Liv, Trek, Cervélo: The most comfortable gravel bikes in the 2024 TOUR test

Comfort is the most important quality criterion for a modern gravel bike. At TOUR, we recognise this by giving the suspension 30 percent of the final score. In addition to the proven comfort measurement at the rear (20 per cent), we have also been measuring comfort at the handlebars (10 per cent) since the beginning of 2024. Wide knobbly tyres, with or without inner tubes, are included in the subjective perception of our test riders.

The Liv Devote performed best in this category. With the Advanced Pro, the bike brand for women sent the top model of the revised platform into the test - and earned top marks for its excellent comfort, among other things. The tapered carbon seatpost yielded 11.5 millimetres on the test bench. The best value in the test year. Overall, hardly any other construction offers better suspension. The clamped carbon handlebars are a little more unyielding, but also take the sting out of potholes.

The Trek Checkmate SLR 8 also earned a very good result for suspension comfort. Among other things, thanks to an integrated damping element in the seat tube. However, because the Liv absorbs bumps on the saddle a little better, it takes the sole top spot as the most comfortable gravel bike in our annual review.

The podium is completed by the new Áspero from Cervélo. The Canadian gravel bike even offers slightly more comfort on the saddle than the Trek. However, the carbon handlebars of the Rival version are slightly harder in direct comparison. Last year, we voted the Specialized Diverge STR Expert the most comfortable gravel bike. The US model benefited from its full suspension on the seat tube and stem.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro

• Comfort rear/front (grade): 88/80 N/mm (1.5)
• Weight: 8.1 kilos
• Price: 6499 Euro
• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 43/30, 10-36 t.)
• Impellers: Giant CXR 1
• Tyres: Cadex AR (40 mm)
• Click here for the detailed test report

Trek Checkmate SLR 8

• Comfort rear/front (grade): 97/77 N/mm (1.5)
• Weight: 8.2 kilos
• Price: 8999 Euro
• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red XPLR AXS (1x12; 40, 10-44 t.)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V
• Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL GR (38 mm)
• Click here for the detailed test report

Cervélo Áspero Rival XPLR

• Comfort rear/front (grade): 94/84 N/mm (1.6)
• Weight: 8.5 kilos
• Price: 5799 Euro
• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS (1x12; 40, 10-44 t)
• Impellers: Reserve 40/44
• Tyres: WTB Vulpine TCS Light (40 mm)
• Click here for the detailed test report