5 Best Gravel Bikes Review [2023]: Trek & Adventure Bikes For Men & Women

Best Overall Gravel BikeDiamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Diamondback Haanjo 5C

Own Your Adventure

Get Best DealBest For WomenCannondale Topstone Carbon 4 Bike

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2

Built to chase horizons, explore and accelerate your daily routine.

Get Best DealBest Gravel Bike For MenROYCE UNION Men's Gravel Bike

ROYCE UNION Men’s Gravel Bike

Design to Excel in any Terrain.

Get Best DealBest Gravel Bike Under $1500DOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE

DOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE

A Versatile Adventure Touring Gravel Bike.

Get Best DealBest Under $1500Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike

Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike

A high demand Gravel Bike for Gravel Road Riding.

Get Best Deal

Gravel bike trends are buzzing in the world of cycling nowadays. These bikes are tailored for long-distance comfort, new routes adventure, and allow riders like you to stay away from heavily trafficked roads.

Now, not everyone is a fan of mudguards. 

But, they represent the features of keeping you off the water or dirt sprayed from the tires. Hence, you’ll be happy to know that mudguards are mounted on these bikes to keep you comfortable and to improve your bike’s longevity.

They are designed to handle the demands of on- and off-gravel riding for cyclocross, road riding, single track, touring, commuting, and bike packing.

In a hurry? The test winner after 17 hours of research:

editors pickDiamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Why is it better?

  • One of the most  ultra versatile bikes out there
  • Carbon frame with endurance geometry for durability and all day riding comfort
  •  Good for Gravel Road Adventures or for hard trails 

94/100Our Score

Our Buying Guide

With various gravel bikes in the market, such as Cannondale, Trek, Diamondback, and Schwinn, it becomes a little overwhelming to choose the right kind of bike for your adventures.

As we slowly let out ourselves from the lockdown, the gravel bikes have become the best vehicle for adventure riding enthusiasts. However, finding the perfect one can be a tedious task. 

But, don’t you worry, we are here to help.

At BikesReviewed, we are dedicated to helping you with the best-rated products with surety. All these products have gone through inclusive research and the opinions of real users using these bikes.

How We Picked

My Team and I spent over 7 hours on the trails and over a total of 17 hours researching the best gravel bikes for 2023.

In this research, we have keenly compared the products by their features, pros, and cons with a mixture of genuine customer reviews and experiences. We have compared 15 products and six research sources in the process.

There are several new entries into the field, but we ended up selecting some of the tried and true brands in the space. We have selected the best overall bike, best for Men, best for Women and best bang-for-the-buck if you are just getting started.

 After estimating 150+ consumer opinions to complete our product search, we have considered them depending on their distinct categories.

researched sources

6

Researched sources

reviews considered

150+

REviews considered

hours researched

17

hours researching

products compared

15

products compared

Last Updated:  December 16,2021

By Max Shumpert: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding gravel bikes available for those who are interested in buying. The best 8 are selected and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best bike currently available on the market. 

2023 Gravel Bike Reviews

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  
Best OverallHaanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike Best Overall Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike Rating: 94/100 View Latest Deal →Read Full Review
Best E-gravel BikeCannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 Electric Bike Best E-gravel Bike Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 Electric Bike Rating: 93/100 View Latest Deal →Read Full Review
Best For MenRoyce Union Men's Gravel Bike Best For Men Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike Rating: 92/100 View Latest Deal →Read Full Review
Best Cheap Gravel BikeDOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE Best Cheap Gravel Bike Domane AL2 Gravel Bike Rating: 84/100 View Latest Deal →Read Full Review
Best Under $1500Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike Best Under $1500 Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike Rating: 89/100 View Latest Deal →Read Full Review

Best Gravel Bikes

Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

  • Carbon frame with endurance geometry for durability and all day riding comfort
  • DB gravel performance full-monologue carbon fork for smooth and precise handling
  • Reliable shifting performance  with ultrawide  and durable Shimano Claris 3×9 

These bikes were designed to ride over an unpredictable surface like gravel so that they can provide extra stability over long distances.

The Diamondback Haanjo family is one of the top bike brands and covers a wide range of bikes, and its Haanjo 5C bike excels in making rides on the rough gravel roads more enjoyable.

Features Of Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo

  • The Haanjo 2 bike comes with a light, tough carbon fiber frame and fork to provide durability and riding comfort. 
  • Its DB gravel performance full carbon fork provides smooth and precise handling.
  • The 3×9 speed drivetrain by Shimano shifters and derailleurs provides reliable performance and easy on-trail maintenance.
  • The braking system uses TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc for offering more stopping power. 
  • The bike is built with plenty of gears and WTB Byway, 650x47c gravel concrete specific tires that offer great wet weather traction.
  • An adventure bike is incomplete if it does not have rack mounts on the seat that stays useful for longer trips. Accordingly, this bike consists of a fork that has low rider mounts to accept the front rack.

