20 Best Bike For Gravel Roads (2023 Updated)

This is my second grit. I also have an Elroy by Mongoose with the same frameset. This Grit is in a JFF “Just For Fun” with the 2 x 7, but upgraded to 2 x 9 with new wheel hubs that replace the stock threaded freewheel.

I’ve upgraded to 420 Ritchey flared gravel drop bars and the Shimano Alevio 9 speed derailleur. Micronew 9 sp brifter and the microshift 2 speed brifter for a total of 18 speeds. Works great with my Think Rider Power Trainer A1 indoors on inclement days.

The five bottle cage mounts along with two fork mounts for paniers and rear rack mounts ta boot. Weak bottom bracket with unsealded bearings quickly failed.

The first time I test rode this bike, I told the guy at the bike shop I’d just “take it around the block really quick” as I’d already taken a longer ride on a different bike and didn’t want to take up too much of his time.

When I got back to the shop, he told me he thought he was going to have to send someone out looking for me, I was gone so long. I didn’t even realize it. I instantly fell in love with this bike. It was a little expensive, though, so I wanted to sleep on it, and came back the next day to watch someone buying the exact bike I test rode, which happened to be the last in the shop.

That was about 17 months ago. I have searched high and low, near and far, looking for this bike in my size. Insane manufacturing and shipping delays have impacted most of the world’s products, but somehow this bike is one of the hardest to get your hands on (especially in your size).

I don’t know exactly why. So with that out of the way, let me tell you about the bike itself. I don’t know how to describe it any better than it feels like there is no bike there. It feels like I am riding nothing, and speeding down the road through some form of magic.

I’m not saying it feels like a cloud, or like air, more that it somehow melds into neither my body nor the road but somehow both at once, or neither. It is my dream bicycle. I don’t really remember my rides on it, just like I lost track of time when test riding it.

I seem to just disappear when I leave the house on it and after a pleasant teleportation process, arrive at my destination. Shifting is instant and confident. The wheels and tires are chunky enough that I’ll never slip into the train tracks (I live in San Francisco) but thin enough that I don’t feel like I’m riding a monster truck.

They’re soft and fast. The bars are flared, but not enough that you would notice without looking at them directly. The frame is quite light for steel, especially compared to my buddy’s Nicasio+, and absorbs vibration comfortably.

If you can’t tell, I love this bike. I didn’t know it was possible to love a bike this much. I deeply hope you can find one in stock and in your size, because I think everyone deserves to have an experience with a bike like I have with this one.

The Nicasio 2 is a excellent choice for commuting in all conditions. Very stable ride. Accurate shifting, lightweight and fast. Disc breaks are great for wet weather too. Comfortable steel frame.

The bike arrived fine, and assembled easy. The only complaint is the 1×10, 11-51 doesn’t align well in the rear derailleur. I found it interesting that the bike even has a 52t in a 10x. Jenson was kind enough to pay a bill from a local mechanic to fix it.

I love the color, the geometry, the fact that is shares the name of the county I was born in (I know, trivial to a review). Good components. However, the dark red paint on it is VERY susceptible to being scratched off.

Bought this early Feb 2021 and can’t speak highly enough of it. I spent ages researching all the gravel bikes around the £2k mark, reading all the reviews, watching videos, speaking to people in bike shops plus borrowing some friends’ bikes to try (incl Diverge) and eventually settled on the Trek – am very happy I did as it’s superb.

Very well kitted out (although tubeless tyres would have been welcome), very light, very fast and very versatile. Have been out on back roads, through woods, fields and tracks in all the winter weather and not had any problems at all.

the tyres are actually really great on a range of surfaces and the bikes has eaten up everything with ease. I had a mountain bike before so this is a big change – nice to be able to go further and faster but with the ability to get off road too.

Service was great from Sigma throughout – very knowledgeable and helpful, bike came within a week of ordering. just put the bars on, add pedals and off we go. Am a very satisfied customer.

Pros: 650B wheels, third bottle/storage mounting point Cons: Mechanical brakes. I’ve only taken it for a short ride, but so far so good. I’ve envied the 650B wheels on my wife’s Dr Dew for some time.

These are significantly more comfortable than my other bike’s 700c 32mm wheels and, they take quite a bit of the harshness out of the road. That said, had I purchased this at full price, I’d give it 4/5* because of value.

