Written by Johnny Lodder
All-road bikes or “gravel” bikes are the hottest commodity in cycling these days. A segment of cycling that was once just an afterthought in the industry is quickly becoming the lifeblood and focus of large scale bike manufacturers. The idea of a “Quiver Killer” or one bike to do it all is increasingly appealing and cyclists everywhere are quickly discovering the joy and adventure of linking various surface types into a single ride, from single track to dirt roads to traditional asphalt all on a single bike. With a passion for cycling and a hatred for all things crowds, cities and traffic, a gravel bike seemed like the perfect solution for me. That said I have spent the better half of a year researching all things gravel bikes. Although not exhaustive by any means, below is my opinion of a few of the better options.
- Ibis Hakka MX – in my opinion this is the best all around gravel bike for the money, specifically if you prefer a 1X groupset. Capable of 650b and 700c wheelsets, feathery light and with a geometry that has hit the sweet spot between speed and compliance, this bike is about all you can ask for in a gravel bike. The bike comes with the bulletproof SRAM Rival 1X groupset (their mid-tier groupset) and at a reasonable price of $3,300 new. As an added perk, the candy red color scheme and old school Ibis “Hand Job” ode mike for a beautiful bike. The only downside to the Hakka MX is trying to find one. After being released over 12 months ago, Ibis is still struggling to keep up with demand. Odds are your local Ibis dealer is out of stock and if you are lucky enough to find a used Hakka MX on the secondary market, expect to pay prices near the original sale price.
- Giant Revolt Advanced 0 – very little not to like about this bike. Giant’s legendary value, 650b and 700c wheelset capability, an endurance focused geometry and a beautiful matte black color scheme makes this bike one of the best gravel bikes out there. Is it the fastest or lightest gravel bike out there? No, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a gravel bike that checks more boxes for the money. The only downside to this bike (while some might consider this a strength) is that is that it does not come with a 1X groupset and instead uses a standard Ultegra 2X groupset, similar to what you’d find on a traditional road bike. That being said, Giant does offer an Apex 1X groupset (entry level 1X groupset) if you are willing to get a lower spec’d/heavier bike. This bike is priced fantastic at around $3,500, cheap compared to others on this list considering it comes with a carbon wheelset. Although just recently released, this bike has earned rave reviews. Giant is the biggest manufacturer in cycling and odds are your local Giant dealer has a variety of Revolt Advances in stock, just don’t expect to find one used as they just recently hit dealer floors. If the road biker in you can’t bear the thought of giving up that front derailer, this is your bike!
- Cannondale SuperX SE – the “racer’s gravel bike”. This isn’t the first cyclocross bike to be made a gravel bike but it’s a great example of how to do it right. The lightest and arguably snappiest of the bikes on this list, the SuperX SE has made quite the name for itself in gravel racing after having won numerous events, including both the men’s and women’s 2018 Dirty Kanza (the Super Bowl of gravel events). The bike shares a frame with Cannondale’s cyclocross specific bikes but gets a few gravel specific components to help distinguish it for its intended usage, including a wider range rear cassette and gravel specific wheelset. Due to its cyclocross genes, this bike might not be the most compliant of the bikes listed here but remains plenty compliant for anything most people will throw at it. Pricing is slightly on the high end at around $4,000 but that does include SRAM’s top of the line Force 1X groupset. Further and due to the wild popularity of this bike, there is very healthy secondary market for these bikes and getting one used for a decent price is a realistic possibility. If you’re not looking to do 100+ mile ultra endurance rides where every ounce of compliance is paramount but want a crazy fast bike that is just as capable for any surface on your path, then this is you’re bike.
- Norco Search XR – there isn’t much not to like here. This is a fantastic bike and in many ways very similar to the Hakka MX (including geometry and groupset). As such, I’m not going to reinvent the wheel here. The only real downside to the Search XR, and in my opinion what differentiates the Hakka from it, is the price as it is roughly $700 more than the Hakka MX for the same groupset. Further, the color scheme (although not ugly) can’t hold a candle to the Hakka MX (or really any of the bikes on this list for that matter).
- Salsa Warbird II – this is the bike that started it all, the first true mass production gravel bike, improved and redesigned for 2019. A rich pedigree, beautiful color scheme, super light frame, 650b or 700c capability, a variety of groupset options (including SRAM Force 1X) and rave reviews from those who have been lucky enough to get one in stock, make this the “it” bike of gravel riding. Expect some sticker shock here though as you are going to pay over $4000 for the Force 1X groupset and being just realased, you won’t find one used. If money isn’t necessarily a factor, this is your bike!
- Canyon Grail CF – after years of dominating the European market, the direct to consumer brand finally came to the U.S. in 2018, bringing with it the newly designed Grail gravel bike. This bike is insanely cool if you can get past the funky handlebars and stem which are designed to add a component of suspension. Having earned rave reviews (specifically for its compliance and comfort) and offering insane value/price due to Canyon’s ability to elimate dealer mark up, its only a matter of time before I believe this bike will be one of the more prevalent gravel bikes out there. For $3,100 you can get a Rival 1X groupset along with a very nice spec and the ability to run either 650b or 700c wheelsets. The bike also comes in a beautiful matte grey and black finish.
As mentioned above, this list is far from exhaustive, there are a variety of other popular gravel bikes such as the Trek Checkpoint, Specialized Diverge, Scott Addict Gravel, Cannondale Topstone and Orbea Terra, to name a few, that have potential but ultimately each one had something that forced me to remove them from my list of favorites (e.g. price, limiting gear range, restrictive tire clearance, etc.). Further, there are various elite gravel bikes that are way out of the price range of most, those being the Lauf True Grit and Open UP, among others. There are also the boutique brands, offering high end titanium gravel bikes for a pretty penny, such as Why Cycles and Mosiac Bikes, just to name a few.
Honestly I would have been happy with any of the bikes on my list above. I ultimately went with the Cannondale SuperX SE, not because I deemed it better than the others, but due a really good deal I found. After a few weeks of heavy riding, I can say I am extremely happy with the choice. The bike is snappy, compliant and beautiful. Not to mention, the Force 1X is about as good as groupsets get!
If you’re wondering whether a gravel bike is a viable replacement for their favorite road bike, absolutely it is! I might be half a mile per hour slower on average on pavement than I would be on a traditional road bike but on the flip side, I can go darn near wherever I want! That is a trade off I am (and I believe any sane person) would be willing to take all day! Are there downsides to a gravel bike? Yes, if you are one who likes to actively participate in organized road events/races or large group rides, then you will want to keep those traditional skinny tires in your quiver. If this does not apply to you however, then I see no reason not to have a gravel bike. All you are doing is robbing yourself of a whole lot of fun and severely limiting your route possibilities!
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