Gravel bikes hit the scene big a few years ago, and many cyclists thought they would be a passing fad. Who needs a relaxed geometry drop bar bike with oversized tires? Apparently, many of us did. Each year they are becoming more and more popular, and we are even seeing specialist gravel components and wheelsets now.
There's a vast range of different options for gravel bikes, and they can vary hugely amongst themselves. The marketplace can be very confusing as we look at bikes with completely unique new parts. In this article, we're going to make it simple for you, and we will cover;
Type: Light Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: OMR Carbon Fiber Frame and Fork
- Groupset: Shimano GRX810 2x11
- Wheels and Tires: Orbea’s own with Vittoria 38c tires
The Terra M30 is an incredible looking gravel bike with the components to back it up. The OMR is Orbea’s high-end super lightweight carbon fiber, and that's what the frame and forks are made with. You have a 2x11 GRX810 gravel groupset to use, and it's excellent for fast road and gravel riding with a double chainring at the front.
The brakes are Shimano hydraulic and are not just reliable, but they are powerful and work in the rain, shine, and thick mud. The wheels are Orbea's own wide gravel wheelset, and they have a pair of Vittoria Terreno gravel tires in a 38c equipped. These tires are excellent for road and light gravel and perform well at high speed. The Terra is aimed at light gravel and fast road and is a serious race machine.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Carbon Fiber |
700c |
Shimano GRX810 2x11 |
$3,599.00 |
Type: Mixed Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: Carbon Fiber Frame RDO Tech integrated mounts
- Groupset: Shimano GRX800 1x11
- Wheels and Tires: DT Swiss G1800 and Schwalbe 45c tires
The Niner RLT RDO 4-Star is an incredible bike. The RDO (Race day optimized) Cabron frame is very lightweight and full of mounting points for bikepacking. They have given this a GRX800 top-level mechanical groupset to this bike which is just silky smooth shifting even over serious washboard trails.
The brakes are the Shimano GRX brakes. They are hydraulic and will stop you safely and quickly. A wheel we see on many high-end gravel bikes is the DT Swiss G1800, and that’s what this Niner has. It’s tubeless ready and has been equipped with Schwalbe G-One Allround Evo tires in a 45c. The Niner is an excellent example of a fast mixed terrain gravel bike.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Carbon Fiber |
700c |
Shimano GRX810 1x11 |
$4,299.00 |
3. Look 765 Gravel RS Etap
Type: Mixed Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: Carbon Fiber Frame and Fork with 3d Wave Technology
- Groupset: SRAM Rival Etap AXS Wireless Electronic Groupset
- Wheels and Tires: 700c Fulcrum Wheelset with Hutchinson 40c Tires
The Look 765 Gravel bike is fully equipped. The super lightweight 3d wave frame and fork will give you a sporty endurance geometry that is still stiff and agile. It’s paired up with the SRAM Rival Etap wireless 2x12 electronic groupset, which will provide you with silky smooth shifting and is cable free, making maintenance easy.
You also have SRAM’s Rival hydraulic disc brake set here for incredible stopping power and reliability. The wheels are the 700c Fulcrum rapid red 500 DB. They are tubeless ready and paired up with the Hutchinson Touareg 40c Gravel tires for speed and control even if the surface is loose dirt.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Carbon Fiber |
700c |
SRAM Rival Etap AXS |
$6200.00 |
4. Niner RLT Steel 3- Star Bike
Type: Mixed Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: Reynolds 853 Steel Frame with Carbon Forks
- Groupset: SRAM Rival 1 Drivetrain
- Wheels and Tires: DT Swiss Wheelset with 40c Tires
Look no further if you are looking for an incredible bike for bikepacking, fun mixed terrain rides, and long endurance days. The Niner RLT frame is made from the legendary Reynolds Steel and paired with a carbon fork for stiffness and speed. The groupset is the Rival 1, which is a 1x11 and gives you 11 speeds and silky smooth shifting.
