A feeling that’s hard to experience anywhere else without gravel bikes, promising you an exceptional riding experience from the first mile you ride, whether within the city or miles away from it. A new challenge for adventure seekers and those looking for fun and excitement. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to choose the perfect gravel bike, so you can enjoy limitless adventures.
Gravel riding is a versatile style of cycling that combines road and mountain bikes. It takes you off the beaten path over miles of unpaved and rough roads. While they are called gravel bikes, these bikes are designed to explore everything from dusty rail trails to steep, rocky fire roads, and even wooded singletrack.
What Is The Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes are multi-surface bicycles designed to explore millions of miles of unpaved roads, far removed from paved routes. They combine the off-road capabilities of a mountain bike with the lightweight speed and smoothness of a road bike, providing all the benefits you need for your adventure.
Anatomy Of A Gravel Bike
Comfortable Upright Geometry
Tire Clearance
Mounts For Bags And Cages
Gravel bikes often feature a more upright riding position to help you feel confident, with a slightly more open handlebar setup to increase comfort on long rides.
Gravel bikes offer more clearance to accommodate larger tires (38mm – 50mm) that are knobbier than those found on road bikes, providing you with enhanced traction and comfort.
With gravel bikes, you’ll embark on adventures that take you far from resources like water, bike shops, mobile service, and more. That’s why these bikes come equipped with bags and cages that allow you to carry all the essentials you need for the long journey. Some even feature internal frame storage for tools and gear.
Gravel Bikes Vs Road Bikes
There are many differences between Gravel bikes and Road bikes, and the most common:
1- Tire Clearance:
Gravel bikes have more tire clearance than road bikes so bigger tires provide more traction comfort and stability on rougher roads and trails road bikes on the other hand are optimized for narrower. Tires for speed and efficiency on pavement.
2- Frame bags:
Gravel bikes have plenty of mounts for extra gear frame bags top 2 bags more water bottle mounts and fender mounts for mud and dirt whereas typically. Road bikes just have 2 mounts for water bottles.
3- Geometry:
Gravel bikes have a progressive geometry which feels more stable and confidence-inspiring for off-road terrain with a longer wheelbase and slacker head tube angle. Road bikes on the other hand have an aggressive geometry shorter wheelbase and steeper head tube angle for speed and efficient paved roads.
4- Handlebars:
Gravel bikes you’ll usually find flare drop bars these are winder in the drops for more comfort and control and rougher terrain although some riders still choose a flat bar for a more upright and comfortable riding position. Road bikes have handlebars optimized for aerodynamics and efficiency.
Types Of Gravel Surfaces
All Road
A little bit of everything. Smooth tarmac, rough pavement, rugged cobbles, and light gravel. Bikes for all-road riding should accept tires 32 – 38mm wide.
Gravel
Roads and paths with mixed surfaces ranging from hard-packed dirt to deep, loose gravel, and dusty, rocky terrain. Gravel riding is best done with tires 35 – 50mm wide.
Bikes Made For The Kind Of Gravel You’re Chasing
No matter the kind of gravel surface you ride or the goals you’re chasing, we’ve got you covered with gravel bikes for every kind of gravel riding and terrain. And you can order it from Wheels Bikes:
Ready for the rougher stuff? Pure gravel riding involves minimal time on pavement and maximum time on gravel, dirt roads, and light singletrack. Bikes that are purpose-built for gravel prioritize stable geometry, tire clearance, comfort, and mounts for gear.
Checkpoint Bike
Checkpoint is the ultimate drop bar gravel bike for daytime adventures and overnight bike packing trips.
- 45 to 50mm tire clearance (as measured).
- Comfortable and confident Gravel Endurance geometry.
- Internal frame storage on carbon models.
- Flared gravel handlebar for long-haul comfort.
- Tons of mounts for bags and racks.
Checkmate SLR Bike
Checkmate SLR is a dedicated gravel race bike and the fastest and lightest gravel bike we’ve ever made.
- Up to 45mm tire clearance (as measured).
- Optimized Gravel Race geometry to keep you fast and tucked out of the wind while staying confident and in control.
- Lightweight and aero-flared one-piece bar/stem.
- Frame mounts for race-optimized bottle and bag storage.
All-road riding lets you choose your adventure. Bikes built for all roads offer a handful of benefits both from gravel and road bikes, like extra tire clearance and a lightweight build that gives you versatility wherever you ride.
Domane Bike
Domane is a drop bar all-road bike built for mixed-surface rides that roll anywhere from ancient cobbles to crushed gravel.
- Up to 38mm tire clearance.
- Comfortable endurance geometry for all-day rides.
FX Sport Bike
FX Sport is a flat bar all-road bike perfect for riding pavement and gravel paths, or even light touring.
- Up to 40mm tire clearance.
- Upright, comfort-focused riding position.
- Mounts for bags and a rack.
Want to explore what’s beyond the pavement with a little boost? Electric gravel bikes give you all the capability and versatility of a traditional gravel bike, plus welcome support that keeps you feeling fresh through long offroad miles and up steep, winding climbs.
Domane + E-bike
Get all-road and gravel capability with an electric boost on Domane+. These drop-bar electric bikes help you ride farther and faster wherever you roam.
- Models range from 38mm all-road to 40mm gravel tire clearance.
- Support for speeds of 20 or 28mph, depending on the model.
Go beyond the road and onto muddy CX courses, grassy hills, sand pits, and winding trails. Cyclocross bikes are made for racing, with aggressive geometry that keeps you in a powerful riding position and clearance for knobby tires that bite into mud and dirt.
Boone Bike
Boone is a lightweight carbon cyclocross race machine for hopping hurdles and ripping through grass, mud, and sand.
- Up to 38mm tire clearance.
- Cross-specific geometry and vibration-damping tech for power, control, and comfort.
Adventure bags
Bike bags should have all the capability and gear storage you need to get outside and stay there. Whether you are gravel riding, bikepacking, touring, or anything in between, Adventure Bags are ready to load up with rugged, waterproof protection for your gear, and clever mounting systems that can even bolt directly.
What kind of tires do I need?
Tires are a surprisingly personal choice for your bike and picking the right ones will help you have the most fun on every gravel ride. From puncture protection to grip and size, many factors play a role in your perfect tire choice. A good rule to start with is, the rougher the gravel, the bigger the tire you want just make sure they fit your wheels and bike.
Summary
Give yourself a new experience and adventure with exciting gravel bikes. A gravel bike will help you tackle rough roads with great confidence, giving you an indescribable feeling. Choose it now and start your journey.
FAQS
1- How do I choose the right bike for me?
You can find the right bike for you through the bike size chart provided by Wheels Foundation. If you are a beginner, you can also learn this through the beginner’s guide to bicycles.
2- What are the best locations to ride a bike in Saudi Arabia?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers many locations where you can ride a bike. Discover the best locations with Wheels Foundation.
