Gravel bikes 2022: The Velomotion editorial team has chosen the best gravel bikes of 2022. We show you our 16 highlights from the Gravel and E-Gravel area with exciting innovations and daring designs.
Ride fast on gravel paths or go on a bike tour with the racing handlebars? Gravel bikes allow both, although there are such, such and such: Some are veritable off-road racing machines, others are expedition bikes with wide tires - and some almost look like a mountain bike. What they all have in common is the racing handlebars, which are of course built in very different shapes and widths, and the option of fitting tires from approx. 40 mm – preferably tubeless, i.e. without a tube, which reduces puncture protection and rolling resistance.
The large variety of models means that you should do some research before you buy a gravel bike: How and what do you want to ride with it? Should it also be used in everyday life, or is a pure sports bike desired? The clear differences in the equipment must also be considered, including the question of whether you prefer gearing with one or two chainrings - i.e. simple operation or a larger range of gear ratios - and the question of mounting options for carrier systems, mudguards, etc. The following Overview shows gravel bikes of the model year 2022 in the whole range that the market offers, even an e-bike is included. Everyone should find what they are looking for here - or at least get a better idea of what the right gravel bike is for them.
More offroad, more aero
With the new Addict Gravel, Scott presented his first real gravel bike after using a cyclocross frame set for two years. The new off-roader differs minimally in terms of geometry, but clearly in terms of its appearance, which is characterized by the aerodynamic racing bike - this is evidenced by the aero seat post, tear-off edges on the frame and the handlebar-stem combination along with fully integrated lines. In contrast to the old Addict Gravel, tires up to 45 mm wide can now be mounted; In addition, there are now genre-typical mounting options for a bag on the top tube, the third bottle holder and mudguards. The expensive top model comes with Sram Red AXS and light carbon wheels; the number two in the range offers hardly any less technology for 3.000 euros less.
8.699 € / scott-sports.com
Trail gravel bike with a lot of technology
The sports brand from Cologne transfers its expertise from professional mountain biking to gravel bikes and will be launching the completely new Bulls Machete in 2022. The striking bike combines the aero look and feel of modern racing bikes with a tightly fitted rear end and flat top tube with a modern trail geometry that combines safe straight-line stability with agile handling thanks to a long top tube and short stem. The short chainstays also ensure maneuverability, while tires up to 50 mm wide fit in the frame and fork. In terms of equipment, Bulls relies on the latest Sram components and combines the shifter and crankset of the Sram Rival AXS with the electronic GX Eagle rear derailleur, which can shift the huge 52 sprocket of the XNUMX-speed cassette. Then there is the innovative RockShox seat post, which can be lowered electronically.
3.999 € / bulls.de
Graveller for road riders
With the Topstone models, Cannondale has a broad range when it comes to gravel, but now the US brand is following suit in the sporty area and is presenting the SuperSix Evo SE, whose frame with different equipment is also used as a cyclocross bike. Visually, it is based on the SuperSix road bike, and the seat geometry differs only slightly from it. The Evo SE should also prove itself on asphalt; it can be driven with tires up to 45 mm wide. The new model dispenses with Gravel-typical thread inserts, as well as the rear suspension of the Cannondale Topstone Carbon - so it is designed for fast rides and races on any terrain, less for bikepacking tours or trails. Complementing it with Sram Rival AXS 2×12 and fairly light DT Swiss wheels also goes well with this.
4.699 € / cannondale. com
Aluminum Urs for bike packers
BMC follows suit and now presents its successful Gravelbike Urs in an aluminum version. The Urs AL adopts the trail geometry of the carbon model with a long top tube, slack head angle and short stem; together with the long wheelbase, all this stands for optimal directional stability and handy steering. Unlike the Urs Carbon, the aluminum bike is also available with a double crank, and fork mounts can also be mounted here - making the Urs AL particularly suitable for bikepacking adventures. With the Urs AL Three for 1.999 euros, which is equipped with Shimano GRX 2×10, BMC now also offers an inexpensive entry-level model. The AL One relies on the high-quality Sram Apex with a mountain-compatible 11-42 cassette and the solid, yet relatively light DT-Swiss C1850 Spline, which is ideal for wide tubeless tires.
2.499 € / bmc-switzerland.com
Trail gravel bike with suspension fork
The Austrians have not only given their aluminum gravel bike a new frame, they are also presenting a carbon model that bridges the gap to MTB hardtails with the new Sram XPLR. With a slack steering angle, long top tube and long wheelbase, the X-Strada is optimized for straight-line stability, with a short stem improving handling; Of course, the eye-catcher on the bike is the RockShox fork with 40 mm of travel, which makes the bike all-round suitable for trails. Tires up to 45 mm wide can be mounted; Fast 40 Conti Terra Speed are mounted ex works on the high-quality DT Swiss wheel set. The gear ratio is also sporty: the twelve gears are slightly more closely spaced at 10-44 teeth and can be changed quickly and precisely thanks to the Sram electronic gearshift.