The brakes are the SRAM Rival 1 HRD hydraulic flat mount brakes. They have incredible stopping power and are very reliable. The wheelset is a DT Swiss 1800G. It’s tubeless ready and has 40c Schwable G-One Allround Evo tires, excellent on road and dusty gravel paths. This is one of the best steel gravel bikes that money can buy.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Reynolds 853 Steel |
700c |
SRAM Rival 1 |
$3,399.00 |
5. Niner RLT 9 RDO 3-Star
Type: Mixed Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: Niner RDO Full Carbon Frame and Fork
- Groupset: SRAM Rival Groupset
- Wheels and Tires: Tubeless Ready DT Swiss Wheelset and 45c Tires
The Niner RLT gravel bike is incredible. The frame and fork are carbon fiber and made with Niners RDO (Race day Optimized) molding process giving excellent stiffness and strength with minimal weight. The Groupset is an internally routed SRAM Rival 1x11 giving you plenty of options while only on a single chainring at the front.
The Niner has SRAM Rival hydraulic brakes for optimal stopping, and the wheels are the legendary DT Swiss G1800 Spline 25. They are tubeless ready and have a set of Schwalbe G-One Allround Evo 45c tires for maximum control, comfort, and puncture free miles.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Carbon Fiber |
700c |
SRAM Rival |
$3,799.00 |
6. VAAST A/1 700c Apex Bike
Type: Road Light Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: VAAST AE81 Supermag Frame and Carbon Fork
- Groupset: SRAM Apex Groupset
- Wheels and Tires: WTB 700c Wheelset with 37c Tires
The VAAST A/1 frame is like any other on this list. It is a triple butted super magnesium frame, and it’s paired with a set of carbon forks. This setup is light, strong, and fast. The gearing is a SRAM Apex 1x11 and can get you not just uphill but downhill efficiently.
They have given this bike SRAM hydraulic Apex 1 brakes to pair up with the groupset. For the wheelset, you have alloy 700c WTB ST i23 TCS TR. This is a tubeless compatible wheelset, and what better tires to match up than the WTB Riddler 37c. This bike will be excellent on the road and still very capable on a trail.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Magnesium |
700c |
SRAM Apex 1x11 |
$2,199.00 |
Type: Road Light Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: 6061 Aluminum with Carbon Fork
- Groupset: MicroShift Advent X10
- Wheels and Tires: Marin’s with Schwable 40c
The Marin Gestalt is an excellent bike and has amazing value for money. It has a strong aluminum frame, and it’s paired with a full carbon fiber fork to give it agile responsiveness. The MicroShift 10-speed groupset offers a huge range for riders and makes tricky gravel climbs simple.
It comes wih mechanical Tektro disc brakes, which are easy to maintain and work in all conditions. The wheels are Marin’s own double wall wheelset, and they are paired with some Schwalbe G-One Performance tires in a 40c. They say simplicity is key, and that’s what you get with this bike.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Aluminum |
700c |
MicroShift Advent X10 |
$1,589.00 |
Type: Off-Road Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: Cromoly frame and fork for excellent strength and comfort
- Groupset: MicroShift 9 Speed Groupset with Clutch Mech
- Wheels and Tires: Marin 650b Wheelset with WTB Horizon 47mm Tires
The Marin Nicasio + 650b Gravel bike is an excellent example of a gravel bike ready for some seriously rough terrain. It has a solid Chromoly Steel frame and forks that can take a hit. It also can soak up the vibrations and give maximum user comfort and a fantastic amount of control. The groupset is the MicroShift 1x9 speed with clutch mech and has been designed for off-road in mind. Expect smooth shifting no matter what you’re riding on.
Then we come to brakes. On the Nicaso + 650b, we have mechanical disc brakes which will provide you with plenty of stopping power and are very easy to maintain. The wheels are Marin's own 650b, so slightly smaller than the typical 700c wheels the majority of gravel bikes come with, but they are equipped with huge 47c WTB Horizons to give plenty of grip. This in my opinion, is one of the best gravel bikes for beginners.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Chromoly |
650b |
MicroShift 9 Speed |
$1,179.00 |
Type: Off Road Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: 612 Select Steel Tubing Frame and Forks
- Groupset: Apex 1x11
- Wheels and Tires: WTB ST i25 with WTB 2.4” Tires
If the amazing paint job and beautiful styling of the Gorilla weren’t enough to pull you in, let us tell you about the spec. The frame and forks are made of 612 select tubing, which will give you an extremely comfortable ride. It is paired with an Apex 1x11 groupset, making riding gravel easy on a single chainring.
