Test 2021: Gravel bikes for around €2,500 - Gravel bikes for around €2,500 on test
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It is not clear who invented the gravel bike. There is much to suggest that there were several impulses - and ultimately only a catchy name was missing to help the genre achieve a breakthrough. The fact is that the bike obviously struck a nerve, because what was perceived as a niche product somewhere between a racing bike, crosser, mountain bike and trekking bike developed into a bestseller within a very short space of time. Today, basically every manufacturer that builds sporty bikes has at least one of these wide tyre bikes in its range. We have invited ten current examples for comparison - and this shows that the term "gravel" still leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Because not all gravel bikes are the same; although we are looking at bikes in a fixed price range of around € 2,500, the concepts differ enormously in some cases.
Basically, there is only agreement that a gravel bike has racing handlebars and significantly wider tyres than a racing or cross bike - but narrower than a mountain bike. The range of gear ratios also lies between these extremes: As a rule, you will find lighter gears than on a road bike, so that even steep climbs can be tackled off-road; and they cover a wider speed range than on a mountain bike, so that you can still make brisk progress on the road. Mounting points for mudguards, pannier racks and a small bag on the top tube are common; eyelets for a third bottle cage or pannier rack on the fork are also widespread. Beyond that, however, the manufacturers use the scope to make their bikes fit for a wide variety of purposes, as a glance at the seating positions shows. You can sit relatively upright and relaxed - and therefore suitable for long journeys - on the Focus and Fuji models. The other details of these bikes are also clearly geared towards long journeys with luggage. At the other end is the Storck, on which you sit almost as stretched out as on a competition road bike. BMC, Canyon, Cube and Rose are somewhat more moderate, but still emphatically sporty.
Gravel frame: Aluminium or carbon?
Eight of the ten bikes have a carbon frame, the aluminium bikes from Focus and Felt are also the cheapest. The carbon frames are significantly lighter: they save at least 500 grams compared to the lightest aluminium frame from Felt. Apart from the price, aluminium has the advantage that it is less sensitive: crashes or chain jams usually only leave scratches or dents. In the worst case scenario, a carbon frame suffers total damage. However, it is a misconception that you should therefore treat the frames like raw eggs. With an average weight of 1,200 grams, they are comparatively robust - the carbon frames of lighter road bikes are starved down to less than 800 grams. Some manufacturers are also taking precautions: BMC, Giant, Fuji and Rose place stable plastic protectors at neuralgic points under the down tube or on the chain stay to protect the material from stone chips and chain impacts. Although carbon frames can also tend to be more comfortable, the Felt, for example, shows that an aluminium bike does not have to be uncomfortable per se.
Gravel gears: SRAM or Shimano?
Most of the gears and brakes are from Shimano, and eight bikes are equipped with Japanese technology. The Shimano GRX groupset, which is specially designed for gravel bikes and fitted to seven of the ten test bikes, is particularly popular. As the components with the GRX logo are available in different quality levels, you should take a close look here. Although there are no noticeable differences in function, the GRX 600 cranks on Bergamont, Rose or Focus, for example, are heavier than the more expensive GRX 810 on the Cube. The bikes from BMC and Felt come with SRAM components - which manufacturer you choose is ultimately a matter of taste and depends on the operating concept, as the brakes and gears work perfectly on all test bikes.
(Not) an easy decision: single or dual drive?
Much more important, however, is the question of whether the drivetrain should have one or two chainrings, as minimalist single drivetrains are becoming increasingly popular on gravel bikes. They are easier to operate because there is only one gear lever for "up" and "down" and the front derailleur is no longer a potential source of interference. The disadvantage is that the jumps from gear to gear are relatively large and gear ratios can be missing - usually at the fast end. Experience has shown that newcomers find this easier than long-time road cyclists who are used to fine gradations. In addition, the more difficult the terrain, the easier it is to cope with the big jumps. If you do a lot of road cycling, you may be better off with a double chainring.
Which gravel tyre is the best?
