Like road bikes, gravel bikes come with drop handlebars. However, what sets them apart is that they are among the most versatile bikes. They allow you to sit more upright and come with wide tires, disc brakes, compliant frames, and many mounting points for bags, allowing for comfortable travel on rougher dirt road terrain.

Cyclocross bikes also come with drop handlebars, like road and gravel bikes. They allow you to sit in a slightly more aggressive, bent-over position, and are intended for racing. They often fit slightly narrower tires than gravel bikes, but still come with wider tires and more tread than a road bike, allowing you to ride rough terrain. Like gravel bikes, they come with disc brakes.

Carbon frames are lighter, but more expensive, while aluminium ones are heavier, but cheaper. Carbon frames tend to help dampen vibrations particularly well, making for a smooth ride.

1x drivetrains have 1 chainring up front, meaning you don’t have to worry about shifting with a front derailleur. They allow you enough gears for all types of terrain, with more simplicity and better performance in variable and muddy conditions.

2x drivetrains have 2 chainrings up front, giving an even wider range of gears. This is best if you plan to ride your gravel bike on the road or faster terrain.

Modern gravel bike shifting is very reliable. Even less expensive mechanical components will work in all conditions with little maintenance. Some bikes come with electronic shifting in the form of Shimano Di2 (wired) or SRAM AXS (wireless). These cost more, but allow for silent, smooth, and reliable shifting in any conditions and under load while pedaling.

Aluminum wheels are the most common, and less expensive. They are durable, and modern aluminum wheels are lightweight. Carbon wheels are more expensive, but are stiffer, lighter, and allow for more efficient riding on gravel surfaces.

Please contact the shop directly.