Gravel reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 158 Reddit reviews across 10 subreddits and 23 posts to rank the best Gravel brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/gravelcycling, r/cycling, r/whichbike, r/cyclocross, r/bicycling. Top-rated brands include Specialized (4.5/5), Trek (4.2/5), Giant (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews158
Subreddits10
Posts23
Brands63
Products91
158 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Specialized
4.5
(10)
"I bought a Crux Comp and then built it up how I wanted. The base build is completely servicable and the frame is the same all the way up to the Pro level. I absolutely love mine."
"I have the carbon version of the Revolt and absolutely love it."
"If speed isn’t a factor then Pirelli Cinturato H for more cushion in 45 width."
"Super fast on pavement and great on gravel, even some mud."
"Absolutely love my crux for gravel and cross."
"I bought an aluminum Revolt in 2021 and I've been very happy with it so far."
"Specialized crux (7.8kg +/-, 47mm max)"
"I managed to get my Topstone 1 on sale for $1500 which is a touch out of your mentioned range. But I love it."
"Getting a racey gravel bike like crux, aspero, supersix cx/gravel."
"Crux! Great bike."
#2
Trek
4.2
(10)
"Upvote for the Checkpoint ALR5 - I got mine from Red Barn Refresh and couldn’t be happier with it"
"I have a Checkpoint ALR5 and love it."
"Trek checkpoint."
"Trek ALR3"
"I got an ALR 5 2021 she got ALR 3 2025. I get trek because I befriended a LBS owner many years ago and made me a fan of trek."
"I picked up a brand new 2023 checkpoint alr 5 for 1850 cdn 2 months ago. Fantastic bike."
"Test ride a checkpoint those suckers look nice"
"For 2k? It's gets more complicated. Checkpoint ALR4?"
"Trek checkpoint ALR4……but I got lucky and snatched it up for $300."
#3
Giant
4.4
(7)
"Giant Revolt 2. I think it's a phenomenal do it all bike"
"Giant revolt. Buy used and get a higher spec level than your budget allows new. Incredible value."
"One month ago I purchased a 2021 Giant Contend AR1 for $540 USD."
"A Giant Revolt 1 is about $1500, comes with a GRX 400 hydraulic groupset and some very reliable in-house Giant components"
"Revolt. Great all rounder."
"Giant Revolt 1 or Silex 400 as mentioned"
"Giant Content AR1 is a great option"
#4
Continental
4.8
(6)
"Continental Terra Trail, Terra Speed and Hutchinson Caracal Race"
"Continental Terra Trail, Terra Speed and Hutchinson Caracal Race"
"Great all-around tire with excellent rolling speed."
"29 x 2 Continental Race Kings are my current favorite in the East Bay/Marin."
"Race King 2.2 on 650b. Fast and confident."
#5
Pirelli
4.7
(6)
"If you want to be a quick boi."
"Very fast rolling tires."
"I've become a big fan."
"Very predictable slide and grip."
"I ditched my 42mm pathfinder pros for 45mm cinturato Ms and I love them."
"Cinurato RCs for the increased durability over G-One RS and Pathfinders."
#6
Schwalbe
4.7
(6)
"Is absolutely amazing on a gravel bike."
"Is best!"
"Holy moly are the Schwalbe fast."
"G one bite and allround"
"Thunderburt if you can fit them."
#7
Tufo
5.0
(5)
"Love them, fast on pavement, cushy on all sorts of gravel, dirt, stone, and grass."
"The Rene Herse Corkscrew Climbs will be the next ones I try."
"Love them so much very quick and grippy tire on both the road and trail."
"Damn fast on hardpack/tarmac, good grip on moderately deep dirt/sand."
"Tufo Thundero all day long."
#8
Salsa
4.0
(5)
"At your height and weight I think salsa would be a good option if carbon or aluminum is desired."
"Salsa Journeyer is a good one"
"The Salsa Journeyer is a really nice entry point."
"I was looking into the Salsa Journeyer as a viable option."
#9
Challenge
5.0
(4)
"Challenge gravel grinders have been a significantly more fun ride than anything else."
"Challenge Getaway Pro HTLR... the Getaways are a little bit more comfortable."
"With Challenge Gravel Grinders as second choice."
#10
Five Ten
4.8
(4)
"Anyways, [Five ten trailcross clipless] are on deep discount right now."
"These: https://www.adidas.com/us/five-ten-trailcross-gore-tex-mountain-bike-shoes/IF4941.html"
"My favorite casual / fun ride shoe is the Adidas 5-10 Trailcross clip-in."
"5/10 Trailcross maybe? If you don’t mind flats. They are reportedly amazing in a river bed on slick rocks, comf"
#11
Lauf
4.5
(4)
"Plus one for Lauf..."
