Gravel bikes under 2000 euros on test: The Carver Gravel 220 1by - a fresh start off-road
Julian Schultz
· 17.04.2025
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Independent, modern, high-quality: Carver made a new start a year ago with these three attributes. The long-standing own brand of the Fahrrad-XXL dealer network separated itself from the retail giant on its 25th anniversary and has since been operating as a direct mail order company, but can still be found in the XXL bike shops. The portfolio is dominated by motorised mountain bikes and trekking bikes, but gravel bikes have also been available in the online shop since last winter. The Gravel 220 1by takes its place as a mid-range model. The frame of our test bike is one of the first to be delivered from Asia.
Carver Gravel 220 1by: Not only sporty riding possible
Like comparable competitors in the sub-2000 euro price range, the Carver also takes the approach of an egg-laying woolly milk sow. In contrast to two fully equipped variants, the 220 1by is more sporty and should be able to take on "long distances, technical trails or fast gravel passages" under the studded tyres, according to the Frankfurt-based manufacturer. After our tests in the laboratory and off-road, we would classify the bike as a companion suitable for both everyday use and travelling.
At 11.3 kilograms, the Carver is the heaviest bike in our comparison test, not least because the simple aluminium wheels weigh it down and rob the Gravel 220 1by of its light-footedness. The ballast to be accelerated is particularly noticeable out of tight bends. The steering behaviour of the new model is based on typical bikepacking bikes, which are trimmed for smooth straight-line stability and are comparatively safe to ride even on rough terrain. The frame geometry of the Carver, on the other hand, is a little different and shows its sporty side, as it puts the rider in a comparatively stretched seating position. The large distance between the upper and lower handlebars, known as the drop, further emphasises the racing position. In terms of suspension comfort, the Gravel 220 1by shows light and shade. The bike copes with levelled field and forest paths without any problems, but off the beaten track it can be rough, especially on the handlebars. For more comfort, the tyres can either be run with sealant instead of a tube, or adjusted with wider tyres. Although the mounted, nominally 45 millimetre wide tyres already exhaust the maximum tyre clearance, there is still room for manoeuvre as they are significantly narrower on the simple aluminium rims.
Everyday and travelling companion
Overall, the fast knobbly tyres indicate that the Carver does not want to limit itself exclusively to off-road use, but also wants to succeed as a reliable everyday companion on asphalt. Attachment points for fixed mudguards and pannier rack also bear witness to this. The carbon fork is also equipped with an integrated cable duct for the use of a hub dynamo. Carver already offers two fully-fledged commuters ex works, but these are significantly heavier due to the additional equipment.
As the top model from Carver (for 1800 euros) was not available, the Gravel 220 1by takes the place of the cheapest bike in the test field. In contrast to the other model variants, it comes with a single crank and mountain bike cassette suitable for mountain biking, but the jumps between the gears are correspondingly large.
Carver Gravel 220 1by: Info & test grade
- Price: 1600 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 11.3 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 2,6
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 483/565/161 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 610/378 millimetres/1.61
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 657/575 millimetres/1.14
- Wheelbase/caster: 1055/77 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 610/820 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.) | Grade: 2.5
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 610 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allround TLE 45 mm (eff.: 41 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Schürmann SDR/Shimano
- Impeller weights: 1963/2884 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 11,330 grams | Grade: 5.0
- Driving stability: 9.8 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 144 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Comfort front: 109 N/mm | Grade: 3.0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 69 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Carver Gravel 220 1by
- Plus: Inexpensive, versatile
- Minus: relatively heavy, simple wheels
All 13 bikes in the comparison test
- Bulls Grinder 4
- Canyon Grizl 7
- Carver Gravel 220 1by
- CUBE Nuroad C:62 One >> available here
- Focus Atlas 6.7 >> available here
- Giant Revolt 0 >> available here
- Megamo Jakar 20 >> available here
- Merida Silex 400
- Radon Regard AL 10.0
- Ridley Kanzo Adventure Alu >> available here
- Rose Backroad AL GRX RX400 >> available here
- Scott Speedster Gravel 10 >> available here
- Stevens Prestige >> available here
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. We also show the wheel weights for orientation. The grading scale is set in such a way that a grade of 1.0 is technically achievable: we award the best grade for weights under 7.5 kilograms.
Rear comfort (20 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads and off-road.
Comfort Front (10 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
circuit (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. The gear range, but also, for example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how do they react in hot or wet conditions, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The tyre width has no influence on the rating, as this is more a question of personal preference.
Lacquer (5 per cent): The TOUR paint test simulates stone chipping and allows a statement to be made about the durability of the protective top coat. A chisel simulates stone chipping or chain impact. Starting at a height of ten centimetres, the height is increased by ten centimetres until the paint gives way or the maximum drop height of 50 centimetres is reached.
Maintenance/adjustment (5 per cent): The test assesses how easy a bike is to maintain and adjust. Marks are deducted, for example, for special tools required, particularly complex detailed solutions, manufacturer-specific components or maintenance work that can only be carried out in specialised workshops.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Julian Schultz
Editor
