Budget gravel bikes are going to imply various things to completely different individuals. The bikes inside this information signify strong worth for cash at a worth level roughly between £2000 to £4000 (or the US greenback equal). However, when you’ve got a particular worth in thoughts and not one of the bikes listed below are best for you, try our guides for the very best gravel bikes underneath £1,000 or the very best gravel bikes underneath £2,000 for much more choices.
Luckily for gravel riders on extra modest budgets, know-how from the very best gravel bikes on the higher finish of the pricing spectrum trickles down in the direction of the very best entry-level gravel bikes and all of the ranges in between. There are low-cost gravel bikes that will not stand as much as the beating you wish to give them, there are premium gravel bikes that the majority of us will solely ever trip in our desires, after which in between are the very best funds gravel bikes, which hit a candy spot between the 2 and supply the very best worth for cash. That’s what we’re right here. Solid, well-equipped bikes, with sturdy parts to deal with a variety of driving and function a platform to improve from.
There are additionally bikes inside this information which might be featured in our gravel bike group check and subsequent awards. After a radical testing with the CN tech crew, we’ve included our choose of the bunch from these bikes right here too.
Quick checklist
Best value
Best worth possibility
The Boardman ADV 9.4 took our greatest worth award in our gravel bike group check. Pulling collectively a carbon body, digital AXS groupset and wise element choices.
Best for racing
The greatest racer
Best racer award winner the Vitus Venon Evo-GR is an actual gravel rocket which can put a smile in your face. You may swap to street tyres and it’ll carry out simply as nicely.
For bikepacking
Best for bikepacking
The Fairlight Secan combines a top quality metal body with a variety of customized spec choices. Its well-chosen geometry rides brilliantly on gravel but additionally feels alive and responsive out on the street.
Most agressive
Most enjoyable
Want to deal with the more difficult aspect of gravel and even a number of mtb trails? The Szepter will deal with it with its 40mm Rock Shox suspension fork. The spec can be strong with AXS shifting and a Zipp ending equipment.
Titanium option
The titanium possibility
Interested in a titanium body? The Ribble CGR Ti is an aesthetic ti body and total bundle. A carbon fibre fork and Shimano groupset full the construct.
For adventuring
Best for adventuring
The Grizl is Canyon’s extra all-round succesful gravel bike and options a complete host of body and baggage mount baggage to deal with all of your adventuring wants.
Best funds gravel bikes
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Our specialists spend numerous hours testing biking tech and can at all times share trustworthy, unbiased recommendation that can assist you select. Find out extra about how we check.
Gravel tech continues to develop and lots of the bikes right here have had a spec improve since we first wrote this information. Frequently, it is a groupset improve, with the most recent gravel groupsets typically providing 12 speeds and higher vary.
We reviewed this information in April 2024 and ensured that it included the most recent specs.
Best worth possibility
1. Boardman ADV 9.4
Electronic gears, a carbon body and simple to reside with design decisions
Specifications
Frame materials: Carbon fibre
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 42mm
Groupset: SRAM Rival 1×12 XPLR AXS
Reasons to purchase
Sram Rival XPLR AXS groupset
+Cheaper than related spec rivals
+Round seatpost, hassle-free entrance finish
Reasons to keep away from
Slightly narrows inventory wheels and tyres
The Boardman Adv 9.4 is a strong possibility for the cash and represents good worth. If you are shopping for your first gravel bike or upgrading an current one, there are lots of plus factors to think about right here. There’s a strong carbon body, digital 1x SRAM groupset and a succesful sufficient construct equipment elsewhere. The OEM wheels are pretty primary, however wheels are fairly straightforward to improve additional down the road.
It has a spherical, easy seatpost clamp which will not offer you any bother in comparison with the built-in wedge-style clamps which might be extra concerned and might generally slip. A non-integrated front-end and commonplace stem and bars additionally imply upkeep prices needs to be decrease and you’ll improve the cockpit extra simply to get the right match.
It gained our greatest worth award in our latest gravel bike subject check, beating lots of different dearer machines. The trip itself is strong, if just a little unremarkable, however for the value and equipment, this bike will see you proper.
