We Tested the Best Gravel Bikes of 2024 to Take on Your Next Off-Road Adventure
Gravel biking is growing like mad, and it’s changing how and where people ride across the U.S. The best gravel bikes breathe new life into cycling, enabling riders to explore farther than a road bike and a set of panniers ever did.
A gravel bike combines the speed of a road bike with the ability to tackle dirt roads and even some singletrack. They're great for riders who put in long miles since they have a more forgiving riding position. And the best gravel bikes have fewer compromises and more versatility across the spectrum than ever before.
This guide will help you discern what’s most important to you before you buy. Some gravel bikes are spec’d for adventuring, others are built for winning races, and a few even provide a motorized boost to help you conquer steep hills and long miles.
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Can’t decide? Get Cannondale’s Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty. It’s my pick for the best gravel bike overall; it's speedy, comfortable, and one of the most capable and fun bikes I’ve ever had the pleasure of throwing a leg over. And after you pick out the perfect gravel bike, don't forget to gear up with the best helmets, bike racks, and sunglasses.
Best Gravel Bikes at a Glance
Best Gravel Bike Overall: Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty
Most Versatile Gravel Bike: Trek Checkpoint SL 7 Gen 3
Best Budget Gravel Bike: Diamondback Haanjo 3
Best Aluminum Gravel Bike: Specialized Diverge Comp E5
Best Titanium Gravel Bike: Otso Warakin Ti
Best Gravel E-Bike: Pinarello Nytro E7
Best User-Friendly Gravel E-Bike: Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp
Best Gravel Bikes 2024
Best Gravel Bike Overall: Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty
Berne Broudy
What It Is
Since Cannondale was founded in 1971, the brand has built a reputation of innovation and pushing the boundaries of conventional bike design. Cannondale was one of the first brands to veer away from steel and make bikes from aluminum and carbon. It developed and trademarked the eye-catching, single-stanchion Lefty fork, which is now a hallmark. To evolve it for gravel, Cannondale paired it with the maintenance-free rear suspension platform in Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty, making it one of the most plush gravel bikes I’ve ever ridden.
Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty is a lefty-fork gravel bike with front and rear suspension. If you’re thinking, I’m gravel biking, not mountain biking, why do I want suspension? The answer is to reduce fatigue as you ride; a smooth ride beats you up less. Suspension also increases rear-wheel traction, which translates to better control in technical and loose conditions. And, in this bike, suspension will help most riders go faster on gravel.
Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty is the gravel evolution of its cross-country Ocho fork with the maintenance-free Kingpin suspension platform. The Kingpin uses tube flex and a thru-axle connecting the seat stays to the seat tube for up to 30mm of compliance, or flex, in the rear. That translates to stability, confidence, and speed on the bike.
Overall Impression
I love this bike. It let me blast down loose gravel roads faster than I could have imagined. The bike skimmed over washboard roads with significantly less teeth-rattling compared to other bikes. And when I was pedaling on paved roads or smooth dirt, there was no bouncing around and wasting energy.
Berne Broudy
Topstone is made for any and every gravel rider who can swing the mid-range price tag. If you like to hop on your bike and explore, this is for you. If you want a bike that feels leopard-fast when you race out of the starting gates for a high-mile or multi-day race, this bike is for you. If you want to feel more confident and faster gravel riding in rough terrain, there's no better bike. “The suspension elements make it a legit gravel-riding machine,” says Cannondale’s Gravel product manager Nina Baum. “It shines on rough road. It’s a wonderfully forgiving bike.”
Key Features and Tech
Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty is spec’d with Shimano GRX 800/600 11-speed gravel group, a mini dropper post, and WTB KOM Light rims with 700x44c WTB Raddler TCS Light tires. The bike is also available with a standard double stanchion fork.
The bike is designed for 700c wheels, with room for up to 45mm tires. All Topstone Carbon gravel bikes are compatible with Cannondale’s SmartSense rear-facing radar and intelligent running lights. And Carbon 2 Lefty is spec’d for touring, with gear and water bottle mounts on the frame and fork.
