Gravel Bikes – The Ultimate All‑Road Adventure Machines
Gravel bikes sit neatly between road and mountain bikes, blending the efficiency of a road machine with the robustness needed for off‑road exploration. They feature drop bars, disc brakes, and wide tyre clearance, allowing riders to confidently tackle everything from smooth tarmac to country lanes, bridleways and light trails.
What Makes a Gravel Bike Unique?
- Geometry & Handling
More relaxed than a pure road bike, yet more responsive than a mountain bike—gravel bikes offer stability on rough descents while maintaining speed on smoother surfaces .
- Tyre & Wheel Options
Typically fitted with 650b or 700c wheels and 30–50 mm tyres, which can even be used tubeless to improve ride comfort and reduce punctures
- Gearing & Groupsets
Often equipped with gravel-specific groupsets (e.g., Shimano GRX, Campagnolo Ekar, SRAM XPLR), featuring low gearing for steep climbs and rough trails
- Mounts & Versatility
Designed with multiple mounting points for bottles, racks, and bikepacking gear—perfect for touring, commuting or long-distance adventures .
Gravel vs Hybrid Bikes
While both aim for mixed‑terrain use, hybrids typically have flat bars and more upright geometry—great for daily comfort and commuting. Gravel bikes, with their drop bars, offer varied hand positions and more efficient performance across diverse conditions.
Performance Compared to Road & Mountain Bikes
Gravel bikes strike a balance:
- Not as fast as pure road bikes on smooth tarmac.
- Not as specialised as mountain bikes on technical trails.
But they excel across a wide range of environments—ideal for riders who want one bike that can handle commuting, weekend gravel grinding, winter training and bikepacking.
How You Can Use a Gravel Bike
- Commutes with a twist – take the scenic route or detour onto gravel shortcuts.
- Touring & bikepacking – load it up with gear and head into the wild.
- Winter training – its ruggedness makes it ideal for wet and muddy conditions.
- All-day adventures – go far, explore new trails, and discover hidden routes.
From the likes of the Cannondale Topstone, SuperX, and Trek Checkpoint to the Cervelo Aspero, Cube Nuroad, Merida Silex and more, gravel bikes offer something for every type of rider.
You can shop Gravel Bikes at Wheelbase with 0% Finance and Pay Monthly Options as well as having the option of using a Cycle To Work voucher.
Wheelbase have been shipping bikes out of the Lake District for over 20 years and we consider ourselves experts in online bike sales. Speak to our customer services team if you have any questions. We are always happy to help.
