Are you looking for a bike that can power over gravel and other rough terrains but just don’t know what to look for? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We will look at five bikes to help you find the best gravel bikes.
Comparison Chart
W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR (Gravel Sport Race) Road Bike, 11 Speed, Lightweight, Disc Brakes, Available in XS, S, M, L and XL (Medium 55cm)
Best Gravel Bikes: Reviews
Vilano Gravel Bike
Suppose you’re looking for a lightweight and durable bike with wheels and tires designed to handle rough and gravelly conditions. In that case, the Vilano Gravel Bike is a great option.
Review
The Vilano Gravel Bike features an aluminum frame and a simple design. This frame is designed for lightweight mobility, so you won’t sink into the gravel and get stuck due to excessive weight. This aluminum frame is durable enough, but the real benefit is its lightweight design.
Moreover, to make it easier to ride on gravel and other harsh terrains, this bike features extra-wide CST 27*1.9 tires. These are wide enough that your weight is well distributed on the gravel.
These tires feature a relatively deep tread pattern, so they can really dig into uneven terrain for excellent traction. The wheels are easy-off, so you can make quick repairs and adjustments whenever needed.
The Vilano Gravel features 14 speeds, with a high-quality drivetrain for reliable pedaling and easy shifting to keep you moving forward. High-quality disc brakes provide you with immediate stopping power no matter the conditions.
What is really interesting about this bike is that it features triple position racing handlebars that you can hold like a regular or a racing bike. This versatility level is fantastic, and it allows you to move with stability on gravel and speed on paved roads.
However, this bike is not really built for speed, but it’s not the slowest out there.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Multi-position handlebars
- Relatively durable
- Good disc brakes
- High-quality drivetrain
- Very wide tires with excellent traction
Cons
- Pedals could be better
- Easy-off function can be a bit sticky
Royce Union Gravel Bike
The Royce Union Gravel Bike is a good option if you are looking for a high-quality gravel bike that is lightweight, durable, and fast. It may be a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for, and here you get quality and functionality.
Review
The Royce Union Gravel Bike features a 21-inch hardtail aluminum frame designed to be more than durable enough to handle rough terrain and gravelly roads. That said, the real kicker is just how lightweight the aluminum frame is – light enough to ensure that you don’t sink into gravel, but instead lets you ride over it.
On that same note, the Royce Union Gravel Bike features WTB Nano 700c tires.
Although they’re not extra-wide like other gravel bikes, they are wide enough to ride over gravel with relative ease; they have an excellent traction pattern to dig into the gravel for great forward mobility. You may also like the durable yet lightweight WTB alloy rims.
The Shimano drivetrain and shifting system will also help you move with speed. You get 18 speeds, so you can gear down for riding on gravel and gear up for riding downhill or on paved roads with great speed.
We have to say that any and all components related to the gears are very durable and built to last.
People also like how the Royce Union Gravel Bike comes with a comfortable WTB Volt saddle, which should keep your backside from hurting.
Moreover, the multi-position handlebars allow you to hold them like a racing bike for speed or like a regular mountain bike for increased control and stability. This bike comes with dual disc brakes for immediate and reliable stopping power.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good gear system for most conditions
- Nice disc brakes
- Quite durable
- Comfortable seat
- Multi-position handlebars
- Good tires
Cons
- Tires are not extra-wide
- Somewhat expensive
Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike
The moderately priced Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike is a high-quality bike with an insanely durable frame and other major components for long-term riding over rough terrain.
Review
The Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike is a very durable bike due to the Chromoly steel frame and steel forks. Chromoly is a combination of chromium and molybdenum. Here, it’s used to make some of the highest-quality steel used for bikes.
Although this bike is super durable, it’s also one of the lightest. This makes it ideal for trails, gravel riding, and paved roads.
The Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike comes with double-wall alloy rim wheels, which are durable and lightweight. They have 700c x 30mm tires, wide enough to handle gravel and rough terrain, with traction sufficient for most conditions.
These tires are designed more for riding over various surfaces rather than really gripping them.
The 16 speeds allow you to gear down for gravel riding, keep it on a moderate gear for road riding, and gear up for fast downhill riding. The shifting components all come from Shimano, so you know that they are durable and reliable.
The Giordano Trieste Gravel Bike features high-quality mechanical disc brakes to ensure that you have adequate stopping power to keep you safe no matter the conditions.
