

While some road bikes have mounts for fenders and racks, most will only have room for two water bottles to keep weight down. Mounts for extra water bottles, fenders, and racks come standard on gravel bikes so you can load them up with gear for backcountry adventures. Most road bikes now come with disc brakes, but many road racers still opt for rim brakes which are lighter weight. Road bikes are designed to be super snappy and efficient with a steeper headtube angle and shorter wheelbase.ĭisc brakes are a must when it comes to gravel bikes for powerful and predictable stopping on any terrain. Gravel bike frame geometry has a longer wheelbase, lower bottom bracket, and slacker headtube angle, which make it more stable on off-road terrain. Optimized for speed and efficiency on paved roads, road bikes typically have narrower tires, maximum 35c in width. Wider tires, maximum 45c, give gravel bikes more traction and make them more comfortable on rough roads and trails. On the flip, road bikes – whether designed for comfort over longer distances like the Liv Avail, speed on hilly roads like the Liv Langma, or flat out high-powered sprinting like the EnviLiv, they all have one thing in common: they are designed to be ridden on paved surfaces. The all-terrain-vehicle of bikes, gravel bikes are made to carry all your gear, handle any weather conditions and road surfaces, and do it all while being comfortable.

So, what is a gravel bike? Let’s dive in to explore the differences between these bikes to find out what makes a bike like the Liv Devote shine. It’s designed to make off-road adventures comfortable, efficient and FUN.

Sure, you can ride a road bike, cyclocross bike, or mountain bike on gravel and dirt roads, but there is a better tool for the job – the gravel bike. While weight isn’t the end all be all when it comes to ride quality, carbon fiber tends to be the lightest material and is also highly durable.We know what you’re thinking… “Can’t you ride any bike on gravel?” Brands like Niner, Orbea, and Santa Cruz all make lightweight gravel bikes that can be used for racing. Many brands make lightweight carbon fiber gravel bikes. What brands make the best lightweight gravel bike frames? They are often lighter than a mountain bike though, making them a perfect hybrid between the two. They are built for offroad riding and some are even built for touring, which involves loading your bike up with racks and all your gear for multi-day excursions. Gravel bikes are built more robust than typical road bikes. Why are gravel bikes heavier than most bikes? If you want to race gravel bikes, then a carbon fiber version might be better. If you plan on going bikepacking or touring, then a steel gravel bike might be the best option. Some of them even come with suspension for extra cushioning while riding. They are offered in several frame materials including steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium. Gravel bikes are highly versatile and diverse. A gravel bike isn’t as fast as a road bike on the street and not as fast as a mountain bike in the dirt, but they have the ability to do both with little compromise. Gravel bikes look like a typical road bike with drop bars, but they have the ability to use much wider tires so you can ride in dirt with ample traction. What makes a gravel bike different from other types of bikes? These are perfect for the rider who doesn’t want to be stuck with one type of riding. They are truly versatile bikes that can cruise on the pavement with no issues and hit up the dirt trails. Gravel bikes are used for a little bit of everything. Some of our favorites are from brands like Niner, Marin, Orbea, Ibis, and All-City. When looking for a gravel bike, check out the drivetrain, frame material, and which wheels it comes with. These bikes are made from either steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber. Some brands will make higher-end models while others will make more beginner-friendly versions. Many brands make exceptional gravel bikes. While they aren’t designed for full-on mountain biking, they are still fun to ride on hardpack dirt trails. They are able to ride on the pavement with little issues and continue riding when the pavement ends and the dirt begins. They are a near-perfect blend between a road bike and a mountain bike. Gravel bikes have quickly become one of the most popular bikes out there.
