Best gravel bikes in 2023: Our favourite bikes for drop-bar off-road action

The best gravel bikes let you take on untarmacked surfaces, but will in most cases allow you to keep up a good turn of speed on-road too, so that you can head to a wider range of places.

If you're not sure, we've got a guide to what is a gravel bike, which explains more about this ever-more-popular style of bike. Although many gravel bikes are generalists, there's a proliferation of fast gravel race bikes, as well as bikes that will let you load up and head off on multi-day off-grid adventures, loaded up with bikepacking bags.

As gravel has increased in popularity, there's been an increase in gravel-specific components, including gravel groupsets, gravel wheels, tyres and a whole collection of kit such as gravel shoes too. 

We've covered the bikes that we rate as the best gravel bikes here, but we've also got guides to the best women's gravel bikes, the best budget gravel bikes and even electric gravel bikes if you're looking for some other choices. 

Read on for our pick of the best gravel bikes, or scroll down to the bottom of the page for our guide on how to choose the best gravel bike for you.

Editor's picks

Best gravel bikes available today

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Best all-rounder

Best gravel bike: Specialized S-Works Diverge

The S-Works Diverge is a highly capable gravel tool  (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The best all-around gravel bike for tackling a range of challenges

Specifications

Sizes available: 52-61cm
Tyre clearance: 700 x 47mm or 650b x 2.1in
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Stealthy, refined aesthetics
+
Compliant ride quality
+
Reactive steering
+
Comprehensive range covering all price points

Reasons to avoid

-
Dropper post is overkill and adds unnecessary weight
-
Flared bars may not be for you 

We've always been fervent admirers of the Specialized Diverge and its ever-evolving capabilities. Having sampled all three versions since its inception in 2014, the newest edition has taken an already winning formula and tempered it into yet another stellar offering - it's the best gravel bike Specialized has made to date.

The new model's geometry is more progressive than before, featuring a slacker headtube angle, a longer reach and a shorter stem. The fork has also received some adjustments and now boasts a longer offset while the trail number ensures greater steering response and front-end agility. The bottom bracket drop has been raised by 5mm for all frame sizes while the chainstays have marginally grown to 425mm.  

The range-topping S-Works Diverge comes dressed in a combination of SRAM's road and mountain bike electronic components. Often referred to as a mullet build, it combines eTap AXS road levers with an Eagle AXS rear derailleur and 10-50T cassette - an arrangement which fully complements the Diverge's multi-faceted skillset and left-field demeanour. 

Other noteworthy components include an X-Fusion Manic dropper post which offers just 50mm of travel, Roval Terra CLX gravel wheels, an Easton EC70 AX Carbon bar with 16-degree flare, a Specialized S-Works Future Stem with integrated Bar Fly computer mount and an S-Works Power saddle.

The Specialized Diverge is the quintessential adventure bike. It can tackle anything from fast-paced road rides and long-haul gravel adventures to CX-style lap racing with consummate ease. Furthermore, the Diverge range - as a whole - caters for every kind of rider and budget imaginable, making it one of the most accessible bikes of its kind on the market. 

Read our Specialized S-Works Diverge review for even more details as to why we love it.

Best value

Ribble Gravel SL

(Image credit: Josh Ross)
The best value gravel bike for do-it-all versatility

Specifications

Sizes available: XS-XL
Tyre clearance: 650b x 47mm
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile frameset with plenty of configuration options
+
All the mounts you'll ever need

Reasons to avoid

-
1x only
-
Steady rather than engaging

The Ribble Gravel SL manages to mix fast with a dose of adventure for a bike that can be configured as you like your gravel. All the stock specs are equipped with 650b wheels and, without a front derailleur mount, a 1x drivetrain. 

The test bike sported SRAM Rival 1 AXS, but as with all Ribble bikes you can choose your own spec upgrades. Alongside Zipp wheels, we opted for the one-piece bar/stem, although unlike the stock separate bar and stem that constrains the length/size options available.

There are loads of mounts, including on the fork legs, making the Gravel SL a do-it-all gravel bike rather than a specialist gravel racer. It even works well for winter road use with mudguards.

