Most people by now have heard the proverb that the perfect number of bikes to own is n + 1.But while a full stable certainly does have its delights, many of us are in the situation where we really need n to equal 1.
Which raises the question: what sort of bike should that single one be? Well with such a range of riding out there available to be enjoyed, versatility has got to be key and for that reason we think a gravel bike is that bike.
Here are five reasons why!
Which raises the question: what sort of bike should that single one be? Well with such a range of riding out there available to be enjoyed, versatility has got to be key and for that reason we think a gravel bike is that bike.
Here are five reasons why!
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00:00Most people by now have heard the proverb that the perfect number of bikes to own is
00:04n plus 1. But while a full stable certainly does have its delights, many of us are in
00:10a situation where we really need n to equal 1. Which raises the question, what sort of
00:16bike should that single one be? Well, with such a range of riding out there available
00:21to be enjoyed, versatility surely has to be key. And for that reason, we think a gravel
00:27bike is the perfect choice. Here are 7 reasons why.
00:38We often hear that gearing is the number one concern riders have when deciding their next
00:42bike purchase. Specifically, whereas the gravel gearing will be too small for riding on the
00:47road. However, whereas you're after a super low range for winching your camping gear and
00:52cooking pots over unpaved climbs, or if you're looking for the reliability and simplicity
00:57of a 1x drivetrain, you'll be able to find an option that will work for you on a gravel
01:01bike. Both SRAM and Shimano offer 1x11 options best suited for razzing around the trails and
01:07roads. The relatively large chainrings that are generally specced don't deliver low enough
01:12gears for long distance hauling, but will allow you to tap out a handsome pace on the road.
01:17But for a setup that dips well below a 1 to 1 ratio, you can find plenty of options with
01:23Shimano's 2x GRX groupsets. The 10-speed versions offer the biggest spread and the widest available
01:29cassettes are whopping 11 to 36 teeth. But with that said, the 2x11 groupset still offers
01:35a really wide 11 to 34 cassette. If you have a bit, or maybe a lot, of cash to spare, the
01:42SRAM AXS electronic groupset allows for road shifters to be paired with a mountain bike cassette,
01:48providing a colossal spread of gears while retaining the shifting simplicity of a 1x setup.
01:54If you're still confused, be sure to check out the video we made on gears recently on
01:58our channel.
02:05Get the setup right and gravel bikes are certainly no slouch on the tarmac. Putting a set of slick,
02:10racy tyres such as the Conti GP5000s or some Schwalbe Pro 1s can deliver a real boost to your
02:16speed. Add in a set of deeper section wheels, and ticking along at 30km an hour plus becomes
02:22quite a natural pace to hold.
02:24What's more, a few low cost changes to your cockpit can help keep your drag down too. A
02:30negative rise stem can help put you in a lower position, similar to what you'd have been
02:34on a pure road bike, and a set of flared bars can help keep you narrow and aero when on the
02:38hoods with your arms bent at 90 degrees, whilst still giving you a wider and confident position
02:43when on the drops for tackling technical off-road terrain. A little thought about your position
02:48on the bike and these few tweaks can have you more aero on a gravel bike than someone on
02:53a road bike with a set of wide bars and a whole stack of spacers under the stem.
03:03More so than frame material or any set of components, it is the geometry of a bike that determines
03:08its character. Although a gravel and road bike frame might look fairly similar at first glance,
03:14the many little changes add together to make a huge difference in how they feel to ride.
03:19The shorter top tube and longer head tube of a gravel bike puts you in a more relaxed and
03:23upright position, but more substantial differences are baked into the frame of the bike. These
03:28include a lower bottom bracket, longer chainstays and a slacker head angle. These combine to lower
03:33the centre of gravity, increase the stability and slow down the handling, leaving you feeling
03:39in control. Although originally designed for bikes that are riding off-road and loaded up,
03:44these geometries pay dividends on longer road rides, where comfort is a priority.
03:50A gravel bike opens up riding on off-road trails and single track is also going to be significantly
03:59more efficient on the road than a mountain bike. This means you're not prevented from putting
04:03in larger loops on the road and exploring those areas a little further from home.
04:08Gravel bikes also have a welcome effect of smoothing out those rough lanes that have fallen into
04:13disrepair. And when you do hit the smooth stuff, you'll appreciate the silky ride just as much
04:18as on a thoroughbred road bike. You'll still get that same happy burst of speed that comes
04:22from a freshly surfaced road.
04:28Gravel bikes and bikepacking go together like coffee and cake. Generally, coming with all sorts
04:35of mounts and bosses means that should you decide to head off on your own adventure, a gravel bike
04:40will be ready and willing to be loaded up. These mounts don't have to be utilised for every ride,
04:45keeping the bike essentially as lightweight and playful as if it came without them. But the point is that the
04:50capacity is always there, ready and waiting, but as part of a bike that is fun to ride day
04:54to day. In comparison, an endurance road bike typically doesn't have quite the same number
04:59of mounts, and the narrower tyres aren't quite so comfortable for spending a long day out
05:03on the bike. A gravel bike blends the speedy pep of a road bike with the packability of a
05:09tourer.
05:11Following on a bit from the potential for attachments, gravel bikes also tend to come with other practical
05:20nods such as mudguard mounts. For group rides in the winter months, when a bit of company
05:25really helps, a curving set of fenders will keep both you and the people you're riding
05:29with significantly cleaner and drier, making everyone happier. The huge tyre clearance offered
05:35by gravel bikes also means that you can generally still fit in pretty wide tyres, even with
05:40the mudguards, providing extra grip and comfort on wet and broken winter roads.
05:46In comparison, a cyclocross bike might be able to perform similarly when it comes to the terrain
05:51that can be ridden, but a gravel bike with its plethora of mounts just has that bit more
05:56versatility.
06:03Finally, it's worth considering this. By spending more money on just the one bike, you can get
06:08yourself better components and a better frame, making for a ride that is far superior in its
06:13quality.
06:14Why split your money, when for the same price as two bikes, with mechanical disc brakes
06:18and a run-of-the-mill frame set, you can get a hydraulic setup and a rather more boutique
06:22frame, combining for an excellent ride which will be appreciated no matter the surface.
06:27It's a lot more satisfying to ride quality every time, even though the bike not be solely
06:33designed for that purpose.
06:35So there you go, 7 reasons you could use a gravel bike as your only bike. Have you got
06:41some thoughts on the matter? We're sure you do, make sure to leave them in the comments
06:45section below. In the meantime, do give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Cycling Weekly
06:50YouTube channel.