Cannondale’s Kingpin suspension delivers terrain-smoothing shock absorption, which feels very similar to a traditional shock without the maintenance and weight. New low-friction bushings on the Kingpin thru-axle are maintenance-free, smooth, reliable and 100 grams lighter than the cartridge bearings Cannondale previously used. The design acts like a leaf spring with a specially shaped top tube, seat tube, and chainstays, plus a thru-axle connecting the seat stays to the seat tube for flex. Hit a bump in the road, and the thru axle pivot lets the bike flex in specific zones without feeling like it’s bouncing around when you’re pedaling hard.
“The Kingpin system is light and unique,” said Greg Jakubek, Cannondale’s product manager of Suspension & Components. “It connects the two seat stays so the frame elements can all flex independently from one another. It acts as an isolation mechanism. It removes input from the seat tube, so you can get more flex out of the seat tube. The back of the top tube and the bottom of the seat tube have built-in zones where the frame can flex to give compliance. With this system, the bike has 10 mm of travel at the rear axle, but up to 30mm of travel at the saddle. The method of isolation is simple and maintenance-free. The axle rotates on bushings, so you don’t have to maintain the Kingpin system like a MTB shock.”
Rear travel gives the bike a velcro-like feeling on bumpy roads and single track. Cannondale’s new Lefty Oliver gravel fork has needle-bearing internals for steering precision, control, and smooth riding. “We had a solid platform to work off after the first-gen Oliver Lefty fork,” said Jakubek. “That started us down the road of what we wanted to achieve, which was a high-riding spring with a lot of stability. We discovered we could have the damping be more precise, and the spring curve better tuned to where we wanted it for a high-stability ride with travel on tap when the rider needs it.”
Cannondale builds Topstone with size-specific construction, which means the stiffness and compliance are optimized by frame size so bikes feel the same across sizes for the riders that will be on them. “OutFront geometry” combines an extra-long fork offset paired with a slack head angle that makes the bike feel MTB stable without sacrificing responsive steering and intuitive handling. The bike never wobbled at speed or felt bouncy in rough terrain. There was no bobbing when I stood to climb. I finally understood how special this bike is when I blew past my riding buddies on downhills where we were previously the same pace.
The bike has ports for an internally-routed 27.2mm dropper seatpost. I tested the Topstone with Cannondale’s gravel-specific DownLow Dropper Post.
Pros
Maintenance-free Kingpin rear suspension
Lightweight
Comes with a dropper post
Lefty fork has 30mm suspension
Cons
Less mounting points on the Lefty fork than on dual stanchion forks
Specs
Weight: 24.25 pounds
Frame: Carbon fiber
Groupset: Shimano GRX
Wheels: 700c X 44mm
Final Verdict
While Cannondale’s Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty isn’t the most aerodynamic gravel bike nor the lightest, it's still nimble and fun, whatever journey you set out on. The suspension made this gravel bike so smooth I shot down loose, washboard roads without pause, rambled through rocky singletrack, and cruised on pavement without adjusting speed.
The system works seamlessly and is so subtle, you won’t realize how good it is until you’re clocking PRs on routes you ride all the time, or blowing your riding companions away on descents. Gravel racers are realizing that, because of the suspension, it makes you faster—maybe even fast enough to podium.
Related: 10 Unique Cycling Tours for the Hungry Traveler
Most Versatile Gravel Bike: Trek Checkpoint SL 7 Gen 3
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A fast and nimble gravel bike, Trek’s Gen 3 Checkpoint is versatile, more comfortable than ever before, and one of those bikes that’s up for any adventure you can dream up. Where a lot of gravel bikes add compliance in the front end or in front and rear, this one employs Trek’s shock-absorbing ISO Speed Tech in the rear only. The design decouples the top tube from the seat tube for road-smoothing flex that absorbs vibration and chatter extremely well without making the bike squirrel-y or unpredictable.
Gen 3 Checkpoint SL 7 has a taller stack and shorter reach for a more upright and relaxed position. But in this bike, that doesn’t mean it’s a less efficient position, especially paired with the flared bar, which ups the handling ease. The bike also has more standover. That allows Trek to build in more space inside the main triangle, which means you can run a larger frame bag or a smaller bag with more water bottle cages for loaded adventures.