4.099 € / ktm-bikes.at
Lots of thrust with Shimano motor
Giant equips its e-gravel bike with the new EP8 from Shimano, a very high-torque motor with 85 Nm, which was developed for e-mountain bikes but also has its place on the gravel. Different driving profiles can be configured via app, with which the drive characteristics can be adapted to the intended use; The system can also be connected to a bike computer of your choice via ANT+. The integrated battery with 500 watt hours allows for long tours, whereby the drive should offer almost no resistance above 25 km/h - so you can make good progress on the level and downhill on your own. Shimano also contributes the electronic GRX Di2, which pleases with precise gear changes and particularly ergonomic levers. The 40 mm wide Maxxis tires can be converted to tubeless with the accessories supplied.
4.999 € / giant-bicycles.com
Proven now in carbon
With their first carbon gravel bike, the Hamburg-based company is causing big eyes: The Camino is a full kilo lighter than the aluminum model Prestige with largely the same equipment, while being significantly more elegant in detail and only 600 euros more expensive. Stevens has remained true to the new geometry presented for the 2021 model year, which is trail-oriented with a long top tube and short stem, but offers a steeper steering angle for agile handling, so that the bike feels very lively despite the long wheelbase. The slightly lower fork height of the carbon bike brings the handlebars down a few millimeters. The routing of the cables and lines through the stem to the inside of the frame is very successful; In terms of mounting options, the Camino is just as versatile as the Prestige, with which it also shares the Shimano GRX equipment.
2.499 € / stevensbikes.de
Gravel debut for your birthday
For its 35th anniversary, the bicycle manufacturer, which has been offering racing bikes and touring bikes since its early days, is finally treating itself to a real gravel bike with a steel frame that is manufactured exclusively by a frame construction company. With a long wheelbase and fairly sporty seat geometry, designed for fast paces and long tours, and with all kinds of threaded holes that can be retrofitted in a variety of ways, the GX-1200 is built with the noble Campagnolo Ekar, whose 13 gears from 10 to 44 teeth result in an enormous range of gear ratios. In addition, there are light and aerodynamic Campagnolo Shamal wheels with 45 mm wide Schwalbe tires and a Ritchey carbon post for additional comfort. The limited special model will be available in stores at the beginning of 2022; Those interested should speak to the VSF dealer now.
5.999,99 € / Fahrradmanufaktur.de
Aero racer for wide tires
The 3T occupies a niche that is currently largely ignored by its competitors: In terms of seat and steering geometry, it is a thoroughbred road bike, which is also underlined by the aerodynamic shapes of the frameset with a recessed seat tube, aero post and extremely wide Kammtail down tube . The clearance at the rear end and fork is dimensioned in such a way that 40 mm wide tires have enough space and even a 30 mm racing tire doesn't look lost; If you want to ride trails, you can mount 650 mm wide tires on 60B wheels. This means that the Exploro is at home on pretty much any terrain, especially when it combines fine gradation with a large range of gear ratios with a 2×12 drivetrain. With the new Sram Rival AXS and a simple Fulcrum wheel set, the innovative Italian is of course quite expensive.
5.499 € / 3t.bike
Innovative - printed - soldered
Urwahn from Magdeburg is currently one of the most innovative manufacturers in the industry. With its local industrial partners, the company produces uniquely shaped frames from 3D-printed connecting parts and steel tubes, which offer comfortable shock absorption due to the lack of a seat tube. New to the range is the Waldwiesel gravel bike with 1×11 gears, whose flowing shapes are further emphasized by the cables integrated into the stem. Extremely sporty with steep angles and a long top tube, the Waldwiesel can easily be upgraded to a bikepacking bike with a carrier system and even mudguards, making it extremely versatile. The simple but solid wheel set with DT Swiss rims and 40 Conti tires can be converted to tubeless, making the inexpensive gravel weasel even more comfortable.
4.499 € / urwahnbikes.com
Lively bikepacker with new parts
Contrary to what Focus might have expected, the brand by no means presented a sporty, light gravel bike with the Atlas, but rather a super-solid long-distance bike with an aluminum frame that is tailored to the needs of bikepackers. The Atlas offers almost unlimited options for transporting luggage: Five bottle holders can be attached, as well as brackets on the fork and rear triangle, and the bike comes with a top tube bag. Wide tires are also possible: 47 mm for 28 inches and a whopping two inches if you want to run 650B wheels. The cable routing, which is completely integrated into the stem, is elegant and unusual for an aluminum frame. The new top model of the series comes with Shimano GRX810 in the 1×11 version and with solid DT Swiss wheels.
