There's no doubt that gravel bikes are gaining popularity at a truly meteoric pace. Just five years ago, this segment simply didn't exist. Today, almost every bike shop offers at least one model. We delved into the subject and found it worthwhile. Our gravel bikes are enjoying increasing popularity. Some claim it's just well-fueled marketing hype, others claim it's nothing new. Meanwhile, gravel bikes bring immense joy to those who simply want to enjoy riding. But what truly defines them? In short, they're a road bike designed for all terrain, comfortable, and versatile. In this article, we'll discuss their construction and applications step by step, but let's start from the beginning.
Historical outline
The gravel bike in its current form undoubtedly originates from the United States. Its roots lie in the growing popularity of long-distance races on back roads (usually gravel), such as the Dirty Kanza 200 or Land Run 100. The first Kanza took place in 2006 and attracted 34 participants. By 2019, there were already 3,400 participants. Why this surge in interest? The last dozen or so years have seen a general revolution in health awareness, healthy eating, and daily exercise. Road training is no longer the domain of enthusiasts. The problem is that in the US, cyclists are still not welcome on roads (to put it mildly). Furthermore, many of them are multi-lane highways, not very pleasant for either solo or group riding. It's no wonder, then, that cyclists have turned their attention to the almost unused dirt roads. The gravel bike is a response to American conditions.
Front rack mounts are standard. Pictured is our creation :)But what about the bike? At first, there was a lack of consistency in the choice of bikes at the races. Cyclocross and road bikes predominated, but no one was surprised by old MTBs and all sorts of home-built hybrids. A suspension bike wasn't necessary, but even cyclocross bikes had tires that were too narrow. A sensible compromise was lacking. Small manufacturers were the first to spot the niche and began producing bikes very similar to today's gravel bikes. It quickly became apparent that they were popular not only with those looking to spend a dozen or so hours in the saddle, but also simply enjoy a quiet ride. It also proved to be the perfect bike for expeditions. Larger manufacturers quickly caught the eye, and around 2015, the first mass-produced gravel bikes began to appear.
See also: Endurance or gravel road bike - which bike to choose?
What does a gravel bike look like?
From a distance, it looks like a road bike. Up close, it's a bit like a cyclocross bike (you can find a comparison of gravel vs. cross- country bikes here) on steroids. Almost always equipped with drop handlebars (though there are exceptions), balloon tires, and disc brakes. However, unlike MTBs, typical road bikes, or cyclocross bikes, gravel bikes are not limited by UCI regulations, which significantly increases their versatility. Furthermore, the focus on comfort and long distances means that comfort plays a greater role than weight and stiffness, which translates into many distinctive features. Manufacturers quickly realized what customers wanted. As a result, we are currently experiencing a flood of parts and accessories designed for this segment. Special gravel handlebars, wheels, tires, and above all, frames are proof that not everything has been said yet in the cycling world. Gravel bikes are more than just a passing fad.
Frame
The heart of the bike. Compared to a road or CX bike, it stands out with a lower bottom bracket shell, smoother geometry, and a wider wheelbase. They are designed to accommodate tires 38-50 mm wide. Disc brake mounts are standard, and virtually every gravel bike frame is also designed to accommodate fenders and racks (including a front rack). At least two bottle cage mounts are required, and more are not uncommon. A gravel bike is a long-distance machine. The most popular material is, of course, aluminum, but unlike other segments, top-of-the-line models are not always carbon. Titanium is making a comeback, as it is both lightweight and vibration-absorbing. Many smaller manufacturers are opting for the old, proven steel. It also provides a smooth and incredibly comfortable ride, and its price isn't outrageous like titanium. With the use of butted tubing, a steel frame can also be lighter than aluminum. That's why we decided on this solution when creating our gravel bike .
Our gravel frame features a classic steel frame and a carbon fork, making the bike lightweight and comfortable.Regardless of the frame material, the fork is usually carbon. Fox tried to promote its short-travel shock, but that solution didn't catch on. A gravel bike is still largely a road bike.