Read our full review of the Ribble Gravel SL for more on the bike's versatility.

Most fun

A white YT Szepter stands in a lush woodland

With front suspension and a dropper post, the Szepter Core 4 is ready to shred (Image credit: YT Industries)
Best gravel bike for all-out fun on the trails

Specifications

Sizes available: S-2XL
Tyre clearance: 700 x 45
650b: Aftermarket only

Reasons to buy

+
Up to 40mm front suspension
+
Dropper post
+
Great spec for the price

Reasons to avoid

-
Direct-to-consumer sales only

If you're coming to gravel from mountain biking, or you're after a bike that is best suited to doing laps of the trail centre rather than 100-milers, then the Szepter, from German mountain-bike specialists YT has got to be on your list. It's probably the funnest gravel bike on the market today. 

It's main talking points have to be the Rockshox Rudy XPLR front suspension and, in the case of this Core 4 model, the Rockshox Reverb XPLR dropper post. They combine to create a bike that, in our experience, can float over the rough stuff with ease and descend steep trails with confidence. 

But it's not all about going downhill, when we reached the bottom of the trail and needed to work our way back up, we found that the steep seat angle puts you into a planted, powerful position over the pedals, while the relaxed head angle helped to maintain control and precision, even on tight, steep uphill hairpin corners. 

Best racer

a black factor ostro gravel bike

The Factor Ostro Gravel is a fast and exciting gravel bike  (Image credit: Future)
The best fast gravel bike for those who prioritise all-out race performance over comfort

Specifications

Sizes available: 49 - 61cm
Tyre clearance: 700x45c
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Very aero, light, stiff and fast
+
Great ride on smoother gravel or tarmac

Reasons to avoid

-
Jarring ride on rougher gravel
-
Expensive

The Factor Ostro Gravel is an unabashed aero gravel race bike - in fact the UCI would let you use it in its sanctioned road races alongside the best aero road bikes. It's light too, with a 900g claimed frame weight and 7.9kg total weight for the review bike with pedals and extras included.

We rated the Black Inc integrated cockpit and wheels, as well as the fast-rolling Goodyear Connector tyres. Although you could build up the frameset 2x, complete builds are only available 1x with SRAM XPLR.

The ride on smoother gravel is sensationally fast, taut and responsive and encourages you to get down and aero to up your speed, while the Ostro Gravel even copes well with mud thanks to the tyres' side lugs. Things aren't so great once it gets rough though, with a jarring ride that makes putting the power down difficult and made landing back on tarmac a relief. 

Check out our Factor Ostro Gravel review for more juicy details.

Adventure companion

Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 gravel bike

We really like the aesthetics of the Grizl  (Image credit: Graham Cottingham)
An incredibly versatile do-it-all gravel bike that looks great to boot

Specifications

Sizes available: 2XS-2XL
Tyre clearance: 700 x 45, 650b x 50
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely versatile do-it-all gravel bike
+
Geometry is well considered
+
Looks fantastic

Reasons to avoid

-
Canyon-specific mudguard mounts

The Canyon Grizl is the direct-to-consumer brand's idea of a do-everything-go-anywhere gravel bike that's designed to take on everything from epic gravel rides to laden exploration, covering a broad spectrum of terrain.

If you're already familiar with the Canyon Grail, you may wonder why the brand has added another gravel bike to its line-up, and the answer is to create something that's more of a rugged explorer than a lightweight race machine. If you're after the latter, the Grail could be more up your street, whereas the Grizl comes with a longer wheelbase that provides a more stable and comfortable ride feel over long periods of time.

There are plenty of mounts on the frame for accessories, including anything cage mounts of the fork that can carry up to 3kg on each side. However be warned that the mudguard mounts are only compatible with Canyon's mudguards.

Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1BY - First look gallery

Budget adventure

Polygon Bend R5

It may be better known for its MTBs but the Polygon gravel bikes also pack a punch  (Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Best bang-for-your-buck gravel bike that will eat up rough terrain

Specifications

Sizes available: S-L
Tyre clearance: 650b x 41
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable
+
Capable
+
Great value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy
-
Limited sizing options

If you're planning some rambunctious off-road adventures that will involve tackling rough terrain, the Polygon Bend R5 is a good value-for-money choice. The ALX alloy frame is mated with a carbon fork, and the angular tubes are hydroformed to produce a blend of stiffness and compliance that work well together.

