Favorite Gravel Bikes

Lots of gravel bikes on the market right now -- any favorites?

Some I've been looking at:

• Santa Cruz Stigmata
• Cannondale Topstone
• Specialized Diverege
• Giant Revolt Advanced 0
• Salsa Warroad

Dont usually like to weigh in on such threads but I like that you provided a list so I'll give ya my $0.02.

All 5 bikes seem pretty much the same to me...drops, no front fork, same geometry for the most part. You need to decide on whether you want carbon (light and fast on the up, more chattery than heavier steel on the down, especially at high speeds) or just steel or steel with a carbon fork, which kinda seems a half ass solution to a front fork imo and also, what size tire you are thinking to be riding for the most part along with the obvious, cost.

For reference, I ride my Salsa Fargo a hefty amount I'd say.  Its a steel frame that can take 2.4" tires and started as a rigid bike.  after a year of that, i put a front fork on it and have never looked back.  anyways, that thing has done 400+mi rides multiple times (smoke n' fire cough sneeze).  she rides like a dream and I dont mind one bit the extra weight (vs a carbon for instance) on the hills.

So again, what frame type you want (cost heavy in this department ), tire size you want (45mm is ok for flowy dirt but get bumpy at high speeds like a gravel road and the float of a 2"+ tire is gonna be heaven) and then cost again.

Hope this helps and enjoy...remember, all bikes kick ass that are ridden often and treated well!

Also as a side note, wtf is a gravel bike anyways? A rigid with drops and ~45mm tires?  

Thanks!

Also as a side note, wtf is a gravel bike anyways? A rigid with drops and ~45mm tires?  

Think you nailed it there -- road/endurance geometry with bigger tires

I think that you need to be more specific about what kind of gravel you're going to ride. When I lived in Boulder, 'gravel' roads were generally hardpack dirt and a road bike with 28s could handle most of them. Where I live now, they put down deep, coarse gravel and you want a lot more tire. Look at what other people in your area are riding on Strava or ask around at a good local bike shop or club.

All 5 bikes seem pretty much the same to me...drops, no front fork, same geometry for the most part.

@abe r, forgive my ignorance of the jargon, but what do you mean by no front fork? 

Long time racer here, former pro xc mtb'er, now doing a lot of gravel at the recreation level. I've did a bunch of research to figure out what's "best". Max R above is correct - it depends on where you live. 2 things I'd point out - 1) a gravel bike should be able to take both 700c and 650b wheels or it's not versatile enough to ride everywhere. 2) suspension (even if it's "notional") is the new hotness, and it definitely works if done well. I picked up a Topstone Carbon Ultegra and I love it. The Salsa Warroad isn't really gravel specific...the Warbird would be better. It's the OG gravel steed, but it's overpriced AF compared to other companies with same build kits. Another top player is OPEN - their UP is the tits. I rode the Diverge and didn't love the feel of the front "suspension," and opted to put a Redshift Shockstop stem on my Topstone instead. Good luck.

Bill Enger wrote: @abe r, forgive my ignorance of the jargon, but what do you mean by no front fork? 

I just meant no front suspension.  Sorry, could have been clearer

I just want a Crust build like Anton...

Mill A wrote: Thanks!

Think you nailed it there -- road/endurance geometry with bigger tires

BITD we called those cyclocross bikes.

Gunkiemike wrote:

BITD we called those cyclocross bikes.

cyclo has a more aggressive geometry. 

I think that you need to be more specific about what kind of gravel you're going to ride. When I lived in Boulder, 'gravel' roads were generally hardpack dirt and a road bike with 28s could handle most of them. Where I live now, they put down deep, coarse gravel and you want a lot more tire. Look at what other people in your area are riding on Strava or ask around at a good local bike shop or club.

That's fair -- looking at a mix of hardpack/single track with about 50% pavement getting there. 

Mill A wrote: That's fair -- looking at a mix of hardpack/single track with about 50% pavement getting there. 

I highly recommend going with a bike that can take at least a 2" tire, its gonna make the bike much more versatile imo.  The float is wonderful (can go considerably faster on the downs) and the drag on pavement is not horrendous, just get stronger.

If you're looking for a budget option, the Salsa journeyman is a solid choice. Sora or Apex groupset, 700c/650b compatible.  $1200-1500 depending on options.  I've put mine down muddy fire roads, clay single track and it's a daily commuter.  It's not a performance bike but I'll happily do 50+ miles on it.  

Gunkiemike wrote:

BITD we called those cyclocross bikes.

I ride a Voodoo Wazoo from the 90's. It can take up to 45's and has a bit more off roady geometry than a typical CX bike.

I will say that I absolutely disagree with the notion that you need 2+" tires to ride it on rough stuff.

Last year I rode that bike, with 38's on the White Rim Trail. There was maybe a few hundred feet of sand I couldn't handle. Out of a hundred miles off road. I take it mountain biking all the time. I've bombed it from Cripple Creek to Shelf a few times, and done it fast. Washboards at speed through corners, the 38s were fine.

If it's purely mountain bike terrain, my 29er certainly is a bit better but for half roadie stuff with occasional agro sections, it's a monumental waste of weight and watts to ride wider than 40ish.

No input on your choices. I'd just say that I wouldn't ride around the house with less than 105 or GRX600. A clutch is very nice on the washboards. Look for gearing that will give you approximately 25 to 100 gear inches, 20 to 110 would be even better.

 

I picked up a Topstone Carbon Ultegra and I love it. The Salsa Warroad isn't really gravel specific...the Warbird would be better. It's the OG gravel steed, but it's overpriced AF compared to other companies with same build kits.

Do you have suggestions of other companies to check out at better price points?

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote: Last year I rode that bike, with 38's on the White Rim Trail. There was maybe a few hundred feet of sand I couldn't handle. Out of a hundred miles off road. I take it mountain biking all the time. I've bombed it from Cripple Creek to Shelf a few times, and done it fast. Washboards at speed through corners, the 38s were fine.

Interesting and thanks for sharing. That seems a little crazy to me tho, you just don't have the safety margin with that tire width at those speeds with washboard/bumpy bigger sized rocks that you would on a wider tire I would imagine.  I've ridden the WRT also, and was stoked to have the 2.3s on.  Also, 38s would be much more prone to getting a flat with the higher psi than a wider tire I think.

Hm, to each their own I suppose.

REEB Sam's Pants Adventure Bike

Mill A wrote: Do you have suggestions of other companies to check out at better price points?

Pretty much all companies have bikes at every price point...just depends on what you're looking for, and willing to sacrifice. Kona makes great bikes in the lower price points. 

Mill A wrote: Do you have suggestions of other companies to check out at better price points?

You could look at the Canyon Grail: https://youtu.be/apu3k6ok0qw.. Bike Radar gave it their all-road bike of the year in 2019 (for what that's worth, probably just marketing).

I've had really good experience with Canyon road and mtn bikes. They're direct to customers, though, so test riding one will be a challenge. Upside is that you'll pay less for +/- equal frames and components.

Kona Libre is the best gravel rig out there. 

My three-week cycling trip to Italy in September had to be canceled so I ordered a 2021 Specialized Carbon Diverge Base to help my LBS operator  keep up his yacht payments . My CX son had me order a Falcon AR24 disc wheelset  from Light Bicycle and Panaracer Gravel King SK 700 tires to go tubeless . So far I'm waiting for the bike & wheelset to arrive. I chose Specialized because I've had very good service from two Roubaixs so far and the suspension system does make a difference on rough roads. Hoping to soon add gravel routes to the many road miles I've ridden in the Sacramento River Delta .