If you’re searching for the ideal bike to tackle rough terrain, gravel bikes is an excellent choice. Explicitly constructed to grip muddy surfaces while remaining stable enough for road use or bike packing trips.
A well-made gravel bike should provide comfortable ride quality, allowing the rider to ride longer with less fatigue while conserving energy for off-road challenges.
They’re designed for rough terrain.
Gravel bikes are specially built for rough terrain, combining elements from cyclocross and mountain biking frames into one unique off-road machine. Their flexible structure allows riders to navigate everything from soft sand, chunky gravel, and singletrack trails – making them a top pick among bike packers taking longer trips off-road.
Gravel bike frames typically consist of aluminium, steel or carbon fibre materials – aluminium being the most cost-effective and off-road friendly. Carbon fibre offers more expensive yet lightweight alternatives.
Gravel bike tyres are more comprehensive, giving more clearance and superior traction and stability on rugged terrain. Tubeless tires may also be preferred since this allows less puncturing or pinch flatting and are more comfortable at lower pressures than clincher tires.
Tyres for gravel bikes NZ come in various widths, typically starting between 30-35mm and reaching widths similar to mountain bike tires. It provides riders with plenty of choices so that they can find suitable tyres to meet their individual needs and goals.
These bikes also come equipped with various tread patterns, with many models featuring dual tread patterns allowing them to be used on smooth tarmac and light gravel surfaces. It makes for more versatile and capable bikes; you can change tyres to meet different conditions or various goals when riding out in dry weather.
Gravel bikes boast many mounting points for accessories and luggage, such as racks or handlebar bags. These mounting points are often located atop or behind the stem on top of or beneath the top tube.
Grain bikes feature handlebars that extend out towards the drops for improved handling and control off-road, as well as wider bars than those found on standard cyclocross bikes for extra leverage when descending quickly, helping increase both speed and performance.
They’re not road bikes.
Gravel bikes are an emerging subset of hybrid bikes designed to satisfy riders who desire both road bike-like handling and off-road capability, making them perfect for light off-road terrain like compact gravel trails. In addition, they aim to offer an exceptional off-road experience without compromising speed – ideal for cyclists who wish to conquer everything on one bike!
Gravel bikes differ significantly from road bikes due to their unique frame geometry and broader tire clearance; road bikes are constructed for racing, while gravel bikes provide comfort on rougher terrain and everyday road usage.
Gravel bikes feature shorter reaches and stack heights than road bikes, leading to more upright seating positions for comfortable long rides or challenging off-road adventures. On the contrary, road bikes feature longer reaches and lower stack heights, encouraging an aggressive racing posture suitable for racing purposes.
Gravel bikes also feature more relaxed fork and frame angles, increasing ride comfort and lateral stiffness. Furthermore, this makes the frame less susceptible to twisting when riding steep downhills – an advantage over more traditional road bikes.
Based on your needs and budget, suspension forks may also be worthwhile considering. However, these have become popular on gravel bikes but are more costly than standard road forks.
Gravel bikes typically utilise single chainrings with clutched rear derailleurs to make riding on uneven terrain more manageable and provide an additional gear range valid for long routes or cyclocross courses.
They’re more comfortable.
Gravel bikes are designed for rough terrain, prioritising comfort over speed and efficiency. Generally lighter and stiffer than road bikes, granule bikes often include extra compliance to cushion bumps and vibrations while riding over bumpy surfaces.
Many gravel bikes feature wider tires up to 45c in width for improved traction and comfort on rough roads and trails, giving you a smoother and more enjoyable ride when riding through mud or slush.
Flared drop bars can help increase your riding comfort on gravel terrain by giving more leverage when descending steep grades and extra leverage when maneuvering tight corners or spaces.
Some gravel bikes feature mounts for attaching bags and accessories, making them an effective way to carry essential gear on long rides or bike packing trips. You may find such mounts on top of the frame, behind the stem, or in the fork blades – providing ample room to carry everything needed on longer journeys or biking packs.
Gravel bikes feature longer wheelbases and lower head tubes than traditional road bikes, making them more comfortable to ride over longer distances. Furthermore, this allows riders to sit upright more easily – which may prove advantageous for bike-packing trips or multi-day mountain biking tours.
Numerous gravel bikes feature 1x drivetrains with multiple gears to make climbing hills easy, which is an asset for cyclists tackling longer routes or competing in cyclocross races on one bike.
Gravel bikes feature hydraulic disc brakes for superior stopping power on soft or loose surfaces, such as long rides or bike packing trips where slowing down and maneuvering through thick, muddy sections is critical.
They’re more expensive.
Gravel bikes tend to cost significantly more than road bikes due to being designed specifically for use on rough terrain and therefore needing more robust components that protect from potential damage.
Gravel bikes typically employ frames constructed of lighter yet more robust materials like carbon or aluminium to help reduce weight and enhance performance. In addition, they can come equipped with aerodynamic features that further boost their effectiveness and efficiency.
Your gravel bike has several tyre sizes from 700c to 650b for optimal traction on rough or loose surfaces. These have wider clearance than standard road tyres for smooth operation on open terrain.