What Is Gravel Cycling?
Gravel cycling is a blend of road cycling and mountain biking. These rides vary between paved roads and rough terrains. Gravel bikes are designed to meet any challenge, with a unique frame geometry and components adapted to unpredictable conditions.
At first glance, a gravel bike may look similar to a road bike due to its curved handlebars. However, upon closer inspection, it has its own unique features, particularly in the frame construction. Additionally, the wheels on a gravel bike have wider rims compared to road or mountain bikes.
Gravel wheels are specifically designed for rough, unpaved, and unpredictable terrains. They have wider rims that allow wider tires to be mounted, compared to most road bike wheels. This provides better stability, control, and comfort on gravel roads, even up to 60 mm!
Can I Use My Regular Road Bike Wheels For Graveling?
Yes, you can use road bike wheels on a gravel bike for cycling on unpaved terrain. However, specialized gravel wheels offer better stability, control, traction, and comfort on such terrain.
The Benefits of Gravel Wheels
1. Enhanced Stability and Control
One of the main benefits of using specific wheels for gravel cycling is the enhanced stability and control they provide. Gravel roads can be unpredictable and bumpy, making it challenging to maintain balance and control. However, wheels designed specifically for this type of terrain have wider rims that can handle wider tires, providing a larger contact patch with the surface. This results in increased stability and control, allowing riders to enjoy a smoother ride through gravel and other unpaved roads.
2. Increased Traction
Another advantage of specific wheels for gravel cycling is increased traction. Gravel roads can be slippery and unpredictable, and the right wheels can make a significant difference in how well you can grip the road. By mounting wider tires on gravel wheels, you get more surface area, resulting in better traction, even on loose gravel.
3. More Comfortable RideGravel roads can be rough and uncomfortable, but specific wheels designed for this type of terrain provide a more comfortable ride. The wider rims with wider tires absorb shock and vibration, reducing the impact on the rider's body. This results in a smoother ride, allowing you to enjoy your adventure without feeling every bump and jolt.
4. Better DurabilityGravel roads can be harsh on wheels, causing wear and tear over time. However, specific wheels for graveling are built to withstand the rough terrain, making them more durable than regular road bike wheels. This means you can ride longer and harder without worrying about damaging your wheels.
Tubeless Gravel Tire vs. Tubed Clinchers
Tubeless reigns on gravel due to the lack of inner tubes in tubeless tires, making them more resistant to the sharp flint-type gravel found at events like Unbound. This means:
Inner tubeless tires can be run at lower pressures than clinchers, resulting in a smoother ride.
Tubeless gravel tires can help in preventing pinch flats, which are also known as snake bites. These happen when a tire collides with a rock or bump, causing it to compress against the rim and create a tear. This tear ultimately leads to a rapid deflation of the tire.
Gravel tires that don't have tubes need to be used with sealant. In case something pierces the tire, the sealant liquid quickly fills the hole and seals it. A plug kit can be used to fix flats while on a ride. By inserting the plug into the hole and hitting the valve with CO2 or a pump, you can be ready to roll again in no time.
Gravel Bike Size Guide
Gravel bike sizing is similar to road bike sizing, with most brands using the seat tube length in centimeters to size frames. However, some brands use T-shirt-style sizing. Generally, your position on a gravel bike will be more relaxed and upright than on a road race bike. This is because you need to be able to shift your weight around more off-road to balance and steer your bike over obstacles. An upright position will also be more comfortable over uneven terrain. However, if you're interested in gravel racing, a longer and lower position will reduce your frontal profile and potentially make you faster.
Rider height |
|
Frame size |
|
Feet and inches |
Centimetres |
Effective top tube (cm) |
Bike size |
4ft 10in – 5ft |
148-152 |
47-48 |
XXS |
5ft – 5ft 3in |
152-160 |
49-50 |
XS |
5ft 3in – 5ft 6in |
160-168 |
51- 3 |
S |
5ft 6in – 5ft 9in |
168-175 |
54-55 |
M |
5ft 9in – 6ft |
175-183 |
56-58 |
L |
6ft – 6ft 3in |
183-191 |
58-60 |
XL |
6ft 3in – 6ft 6in |
191-198 |
61-63 |
XXL |
What Makes A Gravel Bike Stands Out?
Gravel bikes are versatile all-terrain bicycles that are designed to perform exceptionally well on mixed terrains and offer a unique blend of speed, agility, and stability. They are compatible with gravel tires that are wider than typical road bike tires but narrower than standard mountain bike tires.
The finest wheels for gravel bikes are lightweight, rigid, and durable, engineered to endure the challenging and unpredictable conditions of riding on mixed terrains in any weather conditions. These wheels provide exceptional performance and stability, allowing riders to tackle technical off-road descents and narrow singletracks while maintaining impressive speed on paved surfaces.
One of the key features that distinguishes gravel bikes from other bikes like hardtail mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes is the multitude of mounts that make them suitable for carrying luggage with ease and adding stylish accessories. This feature makes them ideal for touring and bike-packing adventures.
Gravel bikes bridge the gap between mountain and road bikes, offering a practical choice for those seeking a blend of off-road capability and road speed. Their geometry strikes a fine balance between speed and sturdiness, providing a smooth and comfortable ride on a myriad of terrains. This adaptability allows riders to explore various terrains with a single bike, making them ideal for those with limited storage space.