Best for racing
2. Vitus Venon Evo-GR
A racer at coronary heart that is good enjoyable to trip
Specifications
Frame materials: Carbon fibre
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 45mm
Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 1×12 Speed
Reasons to purchase
Makes you wish to assault, all over the place
+Carbon wheels and vast tyres
+Really cozy aero handlebars
Reasons to keep away from
Seatpost clamp wedge susceptible to slipping
The Vitus Venon is an actual racer and took dwelling the very best racer award from our group check. The bike appears purposeful and quick standing nonetheless with its deep carbon wheels and vast tyres.
This feeling continues when driving the bike and the Venon Evo urges you on at each flip, our entire check crew discovered themselves driving extra aggressively and placing in digs on each little rise within the street and when accelerating out of corners. It’s a very enjoyable bike to trip; you can race cyclocross very simply on it or match some street tyres and never lose out a lot there both.
We actually favored the carbon wheels and Michelin tyres and the Prime carbon handlebars have a very nice aero teardrop profile on the drops which though a small level actually stood out for us.
SRAM digital shifting takes gear of the groupset duties, the one level we raised on this division is that the 42T chainring is probably just a little on the massive aspect for some gravel purposes, however matches in nicely with the quick nature of the bike.
Best for getting rowdy
3. YT Szepter – Core 3
The most suitable choice if you wish to hammer off street trails with drop bars
Specifications
Frame materials: Carbon fibre
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 45mm
Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS 1×12 Speed
Reasons to purchase
Confidence-inspiring geometry
+Fork lets you deal with rougher terrain
+Surprisingly good climbing potential
Reasons to keep away from
Not the quickest on the flat or asphalt
We first rode the top-end Szepter Core 4 late final 12 months and the Core 3 mannequin took our most enjoyable award from our group check. If you are coming from mountain bikes to drop bar bikes or wish to problem your self along with your gravel driving and simply have probably the most quantity of enjoyable doable, the Szepter is the bike for you.
It will cowl common gravel duties simply fantastic, however if you wish to actually check it off-road, the RockShox Rudy fork and front-end place will allow you to deal with terrain different gravel bikes will battle with. We discovered this ourselves when testing the bike off-road.
The spec is strong all through the bike with no corners lower. There’s a Zipp aluminium ending equipment, exterior brake cables for hassle-free headset upkeep and SRAM AXS digital shifting. The WTB wheels are a good selection and also you additionally get some premium Peaty’s tubeless valves included as commonplace.
If you wish to set off from dwelling on the street, linking some off-road sections into your trip, and hammer some descents and technical sections the Szepter will do all of it with out breaking a sweat.
Best for bikepacking
4. Fairlight Secan
Reynolds metal body and a complete host of customized choices
Specifications
Frame materials: Reynolds 853 metal
Wheel dimension: 650b or 700
Tyre clearance: 45-60mm relying on wheel/chainset setup
Groupset: Shimano GRX 600/800/DI2
Reasons to purchase
Wide vary of customized construct choices
+Versatile body with quick geometry however endurance-friendly options
Reasons to keep away from
A metal body might be just a little heavier than carbon fibre
The Fairlight Secan gained our greatest for bikepacking award throughout our latest gravel group check. The Secan is a steel-framed gravel bike that may do virtually something. Made from high quality Reynolds 853 tubing, the geometry is street oriented so the bike feels nimble and fast on the street, but additionally feels proper at dwelling driving off-road on gravel. It’s a very nice steadiness that makes the bike lots of enjoyable. There are loads of body bag mount factors, full-length mudguard and pannier rack mount factors and you’ll match 650b or 700c wheels.
Our check bike got here with GRX Di2 11-speed which we actually love, however you may spec mechanical choices in addition to a variety of different parts on the Fairlight web site. Check our in-depth evaluate of the Secan for a extra detailed take.
Best titanium possibility
The greatest funds gravel bike for titanium body lovers
Specifications
Frame materials: Titanium
Wheel dimension: 650b
Tyre clearance: 47mm
Groupset: Shimano GRX
Reasons to purchase
Beautiful supple trip
+Responsive ‘relaxed street’ dealing with
+Corrosion and scratch-proof end
+Grippy 650b tyres
Reasons to keep away from
Some could desire a wider handlebar than the inventory 42cm
While there are cheaper methods of getting a flexible titanium bike, you would be hard-pushed to search out one thing that appears and feels this luxury. With its triple-butted, multi-shaped pipework, Ribble’s titanium gravel bike hits that candy spot, providing all-around versatility and a beautiful trip really feel.
