Endurance or gravel road bike - which bike to choose?

Table of Contents: 1. Endurance or Gravel Bike 2. Everyday Use 3. Training - Endurance or Gravel Road Bike 4. Expeditions 5. Is an Endurance or Gravel Road Bike Cheaper? 6. In Summary

Endurance or gravel bike

We're continuing our series on gravel bikes. Many people wonder whether gravel is a good and more versatile alternative to endurance road bikes. Although both types of bikes differ significantly, they are indeed quite popular among amateur riders. They share a comfortable and relatively relaxed riding position, making them an ideal introduction to the world of road bikes. At this point, it's worth explaining what an endurance road bike is, as it's likely not familiar to everyone. It's the most comfortable type of road bike—designed for long-distance riding. It stands out primarily for its high head tube and good vibration damping. It offers the most upright riding position and a high level of comfort. Considering the relatively relaxed geometry of most gravel bikes, the argument "endurace road or gravel" isn't without solid foundation. So let's break it down.

For more information, check out: Which cassette is best for gravel? Choosing the right range for the terrain and power.

Perhaps the most recognizable endurance road bike, the Specialized Rubaix. The photo shows the 2017 model; current versions no longer have the characteristic vibration-damping inserts and matching seatpost. Photo from the manufacturer's website.

Everyday use

As we mentioned earlier, both types of bikes have relaxed geometry, which will certainly appeal to those planning longer rides or... concerned about the condition of their necks. Regarding the latter, models with a very high head tube are easier to find among road bikes. Both are suitable for city riding or commuting, but gravel bikes have a distinct advantage in both cases. Much wider tires. Thanks to them, you can easily hit the pavement quickly, and on poorer surfaces or over potholes, they provide greater comfort and control. They also handle rain better and are easier to equip with fenders. An endurance road bike offers better dynamics and is better for maneuvering between cars, and is simply faster. Another major advantage is the significantly lighter weight felt while riding and carrying the bike. In good riding conditions, the road bike wins, but the gravel bike is more versatile.

Training - road endurance or gravel

If you want to use a bike for training, it depends on what you mean by that. A gravel bike is perfectly suited for pounding the woods; after all, it's a design derived from cyclocross bikes . It's also suitable for occasional solo training on asphalt, though you should expect accelerated tire wear. However, for regular training, achieving goals, and riding in a group, the endurance road bike is the clear winner. It's more efficient and allows for more effective training. Furthermore, keeping up with a group of road cyclists on a gravel bike will be difficult (if not impossible), especially for beginners.

Expeditions

Guess who wins here :) Yes, even though an endurance bike is designed for several hundred-kilometer rides, it's only suitable for adventure bikes in specific conditions. Of course, it needs a good road, which severely limits your options for planning your route. Furthermore, due to the lack of rack mounts, you won't be able to carry much luggage (though modern, extended panniers can accommodate more than you might expect).

Mounting two racks is an important thing on an expedition bike.

Almost every gravel bike is equipped with numerous mounts for racks and panniers, including the front. Most importantly, wide tires allow for off-road riding and effortless crossings over challenging terrain. Handlebars with a wide-set lower grip are also useful. Not only will they ease your wrists, but they also provide room for a pannier. Most gravel bikes are also equipped with a drivetrain that supports much softer gear ratios, which will be especially noticeable in mountainous areas (which are common destinations for expeditions). The frame is also important . Many gravel bikes are available in steel versions ( ours isn't far off, for example ). A steel frame absorbs bumps and vibrations better, making it the ideal foundation for an expedition bike. Endurance road bikes with a steel frame are practically unheard of. However, with a little persistence, both types can be fitted with straight handlebars. You can learn more about this in this post .

Will an endurance or gravel road bike be cheaper?

The idea that gentlemen don't discuss money is (like most proverbs) nonsense. When considering whether an endurance road bike or a gravel bike is better, you should also take a look at this aspect. Simply put, gravel bikes are significantly more expensive . This is partly due to current trends, and secondly, to the solutions used. Many decent gravel bikes are equipped with thru-axles, for example, and wider wheels and tires are also more expensive. All gravel bikes also have disc brakes, which in the case of road bike groupsets (at least when it comes to hydraulics) significantly increases the price. And although many "affordable" gravel bikes have recently appeared on the market, their quality usually leaves much to be desired.

You may be interested in:Gravel up to PLN 10,000

To sum up

A gravel bike is a much more versatile bike, suitable for expeditions, commuting, family outings, or even the occasional training session. It's obviously a compromise. This is evident in the purely sporting aspect – for competitions and any training use, an endurance road bike beats it hands down. So, it's a matter of application, but I think that by doing a little soul-searching, it's quite easy to choose the bike that best suits your needs. Although, of course, it would be best to have both :)

CHECK IT OUT AND DIVE INTO THE GRAVEL WORLD: What gravel drivetrain will be best in 2025? Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo groupset overview.