Gravel Bike Vs. Road Bike?
Choosing between a gravel bike and a road bike is a common dilemma for most riders. Both gravel bikes and road bikes can serve you well, depending on how you want to use them. They are also similar looking but very different upon a closer glimpse of them.
Many factors may affect your purchase regardless of whether you want one for adventure or for commuting. But, apart from the many factors, one question is which bike will give you value for your money?
Let’s delve into the significant differences between these two bikes so you can easily choose which bike suits you best.
What is a Gravel Bike?
A gravel bike is a bike designed to ride on hard terrains. The structural design of a gravel bike makes it more durable and stable when on dirt and Rocky terrains. With the sporty geometry and drop handlebar, a gravel bike may give you great success on the road – but with a combination of lower gearing, stable handling, and wider tires, you can confidently ride off-road.
In the recent past, gravel cycling was a fringe to many cyclists. Significantly few people were interested in gravel cycling, let alone gravel racing. However, gravel cycling is becoming so popular that some popular road races are slowly incorporating gravel segments.
This popularity has many cyclists looking to buy gravel bikes for their newfound gravel riding hobby. Subsequently, many manufacturers are developing gravel bikes to meet the great need for gravel cycling.
Like many other bikes, gravel bikes are made from different frame materials. However, the most common materials are aluminum and carbon. They are also known as adventure bikes, and it is easy to see why – you can ride them on any type of road, so you don’t have to worry if there’s no gravel on your path. You can ride along dirty forest paths, snowy paths, farm paths, and other hard terrain.
It does not mean that is not to say that you cannot use the gravel bike on smooth terrain. On the contrary, the gravel bike is made to comfortably plod along both the tarmac roads and smoother roads.
Pros
- Easily fit accessories to make it more efficient
- Drive on any terrain
- Simple components
Cons
- Heavier
- expensive
What is a Road Bike?
A road bike gets its name from the terrain it is designed to ride on – the road. The road bike hasn’t changed much over the years, but modern road bikes were faster than traditional road bike racing 50 years ago. Road bikes are designed to take you as far and fast as your legs can carry you on paved surfaces. Unlike the more complex mountain bikes, road bikes may not do well on hard terrains, so they are unsuitable for adventures.
Also, the modern road bike is more comfortable, and as we mentioned, it is also faster, all thanks to 24 – the speed drivetrains that we are seeing on them. Common characteristics of a road bike include a drop handlebar and narrow slick tires, and most of them place the rider’s bum slightly higher than their hands. All these characteristics are aimed at making the bike faster on paved surfaces.
Some cyclists may refer to road bikes as racing bikes because most of them are used in many cycling events. Thanks to their increased speed on paved surfaces, these road bikes are very popular with people who commute in towns using bicycles. Road bikes are made to work on paved surfaces, but they can also work on flat trails and off-road paths.
Different manufacturers use different kinds of materials for a road bike frame. For example, while some manufacturers may use Titanium, some may also use carbon for the road bike frame.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Speedier
- Thin tires that reduce friction
- More aerodynamic
- Tolerant components
Cons
- Not stable
- Not comfortable
Differences Between Gravel Bike and Road Bike – Gravel Bike Vs. Road Bike
Like a cross-country mountain bike differs from a trail or enduro bike, gravel and road bikes exhibit elements that make them different.
Purpose/Use
Gravel bikes and road bikes significantly differ in what they are supposed to do. Road bikes are meant to be ridden on paved surfaces with no hard terrains like rocky paths. However, some road bikes can stand less rocky terrains or hard paths. Road bikes are also lighter, making them faster and excellent for commuting on the streets.
On the other side, Gravel bikes are made to be ridden on rocky terrains or roads with gravel. The gravel bikes can withstand roads with ice, farm paths, and generally, off-road paths.
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Frame Design and Riding Style
Road bikes will mostly have a shorter wheelbase and steeper angles for nimble riding quality and lively handling. On the other hand, a gravel bike on the other side has a slacker head angle and a longer wheelbase which is good for the bike’s stability while on hard terrain. Moreover, the frame designs of these two bikes enable them to ride them on their designated terrains.
