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This article explains the differences, pros, and cons of road vs. gravel bikes. I have plenty of experience with both types, so I will break things down and share my insights. By the end, you’ll understand how they differ, what they’re best for, and their drawbacks.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The main difference between road and gravel bikes is that gravel bikes are more versatile, comfortable, and suitable for terrain because of their wide tire clearance and tires. Both bike types use drop bars. They also have similar frame geometry and wheel size. I recommend using a road bike on paved roads and if you are all about speed. Choose a gravel bike if you want to have more freedom and also want to ride off-road.
Quick Comparison of Road vs. Gravel Bikes
Here is a summary of the main differences between road and gravel bikes (and other bike types).
| Feature | Road Bikes | Gravel Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | Mountain Bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Endurance or performance oriented | Endurance or performance oriented | Usually endurance or upright Sometimes performance oriented | Usually more upright |
| Suitable for | Paved roads | Paved, gravel, dirt, or forest roads | Paved, gravel, dirt, or forest roads | All types of terrains |
| Unsuitable for | Most terrains except paved roads | MTB-like terrain | MTB-like terrain | Paved roads |
| Versatility | Low | Great | Good | Great |
| Gearing | 2X Sometimes 1X | 1X or 2X Sometimes 3X | 3X or 2X Sometimes 1X | 1X or 2X Sometimes 3X |
| Suspension | No suspension | Sometimes front suspension Occasionally suspension seat post | Sometimes front suspension | Front suspension Rear suspension |
| Brakes | Disc or rim | Usually disc brakes | Disc or rim | Disc or rim |
| Maneuverability | Good | Good | Great | Great |
| Relative comfort | Bad | Good | Good | Great |
| Handlebars | Dropped | Dropped | Flat or curved | Flat |
| Tyres | Narrow | Narrow or wide | Narrow or wide | Wide |
| Wheels diameter | 700c | 650b, 700c | 700c, 26″ | 26″, 27.5″, 29″ |
| Browse | Road Bikes | Gravel Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | Mountain Bikes |
Road bikes are suitable for paved roads because of their 700c wheels with narrow tires. They have sporty geometry that allows you to sit in an aerodynamic position. This position is faster than the upright position on hybrid or mountain bikes but similar to gravel bikes.
Many of today’s road bikes have wider tire clearances (up to 32 or 36mm) than road bikes from a decade ago (up to 25 mm). Road bikes are the fastest bike type on paved roads, allowing you to ride long distances without much effort.
Gravel bikes are a subcategory of road bikes. They are suitable for various surfaces, including paved, gravel, forest, and dirt roads. This versatility comes from wider tire clearance and tires. Gravel bikes for lighter terrain mostly use 700c wheels, while those for rougher terrain have 650b wheels.
They allow you to ride relatively fast on paved sections, but you don’t have to limit yourself to them only. Some gravel bikes also come with a suspension fork, contributing to higher riding comfort.
Check out the following table, which summarizes the benefits and disadvantages of gravel and road bikes.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Road Bikes | • Excel on paved roads thanks to narrow tires and aerodynamic riding position • Are more aerodynamic • Are lighter | • Unsuitable for terrain • The riding position may not be comfortable for less flexible riders • Less comfortable ride due to the lack of suspension and narrow tires • Have narrower tire clearance • Offer worse compatibility with additional accessories like panniers, fenders, etc. |
| Gravel Bikes | • Are versatile (i.e., suitable for a wide range of terrains) thanks to the wider tire clearance and tires • Can have suspension fork or post • Can have a wider drop handlebar for more leverage when riding out of the saddle • Are compatible with more accessories like fenders, panniers, additional bottle cages, etc. • Often have a more relaxed geometry | • Are not as fast (especially on paved surfaces) • Are less aerodynamic • Are heavier |
Features Comparison of Gravel vs. Road Bikes
Let me now compare gravel and road bike features in depth.
Geometry and Riding Position
Road bikes include multiple subtypes and gravel bikes are one of them.
The ‘endurance’ and ‘performance’ geometry of road bikes differ. The endurance one is more relaxed and allows you to ride in a more upright position. Performance geometry is suitable for racing road bikes. It has a larger drop and longer reach, pushing the rider into a more aerodynamic and faster riding position.
Gravel bikes also copy a similar trend. Some are more ‘sporty,’ suitable for lighter terrain and racing, while some have relaxed geometry with a longer wheelbase. This ensures better stability in terrain and a more comfortable ride.
In road cycling, (almost) everything is about weight and aerodynamics. This means that the ideal (and therefore the fastest) riding position is when you reduce the frontal area. An excellent example is Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 UCI World Road Race Champion, who has a super-aero riding position.
And here is my trying to do the same:
Gravel biking is different. It focuses more on riding comfort and easier handling. The following picture shows the geometry differences between road and gravel bikes.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels and tires are the biggest difference between gravel and road bikes. While road bikes use almost exclusively 700c wheels (except smaller bike sizes that may use smaller, 27.5” wheels) and smooth tires, gravel bikes use 700c or 650b wheels with knobby tires.
Nowadays, 25 and 28-mm tires are standard among road cyclists (21 and 23-mm were popular not so long ago). However, wider, 30 to 32-mm tires are becoming increasingly popular.
TIP: Learn more about the tire and rim width in road cycling.
You can run wider tires on lower pressures so they can absorb more bumps and vibrations, leading to a more comfortable ride. Therefore, many bike brands have started to equip their road bikes with 28mm or even 32mm tires.