However, the tyres make the biggest difference - precisely because the gravel bike wants to make progress on all surfaces. All bikes are fitted with tubeless tyres, which offer great advantages for gravel bikes: They can be ridden with less pressure, are comfortable and grip securely; puncture protection is also better because sealing milk in the tyre quickly seals small holes. The tyres on the test bikes are 35 to 47 millimetres wide - which means huge differences in handling. There is also the tread pattern: it ranges from fine lugs, which run fast on asphalt and hard surfaces, to chunky tyres, which grip in loose ground and mud. There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation here; the choice of tyres should ideally be based on the surface on which you usually ride your bike. And of course: tyres are easy to replace. But: If you intend to make your bike more suitable for off-road riding, you need to make sure that the frame and fork leave enough space for wider tyres. The Bergamont, for example, stops at 37 millimetres. Felt and Focus offer a special feature: their frames are also available for smaller 650B wheels. Even wider mountain bike tyres can be fitted here - up to 53 millimetres in the case of Felt.
The narrow winner in our comparison is the Cube Nuroad, a no-frills bike that impresses above all with its low weight. However, other bikes may be the better choice for certain requirements.
Bergamont Grandurance Elite
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 600 (40, 11-42 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 812
Wheels/tyres: Syncros Capital 2.0 / Schwalbe G-One Allround TLE 35 mm
Weight: 9.3 kilogrammes
Price: 2,799 euros
BMC URS One
Equipment:
Drivetrain: SRAM Apex 1 (40, 11-42 t.)
Brakes: SRAM Apex HRD (180/160 mm)
Gear system: SRAM Apex 1
Wheels/ tyres: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline / WTB Raddler TCS Fast Rolling 44 mm
Weight: 9.1 kilogrammes
Price: 2,799 euros
Canyon Grail CF SL 7
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 810 (46/30, 11-34 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 810
Wheels/tyres: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline / Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE 40 mm tyres
Weight: 9.2 kilogrammes
Price: 2,399 euros
Cube Nuroad C:62 Race
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 810 (48/31, 11-32 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 810 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 810
Wheels/tyres: Newmen Evolution XR25 / Schwalbe G-One Allround 40 mm tyres
Weight: 8.5 kilogrammes
Price: 2,649 euros
Felt Breed 20
Equipment:
Drivetrain: SRAM Force1 (40, 11-32 t.)
Brakes: SRAM Force (160/160 mm)
Gear system: SRAM Force 1
Wheels/ tyres: AlexRims Devox / Vittoria Terreno Dry TR Graphene 2.0 38 mm
Weight: 9.4 kilogrammes
Price: 2,399 euros
Focus Atlas 6.8
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 600 (46/30, 11-34 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 810
Wheels/tyres: DT Swiss / WTB Riddler TCS Light Fast Rolling 45 mm
Weight: 10.4 kilogrammes
Price: 1,999 euros
Fuji Jari Carbon 1.3
Equipment:
Drivetrain: FSA Omega (40, 11-42 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 812
Wheels/tyres: Alex Rims GX5 / WTB Resolute TCS Fast Rolling Light 42 mm tyres
Weight: 9.6 kilogrammes
Price: 2,499 euros
Giant Revolt Advanced 2
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Praxis Leva Time (48/32, 11-34 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 810
Wheels/tyres: Giant P-X2 / CGiant Crosscut AT 1 38 mm
Weight: 9.5 kilogrammes
Price: 2,499 euros >> e.g. available here
Rose Backroad
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 600 (40, 11-42 t.)
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano GRX 812
Wheels/tyres: Rose G Thirty / Continental Terra Trail TR 40 mm
Weight: 9.2 kilogrammes
Price: 2,599 euros >> e.g. available here
Storck Grix Pro RR 105
Equipment:
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 (50/34, 11-32 t.)
Brakes: TRP Spyre-C (160/160 mm)
Gear system: Shimano 105
Wheels/tyres: DT Swiss P 1800 Spline / Schwalbe G-One Allround 40 mm
Weight: 8.8 kilogrammes
Price: 2,499 euros
You can find the full test with detailed grades, all weights and descriptions in the 48-page gravel special from TOUR 05/2021. It is available to download below for €4.99 or in the TOUR app (for iOS and Android) available.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has its price. That's why we guarantee independence and objectivity. The TOUR tests are based on standardised and reproducible test procedures, which we always disclose. TOUR articles can be bought - TOUR test victories cannot!
Downloads:
PDF: XXL-Gravel Special 2021