It also comes with multi-position racing style handlebars that allow you to hold them in three different positions to accommodate all riding styles.
Pros
- Very durable
- Very lightweight
- Quality disc brakes
- Great Shimano gear shifters and components
- Ideal for all riding conditions
- Good tires for gravel riding
- Moderate price
Cons
- Tires are not extra-wide
- Assembly is difficult
W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR Road Bike
This is by far the most expensive, fanciest, feature-rich, and highest-quality gravel bike among our reviewed bikes. It might be really pricey, but it’s a total beast that can power you through and over anything. We think that it is well worth the price.
Review
The W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR Road Bike features a 6061 high-performance aluminum alloy frame designed for maximum durability and minimal weight.
It’s a lightweight bike that doesn’t take much to get it moving, a bike that will last for years and take some serious punishment. You’d be hard-pressed to find anything better.
One of the most impressive features is the hydraulic SRAM disc brakes. Yes, you heard that right – the W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR Road Bike has hydraulic brakes, and they provide you with the absolute ultimate in stopping power.
The W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR Road Bike comes with fairly wide wheels and tires, and the tires have a great tread pattern. The result is a bike that won’t sink into gravel, with more than enough traction to power over gravelly and bumpy roads.
You also get a high-end SRAM HRD 11-speed drivetrain, which should be more than enough gears for gravel riding and more; these components are also top of the line.
This bike also features the perfect frame geometry for a gravel bike. The multi-position handlebars allow you to adjust your position depending on the conditions.
Pros
- Very durable
- Very lightweight
- Excellent hydraulic disc brakes
- Super high-quality drivetrain
- Very nice wheels and tires
- Great handlebars
- A perfect gravel bike
Cons
Expensive
Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Gravel Bike
Our final offering comes from Schwinn. Although not quite as expensive as the W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR Road Bike reviewed above, it’s another high-end and very expensive gravel bike.
Review
The Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Gravel Bike features a Reynolds 631 steel frame; although it’s not too lightweight, it is very durable. This is a frame designed for maximum durability; the relatively flexible steel can dampen impacts and vibrations.
This bike comes with a high-quality SRAM Rival 1 11-speed drivetrain, which is supremely durable, reliable, and functional, and also allows you to move with relative speed. You will be able to effortlessly gear up or down as needed.
For stopping power, the Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Gravel Bike comes with TRP Spire-C mechanical disc brakes, which are about as good as it gets.
The high-end HED Tomcat wheels combined with a relatively wide design and the excellent traction pattern should suit most conditions.
The Schwinn Sporterra Adventure Gravel Bike also features multi-position handlebars for great comfort and versatility. Although this bike may be expensive, we think it is worth the investment, because it really is one of the best models.
Pros
- Durable frame
- Good flex for impact absorption
- Great drivetrain
- Good disc brakes
- High-quality wheels
- Good tires for most road conditions
- Multi-position handlebars
Cons
- Very expensive
- Assembly is a bit of a pain
Buyer’s Guide
When shopping, you want all the information to make an informed decision before you buy. This is also true for gravel bikes. Read on to see the main features you should be aware of.
Wider Tires
One of the most essential things in a gravel bike is the tires. For one, you want those tires to have a relatively deep tread pattern, so you can really grip gravel for good forward motion, rather than slipping and sliding.
The bike’s tires should be wider than those on a standard bike, such as a road or mountain bike. The wider the tires, the better the traction on gravel. Moreover, wide tires also allow for even weight distribution, so you won’t sink into the gravel.
Geometry
For a good gravel bike, pay attention to the frame geometry. You want a relatively long chain stay for good handling. The bottom bracket should be relatively low, and a low and long stem will allow for stability and control.
Gearing
You should look for a bike that has at least eight speeds. That said, when it comes to gravel bikes, you don’t need a lot of gears because to ride on gravel, for maximum control and acceleration when needed, you want to stick to the lower gears.
That said, if you plan on using the same bike for road riding and for speed, look for something with more gears.
Suspension
For a gravel bike, you don’t want there to be much or any suspension at all. Without suspension, you can move over gravel with speed, and it will allow for excellent stability and control.
Final Verdict
There is no denying that the W.A.R Gravel Evader GSR Road Bike is the best gravel bike on the list. It might be super expensive, but the fact of the matter is that it has the best features and the best performance out of anything that we reviewed.