How To Choose A Gravel Bike

When it comes to gravel biking, having the right bike is just as important as having the right attitude. To make sure you get the most out of your next ride, here are some tips to help you find and maintain the perfect gravel bike:

1. Choose a bike that fits your body type. It's important to select a frame size that suits your height and build so you can comfortably reach all of the components and have good control over your bike while riding in rugged conditions.Gravel Bikes have two very different geometries available, they can provide a very relaxed riding position, designed for touring - right across to race focussed geometries, designed for maximum attack riding across varied terrain.

2. Choose a bike & its components carefully. You want to select parts that will allow for comfortable yet responsive handling on rough terrain; look for lightweight materials such as carbon fiber or titanium for maximum efficiency. Additionally, check the brakes, gears, suspension forks, and wheels to make sure they are compatible with your riding style. Although you can upgrade your gravel bike components, as you own the bike - it’s a good idea to buy the bike, specified to the standard which you require. This does not automatically mean you need to purchase a gravel bike with the very best level of components, if you are new to the world of gravel bikes - a gravel bike with entry level components can suffice.

3. Invest in quality accessories. The right accessories can make or break a successful gravel biking trip; consider investing in a good set of tubeless tyres, reliable mudguards, lightweight fenders and strong lights if you plan on venturing off into the darkness of night rides!

4. It’s also worth choosing between an electric gravel bike, and a ‘normal’ gravel bike. Electric assisted gravel bikes allow you to push and ride further, but are more expensive than non electric gravel bikes.

5. Gravel bikes are now represented by almost all of the world’s leading bike brands - so if you like many cyclists, have a lot of brand loyalty to one bike brand - you can choose according to that.