As we mentioned earlier, road bikes will give you a ride position where your bum may be higher than your hands. However, gravel bikes may give you a more upright position than a road bike.
Geometry
Gravel bikes tend to be lower, slacker, and longer, unlike road bikes, which are shorter, faster, and higher. The geometry of gravel bikes insists on stability; therefore, the rider is more comfortable while riding on hard terrains. The geometry of the gravel bike is designed mainly for its purposes.
On the other hand, road bike geometry is made with the aim of a fast response, fast ride, and precise handling. So it is safe to say that the geometry of these two bikes depends on what they are designed to do.
Handlebars
At the first look, you might think that the handlebars are the same, but they are quite different due to their purposes. However, the difference is not as extreme as with the mountain bike handlebars. The main difference between these two handlebars is their widths.
The gravel bike handlebars are pretty wide compared to the road bike’s handlebars. The handlebars of the gravel bikes also have a flaring at the drops; therefore, the drops will angle outwards. These characteristics offer the cyclist a big deal of support and a wide grip for technical support.
Road bars might have a maximum width of 44 meters, while gravel bike handlebars may reach 54 meters. The road bars are supposed to be very aerodynamic, and sometimes this compromises the quality of the bars. In addition, you rarely find flared drops on the bars of a road bike.
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Wheels & Tires & Clearance
The wheels and tires of gravel and road bikes present the most striking difference at first glance. For instance, road bikes exhibit a maximum tire clearance of about 33 – 35 mm. Most of these tires will err on the side of slightly narrower rubber.
Gravel bikes will have a 33m clearance on their wheels, including the wheel’s casing.
Gears
A normal road bike is a 53/39T front chainring; this refers to the precise number of teeth found on each chainring. Also, with a road bike, the classic rear cassette is at 11X28, and the T28 is the biggest and easiest gear when climbing.
On the other hand, the gravel bike gear setup is a bit more complicated because the gear does not have a conventional gearing setup. Most gravel bikes are split between 1X and 2X, but 1X gears are more prevalent on gravel bikes.
Suspension and Brakes
Despite the need for suspension on a bike, gravel bikes do not have suspension. Why? Suspension adds to the bike’s weight, making the bike slower than normal. With suspension on a gravel bike, accelerating during a race becomes difficult. Also, maintaining a gravel bike with suspension is difficult and requires extra time. Road bikes do not have suspension because there is no need to have suspension on a bike designed for racing.
When it comes to brakes, the two bikes are somehow similar in that the best choice of brakes for both are disc brakes. Of course, some manufacturers still use rim brakes, but disc brakes are the most common.
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Weight and Maintenance
When it comes to weight and maintenance, gravel bikes are heavier than road bikes, they also need more maintenance than road bikes. In addition, gravel bikes are more exposed to dirt and damage because of their designated terrain, so they need to be maintained more than road bikes.
FAQ – Gravel Bike Vs. Road Bike
- Which is better: a road bike or a gravel bike?
The answer to this depends on what you intend to do with the bike. If you intend to use the bike for your commuting needs, you might want to watch your terrain. Most probably, if you live in a big city, the chances are that you might not have to commute using hard terrains. Therefore this means that you can use the road bike. It is cheaper, lighter, and faster than a mountain bike or gravel bike. The only downside to this option is that you can only use the road bike on paved surfaces. Using the bike on tough terrains can wear out your bike faster.
If you are buying a bike for off-road adventures or off-road racing, then a gravel bike can be a good option. However, with a gravel bike, you might want to dig deeper into your pockets to get a good bike. Also, a gravel bike is much heavier. The good thing is that you can comfortably ride the bike on any terrain. You can commute with it on paved surfaces and ride with it on an off-road adventure. You will also be required to improve your maintenance game for the bike.
Deciding which bike is better than the other greatly depends on the buyer putting in mind what you want to achieve with the bike.