"I just got a Lauf True Grit (discontinued model) from their North American outlet sales site for <2k. I'm pretty thrilled about it."
"I'd get a Lauf Seigla. 57 mm (or 2.25") tyre clearance per the manufacturer so you can use fast 29" MTB tyres to go faster on gravel."
"Pinky https://www.laufcycles.com/product/lauf-seigla"
#12
Jamis
4.3
(4)
"Consider Janis Renegade."
"I really like the James renegade. The steel version has some good components on it"
"I Have a 2019 Jami’s Renegade in steel and it’s been a solid bike for me."
#13
Panaracer
5.0
(3)
"Gravel King SKs. I’m running them in 50mm right now and love them for everything."
"Haven’t came across anything they couldn’t handle."
"I’m very satisfied, I have little rolling resistance on the road and good grip in the forest."
#14
Hutchinson
5.0
(3)
"Continental Terra Trail, Terra Speed and Hutchinson Caracal Race"
"Hutchinson Touareg..."
"I have a pair of Hutchinson Touareg in 650Bx47mm and I really like them."
#15
Vittoria
4.7
(3)
"...two sets of their 45 Mezcal Gravel Tires that have done me wonders for multiple types of terrain."
"I like my Vittoria Terreno Drys. Which are weirdly enough not that bad in wet/slightly muddy/slippery conditions"
#16
Poseidon
4.3
(3)
"Poseidon has the redwoods on a last call sale for 600"
"For $1000 or less I tell people: State Allroad, Primos Dame, or Poseidon Triton."
"Just got the Poseidon redwood this weekend."
#17
Marin
4.3
(3)
"Marin has excellent options. I have the Gestalt XR and absolutely love it."
"At or around $2k, the Marin Four Corners 2 and the Gestalt XR are excellent options."
"At or around $2k, the Marin Four Corners 2 and the Gestalt XR are excellent options."
#18
GT
4.0
(3)
"GT Grade Comp is probably the best bang for your buck. Carbon fork, hydraulic brakes, GRX group set for ~$1200 is an excellent value."
"Within your price range, GT Grade Comp is probably the best bang for your buck."
"GT grade comp"
#19
Decathlon
4.0
(3)
"Consider Decathlon and Poseidon as well."
"Makes some decent bikes in that price range."
"Decathlon sell cheap decent bikes for beginners."
#20
BMC
4.0
(3)
"Seconding the BMC URS AL TWO. I got mine for $1500 USD (it was on sale) and am very happy with it."
"I bought an AL 2 and dropped in some upgrades after a few years. Totally worth it."
"Check it some offers of BMC URS AL TWO. I got mine for 1200€ and it cames with GRX 600/800 carbon fork etc."
#21
Canyon
4.0
(3)
"Canyon offers already have DT swiss GRC wheelset which is a big plus."
"Canyon Grizl CF SLX 8 Di2"
"If you're looking for best bang for the buck, a Canyon grizl or grail would be the way to go."
#22
Cannondale
3.7
(3)
"Great to know. I think a topstone 1 or 2 is in my future"
"I’ve been interested in Cannondale’s topstone alloy bikes because they have a maximum weight capacity of 330 pounds."
"I have a 23 Topstone Ltd and seems to hold up ok. The stock wheels aren't great and are for road use as I had a pair of DT G1800's from a previous bike I use for gravel."
#23
Merida
5.0
(2)
"My personal go to would be a Merida Silex 400 second hand."
"Merida is dumping their old model silex 400s for a steal."
#24
Ratio Technology
5.0
(2)
"Simplest would be to put on an e13 9-45 cassette and smaller front chainring to stay in the s."
"I did the latter on my Rival 1x and it works great."
#25
Rene Herse
5.0
(2)
"I now people consider them overpriced, but my (slick) 35 mm lasted TCR #10 and have total of over 9000 km."
"The big knobs suit the wet and muddy riding I do."
#26
Rose
4.5
(2)
"Im really happy with my Backroad FF. Speedy as fuck and feels faster than my previous Cube Agree SLT (8kg) roadbike."
"Rose Backroad FF? In my opinion one of the best looking gravelbikes"
#27
Co-Op
4.5
(2)
"Get the Co-Op. It's on a great sale."
"I'd go with the Co-op. REI will have the best service if you have issues."
#28
Ultradynamico
4.5
(2)
"Of course, you can argue about this Pricetag."
"Ultradynamico Rose in front, Cava in back."
#29
State Bicycle Co
4.0
(2)
"I just picked up a State Bicycle Co All-road. Had it a few weeks. Love it!"
"I'll second the State All road bikes."
#30
Propain
4.0
(2)
"Propain Terrel CF? Made in Germany. It has 50mm tire clearence, UDH, threaded BB, inframe storage and many customisation options."
