Best Gravel Bikes
Gravels are an exciting new tech which have been rapidly gaining traction in the cycling scene. The most comprehensive guide on the internet right now – our best gravel bikes list here will surely have something right up your alley!
A fusion of both on and off-road design philosophies, gravel bikes are geared towards high-pace movement and off-road durability. Check out our favorite picks below for more info!
- Cannondale Topstone – overall best gravel bike
- Tommaso Sentiero – best budget pick
- Raleigh Willard – runner-up for men
- Raleigh Amelia – best for ladies looking for adventure
- Co-op Cycles ADV 3.1 – best mid-range gravel
- TREK Checkpoint SL 6 – unlimited budget? – this is your choice then
- Cannondale CAADX 105 – great value from reputable brand
- NINER RLT 9 – a plenty of choices in steel and aluminum frames
- Diamondback Haanjo – solid range of adventure gravels
- Salsa Journeyman – gravels for any taste
- Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure – new, but solid option from relatively new player
Cannondale Topstone
Not just a single bike, the whole Cannondale Topstone series offers a solid selection of high-quality gravel bikes for a wide array of people. While none of the offerings are exactly geared towards those on a budget, the lower-cost Topstone Sora offers excellent value and components for the price.
Their carbon bikes like the Cannondale Topstone 105 or Ultegra RX features fully-carbon frames and impressive features like hybrid rear suspension – something seldom seen on any other gravel bikes around.
You get what you pay for with the premium bikes, and while you’ll be spending a few pretty pennies, it’ll pay off in dividends if you’re looking for a serious machine capable of blazing through trails or barreling down asphalt lanes.
Full Review: Cannondale Topstone
Tommaso Sentiero
Aimed towards those who want a good gravel bike on a budget, the Tommaso Sentiero is one of the more popular low-cost picks around. The 40mm tire width is most suited to those who’ll be doing a bit more off-road cycling than usual yet still rolls fast off pavement.
Utilizing a full Shimano component set, you won’t have to worry about shady and low-quality parts like on some budget bikes. With mounting holes for all sorts of racks, holders, and bags, you can enjoy plenty of versatility and freedom to do what you like.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into the water with a great all-rounder and are hesitant to drop a few months of rent on a more prestigious toy, then we’d highly recommend looking into this one right there!
Raleigh Willard
A straightforward and reliable ride, the Raleigh Willard is a no-frills, solid machine capable of taking anything you can throw at it. A lifetime warranty on the frame and no-nonsense components, it’s meant to be a durable ride that should stand the test of time.
Found at affordable prices, it’s another solid contestant in the budget gravel bikes category. Offering high-quality components and an attractive design alongside a good reputation, we can see why owners love it.
Definitely if you’re searching for a reliable and robust first gravel bike which you won’t be afraid to toss around and put to the limits, then this is a solid choice for sure.
Full Review: Raleigh Willard
Raleigh Amelia
Essentially a clone of the Raleigh Willard that we mentioned above, the Raleigh Amelia takes all the great design elements found on the men’s version and adjusts it slightly for better compatibility for the women out there.
There aren’t many woman-centric gravel bikes out there to begin with, and especially not many offered for those on a budget. Narrower handlebars, a woman’s bike seat, and slightly altered geometry make it more appropriate and comfortable than the male counterpart.
If your wife or girlfriend deserves a better ride when you drag her out to the track or trails, then we’d say this could be the end point of your search! The boost to comfort and compatibility will surely be worth it to go for a bike designed for women from the ground up.
Co-op Cycles ADV 3.1
The industrial build and steel frame is what set the Co-op Cycles ADV 3.1 apart from the others. Designed for those who seriously use and likely abuse their equipment, the ADV 3.1 is adept at handling whatever you might throw at it, and it’ll do it with ease!
Wide 50mm tires, 20 gears, and a unique drop bar offers superior comfort and handling over rough terrain, something that can’t be said for most of the others on this list. Dense yet surprisingly lightweight chromoly steel will ensure you won’t run into the worst case scenario while out on the beaten path.
