Gravel Bikes

Initially gravel bikes were designed for adventure and long rides, but more and more, cyclists have been demanding higher performance, and brands have therefore developed two clearly differentiated lines:

• Comfortable, robust and adventurous Gravel bikes, which respond to their original character.
• Sport or competition Gravel bikes, which are lighter and compete, in weight, with road bikes and can be considered as the marathon version of the Cyclocross bikes.

The attraction of both versions lies in their versatility of use on different types of terrain. However, a gravel bike is not a substitute for a MTB bike and would not be suitable if you aim to ride on technical mountain terrain.

Gravel bike frames can be made of steel, aluminium, carbon or titanium.

Aluminium is the most popular choice because of its good value for money. An aluminium gravel bike is slightly heavier than a carbon bike, but more economical.

Carbon gravel bikes offer a lighter weight and an unequalled balance between stiffness and shock absorption, in exchange for a higher price.

Both aluminium and carbon frames are suitable for cycle touring or bikepacking with a moderate load. If you want a bike for long-distance cycling, with a heavy load, it is advisable to consider steel or titanium frames, as they are very resistant to heavy loads and a steel gravel bike is probably the best option for long trips.

There are two wheel diameter options:

• 650b wheels for more agile and reactive bikes, suitable for short routes on more technical terrain.
• 700 wheels are the most versatile option for these bikes, especially on long distance routes and road sections.

The most common maximum tyre width for these frames is 42 mm, although, as standard, they are usually fitted with sizes between 38 and 40 mm. Some 650B wheels can go up to 50 mm, which is equivalent to a 27.5" 2.0" MTB tyre.

In order to increase control and comfort, some gravel bikes feature suspension systems, usually on adventure models, while the fully rigid frames are used for lighter, high performance gravel bikes. The suspension models have a short 25 to 30mm travel on the front or rear. The first design that became available was the Future Shock system, which is located above the head tube of Specialized gravel bikes.

You'll also find conventional suspension forks in the 30-40mm range, and even rear shocks with a similar travel.

Gravel bike handlebars are usually flared to provide a more stable position and greater control. Some models extend their range of mountain use by using telescopic seatposts and even flat handlebars, such as the Specialized Diverge Evo.

In the drivetrain, the most common groupsets are 2 chainrings with 10 or 11 sprockets. However, 12-speed single chainring drivetrains are becoming more and more common.

Disc brakes are unquestionable for their braking effectiveness in extreme off-road conditions and descents.

Another option is the electric gravel bike, which is a very interesting alternative for making long routes and steep slopes more accessible to all types of cyclists.

We have the largest assortment of brands and models, with the best gravel bikes. There are also permanent offersofmore economical gravel bikes and, at certain times of year, gravel bike clearance sales. If you have any queries, please visit us at our stores or contact our online chat.