Reviewed by Jeroen De Haas
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 to stay away from heavily trafficked roads.
The best gravel bikes are characterized by dropped handlebars, disc brakes, and wide tires.
Mudguards and racks 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 like for cyclocross, road riding, singletrack, touring, commuting, and bike packing.
In a hurry? The test winner after 17 hours of research:
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike
Why is it better?
94/100
Our Score
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 travelled.
Gravel bike's ergonomics are designed to be fast and efficient on rough terrain while trying to keep comfort for longer adventures. They are more robust and durable than a road bikes, with a major difference in frame and fork clearance for wide tires -which is approximately up to 55 mm.
The best gravel bikes are characterized by dropped handlebars, disc brakes, and wide tires to provide you long distance comfort
Let's get to the point of this article.
My Team and I spent over 7 hours on the trails and over a total of 17 hours researching the best gravel bikes 2021.
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.
You can scroll down for more in-depth reviews and a buying guide with each bike. If you click on the links, then we may receive a small amount of commission from the retailer when you purchase the item. This will not affect the amount you pay.
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Last Updated: January 01, 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.
2021 gravel bike reviews
Image | Bike Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Gravel Bikes | |||
| Rating: 94/100 | ||
Best Gravel Bikes For Women | |||
 | Rating: 86/100 | ||
 | Rating: 93/100 | ||
Best GRAVEL Bikes For Men | |||
 | Rating: 92/100 | ||
 | Rating: 84/100 | ||
Best Gravel Bikes Under $1500 | |||
 | Rating: 89/100 | ||
 | Rating: 82/100 | ||
Best Gravel Bikes
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike - Best Overall
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike
This bikes are designed when riding over an unpredictable surface like gravel so that it 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.
The Haanjo 2 bike comes with an 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 3x9 speed drivetrain by Shimano shifters and derailleurs provides reliable performance and easy on trail maintenance.
For the braking system it 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 seatstays useful for longer trips. Accordingly this bike consist of the fork that has low rider mounts to accept front rack.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
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
Salsa Warroad Carbon 105 700 Bike - Best for Women
Salsa Warroad Carbon 105 700 BIke
Salsa Warroad Carbon 105 700 Bike
Salsa Warroad Carbon 105 700 Bike is one of the best gravel bikes for women. It is an affordable women’s specific all road adventure bike tailored for riding comfortably on unpaved roads.
The bike is designed amazingly with keeping the women's geometry in mind. It has a much tighter geometry and has sharper handling to create a much edgier look.
The bike is designed to hit the road and dirt, for riders who like to have a sharp bike that can manage aggressive roads and turns and still works extremely well on the pavement.
The Warroad bike comes with a Warroad frame and fork of carbon for stopping power in all weather. The Shimano shifters help to ride smoothly out on the hill with 22 gears to choose from.
The mechanical disc brakes offer great stopping power in any weather, be it wet or cold. Teravail Rampart 700c x 28 mm Tanwall tires give stability and work well on gravel.
It also comprises a bonus rack and fender mounts to take off for a ride in all weather conditions. This ultra-versatile bike offers a way to enjoy on paved roads. If you are looking to avoid congested roads, then this bike is the way to rock your bicycle riding.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 Bike review - best gravel road bike
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 Bike review
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 Bike review
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 women's bike is a great gravel bike. It is amazingly built for exploring less-traveled routes. A light and SmartForm C2 alloy frame carbon fork give a comfortable and precise steering front end.
Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic disc brakes and Cannondale 1 with 40T OPI SpideRing crankset offers high performance and greater versatility.
The bike is made up of wide tires up to 47mm designed to provide grip and comfort capability. Big frame bags are configured to offer multiple bottle cage positions on the down tube mount.
There are dropped cables that route through the straight shot window in the down tube for maintaining a gravel bike. You get a DirectLine cabling and headache-free service.
The bike offers a balance riding position that is upright enough for long comfortable rides.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Best Gravel Bikes For Men
Royce Union Men's Gravel Bike - Best for Men
Royce Union Men's Gravel Bike
Royce Union Men's Gravel Bike
Royce Union is loaded with comfort features to excel in any terrain, no matter the conditions. Its aluminium frame paired with Shimano Claris 16 speed gearing selection can help to tackle uphill treks with minimum efforts.
The Mechanical brake increase the amount of 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 allows more flexibility and provides unrivaled riding performance. Its aluminium frame provides less maintenance with a better performance. This amazing feature counts this bike in the list of top rated gravel bikes 2021.