The brakes are mechanical disc brakes and will provide you with reliable stopping power for rough terrain. One of the highlights of this bike is the wheels and tires. It has WTB ST i25 wheels which come in 27.5” and are tubeless ready. They are paired with huge WTB Riddler 2.4” MTB tires. Also, to help on those steep descents, it even comes with a dropper post. The Gorilla is a serious, rough terrain bike and is trail ready.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Steel |
27.5" |
SRAM Apex 1x11 |
$2,599.00 |
Type: Off Road Terrain Gravel Bike
Key Features
- Frame and forks: Aluminum frame with suspension forks
- Groupset: Shimano SLX/Deore 12 Speed
- Wheels and Tires: Marin’s own with WTB Tires
The Marin DSX FS is an amazing flat bar gravel bike unlike anything else on this list. The frame is aluminum, and you have some suspension forks giving you 60mm travel to take the edge off the road. The groupset is an MTB groupset, so it has trigger shifters and super low ratios for climbing steep gravel roads.
The brakes are also mountain bike brakes, and these are the Shimano hydraulic MTB brakes with levers and solid stopping power. You have Marin’s own wheelset on this bike and some 45c WTB Riddler tires to soak up the bumps easily. If you are looking for a gravel bike that will offer maximum comfort and take bumps out the road, the DSX is for you.
| Frame Material |
Wheel size |
Groupset |
MSRP |
| Aluminum |
700c |
Shimano SLX/Deore 12speed |
$1,699.00 |
The Look 765 Gravel RS Etap has to take this crown because there’s nothing we can fault this bike on. The frame is incredibly lightweight and agile, the components are incredible and it just ticks every box to be an amazing high end bike.
The Niner RDO 3-Star is an incredible bike sitting in the mid-range. For the price, you are getting so much, an amazing frame and forks, groupset and wheels.
As far as value for money goes, the VAAST A/1 is the best pound for pound bike on this list. It has a unique super magnesium frame and carbon fork. The components are very good and all of it out together is just incredible value.
The Niner RDO 3-Star is an incredible bike, and a lot of this comes down to the carbon fiber frame. The RDO stands for Race Day Optimized. RDO frames are typically light and stronger than many other brands.
When it comes to steel bikes, the first company that comes to many people's minds is Reynolds. So when Niner uses Reynolds Steel in their frame, you know this bike will be excellent. The 853 Steel frame is incredibe.
How to Choose a Gravel Bike
When it comes to choosing the right gravel bike for you, it can be challenging as they differ amongst themselves so much. It all comes down to what you want the bike for. Here’s our guide.
Size
To get the right size for you, we highly recommend using the manufacturer's or our size chart to ensure you are not riding a bike too small or too large.
Geometry
Going for speed or comfort? Reading a little bit about the geometry will tell you if it's for fast racing all day comfort.
Terrain
If you’re planning a lot of rough riding, you will be best suited to 650b wheels and oversized tires for road and light gravel 700c wheels with small tires.
Price
Each bike on this list will get you from A to B. Spending more will get you there faster, more efficiently, and probably more comfortably.
Style
I believe if you don’t like what you see, then it’s not for you. Go for a bike you like the look of and are proud to ride.
If you want to see more types of best gravel bikes in 2022, please feel free to check out our gravel bikes section gravel bikes.
Best gravel bike FAQs
What are the best gravel bike brands?
All brands are excellent in their own way, and you might pick them for different reasons. Some of the top brands currently making incredible bikes are Marin, Niner, Specialized, and Orbea, to name a few.
What are the fastest gravel bikes?
If you want a fast gravel bike, I would go for the lightest bike you can find and something with an aggressive geometry to keep you aerodynamic.
What are the lightest gravel bikes?
The lightest gravel bikes are typically made of carbon fiber and designed for road and light gravel use.
What are the best gravel bikes for road cycling?
If I were looking for a gravel bike for the road, I would focus on a bike with smaller tires such as 35-37c and a bike with a typical road bike style frame, not a low-slung MTB style frame.
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