Gravel wheels
One of our favorite tires.A gravel bike is typically equipped with traditional 700c wheels, meaning standard 28-inch wheels, although some models are designed to accommodate 27.5-inch wheels with larger tires. You won't find feather-light paper rims laced with 18 spokes. Durability and reliability are priorities, but not at any cost. Relatively high rim profiles, butted spokes, and well-sealed hubs with cartridge bearings are key. An 18mm internal rim width is the minimum to take advantage of wide tires and achieve good handling. This makes gravel bikes highly reliable, while the rotating mass of the wheels doesn't overwhelm, resulting in a light and enjoyable ride similar to road riding. Typical 700x42c tires have a fine-pattern tread, ideal for riding on loose surfaces but also performing well in mud. Many models also feature a flatter tread in the center, which reduces wear on pavement. A popular option is tubeless, which increases reliability and allows for lower tire pressure. This improves traction and comfort, and makes riding on bumpy terrain more efficient (gravel bikes don't bounce around).
Gravel bike - accessories
Gravel bike groupsets are typically road-specific, although a growing number of components are available specifically for gravel bikes. For example, Shimano offers the GRX groupset . These features are heavily influenced by cyclocross cycling, primarily cassettes with a wide gear range and the increasingly common lack of a front derailleur. The latter is particularly popular with SRAM, which also allows for mixing road and mountain bike groupsets, achieving, for example, a 500% gear range. Unfortunately, the combination of lever-shifters and hydraulic brakes (which are the most sensible option) means that the price of this convenience can be an unpleasant surprise. Therefore, this season, more and more gravel bikes with flat handlebars and MTB-specific components are appearing. You can learn more about gravel bike groupsets in this post.
We love installing Shimano GRX on our bikes!Brackets
Gravel handlebars are worth considering. These drop handlebars are distinguished by their flattened shape. The lower grip is set significantly wider than the upper and isn't as deep as racing handlebars. This translates to a more upright posture and more comfortable hand positioning. However, the downside is the angled shift levers, which negatively impacts gear shifting comfort. A gravel bike also gains a touch of retro flair.
Budget Gravel?Gravel up to 10,000 PLN
Typically "beaten up" PRO Discover gravel handlebar.Seatposts and stems are typically traditional components, although some people install suspension components, which further enhance comfort but add weight. A dropper post is sometimes used on competitive bikes, but it's still rare. The most popular gravel bikes on the market
Women's gravel
Gravel bikes are typically unisex, but there are exceptions. Canyon and Cannondale, for example, offer gravel bikes designed for women. What sets them apart? Theoretically, the geometry, but it doesn't differ significantly from the smaller sizes of other models. More significant are shorter cranks, narrower handlebars, women's saddles, and a slightly softer gear ratio, as these are the most common changes compared to the men's versions. This makes sense, but when looking for a bike, it's not worth limiting your choices to this group. The biggest difference, however, is usually... the paint. Of course, pink is a must. However, the fact is that when choosing a women's gravel bike, you have a better chance of finding the smallest size than with universal models.
What is a gravel bike used for?
As we've written before, gravel bikes are ideal for long-distance expeditions. The ability to mount panniers, a multitude of baskets, and additional equipment, combined with the dynamics of a road bike, creates a new level of quality. Until now, expedition bikes mainly meant heavy and unwieldy treks with the dynamics of a container ship. The more adventurous would lug panniers to the road, but every time they left the tarmac was a pain. On a mountain bike, the opposite was true—riding on tarmac meant wasting a lot of energy. A gravel bike means no more fiddling around.
Find out more: 1x vs 2x drivetrain in gravel – which is better for Polish gravel roads?
Gravel can be really beautiful!The perfect everyday bike?
But that's not all. It turns out that the most versatile bike imaginable has been created, almost by accident. A gravel bike is perfect for the city! It's not afraid of curbs, but it's dynamic, and the drop-top design allows it to fit in tight spaces. It's also comfortable and looks great. But the best part is that it's suitable for both commuting and training. Half the route is through the forest, the other half on asphalt? No problem! You can go for a hike with the kids in the park or strap on panniers and take a trip along the coast. A gravel bike is like an SUV. Until now, only the mountain bike has tried to "do it all." For lack of other solutions, it worked, but it was difficult to call it comfortable or efficient. Meanwhile, gravel bikes are much better at this. They're not ideal for every task ( a road bike will always be better for training ), but they provide a more than satisfactory compromise. And the most important thing is that gravel bikes aren't trying to prove anything, to be the lightest and fastest. They provide driving pleasure without sacrifice, and that's great!
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