The Polygon Bend R5 comes stock with 650b wheels and 41mm WTB Venture tyres, though there's definitely more space if you want to size up slightly. We reckon that with 80mm between the fork legs, you could easily squeeze in something over 2-inches and still have room for mud.

The Bend R5 is a versatile steed that could serve as a commuter during the week and a gravel adventure mule at the weekend. It comes with two build options: 2x or 1x Shimano GRX drivetrain, with the latter also including a Tranz-X dropper post. All the finishing kit is supplied by Entity, Polygon's in-house components brand.

Our Polygon Bend R5 review will cover all these points in more detail and more besides.

Comfort first

The checkpoint SL 6 looks fast and purposeful standing still  (Image credit: Josh Ross)
IsoSpeed-equipped gravel racer pitched to be an adventure companion

Specifications

Sizes available: 49-61cm
Tyre clearance: 700x45mm
650b: No

Reasons to buy

+
IsoSpeed
+
Dropped driveside chainstay
+
Stranglehold dropout

Reasons to avoid

-
No 650b wheel option 
-
IsoSpeed decoupler tech requires extra maintenance 

Trek is on the pointy end of the pack when it comes to comfort technology, and it shouldn't come as a surprise to find the brand's IsoSpeed decoupler integrated into the seat cluster — though we are surprised not to have it at the front too. 

The frame sees Trek's high-end OCLV carbon fibre and the back features the brand's Stranglehold sliding dropout; allowing the Checkpoint to be run as a single speed and the chainstays to be adjusted by 15mm for slight changes in wheelbase and handling characteristics.

The Checkpoint also features mounts galore and bash guards on the down tube and chainstays. The drive-side chainstay has also been dropped to allow for additional tyre clearance as well as room for a wider variety of front chainrings.

We've got a Trek Checkpoint SL 6 review for you if you need some more information.

Do-it-all steel

Fairlight Secan

(Image credit: Will Jones)
The best gravel bike for do-it-all versatility

Specifications

Sizes available: 10, plus tall and standard frame options
Tyre clearance: 700 x 50c, 2.4" x 650b
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Quality custom steel tubed frameset
+
Clearance up to 2.4"x650b for shredding capability
+
Many size options

Reasons to avoid

-
Competitive weight for steel, but heavy relative to carbon
-
Waiting list for builds

Another versatile gravel bike, the custom Reynolds steel tubed Fairlight Secan 2.5 has the skinny good looks of the best steel bikes and details like a third in-frame set of bosses on larger frame sizes and custom-made dropouts.

The smallish volume manufacturing means that you can choose your own geometry and spec for the Secan. We've ridden the bike under pretty much every gravel scenario and come away impressed by its do-it-all nature. Add big tyres and you can tackle MTB territory; load up and it's a bikepacker; thinner tyres and it's a pretty good cyclocross bike; slicker ones and it's good for that 300km Audax ride.

Want to know just how we've been using and abusing the Fairlight Secan 2.5? Read our long term review.

Budget titanium

Ribble CGR Ti - Gravel

The CGR Titanium frame should last a lifetime  (Image credit: Guy Kesteven)
Best budget titanium gravel bike

Specifications

Sizes available: XS-XL
Tyre clearance: 700 x 40, 650b x 47
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful glide ride
+
Responsive 'relaxed road' handling
+
Corrosion and scratch-proof finish
+
Grippy 650b tyres

Reasons to avoid

-
Narrow bars may not suit all 
-
Some riders may want 700c wheels from the off 

A titanium frame makes this gravel adventure bike feel like absolute luxury, with a gliding ride feel that makes it well suited for road and off-road alike. The Ribble CGR Ti is a great bike for exploring dirt options without becoming a barge pilot on back roads. 

Ribble offers several build options for the CGR Ti, ranging from its 700 x 40mm Schwalbe G-One tyre ‘SUV’ versions in Shimano 105, Ultegra and Ultegra Di2, to its ‘hero’ SRAM Red eTap AXS spec, plus this chunky 650b x 47mm rubber gravel option with Shimano’s GRX RX810 mechanical group.

