Essential Gear For Gravel Riding - FAQ

Gravel riding burst onto the scene some years now, and has grown massively in popularity as it can be great for anything from a trail ride to a bikepacking adventure. However you use your gravel bike, having the right gear is essential. In this post, we'll try and answer some of the frequently asked questions about gravel bikes and gravel riding.

What Type of Gravel Bike Should I Get?

It might be obvious, but this really is the most important question! Deciding how you are going to use your gravel bike will help you decide which model is right for you. If you are looking at riding long distances and want to maximise comfort, then you should look at options that allow wide tyres, and even have a suspension fork or rear suspension, like the Kingpin design found on some Cannondale Topstone models. For routes that will take in trails and singletracks, the geometry of the gravel bike frame is an important factor. You should look for bikes that have a slacker head tube angle and a more upright riding position to allow you to deal with technical terrain more easily, and consider going for a frame with a seattube that can accomodate a dropper post. If you plan on doing some touring or bikepacking, choosing a gravel bike with plenty of mounting points on the frame for pannier racks or bikepacking bags will allow you to maximise the storage you have available.

How Do I Choose the Right Bike Size?

Having the right size bike is essential to both comfort and performance, so it is worth making sure you're getting the correct size for you when buying. Our SmartFit interactive size guide is available for the majority of our gravel bikes, allowing you to input your exact measurements, and providing you with a recommended size and whereabouts in the size range you sit. If you are unsure what to go for, contact us and we'll help you find the perfect size for you.

What Are the Essential Accessories for Gravel Riding?

Again, this really depends on what you use your gravel bike for. Any routes that are likely to take you on roads would best be done with a good set of bike lights, to ensure you are visible. For multi-day touring or bikepacking rides, a good set of USB bike lights is a must, allowing you to charge your lights ready for the next days riding. Another must is a good quality multi-tool, ideally with a chain tool. These handy little tools easily fit inside a jersey pocket or saddle bag, but have a huge array of uses and can be a lifesaver if you have a mechanical issue in the middle of a moor. If you are using tubeless tyres on your gravel bike, a tubeless repair tool such as the Topeak Tubi Cartridge G16 Gravel Tubeless Repair Kit could save a very long walk!

What Clothing is Best for Gravel Riding?

The single most important item of clothing when doing any form of cycing, including gravel bike riding, is a good set of padded cycling shorts. The saddle of your bike is one of the three contact points and is the one that supports the majority of your weight. Riding without a good pair of padded cycling shorts can lead to soreness and numbness very quickly, so these should definitely be high on your shopping list if you don't already own some. There are now many gravel bike specific options available, such as the Assos Mille GTC Kiespanzer Bib Shorts, that feature a pad designed for maximum comfort on uneven terrain and extra storage options. Along with the shorts, a quality jersey can help wick sweat away from the skin in hotter weather, and a lightweight rain jacket can be the difference between a good ride and a miserable one. Gravel bike shoes are also worth considering if you are using clipless pedals, as they offer an efficient pedalling platform, with a grippy, treaded sole in case you need to push your bike through muddy sections.

How Do I Stay Hydrated and Fueled on Long Rides?

Top tube bags are a great way to keep energy bars, energy gels and other essentials close to hand, and many gravel bike frames now have bolts specifically designed to securely fasten these bags to your bike. If you are touring or bikepacking, a frame pack with a bladder can be a better way to carry fluids than in water bottles, as they usually have a large capacity, allowing you to easily carry more than you would be able to in just a couple of bottles.

If you have any more questions about gravel bike or bikepacking equipment, please get in touch and our staff will be happy to answer your queries.