How to choose a gravel bike?
The article provides a comprehensive overview of gravel cycling, a versatile style that sits between road and mountain biking. It describes in detail the characteristics of gravel bikes, their specific features including geometry and equipment, and presents different models for different types of riding. The article also covers recommendations on choosing tyres and accessories for various surfaces, from tarmac to more demanding terrain. It also includes a section on e-bikes and cyclocross bikes. The text is intended for both beginners interested in gravel cycling and experienced riders looking for specific information on equipment and bike types for different riding styles.
Riding on gravel, from the first kilometre off-road to the five-hundredth, awakens something unique in us that we simply won’t experience elsewhere. Whether you’re heading out for an uninterrupted ride out of town, enjoying the scenery and fun with friends, or you’ve set yourself a new challenge, we’ll provide you with all the knowledge, bikes and kit for the adventure that awaits you on less explored roads.
What is gravel riding?
Gravel cycling is a versatile style that sits exactly between road and mountain biking. It takes you into less explored terrain across a variety of surfaces, including unpaved and demanding roads. We refer to these machines as gravel bikes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t handle everything from dusty cycle paths on disused railways, through long rocky routes, to wooded singletrack—if you’re up for it.
So what exactly is a gravel bike?
Gravel bikes are multi-surface machines designed to tackle endless kilometres of unpaved roads and off-road riding. They balance the off-road capability of mountain bikes with the speed and lightness of road bikes. That means you have all the advantages you need to handle any surface.
Gravel bike description
1. Comfortable upright geometry
Gravel bikes often place the rider in a more upright position for confident riding. The cockpit is a little more open for greater comfort on long rides.
2. Tyre clearance
For better traction and comfort, gravel bikes typically have more clearance for higher-volume tyres (38–50 mm) with more pronounced tread than road bike tyres.
3. Mounts for bags and bottle cages
On gravel rides you can end up far from water sources, bike shops and even outside mobile network coverage. That’s why many gravel bikes are equipped with mounts for bottle cages, racks and bags, so you can carry everything you need for long rides. Some bikes have in-frame storage for tools and kit.
Types of gravel surfaces
All-round bikes
A bit of everything. Smooth tarmac, rough roads, cobbles and light gravel. All-road bikes should accommodate tyres 32 to 38 mm wide.
Gravel
Roads and trails with varied surfaces, from hard-packed dirt to loose gravel and dusty rocky terrain. Gravel riding is best on tyres 35 to 50 mm wide.
Gravel bikes
Want to head onto more demanding surfaces? With pure gravel riding you spend minimal time on tarmac and maximise your time enjoying gravel, dusty roads and light singletrack. Bikes designed for gravel prioritise stable geometry, clearance for larger tyres, comfort and mounts for gear.
Checkpoint
Checkpoint is the perfect gravel bike with the capability for day-to-day adventures and bikepacking trips.
- clearance for 45 to 50 mm tyres (measured)
- Gravel Endurance geometry for comfortable, confident riding
- internal storage on carbon models
- flared gravel handlebars for long-distance comfort
- plenty of mounts for bags and racks
Checkmate SLR
Checkmate SLR is a dedicated gravel race bike that’s the fastest and lightest in our range.
- tyre clearance up to 45 mm (measured)
- optimised Gravel Race geometry for fast, confident riding out of the wind
- lightweight and aerodynamic handlebar-and-stem combination
- race-optimised frame mounts for carrying bags and bottles
All-road bikes
Riding on any surface lets you choose your adventure. All-round bikes offer some of the benefits of gravel and road bikes—for example, clearance for larger tyres and lightness for riding on any surface.
Domane
Domane is an all-road drop-bar road bike for riding on varied surfaces, from cobbles to crushed gravel.
- Tyre clearance up to 38 mm.
- Comfortable endurance geometry for all-day rides.
FX Sport
FX Sport is a versatile all-road bike with flat handlebars, ideal for riding on tarmac and gravel roads, and even light touring.
- Tyre clearance up to 40 mm.
- Upright riding position focused on comfort.
- Mounts for bags and a rack.
All-round and gravel bikes
Want to head off-road with a bit of support? Gravel e-bikes offer the features and versatility of traditional gravel bikes. Plus, they add extra assistance, so you can easily handle long off-road kilometres and steep, twisty climbs.
Domane+
The all-round Domane+ with electric assistance makes gravel riding possible. On these drop-bar e-bikes you’ll go further and faster, no matter where you’re heading.
- On all-road models there is clearance for 38 mm tyres, and on gravel models 40 mm.
- Assistance up to 25 km/h.
Cyclocross bikes
Now you can also head out onto CX courses full of mud, grassy hills, sand pits and switchback trails. Cyclocross bikes are built for racing, with aggressive geometry that puts the rider in a powerful position, and clearance for large tyres with an aggressive tread that bites firmly into mud and dirt.
Boone
Boone is a lightweight carbon cyclocross race machine that handles barrier hops and demanding rides over grass, mud and sand.
- Tyre clearance up to 38 mm.
- CX geometry and vibration-damping technology for performance, handling and comfort.
Gear up for gravel riding
When you set off on a gravel bike that can handle any terrain and any ride, you also need kit that lets you do it. Browse our range of gravel bike gear, where you’ll find everything you need to ride—such as compact multi-tools that fit in a rear pocket, helmets and shoes for protection from head to toe, and handlebar tape that minimises fatigue and ensures all-day comfort.
Travel bags
Cycling bags need the functionality and carrying capacity to let you head off-road and stay out there for a while. Whether you’re riding gravel, bikepacking, travelling or anything in between, durable Adventure bags protect your gear from water and offer smart mounting systems that, on some Trek models such as Checkpoint, can be bolted directly to the bike.
Which tyres do I need?
Choosing bike tyres is a very personal decision. If you choose correctly, you’re in for a lot of fun on gravel. Picking the ideal ones depends on a range of factors, from puncture protection to traction and size. A good rule of thumb is: the more demanding the gravel surface, the larger the tyre you’ll need. But don’t forget to make sure they fit your bike.