Gravel bike buying guide – choosing a gravel bike for adventure

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Gravel Bike Buying Guide

Choosing a gravel bike for your next adventure!

Gravel bikes are a recent addition to the global cycling scene, but their impact has been meteoric, with the UCI already crowning world champions, and Strade Bianche becoming a modern cycling classic. Events such as ‘Unbound Gravel’ and ‘Barry Roubaix’ over in the USA, and ‘The Gralloch’ and ‘Dirty Reiver’ in the U.K. provide excellent opportunities for adventure and epic gravel bike racing.

For many people, gravel bikes enable you to unleash that spirit of adventure that’s been locked away since childhood. And, as the development of the best gravel bikes continues, the gravel biking scene grows bigger and bigger, with sub-cultures for racing, bikepacking, endurance gravel events such as the Silk Road race, allowing everyone to find their own adventure on 2-wheels! However, when you are looking to buy your first gravel bike, what do you look for? Indeed, what should a gravel bike look like, and how do you choose your own gravel bike and decide between the growing range of gravel bike options.

Critically, we need to know what actually a gravel bike is, and which are the best gravel bike brands. And yet,as innovation continues in this still developing area, the brands that are currently at the top are changing each year. It’s an area of cycling in flux, due simply to still being in its infancy.

Whilst this article isn’t definitive, we want to help you when you’re looking to buy a gravel a bike, by giving you an insight into what a gravel bike is, what defines a gravel bike, and what to look for when choosing the gravel bike that suits you and your own grave bike lifestyle. And so, here’s a brief gravel bike buying guide for you. If you’re ready, it’s time for adventure, and it’stime for us to guide you around how to choose a gravel bike. Yes, it’s time to help you to find out what constitutes the best gravel bike brands in the world currently – and, what is the best gravel bike for you.

Different types of gravel bikes

Before you jump in and buy that discounted bike online, press pause and ask yourself one simple question: what is my intention?

Firstly, consider the gravel style of riding that you’ll be doing. Will you be entering gravel races, or do you want to explore the trails and woodlands, and ride into the mountains and meadows as you set yourself free. In effect, do you need a race-orientated bike or an adventure orientated gravel bike? Once you know this, you then need to decide about the frame material. Carbon is lighter, but do you actually need a carbon frame – they’re usually more expensive and can be over-engineered for some people.

It may be that an alloy framed gravel bike is perfect for you, and that you don’t need to break the bank. Remember, it’s about you and your style of riding – nothing else. Get the basics right, and yes – you will be riding the best possible gravel bike.

Frame material is critical when you are looking at how to choose a gravel bike. Will an aluminium, steel or titanium gravel bike frame be better suited to your adventures and bike packing trips. There’s a big cost difference between aluminium, carbon and titanium, and each performs in a different way… and has a different level of comfort and longivity.

Then, there’s the wheel size to think about – 700c or 650B, the tyre clearance, drivetrain (1x vs. 2x) are just a few starting points. Will you want to add suspension to your gravel bike – yes, I know, it could easily become an original hardtail bike of time gone by! If you’re going to be gravel biking on long haul endurance trips, do you need mounting points on your gravel bike. Thankfully, U.K. based bike pannier system brand, Tailfin, lead the world on bike panniers and bags that fit out your bike – any bike – with a full bikepacking system, without the need for mounting points.

Finally, what’s your gravel bike budget for the bike and accessories – and, think about a bike fit, to ensure that you buy the right size of gravel bike for you! It can be an expensive mistake, if you buy solely with your eyes and find out that your beautiful new gravel bike doesn’t fit you and doesn’t suit your own unique riding needs.

Breaking down gravel bike design

Thankfully for you, leading brands such as TIME sell custom-built gravel bikes and framesets, as well as complete gravel bikes. This allows you to discuss your needs with them or a retailer and have your gravel created to meet your needs. First of all, let’s get this gravel bike buying guide on the road and go through the various elements that make a gravel bike and which will help you in choosing your own.

It’s Time to Ride – with Time Bikes!

Gravel bike frame

When you are choosing a gravel bike, as mentioned earlier, understanding the frame options is critical. A gravel bike frame is constructed to be stronger and more robust that a road bike frame. Whilst they may look the same, the gravel bike frame will have a longer wheelbase for stability, a higher headtube for a more relaxed riding position, and a lower bottom bracket – again for stability. The frame tubes are generally larger and shaped to help in absorbing the ride; with seat stays often flattened and curved. Some innovative brands have created area headtubes and front forks, to compensate for the wider tyres, creating super-aero designs. In terms of materials, alloys may be just right for your own gravel bike needs, being cheaper; however, carbon frames will give a lighter and more comfortable ride – especially if you get the right quality of carbon manufacturer.

Not all carbon gravel bike frames are the same though. The carbon layup and construction differs between brands and certainly between price point. The best performing, most comfortable, and the stronger carbon gravel bike frames will use a technique such as braided carbon weaving, using the best high modulus carbon fibres. Braided carbon structure is used by TIME Bikes, weaving the fibres into complex bi-directional ‘socks.’ This process allows TIME to create unique continuous, unbroken fibres that run the full length of a structure – or frame. It’s easy to imagine the integrity of many layers of uninterrupted woven fibres running through a steerer tube and being integrated into a fork crown and even down the fork legs with minimal overlapping joints.