I loved the downtube storage compartment, which comes with a rattle-free tool roll. I also loved that this bike is now compatible with dropper posts and suspension forks if you want to go there. It’s also fender-compatible. The SL 7 build we tested comes with carbon rims and a seatpost, and wireless SRAM Force AXS D2 electronic shifting.
Specs
Weight: 19.85 pounds
Frame: Carbon fiber
Groupset: SRAM Force AXS D2
Wheels: 700c x 50
Best Budget Gravel Bike: Diamondback Haanjo 3
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Diamondback is known for making affordable bikes that, despite their price, easily compete with pricier bikes. The brand’s Haanjo 3 is a light and capable gravel bike, and it’s one of the most affordable do-everything bikes you can buy. Haanjo has been in Diamondback’s lineup for a while, and the current models are more versatile than ever.
Diamondback’s newest Haanjo frame now pairs with its rigid Haanjo Carbon fork as well as 30mm to 60mm travel suspension forks, including the RockShox Rudy and the SR Suntour GVX. Some models, including Haanjo 4 EXP and 7C EXP, are spec’d with suspension forks from the factory. Whatever the build, the 2023 Haanjo frame and forks both have more attachment points for hauling bags and bottles than ever before. Some models also have dropper posts to give you confidence and control on washboard dirt roads and uneven trails. Whether you’re an entry-level gravel rider or a racer, there’s a bike for every cyclist in the Haanjo lineup.
Specs
Weight: 25.1 pounds
Frame: Aluminum, carbon fiber
Groupset: MicroSHIFT Advent X
Wheels: 700C x 37mm
Best Aluminum Gravel Bike: Specialized Diverge Comp E5
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Carbon is costly any way you form it, but many affordable alloy-frame gravel bikes are too jarring to be much fun off the pavement. Specialized, which makes excellent bikes in all price categories, offers Diverge in aluminum. It’s an alloy bike that bucks the trend. It’s a bargain and excels at everything from racing to casual exploration, thanks to high-quality components and a vibration-damping Future Shock (a shock absorber mounted within the stem) that offers 20mm of travel. Overall, Diverge serves up a responsive, nimble, and stable ride.
In this version, Specialized increased the frame’s reach, added a slacker head tube and a longer offset fork, and used a shorter stem to keep the cockpit length the same and the steering lively. The company also kept the bottom bracket low for stability, but it’s high enough that the bike can take 650B wheels without scraping the ground on rough roads.
While the frame is made of aluminum, the fork is full carbon. SRAM’s gravel-inspired Apex 1 1x11 groupset shifts smoothly on any terrain, and the Axis Elite alloy wheels with Pathfinder Sport 38mm tires add even more capability and versatility. The Diverge comes in an impressive seven sizes, all with loads of mounts for bags and bottles.
Specs
Weight: 30.6 pounds
Frame: Aluminum, carbon fiber
Groupset: SRAM Apex 1
Wheels: 700C x 47mm and 650B x 53mm
Best Titanium Gravel Bike: Otso Warakin Ti
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If you’ve ever experienced a titanium bike, you know the unique ride feel this lightweight, lustrous metal delivers. Besides being beautiful, titanium has excellent corrosion resistance and a high strength-to-weight ratio. When used in a bike frame, it offers best-in-class power transmission and creates a forgiving feel that no other material can match. However, titanium bikes are often extremely expensive. That’s not the case with Warakin Ti. Complete bikes start at $4,500, and Otso’s online build tool lets you customize and control the spec and price of the bike.
All Warakins start with an internally double-butted, brushed-finished titanium frame. Otso’s tuning chip at the rear dropout is a standout feature on these bikes. Shift it to adjust the wheelbase by 20mm and to raise the bottom bracket by 4mm.
By using the chip, you can change the ride characteristics of the bike: On one setting, it’s an energetic all-road adventure machine, but you can also adjust it to make the bike more stable for rugged or technical riding. Moving the chip also changes how much space you have for different wheel and tire configurations (Otso provides a helpful chart on its website to guide your choices). Thanks to the tuning chip, this bike has more tire size flexibility than any other bike I reviewed.
Specs
Weight: 3.4 pounds (frame only)
Frame: Titanium
Groupset: Shimano GRX, SRAM Rival or Force AXS
Wheels: 700C x 51mm and 650B x 51mm
Best Gravel E-Bike: Pinarello Nytro E7
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Pinarello is an elite Italian bicycle maker known for putting racers on the podium. It’s also a brand that makes a racy electric gravel bike that’s energetic, fast, and nearly silent.
