What Are Gravel Bikes?: A Beginner’s Guide

Is the open road calling to you? Owning a bike is one of the best ways to get out in nature and exercise in a fun way, and gravel bikes are the perfect choice of transport.

Quickly rising in popularity over the past few years, gravel bikes are a top choice for cyclists across the world, offering speed, performance, and excellent durability.

But what exactly are gravel bikes, and how can they be used? Stick with Moda Bikes to find out as we dive into the world of gravel cycling.

What Is a Gravel Bike?

Gravel bikes are not just any ordinary bike; as multi-purpose bicycles, they’re designed to glide over various surfaces with ease, including asphalt, gravel roads, and light trails.

Built for stability and comfort, these bikes are a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike. They feature wider tyres and a sturdy frame like a mountain bike but offer excellent speed and efficiency like a road bike.

With a drop handlebar, gravel bikes allow riders to comfortably switch between different hand positions, alleviating fatigue and providing great aerodynamic advantages. You can spot a drop handlebar by its downward, sloped design.

Key Features of Gravel Bikes

Here’s what sets gravel bikes apart from your ordinary pedal bike:

Wider tyres: The wider tyres allow gravel bikes to grip loose and uneven surfaces effectively, adding an extra layer of safety and stability. Ranging from 35mm to 45mm in width, gravel bike tyres offer better traction.
Additional mounting points: You will often find extra mounts for carrying gear like panniers, water bottles, and bags, making them beneficial for long adventures.
Comfort-focused geometry: With a more relaxed frame, gravel bikes provide better posture than road bikes so that riders can maintain greater control on uneven terrain. That’s because they feature a longer wheelbase and slacker angles for the frames and forks.
Durability: Gravel bikes are commonly made from aluminium and carbon. However, many bikes are also designed with steel and titanium. All of these are designed to endure rough conditions and provide a lightweight frame that’s easy to manoeuvre.
Gear range: Equipped with a wide range of gears, gravel bikes can handle steep off-road climbs to fast descents on smooth roads. Most gravel bikes include a 1x groupset, which includes a single chainring at the front and up to 12 gears on the rear.

Drivetrain Options

If you’re not already familiar with bikes, the drivetrain refers to the part of the bike that you use to push or power it along.

For example, the pedals, chainrings, chains, cogs, cranks, and derailleur are all a part of the drivetrain system. When it comes to gravel bikes, the drivetrain is designed to offer the best efficiency and versatility for riding across bumpy paths or up steep inclines.

The two main drivetrain setups you’ll encounter on a gravel bike are:

1. 1x Drivetrains

A 1x drivetrain is identified by its single chainring at the front, paired with a wide-range cassette at the back.

If you’re looking for something simple, this is the best option. With the front derailleur eliminated, the gears are easier to shift, as it reduces the mechanical complexity and weight. You’ll no longer have burning thighs when riding over rough terrain!

Better yet, the wide cassette range provides enough gears for steep climbs and fast descents. However, if you’re going to be using your bike mostly on flat roads, you’ll notice the slightly larger gaps between gears when cycling.

But fewer moving parts mean less wear and tear, so this is the perfect low-maintenance option for beginner gravel cyclists.

2. 2x Drivetrains

If you’re looking for something a bit more professional, then opt for a gravel bike with a 2x drivetrain.

Including two chainrings at the front and a smaller range cassette at the back, this option is favourable for cyclists who have more experience on their saddle. Additional gear options mean you can navigate varied terrain with ease, with smooth gear changes for a controlled and comfortable ride.

If you’re someone who likes to challenge yourself with steep climbs and high-speed flats, this is the perfect choice (especially for those long journeys).

Brake Systems

Gravel bikes are designed to encounter a wide range of rough terrain, so they need brakes that can keep up.

That’s why these bikes are equipped with disc brakes, offering outstanding stopping power, reliability, and performance (even in challenging weather conditions!) For this reason, cyclists who frequently encounter muddy paths or drive in rainy conditions choose a gravel bike as their travel companion.

However, not all disc brakes are the same, and you’ll encounter two types on most gravel bikes:

1. Mechanical Disc Brakes

This is similar to traditional rim brakes but boasts improved performance, using a cable system to operate the brake callipers.

While these are more affordable than their hydraulic counterparts, they’re less powerful, especially when climbing up steep surfaces. However, this is the perfect brake system for a beginner and is easier to maintain and repair.

2. Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Providing a smooth and efficient braking experience, hydraulic brake systems offer unparalleled braking power, perfect for experienced cyclists.

These brakes use fluid to transfer force from the brake lever to the calliper, allowing you easier control over braking, even during steep descents or poor weather conditions. Hydraulic brakes are less prone to damage, yet they’re more expensive than mechanical brakes and require more complex repairs.

Suspension Considerations

When it comes to gravel bikes, there are various suspension options you can aim for to increase capability, especially for more technical trails.

Added suspension can help to reduce the amount of bumpy vibrations you experience when cycling, reduce fatigue during long journeys, and boost overall comfort. With so many choices, here are a few common suspension offers you can find for gravel bikes on the market:

Fully rigid bikes: Designed with a rigid frame and fork, this provides more efficient pedalling, a lighter frame, and more protection against damage. These excel on paved roads, hard-packed gravel, and light trails.
Suspension forks: Front suspension forks ranging from 20mm to 40mm improve comfort on rocky terrain and provide better control and traction. The forks absorb shock; however, this adds to the weight of the bike.
Integrated micro-suspension: These are incorporated into the frame or flexible chainstays, seat stays, and handlebars to allow the bike to flex slightly during impact. This adds no extra weight but offers only subtle improvement.
Suspension seat posts: Offering additional comfort, these seat posts feature built-in mechanisms, such as elastomers or springs, to absorb vibrations from bumps. These are lightweight and reduce shocks to the saddle, but they’re not effective on extremely rough terrain.
Full suspension gravel bikes: With limited options on the market, these bikes have both front and rear shocks aimed at riders tackling extremely rough trails. Designed for professional use, full-suspension bikes are heavier and more expensive.

The Uses of Gravel Bikes

If you’ve gotten to the end of our blog and you’re still wondering, ‘What are gravel bikes used for?’ then we’re sure this list will clear things up.

With their popular and versatile design, gravel bikes can be used for a wide range of cycling activities, including:

Racing and events
Fitness
Daily commuting
Adventure cycling
Winter and all-weather riding
Bikepacking
Touring
Off-road exploration

Choosing the Right Gravel Bike

Now that you’re ready to hit the road and explore all types of terrain, you need a trustworthy companion to accompany your journey.

Whether it’s the thrill of an off-road escape or the adrenaline of gravel racing, the perfect gravel bike is waiting for you at Moda Bikes.

With a range of sleek, stylish designs to choose from, you can find a bike that combines durability, speed, and convenience into one. Browse our selection today to start your adventure off the right way. The world is waiting!