

What is a gravel bike?

Gravel was born of the need to link road and track without changing bikes. From the road bike it borrows its drop handlebar, often slightly flared at the drops for better control of the front wheel, and from the mountain bike its high-volume tyres, generally 35 to 50 mm, and its disc brakes. Its geometry, more stable than a road bike's, and its many mounting points make it a bike for mixed-terrain rides, loaded touring or daily commutes along greenways.

Which type of gravel bike for which use?

A race-oriented gravel bike is light and responsive, with tyres of around 40 mm: it is aimed at events and long, fast rides on smooth tracks. An all-round gravel bike adopts a more upright position and generous tyre clearance to link tarmac and tracks in comfort. An adventure gravel bike multiplies the mounts for bottle cages, bags and racks, and sometimes takes 650b wheels with very wide tyres for bikepacking on rough ground. Some models opt for a flat handlebar, more intuitive for riders coming from mountain biking or city riding.

An electric gravel bike adds pedal assistance, which cuts out at 25 km/h (15.5 mph) in the UK and the European Union, useful for taking on climbs with luggage or riding for a long time without worrying about the way home. If your rides stay on tarmac, a road bike will be livelier; as soon as the trails get technical, a mountain bike takes over. For the city alone, city bikes are better equipped.

Tyres, drivetrain and frame: the technical points

Tyre clearance, meaning the maximum width that fits in the frame and fork, determines how versatile the bike is. 700c wheels hold their speed on smooth tracks; smaller 650b wheels take a higher-volume tyre for a similar outer diameter, for more comfort and grip. A tubeless set-up, without an inner tube, lets you ride at lower pressures while limiting pinch flats.

For the drivetrain, a single chainring (1x) simplifies use and maintenance thanks to a wide-range cassette; a double chainring (2x) keeps tighter gaps between gears, appreciated on the road. Shimano dedicates its GRX range to gravel, SRAM its XPLR versions. As for the frame, aluminium paired with a carbon fork offers a good balance of toughness and weight, carbon saves weight and filters more vibration, and some manufacturers add rear compliance or a suspension fork for the roughest tracks.

What size gravel bike do you need?

Start from the brand's chart, which links each frame size, from XS to XL or in centimetres, to a range of rider heights. Then check standover clearance: off-road, you need to be able to put your feet down quickly without touching the top tube. If you are between two sizes, the smaller one makes the bike more agile on tracks and the larger one more stable on long, loaded days. Several models now come in XS, useful for shorter riders.

Stack and reach, figures published by manufacturers, let you compare two gravel bikes from different brands: a high stack gives a more upright position, a short reach brings the handlebar closer. A gravel bike is then set up like a road bike, starting with saddle height.

Equipping your gravel bike for the road and for touring

For trips of several days, frame, saddle and handlebar bags are in gravel bike bags. Gravel wheels and tyres let you adapt the bike to the terrain, from semi-slick to properly knobbly tyres, and gravel gear brings together helmets, shoes and clothing.

Which gravel bike brand should you choose?

Welt, a brand designed in the Austrian Tyrol whose frames are made in Serbia, builds its G100 around a 6061 aluminium frame packed with bikepacking mounts, a carbon fork and a Shimano GRX double-chainring drivetrain; the Stroke takes the same idea with a flat handlebar.

Polygon places the Tambora in its adventure range, between gravel and all-round bike; the versions listed here use Shimano GRX or microSHIFT Advent X drivetrains.

Bombtrack, a German brand based in Cologne, specialises in adventure bikes: the Hook EXT, built on 650b wheels and wide tyres, targets bikepacking on rough ground, while the Beyond range pushes towards loaded off-road riding.

Cannondale equips the Topstone Carbon with its Kingpin rear suspension, which uses frame flex to absorb up to around 30 mm without a shock, and offers the SuperX, a gravel bike geared towards speed.

Sunn presents the Venture as a gravel bike designed and assembled in France, with an aluminium frame and a carbon fork; the Finest version gets a high-end Shimano GRX drivetrain.

Bianchi made the Arcadex its first full carbon gravel bike, then derived the aluminium Arcadex AL from it, with 50 mm tyre clearance and a UDH universal derailleur hanger; the Impulso completes the range.

Where can you find a gravel bike on sale?

End-of-line gravel bikes are grouped with road bikes on the road clearance page, and newly listed models appear in new arrivals. The seasonal sales and Black Friday are worth watching before a purchase of this size.

Frequently asked questions

Gravel bike or mountain bike: which should you choose?

A gravel bike is faster and lighter on the road and on smooth tracks, and lends itself to long distances. A mountain bike, with its suspension and wider tyres, remains essential on technical trails, roots and steep slopes. If your rides mix tarmac and easy tracks, the gravel bike is the more versatile choice.

Can you use a gravel bike on the road?

Yes, it is even one of its strengths: with semi-slick tyres or a second wheelset fitted with road tyres, a gravel bike becomes a comfortable endurance bike. It remains slightly less lively than a pure road bike, because of its weight and its more stable geometry.

What tyre pressure for a gravel bike?

It depends on tyre width, the weight of the rider and luggage, the terrain and the set-up, with or without an inner tube. Start from the range printed on the tyre sidewall and on the rim, never exceeding the maximum of either, then lower it in small steps until you find the balance between grip and rolling efficiency.

Which gravel bike is best for beginners?

An all-round gravel bike with an aluminium frame and a carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano GRX drivetrain suits most beginners. Check that it takes tyres of at least 40 mm and has rack mounts if you plan to go touring.

Are there gravel bikes for women?

Most gravel bikes are unisex and available from size XS, which covers smaller riders. Fit then comes down to the contact points: a saddle suited to the width of your pelvis, a narrower handlebar and reach-adjustable brake levers.