Pinarello’s carbon-frame Nytro E7 gravel bike boosts power with a sleek pedal-assist setup. The ultra-compact, 300-watt TQ motor and battery are integrated into the bike’s downtube: The design is so small and quiet, your riding partners may never know your legs are getting a little help. The Nytro E7’s 360-watt-hour battery gives this bike 60 miles of range, and you can add a range extender for another 25 miles. The TQ system is easy to use, too. An integrated top tube screen lets you know how much power remains, and the system pairs with your phone via the TQ app. Using the app, which syncs with the bike’s “brain,” you can fine-tune the motor’s power delivery based on your speed, cadence, and more.
The E7 is spec’d with a SRAM Force AXS 1x12 XPLR drivetrain and Fulcrum tubeless-ready wheels, and its frame is fabricated from a super light T900 carbon fiber, which gives this bike its spunky feel. The frame has space for up to 50mm tires, and it can take 700C and 650B wheels, which means it can tackle any terrain you want to ride. It's a racy e-gravel bike that will help you ride farther, faster, and longer. A less expensive ($7,800) E5 version is also available.
Specs
Weight: 28.7 pounds
Frame: Carbon fiber
Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
Wheels: 700C x 50mm
Best User-Friendly Gravel E-Bike: Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp
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However short or long you want to go, and whether you desire assist for you entire ride or just specific sections, Specialized’s whisper-quiet Turbo Creo 2 Comp delivers more power for less weight, up to five hours of run time, the ability to expand your battery capacity easily with a water-bottle shaped auxiliary battery, huge tire clearance, and elastomer suspension in the fork. It’s also one of the easiest gravel e-bikes to use thanks to Specialized’s powerful and intuitive app that lets you record rides, track data, and lock your bike electronically.
The Turbo Creo 2 is a bike made for avid riders who want a little boost. The bike display shows you how far, fast, and hard you’re riding and more. While the app adds even more functionality and control you don’t need to pull your phone out when you’re riding to use it. The Creo 2 is an e-bike that pedals like a traditional gravel bike in all the right ways. The rider position is efficient and comfortable.
The bike is spec’d with 700c x 47 tires, but it can take up to 29 x 2.2-inch tires for rugged and heavily loaded missions. I loved the little bit (20mm) of front fork shock absorption. It took the road vibration down a notch so I felt fresher longer. And a mini dropper post made fast downhills just a little more stable. For touring, outfit the Creo 2 with front, rear, and/or low-rider racks.
Specs
Weight: 32.08 pounds
Frame: Carbon fiber
Groupset: SRAM AXS
Wheels: 700C x 45mm and 650B x 53mm
Related: Everything You Need to Know to Start Bikepacking
More Gravel Bikes We Love
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Colnago is one of the most historic brands in cycling history. And for most of its 70-year history, it’s been consistently well-represented on the top tier of race podiums. Prestigious Colnago victories include 14 Grand Tours, 405 Grand Tour stages, 42 Classic Monuments, 27 World Championships, 18 Olympic Gold Medals, and Tadej Poga?ar’s victories in the 2020 and 2021 Tour de France. Riders buy a Colnago for the same reasons drivers purchase a Ferrari. It’s a status symbol as well as a fun, fast, and adept tool. And though Colnago is no longer run by its founder, the brand’s new C68 gravel bike delivers both performance and attitude that would make Ernesto Colnago proud.
The C68 is a drop bar gravel bike made for off-roading. It has a racy, road bike-like feel. Don’t look for touring bag mounts. The C68 is an elegant, understated day-tripper with nimble handling, energetic and predictable geometry, and an abundance of class. In fact, the C stands for Carbon, Colnago, Cambiago (a region of Milan), and Class. All Colnago C-series bikes, including the C68 Road, are handmade in Italy from tubes tailored to each frame size.
The bike was a total joy to ride even on washed-out, loose, slippery trails. Colnago gave the C68 Gravel a shorter reach and higher stack than its road bike counterpart, while keeping the bike racy and aggressive. It also gave the C68 Gravel tire clearance for up to 42mm rubber. Colnago refined the tube shapes, flared the handlebar for more space in the cockpit, gave the seatpost clamp a better tightening mechanism and protected it from mud and dirt with a rubber seat-clamp cover.
