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Gravel Bike Reviews
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Jun 24, 2025
We have seen a whole host of new gravel bikes land this year which means this year is going to make for a great time to take to the rough stuff. Thanks to our extensive testing for our 'Gravel Bike Of The Year' awards, we have spent lots of time with the most popular models out on the market today. We have rounded up our favourite and in this video you will find our top 7 best gravel bikes for 2025. We have the best offerings from brands like Enve, Specialized, Canyon, Cervelo, Ridley and Merida.
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the world of gravel bikes used to be simple a road bike with a slacker geometry and wider
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tire clearance but fast forward to 2024 and there are a plethora of different options available on
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the market gravel race bikes gravel exploration bikes really the list goes on so to make things
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simpler we have picked out seven of the best bikes on the market in 2025 so stay tuned for
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our top picks for every type of gravel rider let's jump into the merida silex a bike that has been
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stirring excitement ever since mate mohoric rode it to victory at the 2023 uci gravel world
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championships the new silex is geared towards adventure boasting an updated geometry with a
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69.5 degree head angle that leans into mountain bike stability merida's kept the silex broad
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appeal intact while adding serious upgrades for starters the siletz can now handle 45 millimeter
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tires giving it solid grip for off-road handling though it's a bit shy of the 50 mil standard
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that some gravel riders prefer with 180 millimeter disc brakes both front and rear
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this bike delivers confident braking power especially when loaded with gear perfect for
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bike packing trips we tested the merida silix 10k last year complete with reynolds carbon wheels
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sram axis explore group sets and an 8 750 pound price tag and we were incredibly impressed its
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bags are fun to ride and dare we say it still provides decent spec value for money against
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the competition that said the silex range is broad and there is better value to be found
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lower down in the range next up we've got an iconic crux from specialized but hold on this
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isn't another 10 000 super bike instead it's a trusty alloy steed the specialized crux dsw
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shines as an adaptable slightly more wallet friendly choice for riders seeking one bike to
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tackle gravel cyclocross and road constructed from specialized the lucio smart world aluminium
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this versatile alloy frame mirrors the high performance geometry of the pricier crux carbon
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models offering an impressive 47 millimeters of tire clearance and a fact 12r carbon fork for responsive handling on diverse terrains during testing the crux dsw lively ride proved especially agile on climbs and stable on descents
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handling tight corners with ease although it's heavier than its carbon siblings a will set upgrade
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like swapping dt swiss g540 hoops for lighter rover wheels unleashes even more of the crux's
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potential at 2 300 pounds for the complete build it's a well-priced entry into gravel and multi
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surface riding the crux dsw frameset is also available for those who prefer to build their
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dream bike from scratch from the biggest market player to a brand that has built its reputation on
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great value german engineering we've got something from canyon the canyon grail cf8 is one of the
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most sensible bikes in the range providing race proven performance and an incredibly capable spec
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all at a rather modest price tag a newly designed more aerodynamic frame and a one-piece double drop
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handlebar work together to minimize drag resulting in a streamlined profile the bike's extended
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wheelbase slacker head angle and low bottom bracket enhance its stability and inspire confidence on
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technical terrain it's built with bomb proof components including the shimano grx 822 12
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speed mechanical group set and dt swiss g1800 wheels which are perfect for the majority of users
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however the high level of integration comes with compromises canyon specific accessory mounts and
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limited handlebar adjustability can add unexpected costs and restrict customization as many standard
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bike accessories won't fit with canyon's proprietary mounts at 2799 pounds for a carbon frame set
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and capable group set and will set combo the grail cf sl8 is a stellar choice for gravel riders
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hunting for a great value spec next up we have got the trek checkpoint sl7 axis gen 3 a gravel
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bike that's built for adventure, comfort, and speed. A prominent bike, ridden by the likes of