Contrast this with standard prepreg carbon frame layup where the edge of every carbon sheet is a potential weakness. When you’ve chosen your gravel bike frame, you want to ensure that it’s flexible enough to absorb the varying terrain, giving a comfortable ride; stiff and strong enough for you to take on the technical terrain and give you precise handling; and comfortable for all-day riding, even when loaded with bags and panniers. Hopefully, you’re getting an idea already of how important it is to understand all of these issues – hence the need for a useful gravelbike buying guide.

Taking a look at one of the iconic brands with cycling, TIME;  with this high-performance and high-quality company you get a carbon frame that is the result of years of innovation and engineering excellence, and which will easily cope with many years of grave bike adventures.  TIME stand in the higher echolons of bicycle engineering, with their artisan team having a world-class reputation for making some of the best gravel bikes in the world today, at their production facility in Europe. In our opinion, that’s a good starting point for anyone looking to buy the first gravel bike. You will pay more than some other brands, but you’ll be getting a frame that has had everything well thought through, and which has been tested to the highest standards of engineering, performance and that all important comfort factor.

Gravel bike gearing and chainsets

When you are buying a gravel bike, you really do need to consider the gearing and chainset options. Do you go for a double or single chainset – with a double giving you a slightly better range of gearing options. If you’re riding in a steep area such as the North Yorks Moors, then a double chainset may help you on the mixed-terrain, offering you a wider range with smaller gaps for rides that take you on steep tracks and tarmac, or for racing use. For the more rolling gravel tracks such as the South Downs in the U.K., or riding the white roads of Tuscany, then a single set up will be fine and keep you rolling along smoothly.

An 11-44, 11 or 12 speed cassettes will get you going on just about all terrain, especially when paired with a good 40 or 42 tooth chainring. Each of the main brands – Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM – produce a selection of groupset options, with Campagnolo being widely recognised as the lightest, with their 1×13 speed Ekar GT groupset. Campagnolo has always been a favourite of mine, and if you do choose a high-end from such at the latest TIME ADHX45, then pairing it up with Campagnolo wouldn’t be a bad choice. Just remember though; get the right crank length for your own needs – which is where a bike fit comes in handy. Buying a high quality branded frameset such as TIME allows you to choose your own ideal groupset. If you are intending on bikepacking though, a mechanical groupset may be a better option when riding remote areas.

Gravel bike wheels and tyres

Choosing gravel bike wheels and tyre sizes is allso crucial, if you want them to match your riding style. Gravel bike wheels and tyres are designed to handle varied terrain, with options for both 700c and 650B sizes, and a wide range of tire widths and tread patterns. A 700c wheelset will give you speed and work well on mixed terrain, whilst a 650B wheelset will give you extra comfort and grip. Tyre choice shouldn’t be about price point solely. Getting the right tyre to match the terrain will keep you safe and make the ride far more enjoyable.

Ultimately, if you’re likely to use your gravel bike on mixed routes, then choose a 700c wheelset. If, however, you’re looking at endurance rides and bikepacking adventures, then consider the 650B option for that extra comfort and stability when loaded with bags and panniers.

For tyre choices, first of all check your frame clearances. Many frames these days allow for either the 700c or 650B wheel. However, each provide a different set of options for tyres themselves:

  •  700C: The most common size, found on the majority of road and gravel bikes.
    o Narrower (700×28–35mm): Best for roads and hard-packed gravel, offering speed and efficiency.
    o Wider (700×38–45mm): Better for rougher and looser surfaces, providing more comfort and control.
    o All-rounders (700×40–42mm): A good compromise for mixed-surface riding
  • 650B: A smaller diameter wheel that allows for wider tyres, often used for more off-road-focused gravel riding.
    o Wider (650Bx47–50mm): Ideal for comfort, grip, and tackling rough, technical terrain.

Gravel bike handlebars

Whilst this gravel bike buying guide touches only briefly on each area, it does cover the relevant information to help you in choosing the best gravel bike for you. One often overlooked component for all cyclists is the handlebar. It’s easy to choose a bike off the peg, and then to find that the handlebars are the wrong width, causing pain in the shoulders and lower back. Once again, a good professional bike fit is recommended.

Gravel bikes tend to use drop bars, which at first glance look the same as those for road bikes. However, they’re fundamentally different, as they need to cope with different terrains and different pressures.

Terrain choice in finding your perfect gravel bike

Terrain is a big consideration for gravel bike handlebar choice. For those road cyclists who want the benefit of aerodynamics, narrower handlebars might be better for you. However, if you frequently tackle technical terrain or you want a more upright and comfortable riding position, wider handlebars will give you greater control. and high degree of control, consider wider handlebars. Now for the flared design, commonly seen with gravel bike handlebars.

The flare design is critical for comfort and safety, as it enables wrists and forearms to be clear when riding in the drops and whilst tackling tough terrain. You do still need to ensure though, that the handlebar you choose is the correct width for you. And finally, choose a strong bar, meaning that unless you’re racing, an alloy handlebar will stand up to the rigours of technical tracks and loose terrain far better.

Gravel Bike Buying Guide

Ultimately, gravel biking is going to keep growing in participation, as more and more cyclists look for adventure and take to the trails as an option away from the traffic. It enables and encourages an adventurous spirit and allows you to mix your riding up, taking in roads and tracks in some of the most beautiful parts of Europe. Brands such as TIME Bikes have been innovating for many years, and now produce some of the best engineered gravel bikes in the world. Once you’ve worked through your own needs and requirements, you’ll have a better idea about what to look for yourself in choosing your own first gravel bike.

One thing is for certain though; we all need a little time for adventure – and a gravel bike will help to set your cycling spirit free!

It’s Time to Ride – with Time Bikes!

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