Despite being constructed from a traditional materials, there’s loads of modern aptitude to ship the trip you need from a motorcycle like this. From the dropped seat stays and CNC-machined 3D dropouts to the bolt-through rear axle that doubles as a mech mount to mitigate injury within the occasion of a crash.
Add to this clearance for 47mm tyres on 650b wheels, plus 700c compatibility, the choice for a single or double chainset on the entrance, and Shimano’s flagship 1x GRX groupset, and also you’re in for a very good time. The CGR Ti rolls on a set of Mavic Allroad Elite wheels shod with chunky WTB tyres (the Byway comes inventory, ours had Senderos), and up entrance are Ribble’s own-brand Level handlebars.
Read the way it earned 4 stars in our Ribble CGR Ti evaluate.
Best for journey
The greatest funds gravel bike for many who frequently journey
Specifications
Frame materials: Carbon
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 50mm
Groupset: Shimano GRX 810
Reasons to purchase
Feels balanced and secure
+Accelerates rapidly and maintains velocity
+Smooths out the bumps nicely
+High high quality sturdy parts
+Excellent worth because of consumer-direct mannequin
Reasons to keep away from
UK pricing has been just a little larger
The Canyon Grizl, is all about loading up and heading out into the wilderness. The Grizl adopts some very intelligent tube wall profiling and composite building holding the load down, whereas additionally sustaining some chunkiness to sure components of the body which, in partnership with some huge quantity tyres from Schwalbe, delivers a snug and surefooted trip that also feels enjoyable.
Unlike its sibling, the Grail, the Grizl comes with much more body mounts (together with three mounts on all sides of the fork), customized bikepacking baggage and a standard handlebar, spelling out its function very clearly. This is a wonderful steed for bikepacking and one which not solely rides confidently over tough floor but additionally presents nice worth for cash.
The specced parts are to not be sniffed at, with a full hydraulic Shimano GRX 800-series 11-speed groupset and 12-speed as a fairly priced improve, tubeless-ready DT Swiss G100 wheels, and a Fizik Argo Terra X5 saddle.
Sizing, in the meantime, is extremely inclusive, starting from XXS to XXL, making the Grizl an possibility that may match most individuals’s wants. If you wish to know extra, try our Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by evaluate.
Best of the remaining
Best for an off-road pleasant platform
Specifications
Frame materials: Alloy
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 700 x 42, 650b x 50
Groupset: Shimano GRX810
Reasons to purchase
11-speed Shimano GRX
+Mounts for fenders, racks and extra
+Carbon fibre fork and seatpost
+Easy-service brake hose splitters
Reasons to keep away from
No bag mounts on the highest tube
–Tubeless valves not included
–Wheels are heavy and onerous to arrange tubeless
The Merida Silex 700 is an alloy gravel bike designed with a body geometry that leans extra in the direction of off-road functionality than on-road velocity. It’s succesful, enjoyable, and cozy for hours and hours within the saddle, and the ever-impressive 11-speed Shimano GRX offers easy shifting and highly effective, well-modulated braking.
It has mounting factors on the forks, underneath the down tube and in all the standard locations, so it is good for long-haul bikepacking rides, and its long-reach/short-stem means dealing with is sharp, with out being twitchy.
Maintenance is made simpler because of barrel adjusters and hose splitters on the cables. However, the press-fit backside bracket may cause creaks if not serviced frequently, and the wheels are tough to arrange tubeless with out the suitable instruments, so this may increasingly current an extra value to think about.
9. Orro TERRA C GRX600
Best for mild gravel and fast-road enjoyable
Specifications
Frame materials: Carbon
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 40MM+
Groupset: Shimano GRX600
Reasons to purchase
Stiff carbon body presents quick acceleration and environment friendly energy switch
+Still delivers a snug trip
+Quality GRX groupset
Reasons to keep away from
Could do with just a little extra tyre clearance
While the title does not precisely roll off the tongue, this mannequin of the Orro Terra C presents glorious worth for cash and, regardless of its race DNA, would make a perfect ‘do all of it’ bike for many who have restricted cupboard space at dwelling.
