The Wilier Rave SLR is a gravel racer's bike, featuring a sub-kilo frame weight, "all-road" builds as well as more gravel-oriented variants, a short headtube, and tight rear geometry. On the downside, the Rave SLR's racy design means it can only accept tyres up to 42mm, which means it's better suited to faster, smoother gravel than gnarlier trails.

That includes Wilier's split stem bars, which limit mounting places for bags and a computer, emphasizing the Rave SLR's preference for quick riding - which it excels at - over carrying extras. At the high end of the gravel bike market, it competes with the Cervelo Aspero and the Specialized Crux.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : Rave SLR carbon
• Fork: Rave SLR - carbon monocoque
• Groupset: SRAM Force // 40t, 10-44t
• Wheels: Miche Graff Carbon
• Tyres : Vittoria Terreno Dry, 38mm
• Weight: 7.75kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Lightweight
• Great handling
• Very fast

REASONS TO AVOID

• Fairly narrow tyre clearance
• Custom handlebar
• Expensive

Website: hibike.com/carbon-2022-pf4a0e564e250e3ea5057bfeefe5701c4#var_18700556

The BMC URS One wowed us with its brilliant blend of off-road enjoyment and capability while being efficient enough to undertake long-distance adventures. A slacker head angle and a stubbier stem are both borrowed from BMC's mountain bike lineup. These statistics are a long way off from what you'd find on a new MTB, but for gravel, they're actually fairly advanced. This, paired with the short 425mm chainstays, results in a bike that can be sped around bends while being stable on descents.

Despite this, this isn't a monster-cross, but rather an MTB with drop bars. It finished the South Downs Way, a tough one-hundred-mile gravel track in the South East of England, with the efficiency you'd expect from a gravel bike. It's not completely kitted out with mounts - they wouldn't choose it for bikepacking adventures lasting weeks rather than days – but it's a thrill to ride on those shorter, local rides that make up the majority of time on bikes.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : URS Premium Carbon with Micro Travel Technology
• Fork: URS 01 Premium Carbon
• Groupset: SRAM APEX 1 HRD // 40x11-42t
• Wheels: DT Swiss C1850 Spline
• Tyres : WTB Raddler, 40mm (Max clearance: 700x45c)
• Weight: 9.58kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Sorted geometry is a blast on the trails
• Still efficient for longer distance rides

REASONS TO AVOID

• Stock gearing is a little steep for bikepacking
• Lack of mounts on fork for extra carrying capacity
  

Website: bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/catalog/product/view/_ignore_category/1/id/15177/s/urs-one/

The Crux has been firmly rooted in the muddy plains of cyclocross for many years. The range has been refreshed and rebranded for 2022, and top-level gravel racing has been added to the resume. When they tested the Crux in its top spec, it was incredibly quick, with a special affinity for climbs. The bike topped the scales at a breezy 6.9kg in a size 52cm without pedals or bottle cages, which is absolutely ludicrous. The UCI sets a weight limit of 6.8kg for road bikes in its competitions.

Aside from making slopes disappear, the Crux's extraordinary light weight made it extraordinarily agile. Rather than requiring any manhandling, sudden line swaps and hopping over obstructions happened nearly at the speed of thinking. they wouldn't ride this bike bikepacking or on multiday journeys because everything about it is geared towards speed. It's almost like towing a trailer with a Ferrari – and with a frame that weights just 725g in a size 56cm, they'd guess the thin carbon walls wouldn't take kindly to any rubbing and chafing. However, if you can afford the exorbitant price, it's a fantastic alternative for pure race performance and flatteringly high speeds.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: S-Works Crux FACT 12r Carbon
• Fork: S-Works FACT Carbon
• Groupset: SRAM Red eTap AXS // 40x10–44t
• Wheels: Roval Terra CLX
• Tyres: Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready 700c x 38mm (Max clearance: 700x47c or 650b x 2.1in)
• Weight: 6.9kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Exceptionally lightweight fully built
• Race ready - for luggage free gravel or cyclocross
• Power meter as standard
• Stable yet nimble geometry