Specifications Of Haanjo

  • Wheel Size: 700 Inches
  • Suspension Type: Rear, Front
  • Number of Speeds: 16
  • Size: 50cm / 5’4″-5’8″
  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Brake Style: Disc

What We Like

  • Affordable, durable and Performance oriented bike.

  • Quality components like Shifters, derailleurs.

  • It is lightweight and strong enough for challenging trails.

What We Don’t Like

  • There are no specific cons related to this bike.

Verdict 

The Haanjo 2, a comfortable all-day ride bike, can be your ultimate solution to traffic jams. Refraining myself from getting into much technicality, I would just come forward and say that this bike has the capability of a road bike, yet can be your everyday companion to work or casual rides if you give it a chance. 

The Haanjo Series bikes make the rides much easier and enjoyable. If you are looking to explore and learn about these bikes then read our Diamondback Haanjo Reviews.

Best Gravel Bikes for Women

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 E-Bike

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 Electric Bike

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 Electric Bike

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 E-Bike

  •  A versatile gravel road bike,  built for chasing horizons, exploring routes less traveled or accelerating your commute.
  • Shimano 105 group  with disc brakes / FSA Omega crankset offers high performance and greater versatility.

Wouldn’t you want a bike that can just add some energy to your day-to-day mundane lifestyle?

The Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 Electric Bike sways any adventure lover who wishes to explore new places, chase horizons, and enhance their daily routine. With this lightweight and versatile e-bike, you are capable of riding through any or all rough terrain.

Features Of Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 E-Bike

Coming to the technicalities, 

  • The SmartForm C2 Alloy frame and its full carbon fork make an excellent durable duo. They are also lightweight.
  • The above-mentioned frame and fork also provide plenty of clearance when it comes to the included 700c x 42 mm tires.
  • The e-bike’s light and powerful drive system render three levels of support for pedals that accompany you up to 20 mph with a range of up to 47 mi. (75 km).
  • The e-bike hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano GRX 400/600 drivetrain offer excellent on- and off-road performance.
  • The e-bike definitely comes with an easy-to-access charging port that is simple to use.

Specifications Of Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 E-Bike

  • Motor Type: Geared Hub
  • Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
  • Motor Torque (Nm): 40 Newton meters
  • Battery Capacity (Wh): 250-watt hours
  • Charge Time: 4 hours
  • Bike Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Pedal Assist Range: 47 miles
  • Bike Suspension: No Suspension

What We Like

  • There is no hassle in changing the battery.
  • Multiple gear and mounts.
  • Roomy frame and fork.
  • 250-watt hours battery capacity.

What We Don’t Like

  • Pedals are not included.
  • A little pricey.

Verdict 

This e-bike is a worthy purchase product, given its versatility and durability with added endurance fit. It’s a perfect thumbs up if you love to go on long rides and enjoy cruising your stunning town.

Best Gravel Bikes For Men

Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike

Royce Union Men's Gravel Bike

Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike

Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike

  • Mechanical Disc brakes  are used to help you stop easily and more efficiently – works amazing with Downhill adventures
  •  The  3-piece crank offers more flexibility – it’s  rigid counterparts break when more stress is applied.
  • WTB  tires offers minimal rolling resistance due to raised, consistent centerline tread

Royce Union is loaded with comfort features to excel in any terrain, no matter the conditions. Let us look at its special features and some of its specifications to understand it better.

Features Of Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike

  • Its aluminum frame paired with Shimano Claris, 16-speed gearing selection, can help to tackle uphill treks with minimum effort. 
  • The Mechanical brake increases stopping power without sacrificing performance in any weather and works amazingly for downhill adventures.
  • Its 3-piece neck alloy crank and a rigid steel fork allow more flexibility and provide unrivaled riding performance. 
  • The aluminum frame provides less maintenance with a better performance. This amazing feature even counts this bike in the top gravel bikes 2023.
  • WTB wilderness tires offer minimal rolling resistance, giving a choice for enduring racing and touring.  
  • Riders can use this bike with a minimum height of 72 inches and a suggested inseam of 32 inches.

Read Also: Trek fx1 review

Specifications Of Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike

  • Wheel Size: 27.5 Inches
  • Suspension Type: Rigid
  • Frame Weight: Lightweight
  • Frame Material: Aluminum Frame
  • Number of Speeds: 9
  • Size: 700c

What We Like

  • Comfy seats and larger tires soak up the bumps and the stiffness of the frame, giving a lot more control.

What We Don’t Like

  • Some bikers may have few troubles regarding the speed of the bike.