Built for the adventurer out there who isn’t afraid of going further off-grid than usual, we’d definitely recommend this ride if you need something that can take a beating and offers plenty of versatility for rack mounts and other attachment points.
Full Review: Co-op Cycles ADV
TREK Checkpoint SL 6
Trek are no newcomers to the gravel scene, and the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 is an impressive feat of engineering in its own right. While there’s nothing particularly outstanding or unique about it, it’s just an all-round solid selection at the top of its game.
A full carbon-fiber frame, premium Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, and plentiful mounting points for external hardware, it’s one of the best adventure machines out there on the market. Impressively light, you feel the weight savings both under the seat and in your wallet!
If you don’t want to compromise the speed and performance of a dedicated road bike but want a little more brunt behind the bars, then then we’d definitely check out this gravel bike. While it’s expensive compared to many, you certainly get one of the best offerings around.
Cannondale CAADX 105
A balance between budget and raw performance, the Cannondale CAADX 105 is a mid-range pick designed to be a perfect gravel (and cyclocross) bike for first-timers and experienced riders who don’t want to bother with upgrading further down the line.
An aluminum frame and Shimano 105 components offer a balance between price and prestige, making this an affordable option for most without breaking the bank.
Ready for tubeless tires and for traveling on both trails and tarmac, this is an excellent bike if you want a high-quality all-rounder without compromising on performance in the slightest. If you’re looking to spend a bit more but not willing to dish out the serious cash for the super-bikes, then this is a really good gravel bike to add to your shortlist.
NINER RLT 9
The NINER RLT 9 series of bikes are all built off the same three framesets in aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber. Configured in a wide variety of ways depending on the assumed intention, you’re given plenty of choice over which ride to choose – provided your wallet can support it.
Choices like the RLT 9 Apex Flat Bar bike offer a set of standard flat bars rather than contemporary drop bars, granting a huge improvement in off-road handling and comfort without sacrificing on raw speed on asphalt.
If you’re willing to shell out the big bucks, then the prestigious 5-star offerings essentially guarantee one of the best gravel bikes you could hope for. If you’re serious about your cycling and treat it more than just a fun hobby, then you’d be well suited by one of those.
Diamondback Haanjo
Coming from a rather large company which produces some solid bikes, the Diamondback Haanjo series are especially attractive and well-priced. Their gravel lineup also includes the Haanjenn which are tailored towards women, a rare yet very welcomed thing and the second womens gravel bike on our list.
Bikes like the Haanjo 2 are particularly versatile, incorporating front and rear rack mounts as well as included fender mounts to make those daily commutes in the rain much more tolerable.
While we wouldn’t say there’s anything particularly special about these bikes, they’re just overall great performers which use quality components and represent a great value. Definitely an excellent choice for beginners who want a high-quality ride without taking out a mortgage.
Salsa Journeyman
The Salsa Journeyman series of rides are a great one to look at if you’re looking for a good budget gravel bike which is both capable on the trail and easy on the wallet. Attractive aesthetics, a durable frame, and strong reputation are all virtues that we’re fond of.
With the flat-bar offerings being adept at off-road handling, you’ll have a better time taking something like the Sora 650 off the pavement than something with regular drop bars.
For gravel bikes under $1,000, it’s easy to see why the Salsa Journeyman series is a popular pick among enthusiasts. We would recommend shelling out just a little more to get something better than their lowest offering, as you’ll get much more optimal performance and reliability for not much more spent.
Full Review: Salsa Journeyman
Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure
Another popular and well-acclaimed budget gravel bike, the Pure Cycles Gravel Adventure bike is a low-cost, no-frills bicycle sporting a slew of Shimano components and a durable steel frame. While it’s certainly not the lightest or most attractive bike out there, the durability and reliability is worth its weight in gold.
Simple road bike geometry, tires wide enough to tackle the vast majority of terrain, and durable enough to stand the test of time, it’s hard to find any faults with it beyond the superficial.
If you’re not so concerned about aesthetics and have legs strong enough to not mind a couple extra pounds, then it’s certainly worth looking into this ride for its bulletproof reliability and quality components. Available at a very reasonable price, we certainly think it’s one to look out for!