By Paul Norman

Published: Monday, 24 October 2022 at 12:00 am


Every bike brand worth its salt has a gravel bike in its range, but there’s a vast array of different spec choices and setup options out there, from gearing and wheel sizes, to tyre width and finishing kit.

Some bikes are geared towards fast rides on and off-road, while others are set up to carry luggage on long-haul adventures, well off the beaten track. There’s a wide range of gravel bike geometry to reflect this, with gravel race bikes configured more like road race bikes, while bikepacking bikes will be designed for more relaxed handling when loaded.

Which is right for you? What are the spec options to look out for? And what components can you tweak to adapt your gravel bike so it best suits your type of riding?

Whether you’re on the lookout for a new gravel bike, or you’re looking to upgrade your current ride, we’ve demystified the intricacies of gravel bike setup to help you make the right decision.