While cheaper titanium frames make use of the same materials, Ribble's consists of expensive triple-butted, multi-shaped pipework that provides the kind of sprung resilience that is the whole point of titanium in the first place. What results is a strong, compliant frame that glides over the rough stuff.

Check out our Ribble CGR Ti gravel bike review to hear more about how the titanium frame rides.

Versatile racer

Enve MOG gravel bike

(Image credit: Josh Ross)
The best gravel race bike that's more than a one trick pony

Specifications

Sizes available: 49 - 60cm
Tyre clearance: 700 x 50c
650b: Not recommended

Reasons to buy

+
Wide 700c tyre clearance 
+
Full set of mounts and storage cubby
+
Stiff, reactive frameset

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited spec options
-
Expensive

The Enve MOG is a gravel bike that's fast enough for racing, but comes with all the mounts and other options to make it much more versatile than the majority of the best gravel race bikes. It's stiff like a race bike and lively, but not so much so that it's scary to ride. 

Despite its racing bent, the MOG comes with all the mounts a bikepacker might want, including on the fork legs. There's a storage cubby in the down tube and you can fit a dropper post. Although it's aero optimised for 42mm tyres, you can fit 50mm rubber if you want more squish.

You can buy the MOG as a "rolling chassis" including Enve bar and seatpost and Enve now sells an Ekar build - complete with Enve Foundation AG25 wheels of course.

See how we got on with the Enve MOG at the launch event in our review.

Custom carbon

Argonaut GR3

(Image credit: Argonaut)
Custom built fast gravel bike

Specifications

Sizes available: Many
Tyre clearance: 700 x 50c
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Totally custom geometry and carbon layup
+
Very slack front end for fast descending 
+
Short chainstays for snappy handling

Reasons to avoid

-
Waiting list

Argonaut's build-to-rider model means that if it doesn't have a mould for a frame that will fit you, it will construct a new one. It also matches the carbon lay-up to your power, weight and riding style. Strange thing is, it's cost is competitive with off-the-shelf gravel bikes from the big brands.

Argonaut has achieved very short 415mm chainstays for agility but still retained 50mm tyre clearance. It's used tight clearances to do this, although that does mean that crank arm power meter pods aren't an option. The GR3 is light too, at 7.6kg.

The head tube angle is an exceptionally slack 68.5 degrees, which leads to downhill stability, which in turn means you don't need to concentrate too hard to get to the bottom fast. With everything custom, you can choose your own build. 

You can read more of our launch ride around Bend, Oregon in our Argonaut GR3  first ride review.

Best titanium

Moots Routt RSL

(Image credit: Josh Ross)
Top spec titanium

Specifications

Sizes available: 50 - 60cm
Tyre clearance: 700 x 50c
650b: No

Reasons to buy

+
Superb quality frame
+
Premium titanium tubing and 3D printed dropouts
+
Legendary ride quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as light as carbon

Moots and its titanium frames have achieved almost legendary status. The RSL is the brand's raciest gravel bike option, with its premium custom butted tubing and 3D printed dropouts. Although not totally custom, Moots frames can be tweaked to your requirements.

Beyond the frame itself, the build is also customisable. The 50mm tyre clearance means that your options aren't limited and you can fit something that will take you into tough terrain.

We raved about the ride feel that's stiff at the head tube and bottom bracket, but disperses vibration and larger hits for great comfort. Although the frame and fork aren't the lightest, the ride surpasses this.

You can read more about our 320km endurance ride on the Moots Routt RSL here.

Best super-light

Remco Evenepoel's Specialized S-Works Crux

(Image credit: Specialized)
As light as a gravel bike can get

Specifications

Sizes available: 49 - 61cm
Tyre clearance: 700 x 50c, 650b x 2.1"
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
7.25kg weight
+
Very rapid both off-road and on

Reasons to avoid

-
Non-integrated cabling
-
Very, very expensive

Once Tom Pidcock's cyclocross race bike, the latest generation S-Works Crux has turned its attention to gravel. It's still light though: 7.25kg light, which Specialized claims makes it the lightest gravel bike in the world.

