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Sandra Schuberth is an online editor and gravel specialist for the cycling magazines published by Delius Klasing. In addition to ultra-cycling events and bikepacking trips, she commutes between home and the editorial office several times a week on the direct route to Munich. After 26 kilometres and a good hour, she swaps her cycling gear for her office outfit. On the way home, she sometimes takes detours and explores new routes.
Gravelbike - The perfect bike for commuting
First and foremost, Sandra Schuberth wants to sit comfortably on her commuter bike. In addition, the maintenance effort on the bike should be limited. She also expresses three wishes - her perfect commuter bike would be equipped with:
- a hub dynamo with permanently installed lighting system
- mudguards for rainy weather and wet roads and
- a porter
Half of the wishes have already been fulfilled with the Quick Rack Light from Ortlieb. This is a luggage rack with an integrated mudguard that can be fitted to the bike in just a few seconds and removed without tools. "I just hope the laptop can withstand the strain caused by the vibrations in the bag in the long term," she says, expressing her concerns. Previously, she commuted with a rucksack in which she stowed her laptop, a change of clothes and everything she needed for a working day. Now she enjoys the feeling of travelling without a load on her back.
The reality
Your commuter bike has to cope with a lot. The outward journey to Munich is mostly on tarmac cycle paths and roads. On the way back, it can be gravel paths and single trails. "My requirements for a commuter bike are actually different from those for a gravel bike for bikepacking tours. Nevertheless, my gravel bike is the bike for almost everything," she says.
This means making compromises, for example with the mudguards. But there is no compromise on comfort. Battery lighting plus Quick-Rack luggage rack on the bike. And off you go!
Three gravel bikes for everyday & commuting
Bergamont Grandurance RD
- Price3799 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 11,3 kg
The basis of the sporty Commuter from Bergamont is an uncomplicated gravel bike on which you sit quite upright and which allows for a lot of luggage. Apart from the colour scheme, the bike is unspectacular, but also free of technical frills. The Grandurance can be ridden quickly through the terrain; good tyres and the predictable handling almost make you forget the high weight.
The bike also scores well on the road, the tyres roll easily and the steering doesn't feel as sluggish as on other gravel bikes. The equipment deserves a lot of praise: nothing rattles or grinds even in tough off-road use, the mudguards are sufficiently wide and very stable, the lights are bright and the pannier rack is solid. There is also nothing to criticise about the component mix of Ultegra and GRX parts. If you want to spend less, there are five aluminium models starting at 1200 euros.
Details about the Bergamont Grandurance
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1250/550/114 grammes
- Frame sizes** 50, 54, 57, 61
- Seat/top tube/head tube 525/550/163 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/ STR*** 610/380 millimetres/1.60
- Wheelbase/caster 1060/75 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit Shimano GRX 810 (2x11; 48 / 31, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano GRX 810 (160/160 millimetres)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Syncros Capital 2.0 /Schwalbe G-One Speed 40 millimetres (front/rear 1940/2204 grams)
Strengths: Solid equipment; fast tyres; functional accessories
WeaknessesOnly four sizes
>> The Bergamont Grandurance gets an overall TOUR score of 2.6
Cube Nuroad Race FE
- Price1899 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 11,4 kg
The abbreviation FE stands for "fully equipped", which you can take literally with the Cube Nuroad. In addition to a pannier rack, mudguards and dynamo light, a bell and a kickstand are also on board. Cube offers three versions equipped in this way at affordable prices between 1049 and 1899 euros. The most important plus points of the most expensive version shown are the reliable Shimano GRX components and first-class Schwalbe tyres.
The rather heavy aluminium frame scores with its unshakeable smoothness, the riding position is pleasantly upright. We liked the high-quality front headlight; the poorly visible rear light, rather narrow mudguards and the pannier rack, which only accepts side panniers with a click system, are worthy of criticism. Apart from these minor weaknesses, the Nuroad offers a lot of bike for the money.
Details of the Cube Nuroad Race FE
- Weight frame / fork / headset bearing* 1738/452/62 grammes
- Frame sizes** 50, 53, 56, 58, 61
- Seat/top tube/head tube 510/560/166 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 589/388 millimetres/1.52
- Wheelbase/caster 1050/71 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano GRX 600/810 (46 / 30, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 millimetres)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)**** Alexrims GR 2.3 / Schwalbe G-One Allround 40 millimetres (f./h.: 1961 / 2295 grams)
Strengths: High-quality equipment
WeaknessesLuggage rack only for side panniers; rear mudguard a little short
>> The Cube Nuroad Race FE gets an overall TOUR score of 2.4
Rose Backroad GRX 810 Randonneur
- Price3299 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 10,8 kg
Rose presents the Backroad gravel bike as a classic touring bike. The carbon frame allows a relaxed riding position and comes with robust 35 mm road tyres so that the sturdy and long mudguards still fit. Although this makes the bike hardly suitable for off-road riding, it is all the quicker in city traffic. The handling is close to that of a road racing bike, but thanks to the well-sprung seat post, comfort is not neglected.
The classy lighting system from Busch & Müller is in a class of its own, the front spotlight illuminates the track perfectly, the mini rear light shines incredibly brightly. The elegant pannier rack can carry a load of 16 kilos. With Shimano's GRX 810 and lightweight wheels, the Backroad is also equipped to an above-average standard. The similarly constructed aluminium version is cheaper at 2499 euros.
Details of the Rose Backroad GRX 810 randonneur
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1103/451/91 grammes
- Frame sizes** 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62
- Seat/top tube/head tube 525/560/172 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 609/388 millimetres/1.57
- Wheelbase/caster 1040/65 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano GRX 810 (48/31, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano GRX 810 (160/160 millimetres)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Rose R-Thirty Disc / Continental Grand Prix Urban 35 millimetres (front/rear: 1893/2092 grams)
Strengths: Lightweight; great lighting system; fast road tyres
Weaknesses: Only limited off-road capability
>> The Rose Backroad gets an overall TOUR score of 2.2
*Weighed weights
**Manufacturer information, Test size bold
*** STR (Stack / Reach) projected vertical/horizontal measurement 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 riding position.
****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
