{"id":54915,"date":"2023-09-26T10:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T08:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=747430"},"modified":"2023-09-26T10:35:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T08:35:41","slug":"gravel-groupsets-explained-choose-the-right-groupset-for-you","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/gravel-groupsets-explained-choose-the-right-groupset-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Gravel groupsets explained | Choose the right groupset for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Single or double chainring, gear range and other key considerations when choosing the best gravel bike groupset for your riding style <\/p>

By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 26 September 2023 at 08:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Gravel groupsets are a burgeoning field, with many options from the major groupset marques (Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo) as well as from more niche players.<\/p>\n

A gravel groupset is designed for drop-bar gravel bikes<\/a> (although there may be flat-bar options available too). It typically includes a crankset and cassette offering a wider, lower gear range than a road bike groupset<\/a> and a rear derailleur with a clutch to keep the chain running smoothly.<\/p>\n

In this buyer\u2019s guide, we\u2019ll concentrate on the extensive range of gravel groupsets, options and configurations offered by the big three manufacturers, with a quick delve into Microshift.<\/p>\n

Later on, we\u2019ll help you decide which gravel groupset configuration is likely to suit your gravel riding<\/a> style and give you some pointers on the main considerations when choosing.<\/p>\n

What is a gravel groupset and what difference can it make to your bike?<\/h2>\n

A gravel bike groupset is designed to offer the gearing needed for riding off-road.<\/p>\n

As explained in more detail in our how to choose section below, that means gearing that provides lower ratios than a road bike groupset. This enables easier progress over steep, loose and muddy terrain on a bike that may be loaded up for greater self-sufficiency or for bikepacking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gravel groupsets borrow much tech from mountain bike groupsets<\/a>, including their wide gear range and usually a single chainring<\/a> option (usually denoted 1x) as well as double chainrings, denoted 2x.<\/p>\n

Some provide compatibility with MTB components as well, allowing you to mix and match for even more gearing choices.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s common for the rear derailleur<\/a> of a gravel groupset to include a clutch mechanism to assist with chain retention. It enables smoother progress and gear shifts when traversing uneven ground and reduces chain slap on the chainstays.<\/p>\n

How to choose the right gravel groupset for you<\/h2>\n

A few key factors will influence which is the best gravel groupset configuration for your needs.<\/p>\n

1x vs 2x<\/h3>\n
\"Shimano\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A 1x crankset\u2019s single chainring has deep teeth to improve chain retention.<\/span><\/figcaption> Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A key decision is whether you want a single-chainring (1x) or a double-chainring (2x) groupset. You\u2019d think having twice as many gear ratios available would be a good thing, but in practice, the decision is far more nuanced.<\/p>\n

There are substantial overlaps between the gear ratios on the large and small chainrings for 2x systems, so the actual number of discrete ratios may not be a lot greater than with a 1x system.<\/p>\n

You might not get a significantly greater range overall either and some 1x \u2018mullet\u2019 builds<\/a> offer more range than almost all 2x systems because 1x derailleurs are designed to shift smoothly over very wide-range cassettes, while 2x rear derailleurs have more limited shift range.<\/p>\n

You may get smaller jumps between ratios with a 2x drivetrain, which can be useful for maintaining cadence over undulating terrain. On the other hand, once you get up to 11, 12 or 13-speed cassettes, the jumps between ratios in a 1x drivetrain may not be that great, particularly in the mid-range, where most riders spend most of their time.<\/p>\n

1x reduces complexity so there\u2019s less to go wrong. Here, chainrings and derailleurs are designed to improve chain retention and the teeth on the chainring also help clear mud and dirt from the chain.<\/p>\n

Front derailleurs are prone to collecting dirt and debris from the rear wheel and they also impose constraints on bike design that limit how wide a rear tyre can be accommodated. SRAM\u2019s Wide systems help here, but these are problems that are reduced or eliminated in 1x systems.<\/p>\n

Going 1x can also free up the left shift lever to operate a dropper seatpost<\/a>, or you can run a \u2018dumb\u2019 left-side brake lever.<\/p>\n

Is gravel gearing easier than road gearing?<\/h3>\n
\"Shimano\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Gravel groupsets offer really wide gear spreads for easier progress off-road.<\/span><\/figcaption> Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Modern gravel bike groupsets are designed to offer you lower gearing than a road bike groupset, to help you to haul yourself up steep, loose inclines. Typically, you\u2019ll have a lowest gear of below 1:1. This usually means a slightly lower highest ratio than on a road bike \u2013 but how often do you use your smallest sprocket when riding?<\/p>\n

Most gravel bikes with a conventional 2x drivetrain, that has a cassette with an 11-tooth smallest sprocket, are fitted with a sub-compact crankset<\/a>. Shimano GRX, for example, offers either 48\/31t or 46\/30t chainring combinations.<\/p>\n

1x SRAM and Campagnolo groupsets, which have 9- or 10-tooth smallest sprockets, offer similarly easy lowest gears and also incorporate chainrings that enable you to shift the ratios available towards lower ranges.<\/p>\n

