What is a gravel bike?
Essentially, gravel bikes – sometimes referred to as adventure bikes and sometimes even Road+ bikes – are somewhere between cyclocross (e.g. the Trek Boone) and endurance road bikes (e.g. the Trek Domane). They are more suited to the road than cyclocross bikes, but better prepared to go off the beaten track than their roadie cousins. That means you’re likely to find rack and mudguard mounts as standard, disc brakes and ample tyre clearance for multi-terrain adventures. Ultimately, you’re looking at a road bike that will not balk at the sight of a bit of rough terrain or unpaved road.
Trek Checkpoint
Trek’s newest machine is designed for versatility to suit every rider, and indeed, every ride. All models feature Trek’s Stranglehold Dropout, which allows riders to adjust the wheelbase with 15mm to play with, or even to run the Checkpoint as a single speed. The frame, available in both aluminium and carbon with men’s and women’s geometry, has massive tyre clearance to accommodate anything up to 45mm.
The Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 and the SL5 have very similar builds including Shimano 105 gearing, flat-mount disc brakes, mudguard and rack mounts, Schwalbe G-One Allround 700x35c tyres, and Bontrager wheels and finishing kit. The difference is found in the frame as the ALR 5 is constructed of 300 Series Alpha Aluminium while the SL5 benefits from 500 Series OCLV Carbon with a rear IsoSpeed decoupler. So, the question is: do you want an out-and-out speed machine, or the exceptional value of aluminium with some adventure budget left over?
Alternative brands
There are plenty of options when it comes to gravel bikes so if you like the idea but want to scope out the market, look no further.
The Specialized Diverge is probably the most established all-road model in the market and it has slowly morphed into a gravel bike over the past couple of years. The Diverge is a bike that can do it all, and at pace. Road riding, commuting, off-road adventures – this is the undeniably durable bike that is ready for everything.
Liv Invite
The Liv Invite is the dedicated gravel bike from Giant’s sister brand. A relaxed road-ready women’s specific geometry is applied to an ALUXX aluminium frame, wrapped in Shimano components and equipped with mechanical disc brakes. The men’s equivalent from Giant is the Anyroad, also designed specifically for all-terrain adventures.
Feeling ready for adventure? Hearing the call of the unbeaten track? If so, the next bike to add to your stable should without doubt be a gravel bike. Have a closer look at the bikes described above and if you’ve got any more questions, remember our instore team is always there to help.
