History of the gravel bike

The Gravelbike, also called Gravelbike, Gravelgrinder or Gravelracer, has been on the rise in recent years. This bike that has the benefits of a racing bike, mountain bike, cyclocross bike and adventure bike allows you to switch between asphalt roads and unpaved roads (gravel, white roads, earth).

Origin Gravelbikes

From about 2015 several manufacturers introduced bicycles in their program under the name “Gravel Bike”. This name was first launched in the US market and is also gaining popularity in Europe. Such bicycles have been popular in Europe since the early 1960s under the name of a cross-country bicycle or cross-road bicycle.

In contrast to the above, somewhat wider tires (28 inches, width approx. 35-50 millimeters) are now used, in the past tires with 27 inches and widths of up to 35 millimeters were common.

Concept of Gravel bike

The gravel bike originated from the desire to cycle long rides with the freedom to exchange the normal road for an unpaved road at any time, but where you can continue to ride comfortably at a reasonable speed.

Freedom is therefore central. This concept already partly existed with the Randonneur bicycle, Adventure Bikes, Endurance bicycles, Cross-country, ...

With the advent of modern materials such as carbon, supersteel, aluminum, which are becoming lighter and give more stiffness to the bicycles, the Gravel bike was created.

Ook de nieuwe componenten zoals schijfremmen, groot bereik derailleurs hebben daarin een belangrijke rol gespeeld.

Gravel bike features

• Designed for long rides on both paved and unpaved roads.
• Equipped with road bike handlebars and groups known from the road bike sector.
• Handlebars are usually slightly wider than that of a racing bike and are more like a mountain bike, making steering easier
• Disc brakes (hydraulic or partially hydraulic operated) with a diameter of 160 mm.
• Robust design with a slightly lower focus on weight reduction, frame made of carbon, or light aluminum or steel.
• 28 inch wheels. Usually for tires up to 50mm without mudguards - same as for cyclocross. Today the most commonly used widths are 42 - 45 mm.
• The bicycles can also be used as everyday bicycles.
• A more upright sitting position (hands less than 90 degrees to the upper body) to relieve strain on the hands at long distances.
• A fairly deep bottom bracket for more stability on rough terrain, comparable to 26 ″ mountain bikes.
• Long range - cassette allowing you to conquer short steep slopes as well as descend at high speed.
• Longer wheelbase than a cyclocross or racing bike, so good straight running and good properties when climbing steep passages thanks to longer chain stays.
• Eyelets on the frame and fork to attach mudguards and luggage carriers on some models that allows you to use cycle bags on your gravel bike

Purchasing a Gravelbike or Gravelracer

Depending on your requirements: daily use, travel, adventure, tourism, ... you can choose from different models. Heavy, light, mechanical or hydraulic brakes, mechanical or electric shifting, electrically driven, normal or tubeless tires, ... Prices vary from around € 1,000 to € 7,000 (See more).

The more expensive bicycles made of carbon, also have a kind of suspension in the seat post and just under the stem, so that you can cycle on gravel roads at high speed without any problems.

Due to the increasing success, almost all major bicycle manufacturers have entered this new market. The main brands and models are:

• Trek: model Checkpoint
• Eddy Merckx: Strasbourg 71
• Pinarello: Grevil
• Cannondale: Slote en Topstone
• Specialized: S-works Turbo en S-works Diverge
• Look: Look Gravel
• Cinelli: Zydeco, Nemo en Hobootleg
• Colnago: G3-X
• Bianchi: Impulso Allroad GRX
• Giant: TCX en Revolt
• BMC: URS
• Cervélo: Aspero
• Kona: Rove
• Rose: Backroad
• Canyon: Grail
• Basso: Palta
• Cube: Nuroad
• Focus: Paralane
• Ridley: Kanzo
• Scott: Speedster Gravel en Addict Gravel
• Merida: Silex
• Koga: Colmaro Allroad
• Bulls: Grinder