WTB wilderness tires offer a minimal rolling resistance, giving a choice for enduring racing and touring. Riders can use this bike with a minimum height of 72 inches and suggested inseam 32 inches.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike - best cheap gravel bike
Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike
GIORDANO TRIESTE GRAVEL BIKE
This bike is a perfect option for those who are looking for a bike that is built with high quality and is smartly equipped with adventure and gravel bike enjoyment.
It is a lightweight bike with a Chromoly steel frame and fork system and 30mm wide tires between the road and you. You can be amazed at the ultra-smooth bike ride quality.
This 700c wheels Trieste bike is equipped with Shimano Claris 16-speed drive train and STI shifters. You also powerful 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 a very sturdy and solid construction.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you want to look for other bikes of this brand then read our Mongoose Bikes Reviews
Best gravel bikes under $1500
Tommaso Sentiero Gravel Adventure road Bike - Best under $1500
Pure Cycles Adventure Gravel Disc Road Bike
Tommaso Sentiero Gravel Adventure Bike
Tommaso is a brand that has a great following. With an affordable price tag of $900, you may fall in love with this beauty.
The bike is highly known for its rugged frame and all-terrain performance. The bike is designed with 28-spoke rims and has 700x40c tyre clearance. The bike is also equipped with Avid BB5 brakes for additional stopping power.
This makes the bike a perfect choice for all types of weather conditions. The bike has 3x8 Shimano Claris Groupset for rugged terrains. You do not have to worry when riding flats to hills.
The bike is designed with a compact geometry for a more premium feel and comfort. Every part of the bike is designed with power and efficiency.
Backed by a manufacturer's frame warranty and other components this bike is simple and easy to maintain and you can give it a try.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Tommaso Siena Shimano Tourney Gravel Adventure Bike - Smoothest Gravel Bike
Tommaso Siena Shimano Tourney Gravel Adventure Bike
Tommaso Siena Shimano Tourney Gravel Adventure Bike
Tommaso Siena Shimano is designed to offer a comfy and stable terrain ridings than ever, with upgraded tubing and frame designs. Its aluminium compact frame with steel fork provides maximum durability.
Featuring a 30/39/50T Claris crankset with a 12x28T Tourney cassette, Tommaso makes this bike a perfect fit to ride on any paved or unpaved roads, from flats to hills, for all degrees of riders in all conditions. They have 700 * 40 cc tires with TC-20D rims that provide stability on all terrains.
The Shimano drivetrain provides a wide range of gears, no matter where you ride. The disc brake powered by avid bb5 increases stopping power in any weather and terrain conditions.
This bike built around compact handlebars with a compact frame delivers maximum comfort and efficiency, to get the most out of every ride, whether it is 10 miles or 100 miles.
These all extraordinary features add this bike in the list of 'best gravel bikes under $1500'
The Tommaso Seina bike thus brings versatility and offers value to our adventure line. Designed as all in one package, it is perfectly fit for any ride.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Are Gravel Bikes good ?
These bikes are versatile and can be used for more than just riding on gravel. Gravel bikes 2021 allow a high gear range and mud tyre clearance feature for big tires so gravel rides are becoming fixtures for the cycling community.
Some of the features it includes:-
How do I choose the right gravel bike?
Choosing the right bike type based on your needs can result in enjoyable riding experience. Carefully choosing a bike involves knowing the price range , then 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.
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.
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.How much do I have to spend on a gravel bike?
Well, that depends on the way you define a gravel bike. However, 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.
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 2021.
Common FAQs
Follow these steps to make sure you choose the best gravel bike:
- What kind of terrain do you ride?
- Match your bike geometry with your riding style
- Choose a specific component specs
- Go out for a test ride
You can justify the purchase of a gravel bike if you live in areas with gravel roads or off-roads trails and don't have enough land access.
Many gravel bikes are also used as a road bike and can serve the purpose.
Changing your gravel bike's heavy tires into a fast-rolling tire can make your gravel bike run as fast as a road bike.
Road bikes are more capable than many people give them credit for however, they do have a great limit. Gravel bikes are designed to tackle a wide range of terrains. The buying is up to you in the end.
Gravel bike has a similar price range to a road bike. But due to few components add ons, the price is pushed a bit higher.
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.
While selecting a bike, don't forget to check its reviews and customer rating for the best one.
Then finding out the shipping details and the cost and learning the ways to assemble your bike. There are other options available in the market so you can do a thorough research on components, sizing, gears etc and find the one that's best for you.
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike
Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo 5C Carbon Gravel Adventure Road Bike
Why is it better?
94/100
Our Score