2.499 € / focus-bikes.com
In a vintage look for self-assembly
The Ascent by Tom Ritchey is not an off-the-shelf bike, which is why the mountain bike veteran only offers its all-rounder as a frame set for self-assembly. Which shouldn't be too complicated, especially since all cables and lines are routed outside of the slender steel tubes. The frame geometry is somewhere between a mountain bike and a touring bike and allows a wide variety of setups and purposes - whether as a touring bike with straight handlebars or as a gravel bike with a wide racing bar. With numerous threaded holes, the Ascent is also perfect as a touring bike. Despite its retro look, the steel frame with thru-axles and disc brake mounts is of course state-of-the-art, and you can choose between 27,5 and 28 inch wheels. This is how you can gravel in a traditional and individual way!
1.299 € / ritcheylogic.com
Even more comfort on a fast bike
With the new version of the Checkpoint, Trek is again targeting gravel racers who want to go full throttle over long distances. The seating position is stretched, with the 2022 model following the trend towards longer top tubes and shorter stems; a steep steering angle ensures manoeuvrability. The wheel with a maximum tire width of 45 mm is fully off-road capable. The adjustable dropouts of the previous model have been thrown overboard and instead of the typical Trek "seat dome" there is now a conventional, more practical seat post; on the other hand, Trek has optimized the cable routing and lets everything run under the stem into the frame. The significantly scalloped seat tube promises to add even more flex to the in-house IsoSpeed damping system, which should result in plenty of shock absorption at the saddle. With a mix of Shimano-GRX components and wheels and tires from Bontrager, the Checkpoint is very well equipped – and quite inexpensive at the same time.
from €3,499 / trekbikes.com
Noble gravel bike for individualists
The Prague frame builder is known for exquisitely painted one-offs of the highest quality, whose carbon tubes are manufactured by a high-tech company in the nearby Bohemian Forest. After the crossover racer Rover, Festka is now launching a real gravel bike with the Scout, which, like all of the company's frames, can also be made to measure and can be individually equipped with add-on options. A longer wheelbase ensures that the Scout has straight-line stability, and the caster can be changed by inserts in the fork, which allows the steering behavior to be adjusted. Tires up to 42 mm wide can be ridden, alternatively 50 mm wide 650B tires on appropriate wheels. In addition to the frame set for self-assembly, which is available in different finishes through to individual coloring, Festka offers complete bikes - let's get started for 6.990 euros with Shimano GRX 1×11 and Mavic wheels.
from €4.990 (frame set) / festka.com
Proven bike in trail trim
Based on the proven Silex carbon frame, this 2022 model comes with attractive equipment: The "Plus" rolls on 45 mm wide 650B tires that ensure maximum grip and comfort off-road; The wheel set from the Italian manufacturer Fulcrum is perfectly tailored to the wide tires with an internal width of 23 mm. In addition, Merida specifies the new Sram Rival XPLR AXS: The electronically operated twelve-speed gearshift has a wide range with a 10-44 cassette and is also well equipped for difficult terrain and steep sections. The Silex frame with distinctive shapes, internally routed cables and various attachment options is still nice to look at; the compact, more upright sitting position suits those who understand "graveling" to mean riding on demanding routes or trails.
from €2.899 / merida-bikes.com
Entry with top equipment
The own brand of the online provider Fahrrad.de delivers an amazingly complete gravel bike at a reasonable price, which as an all-rounder is made for beginners. The balanced, sporty seating position allows longer tours as well as use in hobby cross races; Frame and fork allow the attachment of mudguards. The internal cable and cable routing through the down tube and through the carbon fork with aluminum shaft is good. In view of the low price, the impeccable equipment with Sram Apex 1 is also pleasing: The US manufacturer's cheapest gravel groupset comes with an eleven-speed gear shift and hydraulic disc brakes, so that there are no differences to significantly more expensive bikes in terms of function and operation. The Alexrims system wheels, which are not too heavy, can be converted to tubeless and are modernly fitted with thru axles. And you can also look forward to high-quality Zipp attachments.
1.399 € / Fahrrad.de
Order Velomotion test yearbook Gravel
You can find even more exciting gravel bikes in our Velomotion test yearbook 2021. Here we tested 27 gravel bikes and also 11 e-gravel bikes.
Click here and send an email with the delivery address directly to office@velomotion.
Interested readers can still order the test yearbook at a retail price of 6,90 euros. Payment either by invoice or PayPal markt@velomotion.de
Leave a Comment