How to choose the right gravel bike for you

This story is supported by Trek Bicycle.

How do you find the right gravel bike? That’s a big question because there is so much variety within the gravel bike category. I find it helpful to look at it as a gravel bike spectrum. On one end of the spectrum is a bike designed for racing rough routes. At the other is a bike made for exploring. I’m going to look at the features of these two types of gravel bikes. Then, I’ll discuss how some of these racing versus exploring distinctions get a little blurry. All this will all help you choose the right gravel bike for the riding you’re going to do.

Gravel race bike

Let’s start with a gravel bike’s frame and geometry. As an example, take the Trek Checkmate. It is made with one of the company’s highest grades of carbon fibre, which makes the bike light and stiff. The tube shapes are optimized to cut through the wind. So, right away, you see similarities with high-end road bikes with the aerodynamics and low weight. The riding position this bike puts you in is aggressive: low so you can be as strong and efficient with your pedal strokes as possible. Also, the handling is fast and responsive.

Gravel adventure bike

The Trek Checkpoint is a gravel bike focused on exploring, so its geometry puts you a little more upright. That will keep you more comfortable on long hauls. Its stem is 20-mm shorter than that of the Checkmate (both bikes are size medium) so you don’t have to stretch out as far. A carbon-fibre adventure bike such as this one has slightly longer chainstays and wheelbase giving you a more planted and stable ride. The tubes don’t have aerodynamics as a priority, but that opens it up to other features that I’ll tell you about in a bit.

Gravel race bike

An important consideration with any gravel bike is tire clearance. The fork and the frame will dictate the maximum size of tire you can run. Actually, even the drivetrain can play a role. If a bike has a front derailleur, it can affect how much clearance you have for your rear tread. The Checkmate has clearance for 45-mm-wide tires. That’s good for terrain that isn’t really, really chunky. Up until, say, 2024, I would have said that 45 mm is probably pretty good for most riders prioritizing speed. However, this past season, pros have been running crazy wide rubber—more than 50 mm. But despite those gee-whiz setups, 45-mm tire clearance provides you with a lot of options…