The Crux inherits a lot of the lightweight tech from the S-Works Aethos and applies it to a gravel bike. The Crux's 700c x 47mm/650b x 2.1" tyre clearance means that you can fit wide rubber, as well as using the Crux as a racing rig, and Spesh has tweaked the geometry for increased stability. The front end still runs external hoses, rather than being integrated, and there's a two-part bar and stem though. 

We felt a little underbiked on even unaggressive terrain, where a less edgy geometry or wider tyres would have helped, but the Crux's gravel racing (and cyclocross racing) credentials are impeccable.

You can read more of our experience of the bike in our Specialized S-Work Crux first ride review.

BMC Kaius 01 One

(Image credit: Josh Ross)
Slicky integrated aero gravel race bike

Specifications

Sizes available: 47 - 61cm
Tyre clearance: 700 x 44c
650b: No

Reasons to buy

+
Very aero design
+
Narrow bars complemented by stable geometry

Reasons to avoid

-
Bar/stem limits adjustabilty in the top spec

Before she defected to Team Ineos, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won the inaugural UCI Gravel World Championships on the BMC Kaius. It's that kind of a bike.

Everything is aero. The one piece bar/stem, for example, is only available in one width: 36cm wide at the tops - even narrower than the Trek Madone - and placing your arms closer for a more aero ride. The drops flare out to 42cm and BMC has countered any tendency to edginess with a large trail and bottom bracket drop.

The One spec gets a SRAM Red AXS XPLR groupset and Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels, although the two lower specs are 2x and have a separate bar and stem.

Despite the racy credentials, the Kaius handles like a gravel bike on rough terrain and is comfortable enough for long ride days. It's expensive but not out of line with the best gravel race bikes from other brands.

Read our review for our experience racing the BMC Kaius 01 One.

Canyon Grail CF SL 7 eTap

The Grail's handlebars caused a real stir when they first appeared  (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Crazy looking but as versatile as they come

Specifications

Sizes available: 2XS-2XL
Tyre clearance: 700 x 40mm
650b: XS/S sizes only

Reasons to buy

+
'Grail Cockpit' handlebar has noticeable compliance
+
Value for money
+
Rack and mudguard mounts

Reasons to avoid

-
Aesthetic likely to polarize opinion
-
Handlebar may not be everyone's cup of tea 

Canyon's Grail is a bit of an odd bird. The frame itself is clean with all the lines making for a relatively futuristic look until you get to the cockpit, where you are met with a tiered drop bar.

Now called the Grail Cockpit, we think the name it was launched under is a more apt description — the Hover bar. The idea behind this double layer handlebar is two-fold; the top layer provides a degree of suspension and shock absorption using flex built into the floating section, while the crossbar that connects to the drops gives you something to hook your thumbs around for improved grip and control — similar to what you get with Road Togs — not to mention increased stiffness.

Canyon says there is only room for a 40mm tyre, and geometry is pretty close to the brand's Endurace, so it's better suited to big days on fire roads than spicy singletrack. 

Curious to find out more? Then read our Canyon Grail CF SL 7 review.

BMC URS One 2022 first ride review

The URS One uses an intriguing suspension system (Image credit: Jeremie Reuiller (Ill Prod) / BMC)
Great gravel bike with full micro-suspension

Specifications

Sizes available: S,M,L,XL
Tyre clearance : 45mm
650b: No

Reasons to buy

+
Massive gear range
+
Extremely supple
+
Thoughtful frame protection

Reasons to avoid

-
45mm tyres clearance could be better
-
Tricky suspension tuning

While gravel suspension may be relatively new, it does seem to be taking hold, with different interpretations on the theme from different manufacturers. Eschewing traditional telescopic suspension forks the BMC URS One has a fork vaguely reminiscent of an original Cannondale Headshok. It's not the easiest suspension fork to dial in, requiring replacement of preload spacers and stiffer/softer springs, but it is super reactive across rough ground.

The tyre clearance, at 45mm, could be larger, particularly given the 'Gravel Plus' moniker, but despite this our first impressions of the URS One are that it's extremely capable. 