- Can You Use a Road Bike as a Gravel Bike?
Yes, you can convert your current road bike into a gravel bike by replacing some bike parts. The fitted parts make the road bikes suitable for gravel riding. Although the bike will not be a real gravel bike, it will enable you to ride on gravel. The changes are not permanent, so you can change your regular road bike back into a normal road bike. The first part of changing should be the tires of the road bike. You can also change the pedals on your road bike and get double-sided pedals. These pedals do not get clogged up in mud, dirt, or debris, making them great for gravel riding.
You can also consider getting another type of gear for off-road riding. Changing the handlebars is unnecessary, but you can change them for more comfort. If you want to enjoy the extra mile gravel riding, you can choose a more thick shock-absorbing handlebar tape that will help in dampening the vibrations while on the road.
So as you can see, it is possible to change your road bike into a gravel bike by changing a few parts of your road bike. Most parts of a road bike are geared towards enhancing speed, but gravel bike parts are geared towards enhancing durability and stability while gravel riding. In addition, converting a road bike into a gravel bike might save you some cash because most gravel bikes tend to be more expensive than road bikes.
- Is a Gravel Bike as Fast as a Road Bike?
Gravel bikes are kind of hybrid bikes because they are multipurpose, dynamic, and versatile. The questions – are they faster than road bikes? Road bikes are designed for racing, and therefore they are faster than gravel bikes.
Road bike speed is affected by three main factors: position, weight, and tires. For example, the position of a gravel bike is more upright which makes aero impossible for the bike. On the other hand, a road bike has a bent position that makes aerodynamics possible, thus contributing to the bike’s speed.
Also, the weightier the bike, the slower it gets. For instance, road bikes are about 18 pounds while gravel bikes are a little higher by 6 pounds. But on the other hand, most gravel bikes are about 24 pounds, making them slower than most road bikes.
- Should a Gravel Bike Fit the Same as a Road Bike?
A gravel bike and a road bike fit are slightly similar. However, the manufacturer may use large/medium/small fitting rather than centimeters. So although you are in between sizes, a gravel bike should fit the same as a road bike.
- Is a gravel bike good for long rides?
Some bikes are specifically made for long distances. But do you have to buy such bikes when you have a gravel bike? Is a gravel bike suitable for long distances? Considering that you will need to be on the handlebars for a long time, the drop bars on gravel bikes are excellent for having different handling positions. Gravel bikes also have plenty of mounts so that you can store some of your items while traveling.
Long-distance traveling will expose you to different terrains; most of them might be hard terrains. Gravel bikes have wide tires that make a powerful grip on hard terrains and enhance comfort while riding them. Gravel bikes are also designed for durability and versatility. The bikes are versatile, which means they can comfortably ride on different terrains, whether tarmac roads or ice paths. So yes, gravel bikes are great for long-distance traveling.
- Is Gravel Riding Harder than Road
Gravel riding is definitely harder because you will be using more of your upper body muscles. However, there are a few upsides that come with gravel riding. One is that you will get to lose some calories when riding on gravel.
The irregularity of the gravel under the bike sends vibrations to your body, requiring a group of your muscles to work in collaboration to maintain stability. Fortunately for gravel riding, gravel bikes are designed to make gravel riding easier than gravel riding with a road bike. So it is safe to confirm that gravel riding is definitely harder than road riding. However, as we mentioned, your body’s muscles must collaborate with gravel riding, and therefore, the heart rate goes up to make the cyclist tired.
Conclusion – Gravel Bike Vs. Road Bike
Gravel bike vs. road bike; which one is better? The answer to this narrows down to what you aim to use the bike for. Is it for commuting or gravel racing? When you decide what you intend to do with the bike, you will know which bike will serve you best.
For commuting, you may need a road bike built for the road and designed for higher speeds. On the other hand, if you intend to gravel race with the bike, then you can have the gravel bike because it is built to withstand hard terrains. You can also decide on combining the two in one bike. For instance, you can have a road bike replace some of its parts with gravel bike parts.