"Propain Terrel CF is what you're looking for. Just ordered mine and waiting for it to arrive."
#31
Fairlight
4.0
(2)
"Fairlight Secan."
"The fairlight secan is a fantastic bike, and about as light as it gets for steel."
#32
Pea Gravel
4.0
(2)
"Just love the look of pea gravel in photos I've searched."
"Pea gravel from a local builder’s merchant."
#33
Cervelo
4.0
(2)
"Cervelo aspero (sub 9kg, 45mm max)"
"Cervelo aspero is an excellent gravel race bike and fast road ride bike with a tire change."
#34
State
4.0
(2)
"State 4130 all road. $999 base. You can add some upgrades to get you up to the 1400 mark. I bought the base package and love the frame."
"For $1000 or less I tell people: State Allroad, Primos Dame, or Poseidon Triton."
#35
3T
3.5
(2)
"Probably the 3T RaceMax? Why? Its designed to be aerodynamic WITH big gravel tires and water bottles on the frame."
"3T exploro ?"
#36
Granite
3.0
(2)
"Get crushed granite."
"Granite #57 stone."
#37
Rodeo Labs
5.0
(1)
"IMHO Rodeo Labs is making the most versatile bike right now. The Flaanimal 5. Steel or Ti versions available."
#38
Michelin
5.0
(1)
"They roll well, have surprisingly good grip for the thread pattern."
#39
GR1600
5.0
(1)
"Upgraded my rear to a GR1600 rear. Such an upgrade. Highly recommend."
#40
Argon 18
5.0
(1)
"Argon 18 Dark Matter. I bought one not too long ago for that price. Absolutely in love with it."
#41
Litespeed
5.0
(1)
"Just bought a titanium Litespeed Flint, upgraded the wheel set to wheels that don’t have a weight limit (Spinergy)."
#42
Surly
5.0
(1)
"I just bought a Surly Midnight Special. Its around that price range and built like a tank, 400lbs limit on the stock. Things badass."
#43
Polygon
5.0
(1)
"Carbon wheels and SRAM Rival. Incredible value for the price. I've ridden it for the past few months and have been happy."
#44
Kenda
5.0
(1)
"It rolls fast on pavement and grips very well on gravel."
#45
IRC
5.0
(1)
"Can take a lot of abuse from the flinthills and keep going."
#46
Bontrager
5.0
(1)
"Recently switched to Bontrager Betasso 700x50 tires on my Polygon Bend and they are great so far."
#47
Condor, Dolan, Enigma, Fairlight, Genesis, J.Laverack, Kinesis, Mason, Orro, Pearson
4.0
(1)
"My advice: get a beautiful titanium gravel/ all road bike if you can afford it, and two sets of wheels."
#48
Ventum
4.0
(1)
"I have a Ventum GS1 that I am happy with."
#49
Spot
4.0
(1)
"Since you mention Colorado, I’m going to throw out the Spot Rallye. They’re local, and while I don’t have one, I’m going to check them out on Monday."
#50
Kona
4.0
(1)
"Otherwise I recommend the Kona rove steel."
#51
Santa Cruz
4.0
(1)
"Santa Cruz stigmata (around 9kg, 50mm tires)"
#52
Cube
4.0
(1)
"Cube nuroad race. Top of your budget or a few quids more but come with Shimano grx, hydro disc."
#53
Orbea
4.0
(1)
"Orbea Terra M31ETEAM. Got mine a month ago. It’s 4K € and you can customize gear and colors with MyO."
#54
Primos
4.0
(1)
"For $1000 or less I tell people: State Allroad, Primos Dame, or Poseidon Triton."
#55
Velocity
4.0
(1)
"I guess I’ll stick with the stock 37s and set them up tubeless and get ready to pick up velocity cliffhangers if I run into any wheel issues"
#56
Ridley
4.0
(1)
"The new Ridley Astr RS!"
#57
WTB
4.0
(1)
"Wtb vulpine 40"
#58
Cannondale, Mondraker, On One
4.0
(1)
"If it was me, I'd go 1x and for one of Cannondale Topstone, Mondraker Arid, On One Free Ranger in order of price."
#59
Colnago, Cervelo, Giant
4.0
(1)
"From my list I've been keeping, that haven't been mentioned yet I don't think: Colnago g4x, Cervelo Aspero, Giant Advanced pro."
#60
Superior
4.0
(1)
"Superior are new to the US but make great bikes! Big in European XC so cool to see them make their way to the US."
#61
Scott
4.0
(1)
"Scott addict gravel 10 or 20"
#62
Gravel
1.0
(3)
"Weeding it every year is an absolute nightmare."
"Don't do gravel. It gets all over the place."
"Gravel is a nightmare to upkeep."
#63
Stevens
3.0
(1)
"Stevens Camino AXS"
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