How do I choose a gravel bike for a beginner?

Choosing a new gravel bike might be a bit of a challenge these days. There is a large range of dirt bikes on the market, and manufacturers are always pushing the boundaries of that range. Steps for selecting a gravel bike for a novice are provided here.

Step 1: How much time will you spend on each terrain? Self-awareness is the key to happiness

Gravel bikes fall into a broad range of categories, from road bikes to mountain bikes, and fall somewhere in between. People ride gravel bikes in a variety of ways, and this has led to a wide range of designs. You need to be honest about how and where you want to utilize this bike and your degree of comfort off-road.


Your personal degree of off-road experience should also be taken into consideration. Long and stable gravel bikes will give riders greater confidence on rough terrain than shorter, more elegant bikes.

Step 2: Customize your geometry to your riding style and terrain

To get a sense of how a bike will ride, consult the geometry chart. A bike's intended purpose and the designer's vision for the new model may be seen in the path.


Trail is determined by fork offset and head angle. A bike will feel more like a mountain bike with a bigger trail figure. Speed stability is improved, but more extended trail numbers slow handling.

Step 3: Choose a component specification

Regarding gravel, there are two basic types of bikes: road bikes and mountain bikes. Drivetrain type and tire size are the two most essential spec differences.


Do you want 1x or 2x drivetrains?
You might consider a 2x drivetrain if you plan to spend most of your time on the road or on reasonably smooth gravel, racing up and down hills at high speeds. A wide gear range may be achieved with a twin front chainring arrangement while simultaneously minimizing the distance between each gear.


If you're spending a lot of time on trails and rough 4x4 roads, consider a 1x drivetrain with a clutched rear derailleur, which is popular among mountain bikers.


There are fewer gears between the largest and the smallest in a 1x system since there is only one front chainring.


What kind of tires do I need on gravel roads?
After deciding whether to go with 1x or 2x, pay attention to the tires. Once again, look at where you fall on the scale of gravel. On the road, 700x40 mm tires are more than enough for most riders. This standard road wheel has a good, fat gravel tire attached.


If you're looking for a tire in the 32-40 mm range for this sort of rider, you'll be OK.


Riders looking for a little more adventure will need more than that in tire clearance. There are a variety of ways to get such clearance. With the smaller 650b wheel size, tires have more clearance in the same frame.

Step 4: Go for a test ride

Taking the bike for a spin is critical to ensuring it's a good match for your body type. Additionally, a test will help you discover any spec flaws. Are you curious about the sensation of a 1x drivetrain? Take a boat ride. You're not sure whether you'll like 650b wheels? Try it out, and you'll see.

Best beginner gravel bike: what to look for

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In the search for the finest beginning gravel bikes, you may not want to spend too much money. Still, you will want a bike that is simple to live with as delivered, and that also provides you the opportunity to improve later when you get more interested in gravel riding.

What to look for in a first gravel bike is outlined below.

What is wheel size best for my first gravel bike?

650b wheelsets, often known as 27.5-inch wheels, are popular, and some frames are compatible with both. Is there a way to figure out which one is best for me?


This may be summarized as follows: for more leisurely riding, go with a 700c wheel; for more challenging riding, go with 650b. As simple as it seems, it's much more complex and essential than you think.


The 700c wheel size is a better option if you plan on doing a lot of pavement riding before heading off-road. 700c will be suitable if most off-road riding will be on well-graded gravel roads or smooth trails. For more daring riders, a 650 b-wheelset is a better option than a 650c.

How much comfort do you need?

The lack of suspension on MTBs plus the fact that you'll be thrown about more than you would on pavement make gravel riding a surprise to anybody who is used to riding on smooth surfaces like tarmac.


Although most gravel bikes don't provide much cushioning, some do, such as Topstone Carbon gravel bikes. Even if they aren't necessary for the novice gravel rider, they are a good idea.

What is your ideal level of tire clearance?

Ride comfort is a significant component of tire width, which allows you to lower tire pressure, smooth out irregularities, and increase traction. It is common for dirt bikes to accept tires up to 40mm wide on 700c wheels or even more significant if you convert to the smaller 650b wheels.


While wider tires are better for riding on dry gravel, it's an art to match the right gravel bike tire to the right riding circumstances. On the other hand, narrower tires with mud-specific treads provide more traction to prevent mud buildup.

What is the ideal gear ratio for gravel?

The finest gravel groupsets contain a clutched rear derailleur that helps to prevent chain slap on the chainstay and should assist prevent a chain drop on uneven terrain.


Gears for gravel bikes are often between road and mountain bike gearing. If you're riding a mountain bike, you'll have more power to climb uphill but less high gearing for quick on-road stretches. The speed you have on flat gravel and blacktop makes up for the lack of ability to climb steep inclines as you would on an MTB.


Starting at the lower end of many gravel bike ranges, you may not obtain a clutched derailleur or a gear range appropriate for gravel riding, allowing you to walk rougher stretches of off-road.

What material should my first gravel bike be made from?

These days, gravel bike frames are either carbon or aluminum. Also available are titanium and steel frames. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.

Metals such as steel and titanium are very limited in their availability. Steel has disappeared from bicycle frame construction due to the availability of lighter, more robust alternatives. Steel and titanium are increasingly often used by small bespoke builders.


The majority of people will go with either aluminum or carbon steel. Aluminum is less expensive, but it's also seen as inferior. Especially on gravel, that's a bad idea.


Frames made of carbon fiber are strong, but they're also light. Carbohydrates are lighter than any other metal but may be tweaked. The stiffness of carbon fiber is influenced by its composition, thickness, and weave direction. Using this information, a manufacturer may increase or decrease the amount of frame flex.


Aluminum is less expensive and labor-intensive but less bendable than steel. As with other metals, it's difficult to alter tube stiffness in a specific area is difficult. Riding a bike with a sleek, modern aluminum frame is a pleasure. There are advantages to using aluminum gravel. The paint of an aluminum frame may be eroded by sand under a frame bag. The structure might be damaged by carbon. Aluminum is a cost-effective material to use elsewhere in the project.

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