REASONS TO AVOID

• Need gravel on a grand scale to truly do it justice
• Obviously very expensive

Website: specialized.com/us/en/s-works-crux/p/154297

The Grizl was well-suited to my local riding from the start, with the same Schwalbe G-One Bite tyres in 45mm that I've been using as my control tyre. There was a decent combination of being able to roll quickly on the road and on gentle trails while yet delivering adequate traction and cushioning on more challenging terrain. Canyon's S15 VCLS 2.0 CF suspension seatpost offers further comfort. Although the basic design adds little weight over a regular seatpost, the 20mm of travel helps to smooth out some of the bumps.

However, despite the vehicle's off-road prowess, they felt there was some design conflict between some aspects.
Yes, those big tyres promise a lot of speed on the trails, but the 435mm chainstays hold it back a little on tight and chattery singletrack. If you're mostly going to be cruising the trails, you'd be better off on a bike with chainstays around the 425mm mark, or even shorter. On the other hand, the variety of mounts opens up a lot of possibilities for bikepacking expeditions, but there isn't enough range in this 1x configuration to transport luggage off-road. For that, you'd be much better off with the 2x models – or moving up a price range or two for the latest design with SRAM's XPLR 10-44t cassette and a 40t chainring. But, unlike the length of the chainstays, the gearing is something you can modify. As a result, I'd have to suggest that this bike is best suited for off-road cycling and bumpy but open trails.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : Canyon Grizl CF SL
• Fork: Canyon FK0087 CF Disc
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX800
• Wheels: DT Swiss G1800 Spline db
• Tyres : Schwalbe G-One Bite 700x45c (Max clearance: 700x50c)
• Weight: 9.77kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Large tyre clearances
• Good range of bikepacking mounts
• Quality wheels and groupset
• Front suspension ready

REASONS TO AVOID

• Gearing is a little steep for carrying loads
• Long chainstays are at odds with its burly build

Website: canyon.com/en-gb/grizl-cf-sl-8-suspension-1by/3237.html

The Cervélo spero, like the Specialized Crux, is part of a new breed of dirt bikes aimed toward racing and high performance, as opposed to the Canyon Grizl's more do-it-all, go-anywhere mentality. The new spero, as expected from Cervélo, boasts greater aerodynamics and a less weight. It's not quite as light as the excellent Specialized Crux, weighing in at 8.3kg in a size 56cm, but that's still a fair weight for a mid-tier road bike – and therefore extremely impressive for gravel.

They can't say how much those aerodynamic changes have increased the spero's speed on the flat. But one thing is certain: the bike feels truly fast when tapped along open fire-road trails. It has a 72 degree head angle and very short 420mm chainstays, making it exceptionally quick to react to rider input and dart through turns. As a result, it's a touch less stable on tricky descents, but with tyre clearance limited to 42mm in 700c and 49mm in 650b, that's not the terrain this bike was meant for. You'd be better suited with a different bike if you're seeking to ride difficult trails and go on week-long bikepacking adventures. However, if you want to ride fast on adventures that begin and end on the same day, Cervélo's performance gravel bike can be the right choice.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Cervélo Áspero Carbon
• Fork: Cervélo All-carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS // 36x10–36t
• Wheels: Reserve 32mm DT370
• Tyres : Panaracer Gravel King SK Sport 700c x 38mm (Max clearance: 700c x 42mm or 650b x 49mm)
• Weight: 8.3kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Gorgeous looks and eye-catching paint job
• High-end spec
• Fast and nimble ride - 420mm chainstays
• Lightweight for gravel bikes at just over 8kg

REASONS TO AVOID

• Stiff for long off road days
• Better suited to wide open gravel than techy singletrack

Website: racycles.com/product/detail/23244

Vitus has earned a reputation for producing high-quality bikes at an affordable price, and the Substance CRS-2 is no exception. With a 2x12 electronic groupset and a full carbon frame, you'd pay nearly twice as much for a similar spec from some of the bigger bike brands. However, while the extra gears and light weight surely enhance to the experience, the frame design is fundamentally important, and Vitus has done an excellent job there as well.

