With so many gravel and adventure bikes on the market today it can be hard to choose the right one so here are 10 of the best I’ve reviewed and split them into two categories, race and bikepacking, to help you decide the right bike for the riding you want to do.
Content
0:00 Intro
00:17 Choosing the right gravel bike
1:41 Canyon Grail
3:41 Enve Mog
4:15 3T Exploro
5:37 Vitus Venon Evo GR
6:15 Scott Addict Gravel
7:16 Bikepacking Adventure Gravel Bikes
7:24 Giant Revolt
8:26 Merida Silex
9:36 Specialized Diverge
10:22 Mason Bokeh
11:17 Fairlight Sedan
12:25 Conclusion
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If you’re buying a new gravel bike in 2024 this is the right video for you I’ve got 10 amazing bikes to share you today that I have ridden and tested here at just RI bikes and these are bikes I happily recommend and will personally buy with my own money now before you
Rush out and buy a bike it’s worth knowing what sort of bike you want based on the riding you hope to do are you going racing where speed is a focus or are you going bike packing where you won’t comfort and capability so in my opinion a gravel race bike has a bigger
Focus on speed so a lightweight Arrow frame you don’t need massive tire so 40 to 42 is plenty you might want the option to run a 2X chain set for some of the higher average speeds we are seeing in races you don’t really need all the bike packing mounts because you’re not
Going bike packing and you want a geometry it gives good stability at high speed but it’s nice and nimble like a road bike then a bike packing Bike by contrast has bigger tiance so up to 50 or 55 mm and maybe the option to fit a man bike wheel and tire set you
Definitely want bigger easier gears and one bu is my preference here with a big cassette on the back and you definitely want lots of bike packing mounts on the frame and fork for racks bags and much more and then lastly a geometry that more laidback and better suited to R
Ring Offroad with a heavy dose of inspiration from mant bikes and to illustrate those differences I’ve got five gravel race bikes and five bike packing Adventure setups first up we have the brand new redesigned Canyon Grail which is a top pick if you are going gravel racing it’s lightweight
Very responsive handling and aerodynamic as well and when I rode it exceedingly quick in all situations both on the road and in gravel and on a single track is a bike that excels everywhere Comfort is also good too so it won’t beat you up on a long ride and the new handlebar that
Replaces the old hover hanar is a fantastic design great ergonomics with back sweep nice flare drops a really comfy shape that does promote a nice Arrow position when you are racing flat out and then we have the novel gear Groove their system for mounting accessories to The Handlebar and a frame
Is full of a features that they borrow from their road bike indeed it looks like a road bike from a distance with an a seat tube down tube and Fork blad then we had the very clever internal frame storage which is fantastic if you’re racing keeps your pockets free for extra
Gels and food no saddle bag get dirty and all your spare parts your tube and pump are stored away in the frame no rattling no dirt just fantastic and then the icing on the cake is the bag they designed to be aerodynamic and provide more space for extra gels and things you
Need when you’re gravel racing and then being Canyon the value of money is good with CFR CFS SLX and cfsl trims the choose from so it’s a canyon grail for most budgets the MV MOG is one of the fastest gravel bikes I’ve ever tested it’s aerodynamic it’s lightweight and
It’s very stiff where it needs to be but Comfort is also pretty good too and the way the bike rides is just Supreme it’s fast it’s supple a rough tracks great handling not too fast not too slow works well as a road bike a cross bike and of
Course a gravel race bike and while it’s a fast bike and definitely suited to racing there are some nice bike packing features on the fork the top tube and mug guard Ms as well so quite a versal option and can be used for bike packing
As I found out earlier this year now we have mv’s own two-piece a hanab stem which compared to a canyon allows you to adjust a the stem length and handar width as you need not tied into a one piece system and like the canyon we have internal frame storage in a down tube
With a compartment to store your inner tube gas canister and a multitool so very neat and a great thing for grow racing the 3T exploro was the original gravel a bike at a time when gravel was definitely in its infancy but the latest RAC Max is a fantastic high-speed fast
Over long distance gravel race bike we have these massive Arrow profiles on the fork the down tube and the seat tube and it goes like the clappers really is a very fast bike indeed the only downside to the race Max is is definitely one of the firmer bikes here the Comfort isn’t
The best not as smooth as the MV Moog or the cannon gril but fits a wide tie and can mitigate that to some extent and 3T have expanded its range of models and there now a new extrema Italia which takes the DNA of the race Max and boost
