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Pay at your own pace, starting at 0% APR with Affirm

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Gravel Bike Buyers Guide

How to Choose the Best Gravel Bike for Your Ride

Gravel isn’t a trend—it’s a movement. From wide-open Midwestern farm roads to alpine singletrack and everything in between, gravel lets you explore more, ride longer, and escape the ordinary. It’s the freedom of the road with the soul of the trail.

That’s why gravel bikes are growing fast. They're incredibly versatile, endlessly customizable, and built for adventure—whether you’re racing for the podium or pedaling to nowhere in particular. But with so many options, how do you choose the best gravel bike for your ride? Let’s break it down.

Where and how do you want to ride?

Big Climbs or Hardpack Roads
Prioritize speed and efficiency. You’ll want a lightweight, fast-rolling bike with enough clearance to run volume for comfort.

Rough Terrain and Long Days
Go for stability, wide tire clearance, and comfort-focused features for long, demanding rides.

Mixed Surfaces (Road + Gravel)
Look for a do-it-all bike that blends pavement efficiency with enough tire clearance and geometry to handle dirt confidently.

Racing or Fast Performance Focused Rides
Opt for a bike with aggressive geometry, lightweight components, and race-ready features.

Exploration & Adventure
Comfort, stability, and cargo capacity are key. Pick a bike that feels stable on chunky terrain and is built for long hours in the saddle.

Tire Clearance: More Room = More Possibility

Tire volume is your best friend off-road—but you need the frame space to run it. That’s why clearance matters.

We designed the Diverge 4, Crux, and Creo SL 2 with massive tire clearance. That means you can run fast 38s for smooth race days, or big-volume 50s for traction and comfort. Our rule: more clearance is never a bad thing.

Read More About Tire Clearance

Geometry: Race Sharp or Adventure Ready?
Gravel geometry sits between road and mountain—blending agility and stability. But not all gravel bikes ride the same.

  • Performance/Race Geometry: Lower stack, longer reach, steeper angles. Feels fast and reactive. Ideal for races and speed-focused riders. (Think: Crux.)
  • Progressive/Adventure Geometry: Higher stack, slacker angles, longer wheelbase. Delivers more comfort, confidence, and stability, especially on rough roads or long rides. (Think: Diverge and Creo SL 2.)

Pick based on your goals. Want to fly? Go performance geo. Want to roam? Go progressive.

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Gravel,

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