With gravel bikes, things are more complicated because there are more options. First, the tires are wider, and second, they have a thread. Choosing the optimal thread for your preferred terrain is a discipline on its own and often requires a lot of experimentation.
The following table summarizes tire widths and suitable surfaces.
| Grade | Definition | Suggested Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarmac, bad paved roads with cobbles | 700×25 – 700×32 |
| 2 | Dirt roads | 700×28 – 700×35 |
| 3 | Light gravel | 700×32 – 700×38 |
| 4 | Rough gravel | 700×35 – 700×40+ |
| 5 | MTB terrain | 700×38+ / 650b |
Source: cyclingtips.com
Gearing
Road bikes usually come with 2X drivetrains (2×11spd or 2×12spd). You will encounter groupset manufacturers like Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo, and electronic or mechanical groupsets. Due to the similarity of road and gravel bikes, some gravel bikes use road bike groupsets.
The following table shows the overview of road bike groupsets from major manufacturers.
| Level | Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Claris | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Sora | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Tiagra | Apex | Mechanical | |
| Mid-range | 105 11spd 105 12 spd 105 12 spd Di2¹ | Rival Rival eTap AXS¹ | Centaur | Mechanical |
| Mid-range | Force | Chorus | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Ultegra Di2 | Force eTap AXS | Chorus EPS | Electronic |
| Pro | RED | Record Super Record | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Dura-Ace Di2 | RED eTap AXS | Super Record EPS | Electronic |
¹Shimano 105 Di2 and Rival eTap AXS are electronic groupsets.
Gravel bikes, on the other hand, often have 1X drivetrains (1×11spd or 1×12spd). This applies mainly to gravel bikes for rougher terrain. It’s a trend copied from mountain biking.
The market also offers gravel-specific groupsets like Shimano GRX, SRAM XPLR, or Campagnolo Ekar. Those have easier gears that allow you to tackle steep climbs in the saddle.
| Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | GRX 10spd | Mechanical | ||
| Mid range | GRX 11spd | Force XPLR eTap* | Ekar | Mechanical |
| Pro | GRX Di2 11spd | RED XPLR eTap | Electronic |
*Force XPLR eTap is electronic.
Should you get a 1X or 2X groupset on a gravel bike?
The choice mainly depends on the terrain you want to ride in. For paved roads and light gravel, 2X groupsets are better because you have more and harder gears. If you want to ride more off-road, choose 1by setup with easier gears.
Brakes
Gravel bikes almost exclusively have disc brakes. This also applies to most new road bikes. (Source) Rim brakes became obsolete on road bikes.
The main difference between disc and rim brakes is their weight and effectiveness in wet conditions. Rim brakes are lighter but less effective, especially with carbon road bike wheels. Disc brakes can provide better-stopping power but are more expensive. There are also different disc brake types. More affordable bikes come with mechanical ones and the more expensive ones with hydraulic ones. You can read my comparison of hydraulic vs. mechanical disc brakes to learn more.
Suspension
Road bikes usually don’t offer any suspension. There are exceptions, like Specialized’s Future Shock suspension headset on Roubaix road bikes, Trek’s IsoSpeed suspension, or Canyon’s VCLS seatposts.
Some gravel bikes come with a suspension fork inspired by mountain bikes. There are also bikes with suspension seatposts or rear suspension. The question then becomes whether a mountain bike is a better choice for the terrain.
Manufacturers simply offer their customers ways to make their rides more comfortable. Only you decide whether these features are costly gimmicks or must-haves.
Frame Materials
Road and gravel bikes have frames mostly made of aluminum or carbon. Steel and titanium are in the minority. But these are the four most used bike frame materials.
Aluminum is a cheap and relatively lightweight material suitable for entry-level bikes. It is used on beginner road bikes and budget gravel bikes.
Carbon is stiffer and lighter but more expensive. It can absorb more vibrations, contributing to a more comfortable ride. It’s more common on more expensive road and gravel bikes.
In the end, the choice depends on your budget. Aluminum is a good entry-level. Carbon frames are more expensive and, therefore, more popular among those who love cycling.
Accessories
Gravel bikes are designed for adventures. This means they provide better compatibility with additional accessories. You can equip them with fenders to protect you against mud. In addition, they have slots for two or more bottle cages to carry more water or attach panniers to extend your cargo capacity.
Road bikes are simpler and don’t offer these benefits. The exception is touring road bikes.
Conclusion
Gravel bikes are a subcategory of road bikes, but their versatility has made them incredibly popular. They perform well on paved roads and can handle off-road terrain with ease.
Choosing between a gravel and road bike depends on your riding style, where you live, and the type of terrain you plan to ride. When I first rode a gravel bike off-road, I was amazed at how well it managed challenging terrain.
Sometimes, a road bike with enough tire clearance for knobby tires might work for light gravel, dirt, or forest paths. But it will always be more limiting. If you want to continue with your research, I recommend reading my in-depth guides on:
Eventually, you can:
Let me know in the comments below which of these two bike types you are considering and why.
I’ve been reading articles about gravel bikes and this is the best article I’ve read so far – very helpful and easy to read. I’m a mountain biker in Colorado thinking about a gravel bike so I can enter more organized events. I entered the MS bike ride coming up in June and my choices are my mountain bike or my really old road bike. In a local bike store recently the salesperson suggested a gravel bike for this. It sounds like the perfect answer. What do you all think? Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot, Gina. I appreciate it! 🙂
Gravel bike seems like a good suggestion. Check out the pictures from past years and what the people have been riding. 🙂
– Petr