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gravel bikes vs road bikes: What's the deal?

By Evan Lee

Gravel riding is the big buzz again this year. Around the shop, gravel bike inquiries are eclipsed only by e-bike interest. 

So how did what seems like a niche cycling pursuit, populated by esoteric and nostalgic roadies, become so mainstream?

Riding gravel routes on a road bike is nothing new.  Over a century ago, the routes of the Tour de France were raced entirely on gravel roads.

Even as modern asphalt road paving became common in the twentieth century, the dirt aspect of road racing was included as part of all the Grand Tours in Europe up into the 1970s. In recent years, gravel summit finishes and route sections have again become commonplace, though not to everyone’s approval.

Nevertheless, dirt and gravel roads are deeply embedded in the history of road cycling, and it has now evolved into its own standalone cycling discipline. Solo adventures, organized rides, and gravel races await. There's even a UCI World Championship race launching this year.

You may be thinking: if those old time roadies raced dirt roads on road bikes, why can’t I? 

You can, and it’s certainly a challenging and fun venture. 

However, the limitations those riders suffered haven’t changed. Modern approaches and technology provide excellent options to allow enjoyment, performance, and safety when you want to take a drop-bar bike off the tarmac. Let’s explore the major differences in road and gravel bikes.

GEOMETRY

Road bikes are designed for speed and efficiency. Their frame geometry provides for enhanced aerodynamics by placing the rider in an aggressive low position. The nimble and agile handling characteristics of road bikes are achieved via steep head tube angles, short wheelbases, and low bottom bracket heights.

Gravel bikes, while looking like road bikes, feature longer wheelbases and slacker head tube angles for a more upright riding position that enhances stability and comfort on the rough stuff. Higher bottom brackets provide better clearance.

TIRE SIZE

Road bikes generally run 23mm – 28mm width tires with inflation pressures as high as 120psi. This provides a minimal contact patch with the tarmac and increased rolling efficiency, which is key to maintaining high speeds over long distances. Additionally, the smooth surface of these tires increases traction on the pavement.

Gravel bikes need to ride the pavement well, while also providing the necessary traction and cornering abilities required by going off road. Tire widths are much bigger, 32mm up to 42mm, and the surface of the tires is often a combination of smooth and knobby, with some designs mostly knobby to handle really aggressive terrain. The inflation pressure run in these tires is significantly lower, from 55-75 psi, providing enhanced comfort and traction.

GEARING

Road bikes generally feature a traditional 2x chainring setup in a range like 52/36 paired with a cassette of 11-30. Some bikes will be 50/34 with 11-34. These gear ranges allow riders to achieve and maintain higher top end speeds and also to grind up climbs, while the tight range in the rear allows for fine tuning the shifts to maintain cadence.

Gravel bikes also utilize 2x setups, in ranges like 48/31. Paired with an 11-32 cassette, this provides plenty of top-end for typically lower-speed gravel rides, with enough range to handle those repeated pesky climbs so prevalent on gravel country roads.

Some gravel riders have also taken the cue from the mountain bike world and utilize a 1x setup. No front derailleur, a chainring of your choosing between, say, 36 and 42, coupled with a wide-range cassette of 10-42 up to 10-50, and you have simplicity and range for most any gravel road.

And, yes -- gravel bikes can be setup single speed, like the rig in the colorful accessory photo below.

ACCESSORY OPTIONS

Road bikes are all about being light and snappy. Other than a bottle cage and maybe a seat bag, you’ll not find many places to mount or carry anything on a road bike. That’s what jersey pockets are for.

Gravel bikes are often used for bikepacking and other extended adventures. The amount of gear that can be attached to the various mounting points and fixtures ensures you can bring everything you need for overnight adventuring and more.

Many WRC staffers are dedicated gravel aficionados and we are here to help you begin to explore the forest roads and gravel routes. 

Come in and check out your options!

 Shop Gravel Bikes