The lack of hydraulic brakes is unfortunate IMO. Especially since, Kona’s equally priced Jake the snake has them equipped. The brakes on this bike aren’t bad, and should improve as the pads bed, but they are definitely lacking compared to the hydraulics I have on my commencal city bike.

Very simple and strong bike. It gives the feeling of being very reliable for long journeys. the only flaw, the original saddle is uncomfortable, but it is easily replaceable.

Service from Jenson was great as always. Frame and fork are excellent. One of the smoothest aluminum bikes I’ve ridden. Sure a lot of that has to do with the tire size, but even on rough mixed surfaces it feels stable and comfortable.

Specs are decent but I really wish it came with hydraulic brakes. Would be an easy 5 star bike if not for the brakes.

I’ve had this bike less than a month, and have put 700 miles on it. I’m 6’7″, 270lbs (19 Stone in the UK). Its intended use is a durable commuter bike, because the surface streets in Los Angeles are terrible, and the bike trails only run north-south.

I’ve been using it primarily on the bike paths, seeing as I’m not commuting (thanks to the pandemic) to work. As others have said, it comes with 42c/tubed tires. I knew this up front, as I selected the bike at a local shop.

The wheels are tubeless-ready, however. This bike is STIFF, and sure-footed. It is a fantastic commuter bike, stepping over bumps, cracks, potholes, seams, and every other dangerous road hazard that eats up road bikes.

It feels much safer to ride over sketchy road issues rather than try to dodge them with my road bike. Shifting is smooth and solid, but your cable will stretch, so it’ll need adjusting after a couple hundred miles.

The saddle was a little too aggressive for me, so I replaced with a comfort/commuter seat. A little more friction, but less pressure on my sit bones – more motivation to keep losing weight! Stopping power is a big issue for a big guy like me, and the hydraulic brakes are spot on, from drag braking on steep descents, to panic stops Handling feels like a BMX bike from the 70s.

You will be tempted to jump curbs, and run off trail into the dirt for no other reason than the joy of knowing you can. Dirt and gravel are GOOD times. I’ve put perhaps 40 miles on dirt and gravel. The 48/32 crankset matched to the 11/34 cassette is the perfect compromise for a commuter bike, IMO.

Top gear rivals the road bikes, and low gear is adequate for all but the most ridiculous climbs. 20mph pace on asphalt is no big deal. If you want to ride with impunity over questionable streets, take runs on all but the most technical dirt trails, and still do speed runs with your road bike friends, this beast can do it all really well.

My wife wanted a “road” bike all season, but bike shops have had limited stock all year. I happened to see this in a medium and bought it on the spot. I’ve put 4000 miles or so on my road bike this season and have taken this out on a few rides.

Here are my observations: Pros: Claris is good! I am used to 100 speed 105. There is some range in the middle missing for me, but I could definitely make due. I was impressed with the crispness of the shifting.

I did fuss with limit screws to eliminate all the chain rub exception extreme cross chain (big/big, small/small) situations, but that’s par for the course with a new bike The bike is super comfortable.

I really like the geometry. And it’s fairly compliant for an aluminum bike. The tektro mechanical discs are great once I properly bed in the pads and got all the greasy fingerprints off the rotors. I adjusted them a few times and got the lever pull just right I haven’t done much gravel riding, but the little I have done have been capable.

Cons: This bike is slow on the road compared to my road bike. However I’m sure it’s mostly due to the 42c knobby tires. Some 28c road tires would definitely roll a lot faster. The rims aren’t tubeless ready.

If I were to do a lot of gravel riding, I’d appreciate tubeless. At this price I’m not sure I can complain though. I hate the Giant Contact saddle. I had it on another bike I own too so I already knew what I was on for.

This isn’t a big deal because I’d change the saddle to my preferred brand on any bike I’d buy anyway. The cables will rub the paint off the fork in short order. Put some 3M protective film they sell for automotive applications right when you get the bike and thank me later.

This isn’t exclusive to this bike, many brands have the same set up. And the same issue. I definitely want my own now to explore some local trails.

I Bought my bike in Nov 2017. I have the 2018 SLR2. I had not rode a bike in 20 years. My previous bike being a Peugeot Limestone I got as a teen in the early 90’s. Looked at many dif brands eventually checking out Giant bikes.

