Gravel bikes are one of the hottest new styles of bikes to come out in the last few years. At an initial glance, a road and gravel bike look very similar so gives rise to the question; what are the differences between gravel and road bikes? We will have a look at this question and then go on to list some of the best gravel bikes available at the moment and the benefits of each one. We have a wide range of new bicycles 2025.
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Contents and Quick links to sections
- What are road Bikes? - A look a the main factors that differrenciate a road bike
- Intended Terrain
- Shape and riding position
- Tyre clearance and tyre size
- Tyre style
- Mudguard and Rack Compatibility
- Gearing
- Frame material and general frame info
- What are Gravel Bikes? - A look a the main factors that differrenciate a road bike
- Intended Terrain
- Shape and riding position
- Tyre clearance and tyre size
- Tyre style
- Mudguard and Rack Compatibility
- Gearing
- Frame material and general frame info
- Differences, at a glance - A handy table to compare the differences between a road bike and a gravel bikes
- Best gravel Bikes - A look at some of the best gravel bikes on the market just now.
What are road bikes?
- Intended Terrain
- Shape and riding position
- Tyre clearance and tyre size
- Tyre style
- Mudguard and Rack Compatibility
- Gearing
- Frame material and general frame info
Intended terrain
A traditional road bike is designed with smooth tarmac in mind to be as efficient or as fast as possible between between A and B. As the tyres are relatively narrow, any sort of gravel or loose surface will be a no-no but, that being said, some road bikes nowadays are being supplied with wider tyres for some light gravel riding.
Shape and riding position
A road bike will have drop bars and will be available in different frame geometries (shapes). Endurance road bike geometry, such as the Giant Defy Advanced range, will give a more upright riding position (shorter reach and higher handlebars) that will be more accessible and comfortable for a lot of riders that want the efficiency of a road bike but the comfort to allow them to ride longer distances. The downside of a more upright position is that it is not quite as efficient due to being in a less aerodynamic position and a less optimal position for firing the leg muscles - but for the people who are looking for a long distance, comfortable road bike, this is an acceptable trade-off. For those don't want to sacrifice speed, there are race road bikes. There is also the consideration of bikes for women such as the Liv women's road bikes that are designed in a shape and with finishing kit that many women find more comfortable.
Race road bikes, such as Giant race bikes, tend to have a longer reach and a lower front end to put you in a more aerodynamic position so saving energy and adding to the efficiency. For many people, this position might not be particularly comfortable as it relies on more core strength and a higher degree of flexibility particularly in the hamstrings and lower back but, my word, you will be fast!
Tyre clearance and tyre size
Classically, on road bikes, the clearance between the tyres and the frame and forks would be minimal in order to use less material in the frameset to allow the bike to be lighter and stiffer; hence adding to the efficiency of the bike.
Lately, some endurance bikes will come with clearance to allow full mudguards or even wider tyres for added comfort. In the past, road bike slick tyres were 23c or 25c but now you will see up to 32c compatibility, even on a race bike. Recent studies have shown larger tyre widths give less rolling resistance than the 25c tyres.
Tyre style
On a road bike, you will only really see 'slick' road tyres as these give the best grip on tarmac and have the least rubber displacement, again, to increase the efficiency of the bike. 'Hybrid' tyres are available which are slick on the middle of the tread for when you are on the road but with a knobbly edge for if/when you go on light gravel to give you more grip on loose surfaces (just make sure that you have enough clearance in the frame for these wider tyres). Just be aware, though, that the more gravel the tyre, the less efficient you will be on the road.
Mudguard and rack compatibility
The general rule with road bikes used to be that they are not designed for excessive parts to be fitted to preserve the efficiency of the bike but even this is being relaxed in favour of having something a bit more versatile. Some endurance road bikes will have mounts for racks and the clearance for mudguards (the person behind you will thank you on a group ride in the wet). Race bikes will generally not have the mounts for racks but will allow some type of mudguards to be fitted.
Gearing
As a road bike is generally designed for riding on smooth roads and tarmac, the gearing and particularly the derailleur does not need to be so robust as, in theory, it will not get bounced around so much so road gearing can concentrate on being as smooth as possible. But, British roads being what they are, road bikes are now starting to borrow technology from gravel bikes where the derailleur is more robust and does not bounce around so much on rough terrain. A great example of this is the Shimano GRX groupset that comes with a 'clutch' mechanism so you can turn it off on smooth surfaces for smoother shifting or turn it on when it gets rougher (most of us just keep it on because our roads are definitely not smooth).
Frame material and general frame info
Road bikes will generally have the lightest frames possible and will use the least amount of material to produce a safe and efficient bike. As they are not being used for gravel road riding, they do not have to reinforce the frame with extra material for extra bumps and jumps. Which frame material manufacturers use will have an impact on the characteristics of the frame.
Aluminium Alloy
Aluminium alloy is a relatively cheap and easy material to manipulate and manufacture and you will see this on less expensive bikes. In order for Aluminium to be strong, it has to be stiff so you will feel a bit more road buzz which will make longer rides a bit tougher on your hands, arms and shoulders. Aluminium is great though as it is relatively efficient for a low price.