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Jasper Steuven in the UCI Gravel World Champs the Checkpoint stands out with updated colorways and geometry designed for endurance and stability This bike offers wider tyre clearance and multiple accessory mounts ideal for serious bikepacking or just having extra room for gear With integrated
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downstreet storage, you can easily stash essentials like tools or snacks, giving you even more
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flexibility on your ride. The bike's wireless groupset provides smooth, precise shifting
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while its Bontrager airless elite carbon wheels and gravel-specific handlebar design contribute to a clean, high-performance feel
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The Checkpoint's ISO speed decoupler, now prominently visible, absorbs bumps and rough terrain, adding to its comfort without compromising speed
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Whether you're navigating rocky paths or just enjoying a long, scenic route
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the Trek Checkpoint SL7 Axis Gen 3 balances comfort and capability, making it a top pick for any gravel enthusiast. The only Achilles is the £6,200 price tag
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Our next bike is something rather different and more premium perhaps and is only really available
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as a platform for custom builds. Envy's first dedicated gravel bike, the Mog, strikes an
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impressive balance between stability, comfort and performance, making it a solid choice for
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mixed terrain riding, gravel racing or bikepacking adventures. During testing, we found that the
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Mog's lightweight carbon frame, ample accessory mounts and thoughtful features like downcheap
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storage make it an adaptable and convenient gravel companion. Engineered around 700C wheels with up
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to 50mm of tyre clearance, the Mog is specifically designed for high volume tyres, forgoing 650B
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compatibility to maintain its stable confidence-inspiring geometry the mug frame offers plenty of mounting options a threaded t47 bottom bracket and the choice between a dropper or rigid
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seat post giving riders the flexibility to customize for varied off-road adventures on
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technical trails the mog's responsive handling and solid geometry shone with the 40 mil nvg series
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dropper post providing extra control on descents. Priced at £5,500 for the chassis, the
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MOG is a premium option, but its versatility and thoughtful design make it a worthwhile
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investment for dedicated gravel riders The Ridley Canso Fast marks our move from the true do gravel bikes and onto the slightly more race bikes of the gravel sphere The Ridley Canso Fast brings high aero design to gravel
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borrowing from Ridley's Noah Fast road bike for its aerodynamic frame and geometry
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Designed with a deep-section head tube and fully integrated cables, the bike cuts a sleek figure, but it's also surprisingly comfortable
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the frames carbon flex and 38 millimeter vittoria torreno tires absorb a lot of trail chatter
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making it easy to maintain a smooth pedal cadence and efficient posture the canzo's responsive
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handling and short wheelbase make it agile especially on technical single track however
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its short wheelbase can feel unstable on steep descents and toe overlap on our extra small test
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model may pose challenges on tight trails while the aero benefits are evident on long fast descents
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the extra weight and limited tire clearance slightly reduce its overall versatility however
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the canso fast is ideal for gravel riders looking for a high performance
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race-orientated bike that balances speed with a surprisingly comfortable ride speed. The 2024 Cervelo Espero is a gravel bike boasting impressive versatility and comfort
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without compromising on speed. Designed with a carbon frame and an emphasis on all-day reliability
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the Espero shines on both gravel and smooth tarmac. While the geometry stays largely unchanged from
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previous models, it now offers greater tyre clearance and the option for a 46-tooth chain
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ring making it more adaptable for varied terrain the updated rear triangle with drop seat stays
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and increased seat post flex contribute to a more forgiving ride especially on rougher surfaces
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with a sram apex axis group set 40 millimeter wtb vulpine tires and fulcrum rapid red 300 wheels
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it's designed for riders who crave a balance of speed and comfort but with enough capability for
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gravel adventures. The frame also features a flip chip that allows adjustments to the bike's trail
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for slightly altered handling depending on wheel size. Priced at £4,200, the Aspero does struggle
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against some of its rivals when it comes to delivering spec for money. But for the keen
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gravel racer, it remains a fantastic option and one that could easily be upgraded with a nice set
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of race wheels
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