Tie clearance to make it the biggest in class and the bigger tie clearance on this new bike coupled with the same distinctive aerodynamics makes it a bike that offers unrival speed control and capability when riding off-road over very tough and rough Trails this new extrema Italia also has the ud H Dropout
System from SRAM so you can fit their T Type transmission for the ultimate state of the mullet setup and I’ll take a drop a seat post as well if you are embarking on any very rough Trails the vur fenom ero gr is definitely a bike to consider
If you are going racing when I Rod this bike I was really impressed with how capable it is off-road definitely a firmer faster riding bike quite agile steering but very responsive when you’re attacking and re putting a lot of power through the cranks and a nice stiff
Frame that doesn’t Flex when you are putting the power out and it’s a bike that I found can be both a road bike with slick ties and also a very fast gravel bike with some chunky knobby tires and because Vitus is a direct sales brand part of wiggle and chain
Racing Cycles the value for money is really good too my final offering in this Roundup of gravel race bikes it’s a Scott addict gravel they took the name and the general Aero frame features of the adct road bike and morphed it into a gravel bike but one with a chunkier
Frame appearance and space up to 45 mil wide tires and the B it definitely delivers lots of speed no issue with going fast on a bike at all and the handling that works well on smoother gravel maybe not as at home in twisty single track but on Flatout fast gravel
Tracks the handling is on point and it’s a very modern looking bike as well with full internal routing and some very nice details in particular the tiny weight seing seat clamp which are absolutely love so the Scott addict gravel is definitely worth checking out it’s a bike that often gets overlooked compared
To the more popular options in this category but it’s definitely a bike that lives up to a name and gives great speed great handling and lightweight as well now let’s turn our attention to bike packing eventure gravel bikes and we’ll start with a giant Revolt the giant is a fantastic option for gravel
Riding you can race it it’s definitely not a slow bike but has all the features comfort and capability I want for a bike packing Adventure ride so space for up to 50 mil Plus Tires with adjustable rear dropouts loads of comfort from a defuse seat post and handle bar
Especially if it’s carbon fiber and we got bike packing mounts on the fork the top tube you fit mug guards as well so a very versatile very flexible bike indeed and the geometry gives a nice relaxed dance on the road and on the gravel it’s not a lazy bike with definitely slower
Handling than a race bike but it’s nice and a short and will definitely look after you on a long distant bike packing event when you’re tired and fatigued and being giant the value of money is fantastic as well with choice of carbon fiber models and aluminum frame options
As well you get 2 byy one byy Shimano Ram plenty of options in the giant range the brand new maid SX is definitely an tracing option and shows what a big dose of manike geometry inspiration does to a drop bar gravel bike we have a much higher front end a much slacker head
Angle and a longer wheelbase compared to the more Road by gravel race bikes earlier in the video and that corresponds to amazing handling so shooted and so planted and so capable when you’re riding down rough Trails you take a bike down M bike trails and they
Won’t hold you back at all and when you go bike packing where you typically in my experience encounter Trails that’s a much more technical much rougher and much harder riding than usually well grw gravel at any gravel race in the US it’s a bike that will not hold you back at
All and in fact urge you go faster than you would on any other gravel race bike and being Marita the value for money is always really good too unless you’re watching in the US where Marita aren’t available unfortunately but here in the UK and Europe they are a good choice not
The sexest or the most appealing but definitely good value money and a very sensible option Comfort is definitely a priority when bike packing and adventure riding in my experience and especially I diverge is one of the smoothest riding gravel bike I’ve ever tested and there are two versions there’s the original
With the Future Shock up front or there’s a new STD with a future shop in the back the ride front and rear compliance But whichever you choose get a bike they’re well designed for bike packing adventure riding the space for 47 mil wide tires loads of mounts for
Bags racks and so on down two storage for all your snacks and spare tools and a geometry that just works brilly when you’re riding Offroad the only downside to buying a specialized is the prices are often higher than Brands like maid and giant most of the bikes in the video
So far have been carbon fiber but there are options if you don’t want carbon like aluminium and Amazon Boker is a great example of aluminium done to another level it really is a fine looking bike Pack full of amazing details and really is a showcase for how