The Substance leans toward the tough, long-distance gravel end of the spectrum. It has 650b tires, bottle mounts on the fork legs and the underside of the downtube, as well as rack and pannier attachment points. For journeys lasting months rather than days, metal tubes are preferable to carbon tubes, although the Vitus Substance is a lightweight and effective rig for week-long trips. The 650b x 47mm or 700c x 42mm rated maximum tyre clearance sells this bike short. They felt there was enough room for 650b x 2.1in tyres up front, as well as going wider in the back. Sticking to the recommended tyre widths prevents you from riding this bike on some terrain – or at the very least makes it slower than, say, a totally fat Canyon Grizl.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Vitus Substance UD Carbon
• Fork: Vitus Substance UD Carbon
• Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS // 43/30t x 10–36t
• Wheels: Prime Kanza 650b Aluminium Disc wheelset
• Tyres: WTB Venture TCS Road Plus 650b x 47 tyres (Max: 650b x 47mm or 700x42c)
• Weight: 9.6kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Excellent 2x12 SRAM AXS Rival groupset
• Good range of mounting points
• Confident and stable handling

REASONS TO AVOID

• Internal rim width is a little narrow by today’s standards
• Not best suited for tight and twisty riding

Website: 99spokes.com/en/bikes/vitus/2021/substance-crs-2-etap-axs

They found the frame to be quite quick and easy to pedal. The 48/31 crankset rarely seemed undergeared on any climb, even when fully loaded with luggage. The long wheelbase made descending with big luggage a breeze. Off-roading the bike was a similarly predictable and controlled experience. Overall, it strikes a good balance between on- and off-road riding.

However, the original tyre choice compromises off-road performance a touch, and they'd swap them out for something with a little more volume if they were tackling more serious terrain. There are a number of Specialized Diverge bikes available, with the Carbon Comp being the most affordable. The entry-level Diverge Base E5 aluminum frame will set you back little over £1000, while the range-topping S-Works Diverge will set you back closer to £11,000

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : FACT 9r Carbon
• Fork: Specialized's Future Shock 2.0
• Groupset: Shimano GRX 2x11 // 48/31 x 11–34t
• Wheels: DT Swiss G540
• Tyres: Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss 38mm (Max clearance: 700x47c or 650b x 53 (2.1”))
• Weight: TBC

REASONS TO BUY

• Carbon frame blends stiffness with comfort
• Great handling
• Perfect mix of on road performance and off road capability

REASONS TO AVOID

• Tyres compromise off-road capability

Website: specialized.com/us/en/diverge-comp-carbon/p/199965?color=322108-199965

They enjoyed riding this bike on local bridleways, but a complete carbon Addict frame with deep section carbon rims begs to be raced. Climbing is where the frame shines the brightest. Mountain bikes are the best analogies here. Those sloppy, uneven, steep hills where you're twiddling a little gear and moving nowhere will be recognizable to anyone who has done some MTBing. On this bike, you definitely feel like you're making progress on those peaks. And when you need to accelerate to restore momentum or get over a root or step, the response is lightning fast, propelling you ahead and up the ascent. It rides just like a road bike on smooth paved climbs.

In fact, if you put some slick 28 or 32mm tyres on it, it'll outperform most race bikes. For me, this was the frame's true strength. It was surprised how well a light bike in a good position performed on such climbs, and how much less they despised them. A perfect score. The SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset has quickly gained popularity among gravel cyclists. Although the 46/33 chainset meant there were more gears at the top end than were truly necessary, a two-by setup might not be your first option, but the electronic shifting is so smooth that it still works under stress. This bike is ready for the start line, with a full carbon frameset, hydraulic disc brakes, carbon Syncros Creston 1.0 Flare handlebars, Syncros Capital 1.0 Syncros RWS wheels, and Schwalbe G-One Evolution tyres.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: HMF Carbon
• Fork : Addict Gravel Disc HMF Flatmount
• Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD // 46/33 x 10–36t
• Wheels: Syncros Capital 1.0 X40 Disc
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-ONE Evolution 35mm (Max clearance: 700x45c)
• Weight: TBC