In addition to the suspension, the geometry of the frame makes for an extremely stable ride. In contrast to the Basso Palta II, the BMC URS One, with its long wheelbase and slack head angle, positively encourages you to bite off more that you'd otherwise be able to chew.

Are you into the more rowdy end of the gravel spectrum? Then the BMC URS One gravel bike review should be on your reading list.

Merida Silex 700

The Merida Silex has brilliant handling  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Hugely capable gravel bike that shines on the roughest stuff

Specifications

Sizes available: XS-XL
Tyre clearance: 650b x 50
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Confidence-inspiring handling
+
Mountings and stable character make it a great bikepacker
+
Slick Shimano GRX Di2 shifting

Reasons to avoid

-
Easy to find the limits of off-road drop bar riding
-
Rims and tyres difficult to set up tubeless

With the Silex+ 8000-E, Merida has taken its proven model bearing the same name and swapped out the 700c wheels for 650b, which affords chunkier tyre options and makes it even more suitable for rough riding.

The Silex+ is definitely the type of gravel bike that tries to disassociate itself from any tarmac relatives. With its 45mm Kenda Flintridge Pro tyres, tall stack and slack geometry, it's definitely an off-road ready machine. It's hugely capable as well, with a relaxed fit and handling that leaves you feeling composed and in control at all times.

It really comes into its own when you descend off-road, thanks to its high stack, long reach and short step. It has plenty of space for you to shift position, while the compliant frame helps to absorb some of the chatter while you roll over rough sections at speed.

If you want to know more about how it rides then be sure to read our Merida Silex+ 8000-E review.

Focus Atlas 6.8

The Focus Atlas is a steady cruiser  (Image credit: Future / Guy Kesteven)
Focus's first foray into gravel proved to be standout smooth ride

Specifications

Sizes available: XS-XL
Tyre clearance: 700 x 45
650b: Compatible

Reasons to buy

+
Multiple load fixtures
+
Big tyre clearance
+
Suspension fork and dropper post compatible

Reasons to avoid

-
Relatively heavy
-
More of a cruiser than a racer

Released in January of '21, Focus was rather late to the gravel party when it launched its Atlas gravel bike, but being late can be fashionable, right?

We were one of the first to test the Focus Atlas 6.8 gravel bike prior to its release, and we found it to be tough, versatile and adaptable. These are all great qualities if you want to load up and escape the everyday for a while. The Atlas is definitely on the smooth-ride easy-cruiser end of the gravel spectrum, which means it's not as light as some of its competitors, but it's robust enough to load up on luggage and take out for a long and exploratory ramble.

The alloy frame has a large, rectangular downtube with triple-mounts for adjustable bottle cage positioning, while the seat tube features a plugged entry point for a dropper post, should you wish to install one.

The Atlas 6.8 comes equipped with 700c wheels, but is also 650b compatible, and has clearance for up to 45mm tyres. One of the nice additional features is the top tube bag that comes with every bike as standard. 

As the range's second-highest model, the 6.8 is kitted out with a mixture of Shimano GRX 600 and 800 drivetrain components, as well as Novatec tubeless-ready wheels and WTB Riddler tyres.

Have a read of our Focus Atlas 6.8 review if you're curious to know more.

Cannondale Topstone Ultegra RX Review

The Topstone comes with carbon wheels as standard (Image credit: Patrick Fletcher)
The best gravel bike for added suspension

Specifications

Sizes available: XS-XL
Tyre clearance: 700 x 45mm, 650b x 2.1"
650b: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Kingpin rear suspension
+
Mudguard mounts 
+
Now with extra clearance

Reasons to avoid

-
Sizes up large

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon has had a makeover since we last reviewed it, which adds extra tyre clearance and dispenses with its Ai symmetric dished rear wheel, so that the frame is now compatible with some of the best gravel bike wheels.

It's retained its Kingpin rear suspension though, which gives you 30mm of rear travel in a design that doesn't add a lot of weight over a non-suspended rear triangle.