This is a bike that riders will build from the frame up with their local dealer, so Colnago spec’d it for compatibility with most 1x drivetrains with electronic shifting or internal cable routing.
Specs- Weight: 3.59 pounds (frame and fork)
- Frame: Carbon fiber
- Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR eTAP AXS, SRAM Force eTAP AXS, Shimano GRX
- Wheels: 700C x 45mm
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Meet the most comfortable gravel bike you can buy. Pivot’s next-gen Vault uses an elastomer sleeve between the seatpost and frame to damp vibration and absorb shock. This provides a modest suspension that tames the bumps and bruises of dirt road, off-road, and paved pedaling. Combined with the Vault’s lightened frame and added power-transferring stiffness in the extra-wide bottom bracket, this bike is smooth and speedy.
The 2.2-pound, full-carbon frame is made with Pivot’s proprietary high stiffness-to-weight ratio top tube and stays shaped for maximum power output. It’s available with 1x and 2x drivetrains and can handle sub-compact chainrings, traditional road gearing, and crank arm-based power meters.
Saddle up with 700C x 47mm or 650B x 2.0-inch tires depending on where you’re headed. (Dual dropped chainstays create ample tire clearance.) Internal routing keeps cables from rattling on the rough stuff, but a large port allows easy access for servicing. Whether you’re pedaling for pleasure, training, or racing gravel or cross, this bike covers your bases.
Specs- Weight: 2.2 pounds (frame only)
- Frame: Carbon fiber
- Groupset: SRAM AXS
- Wheels: 700C x 47mm and 650B x 50mm
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While this bike would be easy to dismiss as too odd, its awkward good looks make it the most trail-ready gravel bike. Designed and built in Vermont’s Green Mountains, this all-terrain bike looks like a drop-bar adventure wagon, or maybe a skinny-tire bike that bulked and carbo-loaded up for the miles ahead. Moonshiner is about comfort, not speed. With this bike, you can run 3-inch tires on 650B rims and 2.6-inch tires on 700C rims—ideal for rolling over any and all obstacles.
Boost spacing (110mm front and 148mm rear width, the current standard for MTB hubs) allows you to run stiffer wheels, enhancing the bike’s all-terrain durability. An extra-short, MTB-style stem on the drop bar pairs with the bike’s low standover height, high bottom bracket, and slack seat tube angle to give it great stability and plenty of ground clearance for sailing down the most technical trails.
While the design is unorthodox, it works, and makes Moonshiner a superb rig for backcountry exploring. If your future holds a big bikepacking adventure to remote locations, or if meandering dirt track rambles beckon, Moonshiner is the tool for the job.
Specs- Weight: 30.5 pounds
- Frame: Steel
- Groupset: N/A
- Wheels: 650B x 76mm (on 35mm internal width rims)
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If you’re in it to win it, BMC’s Kaius 01 will help you meet your goals. Pauline Ferrand Prevot won the 2022 UCI Gravel World Championship on this bike, and Greg Van Avermaet rode one to fourth place. The best bike for dedicated racers and riders who split their time equally between pavement and gravel, the high-performance Kaius is built for speed. You feel it as soon as you swing a leg over and start to pedal.
The bike was inspired by BMC’s World Tour Teammachine SLR O1 road bike, but has a lower bottom bracket and a longer front end (the portion of the bike from the seat to the handlebar) for stability and traction on teeth-rattling terrain. The two-pound frame is notably stiff for excellent power transfer, and it climbs like a gazelle.
The bike has an aerodynamic cockpit setup, and the highlight is the bike’s handlebar: It’s a narrow 360mm on top for aerodynamic speed flared to 420mm wide in the drops for stability when descending. The bike is aggressive, but it still manages to feel comfortable in terrain from pavement to chunder. Riders report this bike has helped them exceed their own expectations, even on technical courses.
Kaius 01 comes in six sizes, from 47cm to 61cm, and has multiple build options, including 1x and 2x drivetrains, a dropper post, BMC’s new MTT Suspension Stem, and top tube bolt-on bags.