REASONS TO BUY

• Responsiveness ideal for steep off-road climbs
• Nice ride position on the tops
• Bullet proof rims

REASONS TO AVOID

• It is expensive

Website: scott-sports.com/us/en/product/scott-addict-gravel-10-bike

The Cavazzo platform from Tifosi is a jack of all trades. It's a fun around the local trails and bridleways with some thick tyres and a reasonably slack head angle and simple 1x drivetrain. With 13 gears and a wide range of mounting possibilities, the Cavazzo is also ideally suited for long distance bikepacking excursions. This isn't a bike that forces you into a limited, specific niche; many options are available. The Cavazzo had a pleasant vibe to it. They couldn't tell if the open-mould frame dampened vibrations less effectively than other frames made in-house because gravel bike tyres are so much larger and more cushioned than road bike tyres that the difference isn't evident.

The rear end got hooked up on roots a little more than expected, and it wasn't nearly as quick as gravel bikes with shorter chainstays. If you like longer distance rides on mellower trails, though, this won't be a problem. Miche Graff DX wheels felt respectable, with a light weight and strong acceleration. Part of this is due to the thin 19mm internal rim width, which does not use as much material for construction. On the other hand, while using bigger tyres at low pressures, there is a little less sidewall support (around 24psi). They prefer the Miche wheels' lighter and narrower rims to the Rondo wheels' heavier and wider rims, but that doesn't change the fact that this rolling stock is still a step down from the Canyon Grizl's DT Swiss G1800 Spline wheels, which are both reasonably lightweight and have a wide 24mm internal width. The Ekar groupset from Campagnolo, which was fantastic, is, of course, the bike's key selling point. On the road, there were no awkward situations where you were stranded between two gears, one too hard and the other too easy, as you might find on most gravel bikes. There's also the 1x shifting simplicity, which makes a significant impact in reducing cognitive burden.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : UD Toray T500 and T700 Carbon
• Fork: Carbon UD 1
• Groupset: Campagnolo Ekar // 40x9–42t
• Wheels: Miche Graff SP DX AXY wheels 700c
• Tyres : Schwalbe G-One Ultra Bite 700x42c (Max clearance: 700x45c or 650b x 2.1”)
• Weight: 9.50kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Excellent Ekar 1x13 groupset
• Lots of mounting points, modern and traditional
• Good tyre clearance - max. 700 x 45c or 650b x 54mm

REASONS TO AVOID

• Wheels have a relatively narrow internal width
• Handlebar reach is quite long

Website: tifosicycles.co.uk/shop/bikes/cavazzo/

Any bike faces a difficult task when asked to handle confidently and correctly on tricky off-road terrain while simultaneously delivering speed and efficiency on gentler gravel and back roads. The Ruut, on the other hand, took it all in stride. They was able to maintain a fair speed with the fork in the high position and the 37mm Riddler tyres with their file center tread, and posture on the bike seemed reasonably low and efficient. The tyres were too small for the larger boulders on the South Downs Way or the roots of local forests, but the Riddlers were a fine match for the smoother hardpack surfaces found on converted abandoned railway lines – but you don't really get to know a bike on that kind of non-technical terrain.

That became much more apparent as they swapped in the 45mm Schwalbe G-One Bites and turned the fork for a slacker angle. They was able to really tackle the terrain with the right rubber - the kind that are a little monotonous on a mountain bike but come alive once you shed the suspension and flat bars. The Ruut isn't the most cost-effective option. At this price point, the 2x10 GRX groupset (equal to Shimano's fourth-tier Tiagra road groupset) and a relatively heavy OEM wheelset are all a step below what you'd expect. Other bikes in the test have second-tier groupsets, while the Canyon Grizl and BMC URS have DT Swiss wheelsets. With its balanced geometry and ability to switch between quick 700c wheels and large MTB-style 650b wheels, the Ruut is still a blast to ride. However, given the low value for money and the lack of bottle bosses on the downtube's bottom, it's difficult to suggest it over the competitors.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : Rondo Ruut Flex Design EPS carbon
• Fork: Rondo TwinTip 2.0 carbon
• Groupset: Shimano GRX 2x10 // 46/30 x 11–36t
• Wheels: Rondo aluminium 622-23, tubeless-ready, 700c
• Tyres : WTB Riddler 700x37c (Max clearance: 700x45 or 650b x 57 (2.2”))
• Weight: 10.6kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Huge tyre clearances - 700 x 45mm or 650b x 2.2"
• Great handling on twisty trails
• Variable geometry fork increases stability