The Topstone Carbon 3 is kitted out with a Shimano GRX810/600 mixed drivetrain and WTB tyres in 40mm width on WTB rims. If you want more front end suspension, the Topstone Carbon is available equipped with the Lefty Oliver carbon single-legged fork for 30mm of front end travel.

Hit up our Cannondale Topstone review to find out more.

How to choose the best gravel bike for you

Gravel cycling is an incredibly popular branch of the cycling tree, with most brands offering up at least one gravel model. It's hard to know what the ideal gravel bike for you will be when there is such a dizzying array of options on the market, so we've got some answers to the key questions, as well as a few questions you need to answer yourself honestly to get the most out of your new purchase.

As a starting point, decide on a budget. Ultimately as always, this dictates everything. It's probably also a good idea to know what type of off-road riding you think you will be doing most and look for bikes that fit this bill in your research. 

As an example, if you're looking for an aggressive, burly off-road bike to take on tough terrain, a fast, race bike that can handle light gravel duties may not be the best option. 

The converse is true: if you like to ride fast on less demanding gravel and want to be able to keep up a good pace on tarmac as well, you may want to look for a gravel bike that has narrower tyres, higher gearing and possibly aero features.

Is a gravel bike worth it?

If you want to have fun on your bike and enjoy a new type of cycling, try a gravel bike out. From time to time we hear grumblings about gravel bikes being unnecessary or pointless, but the bottom line is they are just another way of having a lot of fun cycling and exploring new terrain on your own or with friends in places a road bike couldn't necessarily take you.

The main advantage of a gravel bike vs a road bike is the ability to get away from traffic and take to untarmacked paths, which opens up a lot more riding options. It also means that you may find novel ways to link roads together and devise new routes. If you're finding your road riding a bit samey, a gravel bike can really spice things up, without losing a lot of on-road ability. 

Where do I want to ride?

Are you collecting QOMs over buttery smooth gravel roads, or are you dodging rocks and roots while taking some lovely photos?

Being honest with yourself about the type of riding you intend to do is paramount. Buying a race bike when you really want to go on an expedition could be a costly and uncomfortable mistake.

If speed matters, and you're targeting gravel races and events then a pure gravel race bike is likely what you're after. Eschewing all unnecessary add-ons, these will prioritise speed and will have geometry more suited to less technical riding. They'll also likely have some aero flourishes, but you can't necessarily expect to be able to fit mudguards or luggage.

If you want to go far, over several days or want to explore some more technical trails at your own pace then look for something slacker to inspire confidence when the going gets steep, and with the capacity to carry luggage. 

Gravel-specific suspension systems and dropper posts appear to be here to stay, and aren't limited to either end of the extended gravel bike universe, so it's your choice if you want some spring in your step.

Can I use my road bike on gravel?

Trend towards wider rubber for road bikes has opened up a new debate

We think most people would be in agreement that once the trail starts to feature rocks then a road bike really isn't a sensible choice, from both an enjoyment and a safety standpoint.

However, there has been a trend towards wider tyres in almost all cycling disciplines in recent years, and road bikes can now regularly be seen sporting rubber with widths greater than 30mm. Given cyclocross bikes are limited to a maximum of 33mm for racing you can be forgiven for wondering if you can use your road bike off the tarmac.

If you're only venturing off the blacktop on occasion and not going over anything more than nicely graded trails, it is entirely possible that your road bike will be absolutely fine. That being said, even the best road bike tyres aren't designed to be ridden over dirt, gravel, or through mud, so remember to use a bit of common sense.

Conversely, many of the gravel bikes on this list from the racy end of the spectrum will perform admirably on tarmac with a set of slick tyres or even a set of road wheels swapped in.

What gearing should I look for?

Riding off-road is often slower than on tarmac and there can be steeper inclines. On a road you might power up these out of the saddle, but on loose surfaces you usually need to sit in and spin up to avoid wheel slippage.

That's led to many newer gravel bikes being specced with subcompact groupsets. In place of the 50/34t chainrings usually found on the best endurance road bikes, a subcompact groupset typically offers 48/32t or 46/30t ratios, or sometimes even lower.

The smaller chainrings are usually combined with wider range cassettes that typically go up to 34 or 36 teeth. This in turn gives a sub-1:1 lowest gear ratio that can really help with steep seated climbs.

