Gravel bikes: Three recommended models for gravel racing

Gravel bikes - bikes for gravel racing

Paul Voß is known as a former road cycling and cyclo-cross pro. In 2004, he won the German Junior Cross Championship, a year later he came second in the U23 category; in 2016, he took part in the Tour de France as part of the Bora-Argon 18 team. If you don't know Voß from this time, you may have heard him on his cycling podcasts ("Besenwagen", "Autsaid").

The 37-year-old is now a successful gravel bike racer. He came 27th in the first edition of the 2022 Gravel World Championships and also competed in the most famous of all gravel races, the Unbound Gravel in the USA. He needed 9:46 hours to complete the 321 kilometres. Longer distances, so-called unsupported bikepacking races, i.e. gravel races without team support, do not put him off. He says of his participation in Badlands 2021: "I've never had to push myself to my physical and mental limits as much as at Badlands."

What makes a race gravel bike?

For Paul Voß, a racing gravel bike must offer a compromise between aerodynamics, riding comfort and handling. Due to the high speeds involved in gravel races, you have to focus on aerodynamic details for the bike and seating position, he says. Weight also plays a role; many races have an elevation gain of around 2,000 metres, while multi-day bikepacking races often have over 15,000 metres. "Without comfort, a super aero gravel bike isn't much use." One aspect that is often forgotten, according to Voß. Ideally, the bike should run very smoothly and not be too nervous when turning.

Different races - different gravel bikes?

The Orbea Terra M21E offers the gravel pro the perfect compromise for his purposes. He customises his bike for each race. "I ride the same frame on all of them, but swap out components," says Voß. For the Unbound ordeal, this means aero wheels, aero handlebars, a 46 mm chainring with a racing cassette and fast 40 mm Schwalbe G-One RS tyres. "For events like the Badlands, I would use flatter wheels for more comfort, plus wider and more robust tyres, wider handlebars and an MTB cassette." The riding position remains unchanged.

Three race gravel bikes

BMC Kaius 01 One

• Price11499 Euro >> available here*
• Weight of complete wheel: 7,6 kg

The Kaius from BMC is probably one of the most consistent gravel bikes currently available for sporty use. The aerofoil-shaped handlebar unit sits extremely low and is only 36 centimetres narrow at the brake levers, making the riding position aerodynamically favourable. Apart from threads for a small top tube bag, the lightweight frameset does without any luggage attachments, while details such as the aerodynamically integrated bottle cages round off the concept.

The carbon rims and the only slightly profiled Pirelli tyres are also designed for high speed. On the other hand, the bike has weaknesses in terms of comfort, with the front end in particular being stiff. If the price for the top version shown here is too high, there are two cheaper versions for 8499 and 5499 euros - they are slightly heavier and come with a classic clamped handlebar.

Details of the BMC Kaius

• Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1075/432/67 grammes
• Frame sizes** 47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
• Seat/top tube/head tube 495/575/145 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 572/402 millimetres/1.42
• Wheelbase/caster 1025/72 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift Sram Red eTap XPLR (1x12; 42, 10-44 t.)
• Brakes Sram Red (160/160 millimetres)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Zipp 303 Firecrest / Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 40 millimetres (f./h. 1387/1902 grams)

Strengths: Lightweight; very sporty riding position

Weaknesses: Expensive; no attachment points for luggage or accessories

>> The BMC Kaius 01 One gets an overall TOUR score of 1.8

>> Gravel events 2023: Gravel camps, festivals, races, bikepacking and more

Scott Addict Gravel Tuned

• Price: 9999 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 8,3 kg

With the Scott Addict Gravel, it is not only the name that is reminiscent of the road racing machine, many design elements can also be found on the off-road version. The integrated carbon handlebar unit hides all cables from the wind, while aerodynamic tube shapes are designed to increase top speed even on gravel. But the Swiss have also thought about the utility value for touring, as evidenced by the slightly more moderate seating position or threads for mudguards and a toolbox under the bottom bracket.

The double crankset, which is rare in this category, enables a wide range and a fine gradation in equal measure. On easy terrain, the smooth running of the bike is impressive; when things get rough, more comfortably tuned bikes have the advantage. The variety of versions is great: In addition to the top version shown, there are seven more to choose from, starting at 2799 euros.

Details of the Scott Addict Gravel Tuned

• Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1153/479/75 grammes
• Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL
• Seat/top tube/head tube 555/397/168 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 592/397 millimetres/ 1.49
• Wheelbase/caster 1050/68 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift Sram Red eTap AXS (46/33, 10-36 t.)
• Brakes Sram Red HRD (160/160 millimetres)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss GRC 1400 Spline/Schwalbe G-ONE R 45 millimetres (f./h. 1543/2006 grams)

StrengthsSmooth running; many equipment options

Weaknesses: Moderate ride comfort

>> The Scott Addict Gravel Tuned gets an overall TOUR score of 1.6

Specialised S-Works Crux

• Price: 12800 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 7.0 kg

At exactly seven kilograms, the S-Works Crux even rivals road racing bikes - no production gravel bike is currently lighter. But the US-Americans pull out all the stops. The no-frills frame weighs just 800 grams, and the traditionally clamped attachments and in-house carbon rims also save weight. The Crux is correspondingly light-footed as it moves through the terrain, the bike is a fun machine that dispenses with attachment points for accessories and rolls on relatively narrow standard tyres.

If you want to make the bike more suitable for off-road riding, you can fit tyres up to 47 millimetres wide; with smaller 27.5 wheels, you can even fit 53-millimetre tyres through the frame and fork. Unfortunately, the price for this is exorbitantly high; there are still three cheaper versions available from 4200 euros, but they are heavier.

• Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 800/431/148 grammes
• Frame sizes** 49, 52, 54, 56, 58
• Seat/top tube/head tube 550/565/148 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 580/395 millimetres /1.47
• Wheelbase/caster 1035/62 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/Circuit Sram Red eTap AXS (40, 10-44 t.)
• Brakes Sram Red eTap AXS HRD (160/160 millimetres)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Roval Terra CLX / Specialized Pathfinder Pro 38 millimetres (front/rear: 1268/1780 grams)

StrengthsExtremely lightweight; maintenance-friendly design; generous warranty

Weaknesses: Very expensive

>> The Specialized S-Works Crux gets an overall TOUR score of 1.6

*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.