Specs- Weight: 2 pounds (frame only)
- Frame: Carbon fiber
- Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
- Wheels: 700C x 44mm
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Built on one of the lightest gravel frames available, Factor’s Ostro is the most aerodynamic gravel bike you can buy. That’s not surprising when you look at the team that’s imagining, designing, and building Factor Bikes: The company is staffed by nerdy engineers who love building bikes in-house.
This electronic-shifting-only thoroughbred is stiff so the pedal force you put into it translates seamlessly into forward motion. Its low-drag, airfoil-inspired front end slices through wind at lower speeds typical of dirt road and trail riding. Factor achieved best-in-class wind tunnel performance with airfoils analysis that guided designers to a headtube shape they say saves minutes in an XL gravel race.
Factor gave Ostro plenty of tire clearance with 45mm tires (there's still 4mm between the tires and frame. So this bike excels in muddy, mucky conditions too. And they calculated larger tires into this bike’s geometry when determining key geometry measurements, including trail and fork rake. The end result is unhindered speed and a bike that climbs like a gazelle.
The bike comes spec’d with Black Inc’s deep THIRTY FOUR ceramic hub wheels that shed wind but maintain stability. Its Black Inc Integrated Aero Barstem has a mid-depth aero profile with a backswept flare for lots of hand positions on long rides, to reduce stress on wrists, and to provide a stable front end for fast descents without compromising the snappy ride.
While comfort isn’t usually a call-out in a high-end race bike, it is with the Ostro. The bar is held by an integrated bar stem with a wind-tunnel approved GoPro-style computer mount, angle adjustment, and a supported second mount for a light or action camera.
Specs- Weight: 2.09 pounds (frame only)
- Frame: Carbon fiber
- Groupset: N/A
- Wheels: 700C x 45mm
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The original Stigmata, which was introduced by Santa Cruz in 2007, was a cyclocross bike. This version is all-road ready, with a balanced approach for riders seeking roads less traveled and smooth dirt.
Santa Cruz’s Stigmata carbon frame and fork are stiff and strong, compliant where they should be, and powerful everywhere else. The bike has clearance for 45mm tires on 700C wheels and 2.1-inch tires on 650B wheels, allowing you to spec it like a road or mountain bike. Hidden mounts let you attach fenders (front and rear) to keep from getting soaked on rainy days, and it has three bottle cage mounts that can also attach bolt-on bags for bikepacking.
With its relaxed fit, increased standover height, taller stack (the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube, measured vertically straight up and down), and shorter reach (the horizontal measurement from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube) across sizes, the bike is comfortable for big mileage days. The 71- to 72-degree head tube angle and low bottom bracket give the bike a smooth ride and an excellent balance between responsiveness and stability. And it now has storage in the downtube.
Specs- Weight: 19.6 pounds
- Frame: Carbon fiber
- Groupset: SRAM Apex or Rival AXS
- Wheels: 700C x 45mm and 650B x 53mm
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With three power modes and tire clearance for up to 50mm tires, Vetum’s ES1G carbon-frame electric assist gravel bike is fun and relatively affordable. It ships straight to your door and is easy to assemble. Open the box, and all you need to do is install wheels and pedals, then hit the road.
ESG1 isn’t a speed racer. It’s made for touring and adventures of any length, with mounts on the frame and fork for bags and bottles. The direct-to-consumer ES1G uses top-end, name-brand components, including a 1x12 Shimano drivetrain and Shimano’s EP801 Motor powered by a 504 watt-hour battery for up to 100 miles of range in eco mode. When you need more assist than eco can deliver, there are two other power modes to choose from. It’s a peppy ride, with 85 ft/lbs of torque.
The frame looks racy, but it was comfortable for rides of every length. And the price is right. If you want carbon wheels or other upgrades, you can get those through Ventum when you order.
Specs- Weight: 37 pounds
- Frame: Carbon fiber
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra
- Wheels: 700c x 50mm and 650b x 51
What to Look for in the Best Gravel Bikes
The term “gravel bike” encompasses a wide range of bike geometry and specs. Generally, gravel bikes are drop-bar bikes designed for riding over a variety of surfaces, from pavement to gravel to dirt.