The flip side is that highest ratios are lower, so it's easier to spin out on faster road or downhill gravel sections.

Many gravel bikes feature single chainring (aka 1x) groupsets. These lower complexity and weight over a double chainset. There's less to go wrong or get clogged with mud and the single chainring is designed to improve chain retention.

A 1x groupset is usually paired with a wide range cassette, with 40 or more teeth on the largest sprocket. This gives a similar gear range to a double chainring set-up, although the jumps between ratios may be a little larger. It needs a rear derailleur designed specifically to work with the cassette, and which usually includes a clutch.

The most extreme 1x configurations pair a road chainset and shifters with an MTB rear derailleur in a so-called mullet build. This can give a really wide range of gears, which includes very low ratios which can be good for bikepacking or riding the toughest terrain.

What wheel size do I need?

700c, 650b or even 26"?

Beyond the initial debate over what constitutes a gravel bike, the most appropriate wheel size is perhaps the most hotly debated topic. 700c was initially all that was on offer but now a resurgence in 650b, an old touring standard, has upset the apple cart somewhat. 

650b rims have a smaller diameter than 700c, and can therefore fit a higher volume tyre within the same diameter (so the theory goes). In simple terms a 650b rim and a larger tyre has essentially the same diameter as a 700c rim with a smaller tyre. As a rule of thumb you're more likely to find 700c on those bikes designed for racing, while 650b tends to feature on bikes aimed at tackling the really rough stuff. There is significant crossover however, with some framesets able to take either.

Some manufacturers are thankfully also taking into account the needs of smaller riders. Constraints in frame geometry mean extra small frames can sometimes come with 650b wheels or even 26" in contrast to the rest of the size range to keep handling characteristics consistent between bike sizes. 

What extras do I need?

Beyond the set menu of frame, wheels and groupset there are a host of bonus features to look for.

Are you a thirsty person? Maybe an extra set of bottle bosses on the downtube will suit you. Do you want to carry absolutely everything? Rack mounts for panniers, or triple bosses for high capacity cargo cages on your fork legs will probably fit the bill.

Gravel is a relatively new genre, and as such there has been a great proliferation of new tech, new innovations and differing design philosophies in a relatively short space of time. Whether you're after suspension, internally geared hubs, enormous tyres or something that can double up as a commuter then there will likely be a bike for you out there.

Dropper seatposts are another feature that's making its way onto gravel bikes and may be specced on some builds. A dropper allows you to lower the saddle, so  that it's out of the way if you're tackling steep terrain, allowing you to push your weight back more easily and lower your centre of mass for greater stability.

Is a gravel bike the same as a cyclo-cross bike?

They sometimes look similar, but what makes them different?

A staple of any decent comments section is someone angrily insisting that a gravel bike is exactly the same as a cyclo-cross bike. Sure, they share some similarities, but now, especially following recent evolution in gravel bikes, they are definitely different beasts.

While the cyclo-cross vs gravel bike conundrum certainly coaxes strong opinions from some, it simply boils down to differences in use case. A CX bike is designed to be raced for a maximum of one hour around extremely technical courses. Comfort isn't as high on the priority list, and a super wide gear range isn't overly necessary as, beyond a certain gradient, riders shoulder their bikes and run instead.

Gravel bikes, in contrast, are designed with longer days in the saddle in mind. Multi-day epics aren't out of the ordinary, and so frame design and componentry choices are tailored to account for tired legs, protracted climbs and moderate loads.

While a CX bike can certainly be used for gravel riding, in the same way a trail bike can be ridden on an enduro course, it's not the best tool for the job. If you do need something for a filthy hour in ankle-deep mud on a freezing Sunday though, our roundup of the best cyclo-cross bikes will help you cut through the slop with ease.

Paul has been on two wheels since he was in his teens and he's spent much of the time since writing about bikes and the associated tech. He's a road cyclist at heart but his adventurous curiosity means Paul has been riding gravel since well before it was cool, adapting his cyclo-cross bike to ride all-day off-road epics and putting road kit to the ultimate test along the way. 

With contributions from