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Six of the best Gravel bikes - Bold, brash and capable all-terrain road bikes

Bold, brash and capable all-terrain road bikes from Open, Lauf, 3T, Rondo, Bionicon and Parlee

Gravel bikes, they’re all the rage right now, and it seems that a week doesn’t go without a new one bike launched. This is the first of our new series of regular weekly Six of the Best videos that will appear on our road.cc Youtube channel.

We trawled the halls of the recent Eurobike bike show to scout out the newest and most interesting gravel bikes worthy of your attention if you’re in the market of a bike that might just help to expand your riding horizons.

So we’ve got new bikes from Lauf, 3T, Open, Rondo, Parlee and Bionicon. Enjoy.

- Cyclocross bikes v gravel/adventure bikes: what's the difference?

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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15 comments

Avatar
nedr | 7 years ago
2 likes

I stopped watching when informed that the "front mech hanger doubles as a bottle opener...this is ideal for those post-ride beers". For ***** sake. How about a chainset that doubles as a comb for those post-ride hair-grooming sessions? I've used my steel framed tourer on gravel for years (just add 32C tyres).  Next up, a special bike for riding over conkers in Autumn!

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 7 years ago
1 like

"without further adieu", lmfao! Is that like "bowl in a china shop" 

 

Avatar
beezus fufoon replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 7 years ago
2 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

"without further adieu", lmfao! Is that like "bowl in a china shop" 

 

classic youthamism, no need to make him into an escape goat - he was otherwise floorless!

Avatar
Deeferdonk replied to beezus fufoon | 7 years ago
3 likes
beezus fufoon wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

"without further adieu", lmfao! Is that like "bowl in a china shop" 

 

classic youthamism, no need to make him into an escape goat - he was otherwise floorless!

Don't put him on a pedal stool right from the gecko.

Avatar
beezus fufoon replied to Deeferdonk | 7 years ago
3 likes

Deeferdonk wrote:
beezus fufoon wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

"without further adieu", lmfao! Is that like "bowl in a china shop" 

 

classic youthamism, no need to make him into an escape goat - he was otherwise floorless!

Don't put him on a pedal stool right from the gecko.

it was in the spurt of the moment, when you make a pack with the devil you'd better girdle your lions!

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alansmurphy | 7 years ago
4 likes

So you can ride fast to a trail and then down the trail?

 

Because the streets on your commute are a bit rough and awful and they're more comfortable and durable?

 

Because you're not a full on lycra warrior?

 

Because everyone's tastes aren't the same?

 

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Paul7189 | 7 years ago
0 likes

If you want to go far and fast get a road bike. If you want to go off road get a mountain bike. Why bother with what is essentially a hybrid and a compromise for both environments?

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ClubSmed replied to Paul7189 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Paul7189 wrote:

If you want to go far and fast get a road bike. If you want to go off road get a mountain bike. Why bother with what is essentially a hybrid and a compromise for both environments?

In answer to your question, because your commute takes you along roads, tow paths and through parks? Not everyone sticks to just either road or off road on their routes, some mix it up either through choice or necessity.

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rix replied to ClubSmed | 7 years ago
0 likes

ClubSmed wrote:

Paul7189 wrote:

If you want to go far and fast get a road bike. If you want to go off road get a mountain bike. Why bother with what is essentially a hybrid and a compromise for both environments?

In answer to your question, because your commute takes you along roads, tow paths and through parks? Not everyone sticks to just either road or off road on their routes, some mix it up either through choice or necessity.

There are many road bikes that will accommodate 28-30mm tires for riding on park roads comfortably (CAAD10).

Combination of really bad park roads and asphalt on a comute is very niche.

If you come to a club ride (road or MTB) with this bike, you will have instant nob status.

Avatar
Simboid replied to rix | 7 years ago
1 like

rix wrote:

If you come to a club ride (road or MTB) with this bike, you will have instant nob status.

The kind of club that likes to apply 'nob status' is generally regarded by all other cyclists as itself having 'nob status'.

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ClubSmed replied to rix | 7 years ago
0 likes

rix wrote:

ClubSmed wrote:

Paul7189 wrote:

If you want to go far and fast get a road bike. If you want to go off road get a mountain bike. Why bother with what is essentially a hybrid and a compromise for both environments?

In answer to your question, because your commute takes you along roads, tow paths and through parks? Not everyone sticks to just either road or off road on their routes, some mix it up either through choice or necessity.

There are many road bikes that will accommodate 28-30mm tires for riding on park roads comfortably (CAAD10).

Combination of really bad park roads and asphalt on a comute is very niche.

If you come to a club ride (road or MTB) with this bike, you will have instant nob status.

Is it really niche? The majority of people that I know who commute to work have a mixed terrain and I would be very suprised if all the park / tow path surfaces are perfect (I ride 35mm tyres and really don't think that I could not cope with the surfaces on a smaller tyre).

Why would I go to a club ride with this bike, that is not the purpose that I have it for. I have this bike for a fun commute and touring, for which I think it is pretty much ideal.

*Equaly and club that looks down on members who for not having all the right kit at the right level is not one that I would ever want to be a part of. I cycle for fun

Avatar
ChetManley replied to Paul7189 | 7 years ago
2 likes
Paul7189 wrote:

If you want to go far and fast get a road bike. If you want to go off road get a mountain bike. Why bother with what is essentially a hybrid and a compromise for both environments?

Because I can do all that with one bike. Ride to the trail, ride the trail and ride home.

I don't get beaten up on crappy roads, I can actually stop in the wet (hi Sunday riders with carbon rims), I can take pretty much any route I please, I can go bikepacking, I don't pretend I'm a racer.

I could go on.

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SteveAustin | 7 years ago
1 like

cant watch videos. any pictures?

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rix | 7 years ago
1 like

Gravel bikes... too niche, too expensive

Call me old fashioned!

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ChetManley replied to rix | 7 years ago
0 likes
rix wrote:

Gravel bikes... too niche, too expensive

Call me old fashioned!

I wouldn't say niche, as you can ride all sorts on them. But this is a very expensive selection, guess that's what they meant by best.

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