It’s constructed round a stiff carbon fibre body that enables the rider to place down adequate energy to speed up rapidly and keep momentum. Within the carbon layup, high-modulus fibres are interwoven to supply enhanced power and shield the body from affect injury, which leads to the sunshine, quick and sturdy beast most gravel racers depend on.
However, if racing is not the one cause you are this bike, you may be happy to know that it comes with the potential to make a wonderful commuter and street bike as nicely. It’s powered by the dependable Shimano GRX 1x groupset, and zippy Fulcrum wheels, providing easy shifting capabilities, a variety of gears and the longevity required from a motorcycle that is going to be seeing lots of use.
10. Specialized Diverge Comp E5
An excellent do-it-all selection
Specifications
Frame materials: Aluminium
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 47mm (700c) / 2.1in (650b)
Groupset: SRAM Apex Eagle 12-speed
Reasons to purchase
The alloy body makes it simpler to spec with high quality parts
+Low and slack geometry for off-road composure
+Features Future Shock 1.5 suspension know-how
+Plenty of tyre clearance
Reasons to keep away from
Expensive for an aluminium body
Specialized’s gravel machine is available in a variety of fashions, with the Comp E5 sitting third from the underside. This makes it lower-mid-range, that means it does not have all the most affordable components however is unquestionably very inexpensive.
The Diverge Comp E5 is designed to be versatile sufficient to supply an escape onto gravel again roads away from city visitors, in addition to a spot on the beginning line of a gravel race.
It options Future Shock 1.5 – the model’s proprietary built-in suspension, to easy over the bumps and supply a snug trip irrespective of how tough the terrain will get. The FACT carbon fork is paired with an aluminium body, delivering a light-weight and vigorous trip. Specialized equips the Diverge with what it claims to be its most progressive geometry, that means a comparatively slack head angle and lengthy attain that can assist you really feel planted and assured.
It comes specced with 700c Axis Elite Disc wheels however can be appropriate with 650b for those who want to add on some wider rubber (as much as 2.1in to be exact), and is pushed by Sram’s Apex Eagle 12-speed mechanical, hydraulic groupset, delivering easy gravel-specific shifting and highly effective braking.
11. Cannondale Topstone 2
An excellent do-it-all alloy gravel bike
Specifications
Frame materials: Alloy
Wheel dimension: 700c
Tyre clearance: 42mm+
Groupset: Shimano GRX 400 10-speed shifting
Reasons to purchase
Shimano GRX 400 collection groupset and hydraulic disc brakes
+Mudguard and rear pannier rack mounts
+Durable WTB wheels and tyres
+Dropper-post appropriate
Reasons to keep away from
Non-series crankset is a cost-cutting measure
The Topstone 2 makes this checklist as a flexible bike that’s good each on the street and off it. The 700 x 42mm tyre clearance is not breaking any floor, and the design will not be successful any awards – regardless of the great paint schemes – however with mounting factors for bottles, baggage, racks and mudguards, it is a bike that may see you thru every week of commutes, loaded up for a weekend within the wilderness. Stripped again to fundamentals it is a street bike that may fortunately faucet out the miles on the tarmac too. If you are in search of a one-bike resolution, this may simply be it.
There are not any proprietary requirements to journey you up. The Topstone 2 has a spherical seatpost and commonplace seatpost clamp, exterior cable routing from the underside bracket shell to the rear derailleur and an everyday stem and spherical handlebar to make upkeep work less complicated.
How to decide on the very best funds gravel bike for you
Frame materials, single or double chainring groupset, tyre selection – there are lots of concerns when in search of the very best funds gravel bike. And that is earlier than you consider how a lot you wish to spend.
Read on for our information that can assist you to decide on the the very best funds gravel bike for you.
What materials ought to I select for my funds gravel bike?
When it involves the very best funds gravel bikes, foregoing carbon fibre in favour of lower-cost metal or aluminium is an effective solution to save a superb amount of cash. Carbon choices could also be accessible, however at cheaper price factors could also be greatest averted as producers might want to make compromises to maintain the prices down. That will in all probability imply the spec is worse, and it’ll additionally often be made with a decrease high quality of carbon fibre and in our opinion good alloy trumps unhealthy carbon.