Carbon composite
You will pay a bit more for a carbon composite frame but this is because it is a bit harder to manufacture and the raw ingredients are a bit more costly. But you certainly get what you pay for... carbon composite is a man-made material and because of this, it can be given different qualities in different parts of the bike - e.g manufacturers will likely make the bottom bracket and downtube of the frame very stiff to limit extra movement when you pedal so as to concentrate all of your energy towards propelling you forwards (efficiency again) and not wasting energy bending the frame. Carbon composite forks and rear seatstays will likely have some compliance built in for extra comfort and to dull the road buzz. You will find various different levels of carbon so as you spend more money on a carbon frame, you are likely paying for more stiffness and more efficiency.
Steel
Not as common as aluminium or carbon but you still find some steel road bikes on the market. What makes steel an excellent frame material is that it is exceptionally strong and comfortable. The reason it is so comfortable is that steel can flex but still retain its strength so dulls even large vibrations from the road. The trade-offs to steel are that it is a bit heavier than other materials and you sacrifice some pedalling efficiency due to the bendy frame but really, you are buying a steel frame for comfort and strength. You will find different grades of steel and the more you spend, the lighter and more comfortable the frame will be. Genesis make an excellent steel bike and nbow is a great time to pick up a discounted Genesis gravel for sale.
What are Gravel Bikes?
- Intended Terrain
- Shape and riding position
- Tyre clearance and tyre size
- Tyre style
- Mudguard and Rack Compatibility
- Gearing
- Frame material and general frame info
Intended terrain
As is implied in the name, gravel road bikes tend to be the best of both worlds - happy on gravel paths and forest roads as well as tarmac roads. People choose gravel bikes for a greater degree of versatility than pure road bikes as you can use them on many different terrains. You can even use them on trail centres if you have the skills. Depending on the tyres you use, you can optimise gravel bikes for pure off road, tarmac or bit of both.
Geometry
Gravel bike geometries will look similar to road bikes at a glance in that they have drop handlebars and are a similar shape. Generally though, many gravel bikes will have a more upright riding position and a shorter reach for comfort over longer distances. You might also see flared out handlebars on gravel bikes for a wider hand position while on the drops for extra control when off road riding. A gravel race bike will be a little lower for a more aggressive riding position.
Tyre clearance and tyre size
Here we get to one of the main differences between a gravel bike vs road bike - the maximum tyre clearance. Some gravel riders will prefer to have space for 47c tyres and the ability to take a knobbly mountain bike style tyre for pure off road performance on rougher surfaces.
Having a larger clearance also has other advantages, namely there is more clearance for mud to get through and not clog up your wheels and the ability to take mudguards (adding mudguards will lessen the maximum tyre size you can put on).
Tyre style
With gravel bikes, you really have a choice of any tyre - a slick tyre if you are predominantly on tarmac, hybrid gravel tyres if you are on a mix of roads and light gravel, or a mountain bike style tyre for pure off road riding or cyclocross.
Mudguard and rack compatibility
Due to the extra clearance of gravel frames, most gravel bikes will accept a full wrap-around mudguard and will usually have mounts for a rear pannier rack and sometimes a front cycle rack. Some gravel frames will even have front rack compatibility or extra bosses for bikepacking and frame bags to make them more into touring bikes.
Gearing
Another big difference between gravel bikes and road bikes is the choice of gearing. On a gravel bike, you will have the choice between a single front chainring and between 10 and 13 speed at the back or a double chainring with 8 to 13 speed at the back. Which you choose would very much depend on where you plan to ride - if you are always off road, then a single chainring would likely be best as it is lighter and your chain is very unlikely to come off when on the rough stuff. If you are mostly on road, a double would be best as this gives you the high gears for the flats and the downhills.
Also, as mentioned in the road bike gearing section, gravel bikes tend to come with the robust gravel gearing system has a more robust derailleur that bounces less and keeps the chain more taut when riding gravel and trails.
Frame material and general frame info
All of the information in the road bikes material section applies to gravel bikes too with just a few minor differences - steel gravel bikes are more common than steel road bikes due to being more robust for the extra punishment when riding off road.
In general, gravel bikes will be a touch heavier than their road bike equivalent as these frames are designed to be more robust due to the terrain they are designed to ride.
Differences at a glance
Category | Road Bike | Gravel Bike |
---|---|---|
Intended Terrain | Tarmac Only | Tarmac, gravel, off-road |
Shape and riding position | Endurance: upright, Race: tucked | More upright |
Tyre clearance and tyre size | Limited tyre clearance | More clearance for mudguards or wider tyres |
Tyre style | Slick road tyres | Road, hybrid or gravel tyre compatibility |
Mudguard and rack compatibility | Only on some models | On most models |
Gearing | Double chainring | Single or double chainring |
Frame material and general frame info | As lightweight as possible | More robust - heavier |
Head to head - Gravel vs Road bike
Speed
In terms of speed, A gravel bike will be faster on the loose surfaces due to enhanced grip from the knobbly tyres and a road bike will be faster on tarmac due to reduced rolling resistance.
