Best gravel bikes under £2000 2025 —budget off-road bikes packed with performance

The ADV 8.9 is a helluva lot of bike for the money, and it seems a misnomer to label this as an entry-level gravel bike given the way it rides and handles. The ADV is capable on both gravel and road sections, is well-specced for the money and is a great entry point into the world of rough stuff.

The theme of good value continues with the componentry. The bike comes specced with an FSA double chainset, which provides plenty of range, and this is paired to a 10-speed Shimano GRX 400 series groupset: at this price it's hard to beat.

With the Boardman, you get plenty of impressive components and features that you'd expect to find on a much more expensive bike (and often don't) such as the 38mm Schwalbe G-One Allround tyres and tubeless-ready ADV wheels. 

With space for 45mm tyres (or 42mm with mudguards fitted), hydraulic disc brakes, reliable components, well thought-out geometry and a sub 11kg all-in weight, this is all the gravel bike that most people will ever want or need. It's tremendous value and a bit of a no-brainer!

Women-specific bikes are starting to be a bit of a rarity, but one of the brands proudly producing women-specific bikes is Liv - and it's doing the job well as many of its bikes appear among our best bikes. The Liv Devote 1 - and the wider devote range, which was updated in 2023 - is a great example of this. The Devote 1 model we tested has an alloy frame and carbon fork and its size range caters for rider heights down to 150cm. The bikes are well-specced with sensibly sized, narrower bars and shorter cranks and stems throughout the range. Despite the update, much of the bike, including its affordable price, has remained the same for the Liv Devote 1 2024 model. 

The low bottom bracket gives a feeling of stability on descents and makes it seem as though you're sitting 'in' the bike rather than on it. The frame can fit up to 45mm tyres, which makes this a versatile machine that reviewer Lara found to be no slouch. Like the Boardman featured earlier, the Liv ships with a reliable Shimano GRX 400 groupset and benefits from Giant componentry elsewhere, such as tubeless wheels and finishing gear.

The Devote excels over most terrain, whether that's mile-eating rides over rough ground, slow-speed twisty stuff or even tarmac sections. Lara summed up the bike by concluding that those who favour women-specific designs and want a gravel-focused do-it-all bike "will love the geometry and confidence-inspiring handling of the Devote 1, and it's not bad value for money either."

The Orro Terra X GRX400 is a beginner-friendly gravel bike with an aluminium frame and a carbon fork. Its geometry is similar to an endurance road bike, which gives it a slightly racier edge while still maintaining stability on slippery or loose surfaces. Stu found that this bike handles well on technical descents and remains planted at higher speeds, although it may feel a bit heavy on climbs due to its frame and component choices.

Overall, the Terra X is a very well-specced gravel bike for its price point, offering good value and versatility for riders looking for a capable all-rounder. It's got plenty of mounting points for accessories like guards and racks, which makes it suitable for commuting and bikepacking adventures alike. The Shimano GRX RX400 groupset offers smooth operations even on more rattly terrains, while the Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 DB wheels and Continental Terra Trail tyres are both reliable and not slowing down your gravel adventures. 

The Cube Nuroad EX is a versatile and comfortable gravel bike offering exceptional value for money. Built around a robust aluminium frame with a full carbon fork, it delivers a lively performance suitable for various terrains. The components, from the Shimano GRX drivetrain to the hydraulic disc brakes, this bike has everything a beginner gravel rider might want. 

Mat concluded that the Nuroad EX feels nimble and responsive, thanks to its well-balanced geometry and wide and grippy WTB Riddler tyres. Whether tackling gravel trails or rough roads, the bike handles with stability and control, and the relaxed geometry adds comfort for longer spins. The full-carbon fork absorbs vibrations effectively, and if you want to add even more comfort there's clearance for up to 45mm-wide tyres.

While the Nuroad EX might lack some features found in higher-end gravel bikes, it compensates those with its great overall performance and affordability.

The Marin Gestalt XR retails slightly over the £2k mark, but at the time of writing, you can snap it for £1,499 which makes it an absolute bargain. The Gestalt XR is a bike that really stands out in this price category with its aggressive geometry borrowed from mountain biking. Priced at just over £2,000, it offers a solid build kit and exceptional versatility for riders seeking a fast and capable gravel machine.

The bike's long, slack, and low geometry, along with its 700x44 Vee Tire Co. Rocket Man tyres, deliver stability and confidence on both flats and descents, while its compliant rear end ensures comfort over rough terrain. Equipped with Shimano GRX components, including an 11-speed 11-42T cassette, it ticks along well on flats and descends well, but it does struggle a little on steeper climbs due to its gearing. However, that's balanced with its capability on technical descents and singletrack, thanks to the mountain bike-inspired geometry and dropper post compatibility.

The frame, constructed from Series 3 Beyond Road 6061 aluminium, features internal cable routing and mounts for fenders and racks, adding some bikepacking capability, too. Overall, the Marin Gestalt XR offers excellent performance and value for gravel riders seeking a bike that excels on fast-paced adventures and techy gravel terrain.