REASONS TO AVOID

• Wheelset is quite heavy
• 2x10 GRX groupset is a lower tier than you’d expect at this price point

Website: rondo.cc/ruut-cf2-2x,464,pl

The Liv Devote Advanced Pro is a capable bike with all the mounts you'd need for bikepacking, rides like a super endurance bike on the road, and could be a trail slayer with spec adjustments. They spent a day traversing the constructed pathways of Swinley Forest, eager to put the Devote through its paces. Swinley's Blue and Red trails are quite easy, but the bike handled the berms and rollers admirably, despite the fact that it wasn't the intended purpose. A set of 45mm tyres and a more significantly flared handlebar, on the other hand, would have given me a little more confidence. The ability to sew together portions of road, gravel, trail, fire road, and cycle path is a big draw for many riders, so they took the Devote on a few mixed bag rides, and it was here that the Devote felt most at home. It may not be the ideal tool for paved roads, unpaved doubletrack, and woodland trails, but it is still a fun to ride on each of them, unlike bikes with more specificity.

Despite the fact that this Devote construction is very pricey, it still provides good value for money. You'll get SRAM's second-tier Force groupset, which features powerful hydraulic disc brakes and 2x12 gearing for a wide range and tiny gear hops. There are also carbon wheels, which match the frame and fork, and are fitted with a set of Velocita tyres for speed. If you plan on riding in slicker conditions, such as mud or small shingely rocks, you'll probably want to upgrade to something with a bit more tread.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : Advanced-Grade Carbon Composite
• Fork : Advanced-Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer
• Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS // 43/30 x 10–36t
• Wheels: Giant CXR-2 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
• Tyres: Maxxis Velocita Tubeless 40mm (Max clearance: 700x40c or 650b x 50 (2.0”))
• Weight: 8.1kg / 17.85 (size small)

REASONS TO BUY

• Confidence inspiring geometry
• Range of luggage mounts
• Versatile for tarmac speed and off-road capability

REASONS TO AVOID

• Seatpost clamp cover doesn't stay in place
• Bars could do with a greater flare
• Tyres aren't well suited to off-road conditions

Website: liv-cycling.com/us/devote-advanced-pro

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 is a dirt bike that leans more toward the "fun" end of the spectrum than the "quick" end. It could be your best buddy if you're a rider who will tackle 'gravel' that borders on mountain riding territory.

With 650b wheels, 47mm tyres, and the Lefty Oliver fork, this bike would fit right in on a cross country trail if it weren't for the drop bars.

This full-suspension version of the Cannondale Topstone has an extra 30mm of travel in the back, making it grippy and grounded in turns. Test bike came with a Shimano GRX 1x drivetrain, Formula rear hub (Lefty specific front), WTB Byway i23 650b tubeless ready rims, and WTB Byway TCS Light tyres.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : BallisTec Carbon Frame
• Fork: Lefty Oliver
• Groupset: Shimano GRX/ Cannondale // 40 x 11–42t
• Wheels: WTB ST i23 TCS 650
• Tyres: WTB Venture TCS Light, 47mm (Max clearance: 650b x 47)
• Weight: 10.6kg / 23.40lbs (size Xlarge)

REASONS TO BUY

• Excellent fork with 30mm of travel
• Balanced ride
• Can handle rough and technical trails

REASONS TO AVOID

• Lefty hub limits wheel choice
• Would like more clearance

Website: cannondale.com/en/bikes/road/gravel/topstone-carbon/topstone-carbon-lefty-3