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Could A Gravel Bike Be The Only Bike You Need?
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Apr 1, 2025
Most people by now have heard the proverb that the perfect number of bikes to own is n + 1.But while a full stable certainly does have its delights, many of us are in the situation where we really need n to equal 1. Which raises the question: what sort of bike should that single one be? Well with such a range of riding out there available to be enjoyed, versatility has got to be key and for that reason we think a gravel bike is that bike. Here are five reasons why!
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0:00
Most people by now have heard the proverb that the perfect number of bikes to own is n plus 1
0:06
But while a full stable certainly does have its delights, many of us are in a situation where we
0:11
really need n to equal 1. Which raises the question, what sort of bike should that single one be
0:18
Well, with such a range of riding out there available to be enjoyed, versatility surely
0:23
has to be key. And for that reason, we think a gravel bike is the perfect choice
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Here are 7 reasons why. We often hear that gearing is the number one concern riders have when deciding their next bike purchase
0:43
specifically whereas the gravel gearing will be too small for riding on the road
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However, whereas you're after a super low range for winching your camping gear and cooking pots over unpaved climbs
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or if you're looking for the reliability and simplicity of a 1x drivetrain
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you'll be able to find an option that will work for you on a gravel bike. Both SRAM and Shimano offer 1x11 options best suited for razzing around the trails and roads
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The relatively large chainrings that are generally specced don't deliver low enough gears for long distance hauling
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but will allow you to tap out a handsome pace on the road. But for a setup that dips well below a 1x1 ratio
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you can find plenty of options with Shimano's 2x GRX groupsets. The 10-speed versions offer the biggest spread and the widest available cassettes are a whopping
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11-36 teeth, but with that said the 2x11 groupset still offers a really wide 11-34
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cassette If you have a bit or maybe a lot of cash to spare the SRAM AXS electronic groupset allows for road shifters to be paired with a mountain bike cassette providing a colossal
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spread of gears while retaining the shifting simplicity of a 1x setup
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If you're still confused, be sure to check out the video we made on gears recently on
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our channel. Set the setup right and gravel bikes are certainly no slouch on the tarmac
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Putting a set of slick, racy tyres such as the Conti GP5000s or some Schwalbe Pro 1s can
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deliver a real boost to your speed. Add in a set of deeper section wheels and ticking along at 30kmh plus becomes quite a
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natural pace to hold. What's more, a few low cost changes to your cockpit can help keep your drag down too
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A negative rise stem can help put you in a lower position, similar to what you'd have
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being on a pure road bike and a set of flared bars can help keep you narrow and aero when
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on the hoods with your arms bent at 90 degrees, while still giving you a wider and confident
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position when on the drop for tackling technical off-road terrain. A little thought about your position on the bike and these few tweaks can have you more
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aero on a gravel bike than someone on a road bike with a set of wide bars and a whole stack
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of spacers under the stem. More so than frame material or any set of components, it is the geometry of a bike that
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determines its character. Although a gravel and a road bike frame might look fairly similar at first glance, the many
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little changes add together to make a huge difference in how they feel to ride
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The shorter top tube and longer head tube of a gravel bike puts you in a more relaxed and upright position but more substantial differences are baked into the frame of the bike These include a lower bottom bracket longer chainstays and a slacker head angle
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These combine to lower the centre of gravity, increase the stability and slow down the handling, leaving you feeling in control
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Although originally designed for bikes that are riding off-road and loaded up, these geometries pay dividends on longer road rides where comfort is a priority
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A gravel bike opens up riding on off-road trails and single track but is also going to be significantly more efficient on the road than a mountain bike
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This means you're not prevented from putting in larger loops on the road and exploring those areas a little further from home
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Gravel bikes also have a welcome effect of smoothing out those rough lanes that have fallen into disrepair
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And when you do hit the smooth stuff you'll appreciate the silky ride just as much as on a thoroughbred road bike
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you'll still get that same happy burst of speed that comes from a freshly surfaced road
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Gravel bikes and bikepacking go together like coffee and cake. Generally, coming with all sorts of mounts and bosses
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means that should you decide to head off on your own adventure, a gravel bike will be ready and willing to be loaded up
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These mounts don't have to be utilised for every ride, keeping the bike essentially as lightweight and playful as if it came without them
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But the point is that the capacity is always there, ready and waiting
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but as part of a bike that is fun to ride day to day. In comparison, an endurance road bike typically doesn't have quite the same number of mounts
4:59
and the narrower tyres aren't quite so comfortable for spending a long day out on the bike
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A gravel bike blends the speedy pep of a road bike with the packability of a tourer Following on a bit from the potential for attachments gravel bikes also tend to come
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with other practical nods such as mudguard mounts. For group rides in the winter months
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when a bit of company really helps, a curving set of fenders will keep both you and the people
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you're riding with significantly cleaner and drier, making everyone happier. The huge tyre
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Clear clearance offered by gravel bikes also means that you can generally still fit in
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pretty wide tyres, even with the mudguards, providing extra grip and comfort on wet and
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broken winter roads. In comparison, a cyclocross bike might be able to perform similarly when it comes to
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the terrain that can be ridden, but a gravel bike, with its plethora of mounts, just has
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that bit more versatility. Finally, it's worth considering this. By spending more money on just the one bike
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you can get yourself better components and a better frame, making for a ride that is far
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superior in its quality. Why split your money when for the same price as two bikes with mechanical
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disc brakes and a run-of-the-mill frame set, you can get a hydraulic setup and a rather more
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boutique frame, combining for an excellent ride which will be appreciated no matter the surface
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It's a lot more satisfying to ride quality every time, even though the bike not be solely designed for that purpose
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So there you go, 7 reasons you could use a gravel bike as your only bike
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Have you got some thoughts on the matter? We're sure you do. Make sure to leave them in the comments section below
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In the meantime, do give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Cycling Weekly YouTube channel
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