For $949, the Rove includes a quality aluminum frame, ample mounting locations for accessories, water, and gear, and a dependable Shimano Claris drivetrain. For budget-oriented riders interested in exploring backroads or taking the scenic route to work, Kona’s Rove AL 650 is plenty of bike. Just because you can spend thousands of dollars on a race-ready carbon gravel bike doesn’t necessarily mean you should. What we don’t: Entry-level components not a high-speed machine. What we like: Great price for a sturdy off-road rider. See the Giant Revolt Advanced 2 See the Women's Liv Devote Advanced 2īest Budget Gravel Bike 3. And for a hardcore racing bike, see the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 below. But if you’re more interested in gravel races than mellow rides, the lighter carbon-framed Revolt Advanced 2 is a solid buy. The bikes share the same Shimano GRX 800/600 drivetrain and GRX 400 brakes, and we’ve found Cannondale’s aluminum builds are impressively comfortable (a common knock on aluminum is it’s too harsh). Why do we have the Giant Revolt Advanced 2 ranked below the Cannondale? Both are top-notch gravel bikes, but the simple answer is that we don't think the $450 bump in cost is worth it for most riders. Added up, you’d be hard-pressed to find a similarly equipped and well-made carbon design at this price point. Other thoughtful features include a rubber downtube protector to ward off high-speed rock impacts and a chainstay guard to help keep the chain quiet on bumpy rides. For $2,600, you get a light and compliant carbon frame, a smooth-shifting Shimano GRX 22-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and ample clearance for tires up to 45 millimeters wide for damping rough roads. Giant has built a reputation around producing high-quality bikes at affordable prices, and their Revolt Advanced 2 is a shining example. What we don’t: For some, the carbon frame may not be worth the price increase over the Topstone above.

What we like: Lightweight carbon frame and Shimano GRX drivetrain at a reasonable price point. See the Cannondale Topstone 1 A Close Second (With a Carbon Frame) 2. It’s worth noting that Cannondale also offers the Topstone Carbon with a lighter frame and their minimalist Kingpin rear suspension that helps cushion harsh impacts. However, these are relatively small nitpicks about an otherwise impressive all-around gravel bike. And we’d like to see higher-quality rubber that’s tubeless-ready (they recently switched the tires to Vittoria from WTB’s Riddler, which leads us to believe it was a supply issue).

At about 22.5 pounds, the Topstone certainly isn't the lightest gravel bike on the market and likely won't be the first choice of speed-focused riders (if this sounds like you, the extra $450 for the carbon Giant Revolt Advanced 2 below might be worth it). The aluminum frame doesn't come without compromises, however. From weekend gravel rides to daily commutes, the Cannondale Topstone is an excellent option. The cherry on top: the mid-range “1” manages to undercut much of the competition in price at a reasonable $2,150.

Its balanced geometry also hits a nice sweet spot of responsiveness for climbs and road riding with a relaxed and confidence-inspiring feel on the descents. In terms of design, the Topstone features the kind of premium aluminum frame that the brand is known for, a gravel-specific Shimano GRX drivetrain complete with hydraulic disc brakes, and appropriately wide wheels for soaking up bumps. We’ll start by saying that we didn’t anticipate our top gravel bike pick being an aluminum-frame rig, but the Cannondale Topstone 1’s versatility, smart build, and competitive price tag won us over. What we don’t: A bit heavy for weight-conscious riders. What we like: Quality components and impressive versatility at a good price. For more background information, see our gravel bike comparison table and buying advice below the picks.īest Overall Gravel Bike 1.

From leading budget options to range-topping carbon rigs, below are the top gravel grinders of 2021. While the definition of these dirt-focused models still is up for debate, they share a few key design features including a more upright seating position for added comfort over long distances, high-volume tires to help smooth out rough roads, and multiple mounting points for extra water and gear. In essence, they are more capable than road bikes yet more efficient than mountain bikes, transitioning nicely from daily commutes to weekend adventures. Gravel bikes-also known as adventure or all-road bikes-are built to handle terrain ranging from forest service roads to pavement, dirt, and even mellow singletrack.

Giant gravel bike