I didn’t even know the price ranges for a decent bike. Local bike shops let me test ride a variety of models Talon, Roam, Cypress, Sedona etc. I wanted a bike that Id be satisfied with as I got into better shape and could upgrade components rather than buying a whole new Bike.

It had to be good for long rides. be good for road and some off road/gravel. The Toughroad SLR2 really hit that mark. Ive added to the bike already and will eventually upgrade the drivetrain, wheels, shifters.

The Toughroad has a great, solid frame. The saddle I feel was made as a torture device. But outspokin bicycles had a selle royale saddle that works with the toughroad very well. I am very happy with the bike and Im sure I will be for a very long time.

It’s quick. but obviously dedicated road bikes will be faster. It’s very comfortable for long rides.

I bought this bike after owning an Escape Disc 1. I’ve put almost 1,000 miles on it. I use it for commuting and exercise. The shifting cables will stretch with breaking the bike in, but with a turn or two of the barrel adjuster, it shifts perfectly.

The gearing makes it easy to climb hills and gain speed on flat runs. If you’re looking for a good bike to ride on trials (gravel or pavement) or ride on the streets, this is perfect for the price. If you are new to biking like I was, check out some YouTube videos on how to shift properly, and maintain your bike.

Just a little knowledge will make your bike last a long time.

I bought my bike new from a shop in July 2020 and have put a solid year of riding on it, including a century, a 70 miler, a 60 miler, a 50 miler, and several 20/30 milers. In all that time I’m on my third chain.

Initially the bike would derail often on the front derailer and twice it wedged the chain between the frame and toasted the chain. After the second chain my shop put on a front derailer stop that makes sure the chain can’t move inward.

Luckily I haven’t derailed since. Overall the bike looks great, but more importantly it’s fun to ride. I’m sure there are tons of bikes that are faster and lighter, but for my first road bike in ten years I look forward to riding it.

The shifters work great, the gearing is pretty good, and it’s very comfortable even on long rides. It feels pretty fast to me. I’ve learned a lot about what I want in my next bike and plan to hand this down to my son when he gets older.

Overall I’m glad I didn’t spend more. I have a better idea of what to get the next time around.

Sales people answered my questions and concerns. The brake cable concealed stem was a non issue for assembly and the AXS system made it even easier. The packing was perfect. I was waiting to convert to tubeless until some wheel tape arrived, but when I took the tires off they were already taped.

A call to the Reserve Wheels staff explained that all aftermarket wheels are taped. The valve stems came with the small parts box so I was tubeless in no time. All the manuals and paperwork were in the box….

Nice surprise from several recent bike purchases. I will use Mike’s again. The XPLR gearing is perfect for my riding style and location.

This bike is as Cervelo says fast on gravel and on the road. The Panaracer Gravelking tyres are great for being able to do both gravel and road section, albeit they wont deal with real muddy conditions.

The bike is nice and comfortable to ride and the flared bars really let you get control on more technical and downhill sections. The AXS Groupset works fantastically, albeit on road you might spin out at around 45kmph.

I love the overall asthetic of the bike and the fully internally routed cables gives a really sleek look tot he bike. This bike won’t be for the gravel packer, but if you are after the holy grail of one bike to do it all this could be the one.

The Aspero Apex is exactly as advertised – a zippy and responsive bike on the loose stuff that also feels rideable on tarmac. It handles very well and is sure-footed and confidence inspiring. Given its stiffness and race geometry, I wouldn’t want to be on it all day on technical terrain, but that’s not what I was after.

I’m currently a road cyclist who used to do a lot of MTB events. This bike shoots right through the middle. And I love the idea that, if I want to splash out in a couple of years to upgrade the group set, I’d have a top end rig without breaking the bank.

This is a fantastic bike. Personally, I love the design of this frame. But it’s not just a pretty bike, it’s also very clever and capable. I really like the suspension and it’s adjustability. And the SWAT storage is really convenient and I no longer use the seat bag that I used on my previous bike.

My one gripe is that I wish this had one more gear on the back to get some extra range on especially steep climbs. And maybe the Shimano GRX groupset instead of the Sram Rival, but I think that’s more personal preference than performance.

