Gravel bikes are designed to allow cyclists to ride over diverse surfaces. These bicycles generally come equipped with a drop handlebar. As Steven Rindner says, gravel bikes are known to have a drop handlebar and sporty geometry, thereby allowing cyclists to make good progress on the road. These bikes also come with wider tires, lower gearing and stable handling, and hence cyclists can also head off-road with confidence. Gravel bikes are ideal for multi-terrain excursions, allowing cyclists to link together gravel routes in new ways by taking sections of trails, byways, bridle-paths, gravel roads, and forest tracks. Cyclists may even load their gravel bike with a camping kit and prepare for a multi-day bike-packing adventure.
Steven Rindner underlines two key features to consider when planning to buy a gravel bike
Gravel biking has exploded over recent years. After all, it offers an exciting blend of road and mountain biking. No matter whether one is a beginner seeking adventure or a seasoned cyclist looking to diversify their rides, it is imperative to find the right bike before getting started with gravel biking. Here are the two key features to focus on when planning to buy a gravel bike:
- Frame: The frame is considered to be the backbone of a bicycle, and directly impacts its durability, weight and even ride quality. Gravel bike frames are generally constructed from aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium. Aluminum frames are characterized by their lightweight properties and affordable. They are quite durable, but can be a bit too stiff on rough terrains. Carbon fiber frames, on the other hand, can absorb vibrations, which helps ensure a smoother and comfortable ride. But they can also be expensive and less durable in rough conditions. Steel frames are durable but heavy. They do however allow for a comfortable ride, especially on long distances. Titanium frames are known to combine the best properties of steel and aluminum. They are durable, comfortable and lightweight, but typically have a high price point.
- Geometry: Gravel bike geometry would influence its stability, comfort and handling. Important geometric features to consider would include head tube angle, wheelbase and bottom bracket height. A slacker head tube angle shall provide better stability on rough terrains while steeper angles are better for speed and agility. When it comes to wheelbase, a longer one would provide greater stability and comfort on uneven surfaces, and shorter wheelbases are typically more agile and better for technical riding. When considering bottom bracket height, one must remember that a lower bottom bracket facilitates improved handling and stability particularly in corners, but can also reduce ground clearance on rough trails.
As Steven Rindner says, tire clearance is also important to consider when buying a gravel bike. Tire clearance implies to the maximum tire width a bike frame can accommodate. Gravel bikes generally provide clearance for tires between 35mm and 50mm. Wider tires can deliver better comfort and traction on rough terrains but would be slower on smooth roads. Cyclists need to think about the type of terrain they shall be riding on and subsequently select a bike with appropriate tire clearance.
