Planning To Buy A Gravel Bike? Know How To Make The Right Choice
Ask any biker who pedals for adventure what is the latest craze, and they will all say gravel biking. It is an endurance sport that involves taking a specially designed bike on typically rural roads – dirt, muck, and gravel. The rewards are two-fold. You can explore places with incredible views and burn tons of calories as you pedal and push hard.
Gravel biking is all about adventure and exploration. It is also about exploring and enjoying hitherto unvisited areas and riding on surfaces that present a challenge with every push of the pedal.
What Is A Gravel Bike?
A gravel bike is a reworked version of cyclo-cross (CX) and road bikes. A CX bike comes with a short wheelbase for powerful bouts of pedaling over a defined course. A road bike is more like a proper bike – light and traditional.
A gravel bike has a more extended wheelbase and a lower bottom bracket when compared to other popular bikes. It gives the bike more stability. The bike is designed to absorb vibration and thus ensures a smoother ride on rough surfaces. The rack mounts and the wide tires make the gravel bike ride more comfortable on uneven roads.
Gravel bikes have something to offer for every rider. It is a favorite of the roadies who love to hit a dirt trail while feeling adventurous.
Mountain bikers adore gravel bikes for their ability to remain steady on muddy roads and uncertain terrains.
Gravel bikes are perfect for riding on a variety of mixed surfaces. It is what you call the ‘Swiss-Knife’ version of bikes.
What Makes A Gravel Bike Stand Apart
A gravel bike has many things different from other bikes. It has a broader clearance for its robust tires, a broader gearing range, and even additional frame mounts for carrying more bags and accessories.
However, buying one can pose a few challenges, mainly because gravel bikes are still evolving. The bike technology is rapidly changing, with more tools, features, and options being added continuously.
Not surprisingly, the pricing depends on the additional features, accessories, and array of options offered by different manufacturers. So what should you look for in your favorite gravel bike?
The Key Traits To Look For
The best way to decide on buying a gravel bike is to know the performance and value aspects. There are four main traits to look for on the performance front. They are:
- Ride quality
- Versatility
- Control
- Weight
Ride Quality
The ride quality is primarily all about comfort. If you feel great on a gravel bike, it is plain and simple logic that you will ride longer and go faster too. You can forget about aerodynamics and stiffness for a while and focus on the comfort offered by the bike. That is the key to better ride quality.
Versatility
Gravel bikes are designed for various needs such as rugged backpacking or light dirt use, and more. Bikers need something that can allow them a smooth but exciting ride on various terrains.
When looking for a gravel bike, make sure to focus on the range of use it offers. The more versatile its features, the better value it will provide.
Control
Bikers love to be in control of their bikes on all terrains. You must be on the top when it steers on dusky roads or descends a choppy path. Your bike must be able to deal with sharp corners and tricky turns with ease.
When you can do all that with ease, it can do wonders for your confidence. Look for a gravel bike that is great to handle and puts you in charge regardless of the state of the road.
Weight
Weight is a critical factor in choosing a bike. Some prefer a lighter bike as they are fun to ride. However, handling and durability can be a casualty.
A bike that’s a bit too heavy can pose problems while on rough terrains and especially for long-distance riding when you have to pack in more things. Choose a gravel bike with the right weight and is comfortable to handle.
The Specs To Focus On
Besides these, you must also look at the specs before making the right buying decision. The things that matter the most to a biker are tires, the bike’s geometry, and the suspension. The wheels are also equally important, and so is the type of brake your gravel bike has.
- Look for a gravel bike with wider tires. It helps you control the bike better. They also will not let you down when the pressure is low.
- The frame dimensions, aka the gravel bike geometry, cover things like the head and seat angles and wheelbases. These can be customized to match your convenience and biking style.
- Suspensions are valuable for bikers who love rough trails, but they don’t really matter for others. The best ones come at a stiff price and add to your maintenance costs.
- Lighter wheels can result in better responses to acceleration, so that can be the right choice for any type of bike.
- Disc brakes are standard in all gravel bikes, but you can customize them to your choice.
Gravel bikes are the hot favorites of bikers looking for fun on a wide variety of terrains. Every bike has its pros and cons, and that’s why the best way to make the right choice is to test-ride a few and decide which one fits within your biking style and, of course, budget.