Verdict

The facts of this bike can attract any bike fanatic, but for me, the dual disc brakes win it all. On a rough path, terrain or trail, it is critical to stop quickly, easily and efficiently. And, the Royce Union Men’s Gravel Bike renders all.

Best gravel bikes under $1500

DOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE

Domane AL2 Gravel Bike

 DOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE

Domane AL2 Gravel Bike

  •  A Versatile adventure touring bike designed with a sleek carbon frame and fork for the ultimate ride.  
  • Equipped with Shimano Claris 8-speed drive train
  • Built with high quality and is smartly equipped with adventure and gravel bike enjoyment

This one is a perfect option for those looking for a bike built with high-quality materials and is smartly equipped with adventure and gravel bike enjoyment. Available in a somewhat low price range, you can be amazed at the quality of the ultra-smooth bike ride.

Features Of DOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE

  • It is a lightweight bike with a 100 series Alpha Aluminum frame and domane carbon fork 5x100mm QR system and 28c wide tires between the road and you.  
  • This 700c wheels Trieste bike is equipped with Shimano Claris R2000, 8-speed drivetrain, Shimano HG31, 11-32, 8 Speed Cassette, Shimano Sora HG71 bike chain, and FSA Integrated headset. 
  • It also provides powerful alloy dual-pivot brakes that offer you great stopping power in all riding conditions.
  • The bike is built in small, medium, and large sizes to fit all types of riders. 
  • The bike is available at a very affordable price and has an extremely sturdy and solid construction.

Specifications Of DOMANE AL2 GRAVEL BIKE 

  • Weight: 56 – 9.57 kg / 21.09 lbs
  • Brake: Alloy dual-pivot
  • Cassette: Shimano HG31, 11-32, 8 speed
  • Chain: Shimano Sora HG71, 8 speed
  • Shifter, Front derailleur, Rear derailleur: Shimano Claris R2000
  • Max tire size: 28c without fenders / 25c with fenders

What We Like

  • Bikes offer many features at affordable price
  • The frame of the bike is very sturdy
  • Brakes and gears are perfectly tuned when delivered
  • Spacing is available in the bike for upgrades
  • Easy to Assemble

What We Don’t Like

  • Rear dropouts seem to be cheap
  • The bike is very heavy to ride

Verdict 

A bike that comes with endurance geometry, fender compatibility, blendr-compatible stem and is endurance fit is the most fitting bike for any cycling enthusiast out there.

If you want to look for other bikes of this brand then read our Mongoose Bikes Reviews

Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike

Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike

SCHWINN SPORTERRA ADVENTURE ADULT GRAVEL BIKE

Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Adult Gravel Bike

  • Designed with 28-spoke rims and has 700x40c tires
  • Equipped with Avid BB5 brakes for additional stopping power
  • 3×8 Shimano Claris Groupset for rugged terrains

Schwinn is a brand that has a great following. With an affordable price tag, you may fall in love with this beauty. It is designed with a compact geometry for a more premium feel and comfort.

Features Of Schwinn Sporterra

  • The bike is highly known for its rugged frame and all-terrain performance. 
  • The bike is designed with a rigid fork, 28-inch wheel size and has 700x38c tire clearance. 
  • The bike is also equipped with a Shimano shifter/brake lever combination for additional stopping power.
  • This makes the bike a perfect choice for all types of weather conditions. 

Specifications Of Schwinn Sporterra

  • Wheel Size: 28 Inches
  • Suspension Type: Rigid
  • Frame: Aluminum Frame
  • Number of Speeds: 14
  • Size: One Size

What We Like

  • Affordable and packed with features
  • Smooth-shifting of gears
  • The bike has an amazing finish
  • Brakes keep you safe in wet conditions

What We Don’t Like

  • Seat and pedals are not easier to handle

Verdict 

Every part of the bike is designed with power and efficiency. Its special features ensure that you don’t have to worry when you plan on riding from flat surfaces to hills or rough terrains.

Backed by a manufacturer’s frame warranty and other components, this bike is simple and easy to maintain, and we would suggest you give it a try.

Recommended Read: Trek Emonda SL5 2020 Review

What Is A Gravel Bike?

Gravel bikes are a combination or a blend of different road bikes, cyclocross bikes, touring bikes, and press frappe. Designed to be used on unpaved or bumpy roads, they are truly for the road less traveled.

Gravel bike’s ergonomics are designed to be fast and efficient on rough terrain while trying to keep the comfort for longer adventures.

Are Gravel Bikes good ?

These bikes are versatile and can be used for more than just riding on gravel. Gravel bikes 2023 allow a high gear range and mud tire clearance feature for big tires. So, gravel rides are becoming fixtures for the cycling community. 

