Gravel Bikes

Finding the right gravel bike

All gravel bikes are designed for riding off road with the same priority in mind: to keep you riding comfortably and quickly over mixed terrain and rough trails. However, all gravel riders know that even the slightest difference in specification could affect their overall experience in the saddle.

The sheer variety of adventure bikes can feel quite overwhelming, especially if you're buying your first bike for gravel riding. It's a good idea to keep a few key features in mind.

Which frame material is best for off road riding?

One of your first tasks is to choose between an adventure bike with aluminium frame or a carbon fibre frame, built for off road riding. All have their advantages and it's likely that you'll see them all on group rides too.  

An Aluminium Do It All Machine

Generally, riders agree that aluminium gravel frames are slightly more robust and hard-wearing than their featherweight counterparts. In many cases, they also make a more cost-effective option for tackling rough terrain, so they're more accessible for those new to the niche and gravel adventures.

Carbon Gravel Bikes

Carbon gravel bikes are lightweight and nimble, chosen by professional teams for their responsive feel and impressive manoeuvrability. Carbon gravel models like the Specialized S-Works Diverge and Diverge STR the carbon Cannondale Topstone frequently appear in the pro gravel peloton.

Gearing

Gearing determines how easily you can summit even the steepest climbs on the trails. Gravel bikes typically come with groupsets manufactured by Shimano or SRAM, both equally strong contenders when it comes to high-quality, reliable gravel components for your bike.

Groupsets usually include:

Bottom bracket

Brake rotors, for disc brake bikes

Chain and cassette, which must be compatible

Chain set, including crank arms and chainring

Front and rear derailleurs (often called mechs)

Front and rear brake callipers

Gear shifters and brake levers (integrated on drop-bar bikes)

The best groupset for your gravel bike will depend on your riding style and goals, plus the type of terrain you'll be exploring. GRX is Shimano's gravel-specific offering but many gravel bikes harness the wireless technologies found in SRAM eTAP options like Force AXS. If you'd like to know more about the distinctions between each groupset, we're here to help.

Beyond gearing adventure bikes usually feature disc brakes which provide controlled stopping power on technical terrain.

Wheels for Dirt and Tarmac

You'll see two size options for the wheels on your gravel bike.

Plenty of small gravel bike models come with smaller 650b wheels fitted as standard. These wheels increase the tyre clearance between your frame and wheels, meaning that you can use a wider tyres. If you're planning rugged adventures on rough terrain and muddy conditions, this size could be perfectly suited.

Most gravel bikes are designed with 700c wheels, the same size as the wheels on a road bike. Riders say that these feel more responsive and have less rolling resistance, which could make them a better option if you'll be riding on pavements, cycleways and smooth trails - or like to commute by bike.

Flat Bar Gravel Bikes

Flat bar gravel bikes combine the ruggedness of gravel bikes with the comfort of flat handlebars more accustomed to hybrid bikes. Gravel bikes with flat bars are designed for mixed-terrain cycling, offering stability on rough trails and efficiency on paved roads. Flat bar gravel bikes are ideal for riders seeking a balance between off-road capability and everyday usability, often feature a more upright riding position than other gravel bike types.

Buy your new gravel bike with Sigma Sports

With 30 years of experience, we're here to help you find the best gravel bike for your needs. We have gravel bike options from the likes of Trek, Orbea and GT, all brands who pride themselves on making bikes for off road adventures.

Our comprehensive online experience is backed with a friendly, professional service from our in-store experts. We offer a free bike buying consultation to match you with a suitable gravel bike model, no matter your experience or goals in cycling. We also offer 0% finance on various gravel bikes. 

Bikes Equipped for Gravel Adventures

At our workshop, we provide tailored tweaks and repairs to ensure that your new bike is fine-tuned to your preferences, with options to tweak the setup, whether that is a different pedal type or upgraded set of handlebars.

When you buy a gravel bike with us online, you can rest assured that it will arrive quickly, safely and ready to ride. Alternatively, you can browse the selection online before you reserve and collect your favourite.

We're happy to help answer any questions you might have about your new gravel bicycle. You can get in touch online, via WhatsApp or by using our contact form.