Electronic shifting vs mechanical shifting<\/h3>\n
\"SRAM\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Apex is SRAM\u2019s first 12-speed groupset to provide both electronic and mechanical options.<\/span><\/figcaption> Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Groupset brands have taken different approaches to electronic shifting for gravel bikes.<\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s latest 12-speed gravel groupsets<\/a> currently offer mechanical shifting only, although there\u2019s an electronic Di2 option in GRX 11-speed. Campagnolo Ekar<\/a> is also mechanical only.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s SRAM that has made the strongest move into electronic shifting<\/a> for gravel bikes. All its 12-speed groupset offerings were electronic until it launched Apex 12-speed mechanical<\/a>. Its 11-speed gravel groupsets are still mechanical though and available at Force, Rival and Apex level with 1x gearing.<\/p>\n

Electronic shifting is less prone to performance degradation through contamination than mechanical. There\u2019s less to go wrong, although if it does, it\u2019s less easily fixed than a cable-actuated system.<\/p>\n

Wrecking an electronic rear derailleur is an expensive proposition \u2013 significantly more so than with a mechanical system \u2013 although electronic derailleurs are built with tech designed to reduce the risk of damage.<\/p>\n

Even without a full write-off, there\u2019s a lot more wear on a derailleur used off-road than on a road bike groupset component, so you may need to pay more for maintenance regardless of whether your system is electronic or mechanical.<\/p>\n

Can I swap components?<\/h3>\n
\"Sram\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Gravel components are not always compatible: SRAM Apex Eagle uses a different cassette and chain spacing from Apex XPLR, for example.<\/span><\/figcaption> Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For road bike groupsets, you can usually mix components from different tiers together, providing they have the same number of speeds. For example, you can use a 12-speed Shimano 105 cassette with a Dura-Ace derailleur or SRAM Rival AXS shifters with SRAM Red AXS derailleurs.<\/p>\n

With gravel, it can be a bit more tricky. SRAM Apex XPLR AXS<\/a>, for example, uses a different cassette spacing, chain and derailleur from SRAM Apex Eagle AXS<\/a>. Shimano 12-speed single chainring components require a Micro Spline freehub<\/a>, while 12-speed double chainring components use a cassette that sits on a road-going 11-speed HG freehub body.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth considering what you need for your riding, what constraints a specific choice places on incompatibility and how much replacement parts cost before opting for a specific groupset.<\/p>\n

Do I need hydraulic braking?<\/h3>\n
\"Sonder\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Almost all gravel bike groupsets include hydraulic disc brakes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Gravel bikes all use disc brakes<\/a>, but there\u2019s a choice at the lower spec levels between mechanical and hydraulic systems. The majority of gravel groupsets, with the exception of Microshift Sword<\/a>, have in-series hydraulic disc brakes.<\/p>\n

On lower-spec gravel bikes, though, you may find systems with, for example, Shimano Tiagra shifters operating GRX400 derailleurs and mechanical disc brakes from another brand such as TRP<\/a>. This tends to be a less expensive option than an in-series build with hydraulic disc brakes.<\/p>\n

These mixed systems work perfectly well, but hydraulic braking has significant advantages. First, the hydraulic brake hoses form an enclosed system, so they\u2019re less prone to contamination than brake cables, which are exposed at the calipers.<\/p>\n

Secondly, cable systems can suffer performance degradation due to cable outer compression when you apply the brakes. There\u2019s also friction between the outer and inner cables. Both these factors can lead to a spongy brake feel and less absolute braking power.<\/p>\n

Hydraulic systems aren\u2019t prone to these problems and there\u2019s no loss of efficiency, however tight the bends in the hoses are. Thus, they tend to give you more powerful braking and better brake feel.<\/p>\n

On the flipside, you can get air bubbles or other contamination in hydraulic hoses, which will require a bleed to refresh the brake fluid. Bleeding<\/a> a hydraulic disc brake is more messy, complex and costly than cleaning or replacing a mechanical brake cable<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mechanical shift\/brake levers tend to be smaller than hydraulic ones too, which some riders may prefer.<\/p>\n

Gravel groupset options and maximum range<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a wide range of gravel groupsets available in both 1x and 2x configurations. Your choice of groupset will determine the total range available and also the lowest gear ratio that you can obtain.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a summary table of available options and the gear ratio spread between the highest and lowest gear for each configuration.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup> \n
Brand<\/th>Groupset<\/th>Speeds<\/th>1x max range<\/th>2x max range<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
SRAM<\/b><\/td>Red AXS<\/td>12<\/td>440%<\/td>501%<\/td> <\/tr>
Force AXS<\/td>12<\/td>440%<\/td>501%<\/td> <\/tr>
Rival AXS<\/td>12<\/td>440%<\/td>501%<\/td> <\/tr>
Mullet<\/td>12<\/td>520%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Apex XPLR AXS\/mechanical<\/td>12<\/td>440%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Apex Eagle AXS\/mechanical<\/td>12<\/td>520%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Force<\/td>11<\/td>381%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Rival<\/td>11<\/td>381%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Apex<\/td>11<\/td>381%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Shimano<\/b><\/td>GRX820\/610 Unbeatable<\/td>12<\/td>450%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
GRX820\/610 Unstoppable<\/td>12<\/td>510%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
GRX820\/610 Undroppable<\/td>12<\/td>–<\/td>507%<\/td> <\/tr>
GRX815\/810\/600<\/td>11<\/td>479%<\/td>478%<\/td> <\/tr>
GRX400<\/td>10<\/td>–<\/td>502%<\/td> <\/tr>
Campagnolo<\/b><\/td>Ekar<\/td>13<\/td>467%<\/td>–<\/td> <\/tr>
Microshift<\/b><\/td>Sword<\/td>10<\/td>436%<\/td>548%<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>