Some of the features it includes:-

  • They are designed to ride on mixed terrains.
  • Wide tires provide more comfort and grip.
  • Bottle and bike racks mount for commuting and touring.
  • Bikes with a Lower bottom bracket, compared with a cyclocross race bike, give a more road-like feel and are less tailored to rocks and roots.
  • Disc brakes for quick stopping.
  • Sometimes dropped handlebars for control.
  • The wide and big tires offer a high gear range. 
  • Adventure and gravel are two names given for the same machines.

How do I choose the  right gravel bike?

Choosing the right bike type based on your needs can result in an enjoyable riding experience. Carefully choosing a bike involves knowing the price range, finding out the right size, and the most important components required in your bike to match your riding style. Let’s dig into its specific features to find out the right gravel bike.

1. size of the wheel

Many riders or cyclists  are venturing into the gravel world and asking themselves the perfect  wheel size for their bikes, whether they should choose 700c wheels or 650b wheels.

Well, 700c bikes are good for a road ride while 650c bikes or 27.5 inch bikes are popular among mountain bike riders as they provide good traction.

 A 700 c wheel provides less rotational mass and less resistance and 650b wheels allows lower tire pressure with fatter tires  and with almost the same diameter as a 700c wheel.

These gravel tires width range from 30mm to 48mm. For these bikes, tubeless ready tires are also used as a latex sealant to protect them from getting punctured. 

We provided an in-depth review of the best bike tires that may help you find the best one within your price range.

Gravel Bike Wheel Size

Wide tires can provide a smoother ride and more grip on any terrain.

2. Geometry

In addition to wheel size and other features the most important consideration is the geometry of any gravel specific bike.

Gravel bike features a longer wheelbase coupled with wide and high handlebars for grip and control specifically on rough roads. 

Most bikes have longer head tube giving riders the better  upright and relaxed position, but this top tube may not be longer than a road bikes. 

We are also seeing popularity in gravel geometry regarding bottom bracket height – which is the vertical distance between the wheel axes and the bottom bracket.

High bottom brackets  lead to better stability clearing the rough stuff ,i.e suited for rough terrain. While lower bottom brackets provides better handling ,best suited for twistier road and smoother trails . BB height is affected by tire size.

3. Gearings

From 2019 most mid to high end gravel bikes have 11 cogs in the rear wheel which allows more gear range  to grow- offering less gears upfront to maintain an acceptable overall gear range.

Gravel bikes  with wide-range cassettes come up with 1x gearing. 

A double ring chainset with a super 48/32t crankset combination and  also 50/34 compact chainset are commonly used in these bikes as they help you to move up to  steep hills.

Gears for gravel bikes

Gravel bikes with wide-range cassettes come up with 1x gearing.

4. Suspension

Most gravel bikes do not have suspension in either front or rear frame as they are fully rigid but some manufacturers are coming up with rear suspension and have active or passive suspension systems built into it. 

Other aspects include compliant handlebars, head tubes,  slender chainstays, seatpost designed to flex to give vibration dampening.  While the other gravel bikes include suspension forks like you can find in Diamondback Mission 1 bikes.Best Gravekl Bikes | BikesReviewed.com

How much do I have to spend on a gravel bike?

Well, that depends on the way you define a gravel bike. For instance, if you have a cyclocross bike, then it could also work as a gravel bike and can cost you the cost of a basic ‘true’ gravel machine.

If you’re looking for a gravel all-road bike, then you can pay around $1,200 for an alloy frame with entry-level components.

However, with a carbon frame and hydraulic disc brakes, the bike may cost you around $2800. In the cycling world, you may spend a little on a customized bike you wish for and can buy affordable gravel bikes in 2023.

People Also Ask

Conclusion

There are a few considerations in selecting your best gravel bike. Starting with finding out the right bike size to ensure proper riding position and comfort. 

When you go through our review, we have handpicked some of the best products with amazing price range.

However, we found  Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bikes as one of the best bike. It is the most versatile bike in the market. Diamondback is one of the most top-rated brands for bikes and the Haanjo serves the name very well.

It offers you great stability while going out for long rides. It is light and gives tough performance when compared with the competitive products. 

BikesReviewed solely stands by the motto of simplifying your bike shopping. Hence, we suggest that while selecting a bike, you should never forget to check its reviews and customer rating for the best product.

Moving forward, you can find out the shipping details and cost and learn how to assemble your bike. There are other options available in the market, so you can do thorough research on components, sizing, gears etc and find the one that best assists you.

editors pickDiamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike

Why is it better?

  • One of the most  ultra versatile bikes out there
  • Carbon frame with endurance geometry for durability and all day gravel riding comfort
  •  Good for Gravel Road Adventures or for hard trails 

94/100Our Score

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