Some bikes in the category are close cousins of road bikes, while others are more similar to mountain bikes. A racing-oriented gravel bike may have road bike-like geometry with space for wider tires and mud clearing. A gravel bike that’s more like an MTB might have smaller 650B wheels, which provide more space for wider off-pavement tires. It could also have a MTB drivetrain, a suspension fork, and sometimes even rear shock. The variety can be a bit overwhelming, but focusing on a few key features will help you compare models and find the right one for you.
Geometry
Gravel bikes typically have lower bottom brackets, slacker head angles, and longer wheelbases than road bikes. This more relaxed geometry creates a stable ride on uneven terrain, and puts the rider in a more upright riding position. While it might not feel quite as speedy, this position puts less stress on your back—especially helpful during long rides.
Most gravel bikes also have flared drop handlebars. These bars are angled outward at the bottom, and the wider spread gives you better comfort, stability, and control over rough ground.
Compliance
Most gravel bike frames are engineered to flex when you hit bumps, mellowing the jolt and road vibrations. For an even smoother ride, some models have shock absorbers. That could be a suspension fork, a spring in the seatpost, or a vibration-diffusing piece of plastic or rubber in the seat stays.
Wheels and Tires
In order to withstand bumps, rocks, and rough terrain and get traction, gravel bikes have heavy-duty rims and wider tires than road bikes. In some cases, gravel models can run tires up to 50mm (two inches) wide—the same width as a cross-country MTB tire. Wider tires absorb more vibration from rough surfaces than narrower tires, and they create a more efficient, comfortable ride when pedaling off-road.
Gravel bike tire treads range from smooth with small side knobs (perfect for the rider who will use a gravel bike to pedal both pavement and dirt) to aggressive lugged treads for maximum traction on loose surfaces.
Drivetrains
Most gravel bike drivetrains are geared to help you get up steep, loose climbs without getting off your bike. Gravel bikes use both single-chainring (called 1x, or “one-by”) and double-chainring drivetrains (called 2x, or “two-by”). Many riders prefer a 1x setup because it’s easier to maintain (there’s just one derailleur to worry about) and requires only a single shifter. That leaves the option for operating a dropper post (more on that below) from a second shifter. The advantage of a 2x setup is a wider range of gears, which is helpful if you’re touring loaded in hilly terrain.
Cargo Carrying
Most gravel bikes have multiple mounts on the frame and fork to attach bags, racks, and water bottle cages. Because of this, gravel bikes are a solid choice for longer rides and bikepacking. Gravel bike riders can potentially carry everything they need for days, weeks, or even months of riding.
Dropper Posts
A dropper post is a type of seatpost that allows you to raise and lower your seat without getting off the bike (you control the dropper via a handlebar-mounted lever). If your gravel bike doesn’t come with one, you can add one, though some bikes may need to have the actuator cable externally routed if they don't have a built-in port for it. A dropper post can boost your confidence on downhills. Hit the thumb lever, and the saddle will sink underneath you, lowering your center of gravity for improved stability and control if you remain sitting. It also keeps the saddle out of the way if you stand up, giving you more space to maneuver your body while negotiating rough terrain. Push the lever again, and your saddle returns to your set pedaling height.
How to Choose the Right Gravel Bike for You
Buy a gravel bike that matches where you ride and your cycling objectives. If you typically ride pavement and gravel in equal measure, look for a gravel bike with road-style geometry; it’ll be faster on pavement. For unhindered exploration of dirt roads and trails, look for a gravel bike that’s a bit closer to a MTB, with slacker geometry and wider tires.
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Why You Should Trust Me
I'm an avid mountain biker and gravel cyclist. A few of my bucket-list accomplishments include biking across the U.S., gravel biking the length of Jordan, guiding cycling trips throughout Europe and South America, mountain biking in Nepal and Chile, and completing the VTXL gravel ride. At home in Vermont, I'm president of Richmond Mountain Trails, which just completed Vermont's first fully adaptive bike-friendly mountain bike trail network, a network of blue, black, and double-black trails. I'm making a movie about the project to debut in the Summer of 2025. When I'm not at her computer, I'm rolling through the Green Mountains on two wheels. I have reviewed bikes and cycling gear for many cycling publications. I am a regular contributor to Men's Journal.
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