I want to eventually put on a Classified groupset system, but I have to save up a bit more for that. O, and I do really like the tires that this comes with, but they are focus on smooth rolling roads without much loose stuff.

Loose stuff get’s a bit slidey with these, but I appreciate the speed that I get on the roads. This is a great bike for road endurance with occasional, well maintained gravel. Maybe I’ll put on some bigger 650b wheels/tires for the really rough stuff, but again, money.

Overall, I do recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a single bike to do both road and gravel.

Purchased the 2020 Roubaix Expert to be a BWR Bike. It works great with 32mm All Conditions. However, curiosity for the Diverge got the best of me. Made several personal preference upgrades to my Carbon Expert: ZIPP SL Speed Carbon Stem, SW Power Mimic, SW Hoover Bar, CLX Terras (XDR), SRAM Force Cranks arms, Levers, Calipers, Centerline X Rotors, XX1 AXS Eagle RD, Garbaruk 10-52 Cassette, 12/16 Pullys and 42t Oval Chainring.

This Bike rips the STD (Skinny Tire Dirt) XGravel chunky stuff. Concrete and black top’s proficiently on the Pathfinder 42s, as well. The Diverge handled 101 miles with 7,100 ft EG, 95% Dirt, mostly mountain bike territories stunningly.

The volume surprised me as I stopped looking at my watch while I was having so much fun thru the ride. The Diverge climbs, descends and rips single track so similar to my SW Epic HT, it’s dreamy. The SWAT Chamber in the frame carries delicate Powdered Replenishment in ziplocks fine atop the Flat Kit Bag.

Super Grateful.

This is my second dedicated gravel bike and I absolutely love it. I cannot say enough about the Futureshock 2. 0 and its abilities. The bike’s comfort and speed are excellent. As another reviewer stated, the NX spec’d cassette is frustrating.

A bike at this price point shouldn’t have any bottom of the line components. A) It is a ridiculous 620g, b) the NX cassette installs on a Shimano HG free hub. So when you upgrade to a cassette more appropriate for this bike and its price point, you also have to swap out the freehub.

The stock tires are rubbish unless you are riding paved bike paths. Brands putting tires on to get good rolling resistance in reviews, however they are not suitable for any real gravel. Last complaint is the handlebar.

It’s just all around weird and too narrow. Great bike, but let’s not cut corners at this price point. GX cassette and a decent set of carbon bars should be on this bike from the factory.

Gorgeous and light bike, but the problems with the seat post simply ruin the entire experience. I purchased the Revolt Advanced 2 less than 2 months ago and from BEFORE I even purchased it, the seat post was making terrible creaking and cracking sounds.

Before I took delivery I rode it through the parking lot and complained of the noise. The tech assured me that was a quick fix, and then proceeded to remove the seat post, re-apply carbon paste and re-assembled and all seemed to be well so I went ahead and purchased the bike.

I got the bike home and that same day went for a 16 mile ride, maybe halfway through the ride the sounds returned. I immediately brought the bike back to the dealer for repair, they did the same thing as last time and again it seemed to resolve the issue.

Fast forward nearly 2 months, I’ve ridden this bike maybe 6-7 times (I ride my mountain bikes most days), and I’ve had this bike in for repair on the seat post 5 (6 if you count them fixing it before I bought it) times now since I brought it home! They are tired of seeing me, and I am tired of bringing it back.

Today was my 5th visit to the dealer for repair, and the tech mentioned he has another customer with a similar issue that turned out to be cracks in the carbon on the seat post riser from the D-Fuse insert they added for 2022.

He then inspected mine instead of the usual cleaning and re-assembly, and behold, I have a small crack on the left side and a large deep crack on the right, so deep you can put a fingernail in it. They have gone ahead and opened a warranty claim on the frame for me, but in all honesty I don’t want it back and asked for a return instead.

Unfortunately I am outside the return period thus am stuck with it. The tech suggested after the new frame arrives I should purchase and install a round seat post to avoid the issue from happening again.

I am not about to drop $200-300 for a new carbon seat post to fix a bad design from Giant, that’s on them, if anything it should be provided as part of the warranty claim if that truly is the fix for this issue.

