Best gravel bike accessories: 9 ways to improve the speed and comfort of your gravel bike

By Katherine Moore

Published: Tuesday, 23 August 2022 at 12:00 am

It comes as no surprise that gravel riding and adventure cycling have really boomed in popularity over recent years, taking cycling off increasingly hectic roads and enabling riders to explore exciting new terrain.

Alongside the major bike brands releasing the best gravel bikes as part of their line-ups, component and accessory manufacturers have also been working to develop new products that cater to the demands of mixed-terrain riding.

Here’s our round-up of the most useful gravel bike accessories, designed to enhance your ride, whether that’s helping you navigate new trails, protecting you and your bike, stowing your kit or preventing mechanicals.

Mudguards

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Some brands produce full-length mudguards for wide gravel tyres, such as the Portland Design Works guards pictured here.
Portland Design Works

There’s no denying that gravel riding, especially in the winter and wet weather conditions, can be a filthy game.

Mudguards help to not only keep you cleaner and drier, but can also help to prolong the life of your components. There’s less of an emphasis here on keeping your ride pals dry than on the road, because you tend to ride further apart rather than in a tight peloton.

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The Mudhugger GravelHugger offers tons of clearance and protection for the rider, but not necessarily your buddies.
Russell Burton / Our Media

There are multiple options on offer here, from traditional, fixed guards in wider widths to universal, clip-on options such as the Mudhugger Rear GravelHugger or more minimalist RideGuards.

Having a decent level of clearance between the tyre and mudguard is really important, to prevent any clogging with mud or debris, which can be damaging or dangerous to you and your bike.