Gravel bikes: The bikes for all occasions, adventure & bikepacking

Wiebke Lühmann is a bike adventurer. She loves this type of challenge, which is not about being faster than others. Instead, the focus is on new experiences, encounters and exploring unknown areas. Her cycle tours and bikepacking trips are always about self-development and self-reflection. With her packed gravel bike, a Wilier Triestina Jena, she set off on a 3,500-kilometre tour from Hamburg to the North Cape in August 2022. She had 30 days to do it.

Countless raindrops poured down on her during the journey, she met new people and ate lots of noodle soup and chocolate. In addition to the necessary equipment, she had a GoPro camera in her luggage; Fabienne Engel, friend and photographer, accompanied her on the last four days. This resulted in the inspiring film "On Her Own", which was published on YouTube.

>> To the North Cape in thirty days and in pouring rain

Gravelbike - The perfect bike for adventure

For Wiebke Lühmann, the ideal bikepacking bike epitomises a feeling of freedom. For her, her gravel bike is the perfect companion for all her adventures: "I can take any route, have plenty of options for carrying luggage and sit comfortably," she says. Whether she's out for a short training ride, an extended bikepacking weekend or even a trip lasting several weeks, she always opts for her gravel bike.

Three criteria that the bike must fulfil:

1. a suitable and comfortable saddle - Wiebke's choice is the Selle Italia Diva Flow. "I only ride pain-free, and the saddle simply has to fit."

2nd thread on the fork. Fork pockets are fitted here depending on the length of the tour: "I love my Fork Packs from Ortlieb (5.8 litres), which I can easily fit there."

3. platform or combi pedals. Contrary to many opinions, Wiebke Lühmann doesn't miss her clipless pedals. On the contrary, she doesn't need to pack another pair of shoes. "I don't race and have realised that I don't need clipless pedals or only very rarely ride with clipless pedals."

>> 7 bikepacking tips for your next adventure

Gravel bikes for adventure & bikepacking

Focus Atlas Carbon 8.8

• Price3499 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 9,2 Kilo

In the brand new carbon version, the Focus Atlas leaves the major weakness of the aluminium model of the same name behind, as the bike is competitively light for its price range. The riding position is also sportier, creating a more dynamic riding impression. With many threaded eyelets and frame protectors, the Focus is nevertheless ready for travelling and adventure. A special feature is its own carrier system, which straps a five-litre Ortlieb pannier to each of the chainstays.

The second is the wider installation dimension of the hubs (front 110 instead of 100, rear 148 instead of 142 millimetres), which enables stable wheels but limits the retrofit options. The 500 euro cheaper version is slightly heavier, but otherwise offers hardly any disadvantages; the barely lighter top model comes with electronic 1x12 Sram Rival gears for 4299 euros.

• Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1288 / 516 / 75 g
• Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL
• Seat/top tube/head tube 488/570/130 mm
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 592 / 391 mm / 1.51
• Wheelbase/caster 1045 / 75 mm

Equipment

• Drive/Circuit Shimano GRX 600/800 (46 / 30, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes Shimano GRX 810 (160 / 160 mm)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss X 1900 / WTB Riddler 45 mm (f. / h.: 1673 / 2143 g)

Strengths: Robust components; well thought-out pocket system as an option

Weaknesses: Little choice of equipment; unusual installation dimension restricts the choice of wheels

>> The Focus Atlas Carbon 8.8 gets an overall TOUR score of 1.9

>> Here you will find's the detailed test of the gravel bike

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1

• Price5299 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 8,3 Kilo

If you are looking for the most comfortable gravel bike possible for long days in the saddle, you should take a closer look at the Giant Revolt. The extended seat post absorbs road bumps extremely effectively; the riding position is rather upright and relaxed. Because the bike with its lightweight carbon wheels and high-profile tyres is comparatively lively and fast, fans of a faster pace will also get their money's worth.

The tyres quickly reach their limits in difficult terrain or mud, but the frame allows for tyres up to 53 millimetres wide. The wheelbase of the Revolt is adjustable at the rear end, and within certain limits the handling can be varied between manoeuvrable steering and better directional stability. The large selection of variants between 2300 and 6000 euros is nice, and the top model even has a suspension fork.

• Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1224 / 426 / 58 g
• Frame sizes** S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Seat/top tube/head tube 490 / 575 / 165 mm
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 609 / 387 mm / 1.57
• Wheelbase/caster 1030 / 58 mm

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift Sram Rival eTap AXS (2x12; 43/30, 10-36 t.)
• Brakes Sram Rival (160/160 mm)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Giant CXR 1/Cadex AR 40 mm (f. / h. 1336 / 1822 g)

StrengthsVery comfortable set-up; many equipment options; long warranty

Weaknesses: Standard tyres overstretched in mud and slush

>> The Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1 gets an overall TOUR score of 2.0

>> Canyon Grizl vs. Rose Backroad: The gravel bikes in a TOUR duel

Trek Checkpoint SL6 AXS

• Price4799 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 9,4 Kilo

The US company Trek is also focussing on a particularly comfortable riding experience with its Checkpoint model. The seat tube, which is extremely slim at the lower end, is flexibly attached to the top tube with a ball bearing and can noticeably smooth out vibrations when riding off-road. The concept only reaches its limits on rougher impacts. On rough terrain, the bike impresses with its unshakeable straight-line stability, but twisty cross courses are not its strong point.

The frame set has a number of attachment points for luggage, and mudguards are also provided. A storage compartment in the down tube holds tools. In contrast to comparable concepts from the competition, the riding position on the Trek is relatively stretched; however, if you are not on one of the very expensive top versions, the high weight of the bike quickly puts the brakes on any sporting ambitions.

• Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1427/531/86 g
• Frame sizes** 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
• Seat/top tube/head tube 505/570/125 mm
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 574/400 mm / 1.44
• Wheelbase/caster 1040/68 mm

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift Sram Rival eTap (40 / 10-44 t.)
• Brakes Sram Rival (160 / 160 mm)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 / Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 40 mm (f. / h. 1607 / 2112 g)

StrengthsVery comfortable; practical details; many equipment options

WeaknessesRelatively heavy

>> The Trek Checkpoint SL6 AXS gets an overall TOUR score of 1.9

*Weighed weights

**Manufacturer information, test size bold

***STR (Stack/Reach) projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube: 1.36

means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.

****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.