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In the affordable gravel bike class between 1699 and 2199 euros, you mainly have to make compromises in terms of weight. All Four gravel bikes from the 2022 vintage are based on aluminium frames, each weighing more than ten kilograms. Bergamont Grandurance, KTM X-Strada and Salsa Journeyer however, significantly lower. The framesets alone weigh around 2.5 kilos, which is partly due to the stable construction and the large number of threaded eyelets (Bergamont, Salsa). The wheelsets are also heavy as lead at more than four kilos. They are correspondingly sluggish off-road. But there is another way, as the Canyon Grail 7 shows. At 9.4 kilos, the bike from the Koblenz-based direct mail order company competes with more expensive models and, in addition to the lightweight aluminium frame, benefits from its high-quality equipment: the electronic gears from SRAM are an unusual luxury for the retail price of 2199 euros.
12 gravel bikes from affordable to high-end in the test
- 4 aluminium gravel bikes from 1699 euros in the test (see below)
- Mid-range: 4 gravel bikes from 3099 euros on test
- Top league: 4 top-of-the-range gravel bikes on test
Bergamont Grandurance 8
Info and equipment of the Bergamont aluminium gravel bike
- Price 1999 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel 10.2 kilos
- Drive Shimano GRX 600 (1x11; 40, 11-42 t.)
- Circuit Shimano GRX 812
- Brakes Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights) Syncros Capital 2.0/Schwalbe G-One Bite 45 mm (f./h. 1693/2434 g)
The new Grandurace has very little in common with its predecessor. Predecessor. Bergamont addressed one of the biggest criticisms and increased the maximum tyre clearance from 35 to 50 millimetres. The gravel bike rolls on 45 millimetre wide tyres as standard. As the wheelbase has also been lengthened, the model from Hamburg has lost its agile handling and instead rolls extremely smoothly over gravel. The extremely upright and long-distance riding position and 15 attachment points for bags, bottles or mudguards fit into the concept of the bikepacking bike, which, however, weighs more than ten kilos even without a load. Adventurous riders will probably want more comfort on rougher terrain and a lower gear ratio. The Grandurance 8 with Shimano's GRX-1x11 is one of four aluminium models. The product range also includes two carbon gravel bikes and six randonneurs with mudguards and lights.
Positive: Space for wide tyres, 15 mounting points
Negative: High total weight, limited gearbox
Canyon Grail 7 eTap
Info and features of the Canyon aluminium gravel bike
- Price 2199 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 9.4 kilos
- Drive SRAM Rival (1x12; 40, 10-44 t.)
- Circuit SRAM Rival eTap AXS
- Brakes SRAM Rival (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights) DT Swiss Gravel LN/Continental Terra Trail 40 mm (f./h. 1791/2311 g)
With the Canyon Grail 7 eTap, the bike supplier has (once again) achieved a feat for the 2022 model year. After all, the Koblenz-based company has equipped its affordable aluminium gravel bike with electronic shifting for the first time - this is a unique selling point in the € 2000 price range and is not a matter of course even on more expensive bikes. In other respects, too, the fairly lightweight Canyon leaves little to be desired. The combination of 40 millimetre wide tyres and the carbon seat post elegantly absorbs bumps. The slightly stretched riding position and the very agile handling are similar to that of a road bike - and distinguish the Grail from the more comfortable Grail. Canyon Grizl. In addition, unlike the striking double-decker cockpit on the Grail CF, the round handlebars leave the option of fine adjustment. The harmonious overall picture is only spoilt by the unclean weld seams and - not for the first time on a Canyon - the "sticky" saddle. The aluminium Grail is available in four versions from 1499 euros.
Positive: Very good price-performance ratio, seven sizes (XXS and XS with 650B)
Negative: Poorly finished weld seams
KTM X-Strada 20
Info and equipment of the KTM aluminium gravel bike
- Price 1999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 11.0 kilos
- Drive Shimano GRX 600 (2x10; 46/30, 11-36 t.)
- Circuit Shimano GRX 400
- Brakes Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights) KTM Rival 23/Schwalbe G-One Bite 40 mm (f./h. 1907/2518 g)
According to KTM, the X-Strada 20 should "demonstrate both its sporty and leisurely qualities". However, the most affordable aluminium gravel bike from the Austrians cannot confirm this promise either in the TOUR laboratory or in practice. A total weight of eleven kilograms makes the aluminium gravel bike the heaviest in this entry-level test field. Even the new, very torsion-resistant frame weighs more than two kilos, and the wheelset weighs more than twice as much. The only sporty feature is the stretched seating position, which is almost too extreme. The bike doesn't offer any suspension comfort worth mentioning, and on rough surfaces there's hardly any difference to a road bike with narrow tyres, as the impacts on the saddle and handlebars are so unfiltered. Tip: With tyres up to 48 millimetres wide, the KTM X-Strada becomes a little more comfortable and suitable for off-road riding. Eyelets for mudguards and pannier rack make the KTM suitable for everyday use. The Austrians offer four other models (one aluminium, three carbon).
Positive: Large tyre clearance
Negative: very heavy, hardly any spring comfort
Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 650
Info and equipment for the Salsa Journeyer gravel bike
- Price 1699 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel 10.6 kilos
- Drive SRAM Apex (1x11; 40, 11-42 t.)
- Circuit SRAM Apex
- Brakes TRP Spyre-C (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights) WTB ST i23/Teravail Washburn 650B 47 mm (f./h. 2014/2667 g)
Journeyman becomes Journeyer: Under the gender-neutral model name, the gravel pioneers from the USA continue to position their revised model as an affordable entry-level bike with a clear bikepacking focus. The aluminium frame and carbon fork of the US gravel bike offer countless mounting points for bags and bottles - however, the maximum payload is only reserved for the two largest frame sizes. On multi-day off-road adventures, you benefit from the smooth ride and the extremely upright riding position. However, the pack mule, which creeps over the forest floor on 650B tyres up to 58 millimetres wide and also rolls passably on asphalt thanks to its smooth tread, quickly reaches its limits. The frame lacks comfort on rough terrain and the Salsa is too heavy for rapid acceleration. The brakes and gears on our test bike are also no longer up to date. The Journeyer is available in eight equipment variants with 650B or 700C wheels. The top version comes with a Shimano GRX groupset.
Positive: Extreme tyre clearance, numerous attachment points
Negative: very heavy, little frame comfort
Julian Schultz
Editor