To add more fuel to the fire, after getting home from my dealer today I googled the issue and found an entire thread on the r/gravelcycling sub-reddit with 46 replies of others who have the exact same seat post complaint with their 2022 Revolt Advanced frames.

This is clearly not isolated and quite simply should be recalled!.

I’ve been into mountain biking for several years now and I wanted to dip my toes into bike packing. My road is a bike my dad gave me from the 80’s with the tube shifters so I knew I needed an upgrade.

I wasn’t sure if I’d be into gravel biking so I just bought the base model to get started. This bike has been seriously amazing. The day I picked it up I did a 30-mile ride and I haven’t fallen in love with something that quickly in a long time.

The cables did stretch a lot so I took it back to have it re-tuned the next day to get rid of the gears jumping around but outside of that. it’s performed flawlessly. I live in northern Washington outside of the North Cascades and I ride this bike almost every day.

I’ve only had it for a few months but it’s been so fun that I can’t stop riding. I was able to buy a few bags and it carries the weight great! I’m 6′ 4″ and about 200lbs and even with bags loaded up, it’s had no issues carrying everything.

I plan on doing several big bike packing trips this summer and especially with these ridiculous gas prices I’m so stoked to have something to cruise around on. Something to add, I talked with the local bike guy when I picked the bike up and he had some really interesting thoughts.

One of the things he said really struck me though. I asked him if he thought this bike would be good for long days out, bike packing, etc and he said (I’m paraphrasing) “this bike would have cost a fortune even a few years ago.

Don’t feel like you should buy a $4000 bike to go out and do these things. This bike will take you anywhere and you could probably spend the next 10 years just on this bike alone”. I think he’s right.

I thought about buying much more expensive bikes but at this price point. this bike is going to be perfect for me. I’m never going to be the fastest biker, I’m never going to be doing races, I just wanted a bike to hit the road with, and just enjoy getting off the blacktop when I need to.

I think this bike fits the bill perfectly. We live in an amazing time in history where you can get a brand new bike like this one, outfit the entire thing with bags and ride across the entire country using only your iphone.

Hopefully, everyone reading this gets to experience how incredible these moments get to be for us. Get after it!!.

Don’t get this model unless you are prepared to spend an extra ~£100 swapping-out the Bottom-Bracket and crank for an 8-speed Claris Hollowtech Double Chainset crank and threaded Road-BB. (Hollowtech threaded road bottom-bracket sold separately) Or, you can buy the next model up (FastRoad SL2) that has the FSA version of Hollowtech, that is also much stiffer than a Square-Taper system, already installed, plus, a supposedly better gear system with Sora.

The reason Square-Taper is not fit for purpose is that your chain will rub on the front derailleur every time you pedal in the higher gears. Adjusting the front derailleur will not stop the rub, only change on which side the rub occurs.

A quirk with the bike is that the ML version has a very short wheel-base which results in your toes rubbing against the front wheel whilst manoeuvring at low speeds. (Please insert womanoeuvring if applicable).

Otherwise, the bike is perfectly adequate, but cheaping-out on the crank-system on an £800 bike lost it the 5 stars. Even if the bike was £50 more expensive, it would be worth the extra money, but they seem too eager to meet certain price points at the cost of a decent product.

Almost as if an office worker was assigned the task of choosing components to meet certain price-points despite knowing nothing about those components. Get the next model up or the SL1. This variant is a false economy.

Solid entry point to gravel. Good spec. Light & quick. Also a looker. Dropped a few chains, but so it goes on rougher roads. Nothing a seat tube mounted chain guide can’t prevent. Would buy again.

Light yet stable, naturally shock absorbing frame. The best parts are super smooth and positive. When steering @ a high angle I have to watch it because I find that one foot or the other can be in the way of the front wheel/tire.

No big deal.

A great solution for winter commuting. Comfortable set up and a decent amour of bike for the money. Struggling to see how the models above it represent better value.

After purchase I ve only received the automatic reply. No personal notification, no nothing. Customer service absolutely insufficient. After few days of nervous waiting if I ve sent the money for the pictured item of just for some web scam, after my additional email, I ve finally got the concrete answer (and proof that the purchase really took place).

Then too long waiting for dispatching the item (which I ve partly took as a collateral damage, since the shipping was free). The shipping itself was quick and smooth (via plane, the local delivery service was on time).

All in all 7/10.