Bike Fit
How the bike fits will depend on your height and dimensions. For road bikes, it is very important not to be too stretched out or be too cramped. With gravel bikes, there is a degree of personal preference thrown in as a smaller and shorter bike will handle in the corners better whereas a longer bike will give better straight-line stability.
Sizes
Some companies use cm sizing such as Specialized (52cm, 54cm etc) while Giant and Liv use Small, Medium, Large, etc. Please be careful not to assume that if you are a large hybrid, you will be a large gravel bikes. It does not always work like this.
Gravel bike vs road bike vs hybrid
A hybrid bike differs from a gravel bike or road bike in that they have flat handlebars. You can still opt for a road hybrid (thinner tyres) or an off-road hybrid (knobbly tyres).
Gravel vs mountain bike vs road bike
An MTB bike will differ from gravel bike and road bike by having wider flat bars and thicker, knobbly tyres. Mountain bikes are not generally designed for tarmac as they are designed to give maximum traction on mud, gravel and loose surfaces.
Giant Revolt 2 vs Specialized Diverge E5
Nothing like a good head-to-head. Both relatively inexpensive gravel bikes designed for on and off-road cycling. Firstly, both come with excellent Aluminium alloy frames with carbon fibre forks. Both have similar mechanical disc brakes but the difference comes in the groupset - The Specialized Diverge bike comes with Shimano Claris while the Giant Revolt 2 comes with Shimano Sora - the next step up. But regardless of which you choose between Specialized gravel bike or the Giant cx bike, you know you are getting quality.
Best gravel bikes
Here, we will take a look at some of the best gravel bikes at all different price points and frame materials.
Giant Revolt 2 2022 Cross Bike - Liv Devote 2 2022 Women's Gravel Bike
Listed together as these are the male and female versions of the same bike. The Revolt 2 2022 and the Devote 2 2022 are more weighted to the off-road side of the gravel bike world with a knobbly tyre that comes set up tubeless 'off the peg' meaning you can run the tyre at lower pressures when on loose gravel and another benefit is less punctures with the sealant sealing up any small punctures from thorns and even some glass. Revolt and Devote give excellent comfort through the tyres but an excellent quality aluminium frame and carbon forks for all day riding. Shimano Sora gearing and mechanical disc brake set complete an amazing all-round gravel bike. For added versatility, these bikes are pannier rack and mudguard compatible.
It's a great time to pick up a discounted Giant in our Giant sale bikes.
Merida Silex 400 2023 Gravel Bike
When Merida bicycles launched the Silex, it was hailed as the most comfortable and versatile bike Merida have made with an Aluminium frame and carbon fork for comfort on the front end. The Merida 400 2023 is the first bike on this list with the gravel specific Shimano GRX400 groupset with derailleur clutch for chain stability when you are on the rougher terrain. This bike has five sets of bottle bosses and rack mounting points offering multiple luggage carrying options so can be used as a gravel bike or either a bikepacking/touring bike. With incredibly powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes you have awesome stopping power in all conditions. You can have a look at all Merida road bikes here too.
Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon 2022 Gravel Bike
Now we are getting into the serious stuff... The Speciallized Diverge Comp Carbon comes with a full carbon frame and forks for incredible efficiency and comfort (it's light too). Unique to some of the Diverge models is Specialized Future Shock on the front end which gives 20mm of vibration damping on the handlebars to give extra comfort and control when on road and off. Single chainring SRAM Rival 1 groupset is geared for off road with robust yet smooth shifting. SRAM hydraulic brakes make this the perfect on and off road bike. Specialized road and gravel have adopted a unisex sizing across their entire range with smaller sizes coming with female specific handlebars and saddle and the larger sizes coming with more neutral handlebars and saddle.
Specialized S-Works Diverge STR 2023 Gravel Bike
One for the "I'll buy this if I win the lottery category". The S-Works Diverge STR is the creme de la creme of gravel bikes. It comes with the highest grade carbon that Specialized provide on a gravel bike for second-to-none efficiency and comfort. Speaking of comfort, not only does this have future shock on the front to dull those road and gravel vibrations, it also has rear future shock as well to give some much needed forgiveness on the rear end when pushing the limits on gravel and trail riding. It also makes light work of rough tarmac and, Specialized claim, there is no efficiency lost by the future shock vibration damping system due to where it is mounted on the frame. Finished off with top of the line SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS wireless electronic shifting and SRAM Red hydraulic brakes complete an impressive, if unattainable to most of us, bike. Not bad for £13,000.
We hope this has been an enjoyable read and has answered any questions you may have had about the differences between a gravel and road bike. As always, if you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us online or pop in to any of our stores to see our range or road and gravel bikes.
Now is a great time to pick up a discounted road or gravel bike which you can view in our sale section -> bike sales.