Gravel up to PLN 7,000

Gravel biking has become one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities, offering a ride full of challenge and variety. With so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right bike for your needs and budget. If you're on a tight budget and looking for a quality gravel bike under 7,000 PLN, you're in luck! In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to the best gravel bikes available in this price range.

What gravel bike for 7000? Be careful.

This budget is tricky. On the one hand, we already have a wide selection of bikes from well-known brands to choose from, but on the other, many of them skimp on less visible components to attract customers in this segment. Most bikes in this price range are based on Shimano Sora components. This is a proven, versatile, and reliable groupset, although a bit fiddly to adjust. It's important to have it as complete as possible, including the Shimano crankset and brakes. Hydraulics are unlikely to be an option. Beware of third-party brakes, which will be noisy and constantly rubbing. This can drive you mad, sad, and discouraged. The same (in the sense of problems) happens with joyfully mixed groupsets.

When it comes to the frame, opt for aluminum with a carbon fork. It's a good compromise between weight, stiffness, and comfort, and it's also durable. You won't find carbon fiber at this price, and the available steel bikes are rather primitive.

Gravel up to PLN 7,000 should be sustainable

It's better to have a full Shimano Sora groupset than a 105 derailleur , Deore shifter, and a generic crankset. Gravel bikes up to 7000 rpm are priced very competitively, with quality being the top priority, and manufacturers often want to stand out from the competition. Nothing could be simpler than offering a better derailleur. The problem is, you have to cut corners somewhere, and the result is a system that performs as if it wanted to, but couldn't. Or even doesn't. So look for less flashy, yet consistent options. This also applies to less representative components like wheels. Wide rims are essential, and the ability to run a tubeless system is an added advantage. It's also common to skimp on hubs – cheap generic hubs won't last long with intensive use on various terrain. Choose Shimano or models with sealed bearings. The latter are especially maintenance-free and reliable, even if the hub housings aren't the prettiest.

Choose simplicity and effective solutions

Gravel bikes under 7,000 PLN won't have any fireworks, so it's better to get less but good quality. I recommend skipping premium brands – the premium price is a significant portion of the price in this case. Would you rather have the Specialized logo or a good drivetrain? The fewer add-ons, accessories, and combinations, the better. Many retrofitted gravel bikes for 7 wheels have Shimano Claris drives to stay within budget. It's a good groupset, but compared to the aforementioned Sora, the difference in features and quality is significant. You can add more equipment to the bike over time, if necessary, just remember to choose one with the right number of mounting points.

For a change, I wouldn't worry about the tires. Most bikes in this price range have them anyway, so you'll quickly beat them up and put something decent on. The same goes for the tape. Don't be too picky about the stems either. A lightweight frame is more important than a branded seatpost. Pay attention to the details, and you'll easily find something good.