The majority of the lower-priced gravel bikes might be comprised of aluminium. Aluminium know-how is consistently evolving, and regardless of being a stiffer materials, body designers are capable of now construct aluminium frames with rising ranges of compliance and luxury. Meanwhile, metal is well-established as a forgiving but sturdy materials. It is mostly just a little heavier than alloy, however the trip high quality it delivers garners a devoted following. If you might be touring additionally, you will typically stand a greater probability of getting metal repaired in distant places.
The reply to it will rely upon the way you outline ‘funds’. If you may stretch to a carbon fibre body from a good model with good parts, then you definitely’ll undoubtedly be completely satisfied along with your selection, however the reply to this query lies in your response to the subsequent query.
On which parts ought to I prioritise my spend?
There will undoubtedly be compromises that you’re compelled to make to make sure you get the very best funds gravel bike with out spending greater than you may afford, however precisely the place these compromises ought to happen depends upon your wishes.
Generally, a top-tier body will trip worse with base-level parts than a mid-tier body with mid-tier parts, so except you intend on aggressively upgrading parts within the close to future, you should not sacrifice a superb high quality groupset and wheels in favour of a carbon fibre body.
As for the remainder of the bike, consider it in a value + complexity = precedence calculation. Groupsets are each costly and complicated to improve, so make this the next precedence. Wheels are additionally costly, however they’re much simpler to improve, so these will be barely decrease on the checklist.
Things like saddles, seatposts, stems and handlebars are a lot decrease in value and simpler to improve, and also you may discover it’s worthwhile to improve them anyway so as to make the bike extra comfy, so these will be additional down the checklist.
Consumables like tyres, chains and bar tape will in all probability not come into the equation, but when they do, keep in mind that you can be compelled to improve them sooner or later sooner or later once they put on out, so preserve these close to the underside of the checklist.
Which parts ought to I search for?
There are some parts that may categorically enhance the efficiency of a gravel bike that, outdoors of actually area of interest use instances, needs to be a prerequisite in your funds gravel bike.
All the bikes on this information have hydraulic disc brakes and they’re one thing of a should. They not solely offer you extra energy but additionally supply improved modulation and management. They typically require little to no upkeep both, though for those who do snag a hydraulic hose on a tree, it is in all probability going to want a visit to the bike store to be fastened, so bear this in thoughts for those who’re going off into the wilderness for days on finish.
Tubeless tyres are the opposite key element. Punctures, sadly, go hand-in-hand with driving off-road, so select a motorcycle with rims and tyres that require no extra spending (besides valves and sealant) to assist you to ditch the internal tube.
Thirdly, contemplate your chainset. The gravel bikes in our information use both 1x, or 2x drivetrains, and the quantity right here denotes the variety of chainrings linked to your pedals. A 1x drivetrain makes use of a single chainring with a wide-range mountain bike-style cassette to simplify the drivetrain and save weight. A 2x chainset presents two chainrings, and thus presents twice as many gears, nonetheless, the unfold of gears is often related.
Should I select 650b or 700c wheels and tyres?
The benefits and downsides of 700c vs 650b-sized wheels have been lengthy debated and can proceed to be mentioned for a very long time. Riders who’re in search of on- and off-road versatility might be greatest served by the decrease weight and higher impediment rollover of 700c wheels. Those driving rougher terrain will discover that the elevated tyre dimension and quantity of 650b wheels supply a major benefit in grip and luxury.
Many gravel bikes will have the ability to accommodate each wheel sizes, giving riders who put money into a spare set of wheels the choice of ‘two bikes in a single’: a 700c wheelset set-up with fast-rolling tyres for the street and a 650b wheelset with massive, knobbly tyres for extra adventurous driving. However, we expect producers are transferring away from 650b typically with extra bikes being specced with 700c wheels now.
Is a gravel bike a lot slower on the street?
It will be straightforward to have a preconceived concept that gravel bikes are gradual on the street. Capable gravel bikes nowadays are surprisingly nippy on the street too. If you might be driving simply on the tarmac, pumping the bigger quantity tyres up just a little extra may end up in a snug and zippy trip that may put a smile in your face, plus you may dart off-road everytime you need.