Good aluminum can be not only in looks but also in ride quality as well it’s a fantastic riding bike definitely a spritely character very responsive perhaps not the smoothness but when you fit a big chunky mant bite Tire there’s plenty of smoothness and comfort over a rough track racks and it’s well equipped
For bike packing space with big tires mud gun mounts mounts on the fork a frame for bags and racks and so on and a geometry that gives you that assured Mana when you’re riding Offroad fully laden with all your Survival equipment for a few days away from home another
Non-carbon option is the fair light San which I personally own a Rena 853 steeled tube bike it looks amazing Pack full of details and rise extremely well too and tire clearance on a San is very generous one of the best in the class and there are option to fit all sorts of
Racks bags cages Dynam lights as well it’s a very versatile very adaptable bike and my favorite feature about Fair light is the fact they offer two stack Heights for each frame size so choose a 56 which I ride you have a regular head tube or a tall head tube the sort of
Customization that most mainstream bike brands don’t offer and short of going full custom it’s a really nice detail getting the right size bike that actually fits you perfectly and while steel would never be as light as carbon fiber it’s definitely not a heavy frame and you can get a decent weight build if
You are careful with the components you choose but the ride quality the compliance the smoothness more than make up for that weight penalty these materials offer so much more than the performance you get from a carbon bike so those are some of the best gravel bikes I recommend in 2024 but there are
Loads more you could consider as well and you can let me know what I’ve missed by leaving a comment down below but if you see my full Archive of gravel bite reviews then watch the playlist right up here there are loads more to consider as
Well I could have made a video 10 20 or 30 bikes but I had to narrow it down to keep it fairly short anyway that’s all for today thank you so much for watching I’ll see you again very soon
28 Comments
Orbea Terra and Cannondale Topstone🙂
I am thinking of buying the Canyon grail, but also to use for bikepacking . What do you think about the Canyon Grail for bikepacking, for Racing for that?
Origine Graxx III GTO for me. Awesome bike.
Kinda shocked you did not include the Lauf Seigla in this.
Thank you. The Scott inclusion was correct. Had mine for 12 months and it’s hard to beat.
Perhaps missing the crux but it’s not a new bike….
Great video, thanks. Would like to see how Crux and Trek Checkpoint would slot into this list.
Bianchi Impulso RC is coming out in early 2024, it was announced in November. Its a great looking bike.
No crux?? Hmm…
Scott rulez😊
Could you review the Mason Exposure, pretty please. Especially curious how the Secan and Exposure stack up against each other.
I love what Fairlight is doing, I think all their models are fantastic, I’d happily own any of them- I’ve been thinking about a Holt lately….
I'm honestly staggered by your work ethic David. Just keeping up with watching is like having a part time job! keep it up and Happy new year to you.
the Grail is the most unexciting bike I've seen in a while lol such a boring bike in every aspect.
A Fairlight would be my choice…….steel frame, two choices per frame size…..
I have a Marin headlands 2 & I absolutely love it ! Great video though.
Where is Orbea?
Can't believe the Trek Checkpoint didn't make the list. Awesome bike.
Great video…. but very surprised you've not included the Ridley Kanzo Fast in the 'fast Gravel' bike section?
Please Time Adhx 45 on test !!!
Best gravel bike is mtb ht especially in UK
I love how the chapter mouseover says "Fairlight Sedan" – I see what you did there!
About choosing the right gravel bike: wasn’t the Diverge a race bike before the new Crux was released? While certain bikes are more suited to racing than others, isn’t marketing playing a big role? My guess is that a Diverge is a very capable race bike, maybe course dependent.
Great video. Very helpful too. I am buying a new bike 🚲 in 2024.
Edited to add that I would like to know what you think of Marin bikes. I am considering a Marin gravel bike for commuting and adventure riding.
Would love to see a review of the Cannondale Supersix EVO SE, very little online about it.
@davidarthur Thanks for the video. Curious about the position you would give the cannondale topstone carbon in the bikepacking. What do you think of the bike in 2024?
it's a real pity that BMC didn't see clear to sending you a Kaius. I don't know what BMC is up to these days: they've fallen out of the World Tour and they don't seem too anxious to promote their performance gravel bike. The road bikes remain at the very top end of the affordability range too, or is that the low end? They're damned expensive!
Gravel bikes have hit the same wall that road bikes have, where there's nothing more to innovate unless you want to count stuff that's nice but not necessary but drives up the price, like electronic shifting