Multi-purpose gravel bike for all terrains Roads tracks and trails
At some point, you may have heard of gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes, and you may come to think that they are the same thing. However, although similar, there are many differences between the two. Also, while the latter is obviously competitive, the gravel bike is more suited to those who prefer to bike comfortably on various clean roads and trails. In this post we tell you everything you need to know about them.
Gravel bike, the most versatile bike on the market
First of all, gravel bikes are designed to be able to ride on all types of roads. In fact, they have an aesthetic and configuration similar to roads, but they are also suitable for driving on greenways and gravel paths. In addition, they focus on comfort and long-distance travel. For this reason, in many cases, they have large saddles and saddlebags are installed to store objects.
Main characteristics of Gravel bikes.
When you look at a gravel bike, the first thing you'll notice is that the head tube is very large, especially compared to road and cyclocross bike models. This makes it less twitchy, but also creates a more comfortable riding position.
The same goes for the camber of the top bar of the frame, the bar that connects the bottom of the seat post to the handlebars. On this type of bike, it traces a clear upward curve, which provides a more comfortable ride.
The bottom bracket is positioned much lower than normal to increase the rider's sense of control and stability. This also makes it easier for you to overcome obstacles such as logs, tree roots or stones.
In fact, once you have a gravel bike, you can fit whatever type of tire you want. However, even from the factory, the tires on these bikes are somewhere between road and mountain. For example, compared to cyclocross bikes, their treads are smaller and shallower. This allows them to offer good performance on paved roads and good lateral grip on gravel trails.
We must not forget to mention the handlebar. Although similar to the aesthetics of the road, its sides are more open. This means more comfort when traveling long distances and a more comfortable position when pressing the brake lever and changing gear.
On the other hand, the most common is that the gravel are very short. This is mainly because their designers try to make them as compact as possible to make them easier to handle. Finally, the pedals that they usually mount are usually pedals for use in XC MTB
As you will have seen when reading this article, choosing between a gravel bike, a cyclocross bike or a road bike depends fundamentally on the purpose for which you will use it. At Jormabike we offer you several models from brands such as Specialized, Trek, Orbea, Cannondale or Megamo so that you can take home the one you like the most. There is no doubt that your cycling experience can be greatly improved thanks to them.