The Best Gravel Bikes of 2025: Coaches, Athletes, and Shop Owners Recommend These Bikes

The Specialized Crux earns its place as the best gravel bike overall with an ideal combination of speed, low weight, and versatility. Designed for riders who want efficiency on long gravel stretches but also the ability to jump into a group road ride, it’s built to perform across a variety of surfaces. At just over 17 pounds, its featherweight build scores a perfect 5 out of 5 for weight, making it ideal for big climbs and endurance days.

Natasha Woodworth, founder of Curious Creatures mountain bike apparel, says the Crux “has been really fun on all the gravel roads around Montana.” She adds, “It’s a bit more race-y than most gravel bikes, but that means when I take it on the road, it’s speedy and fun, too.”

While the Crux isn’t particularly suited for highly-technical terrain or obstacle-laden steep descents, it shines in its intended environment: gravel and dirt roads, plus hard-packed singletrack. The stiff carbon frame and race-oriented geometry deliver quick acceleration, precise handling, and road-bike-level efficiency, while still offering stability for long days in the saddle.

Woodworth praises the snappiness of its carbon frame, plus top-tier components like Roval wheels and SRAM Rival brakes and derailleur. For build quality, the Crux easily earns 5 out of 5 points. 

For riders who want one bike to handle gravel racing, dirt road exploration, and weekday commutes, the Crux is hard to beat. Its ability to balance off-road capability with on-road performance earns it 4 out of 5 for versatility. As Woodworth puts it, “The freedom of a fast gravel bike is unmatched, and the Crux is a great bike for so many types of conditions.”

While the Cannondale Trail 2 is technically a hardtail mountain bike, its balanced geometry, efficient pedaling, and budget-friendly price make it a strong contender for gravel riders who want versatility without overspending. Jason Cowie, bike buyer for Sun & Ski Sports, calls it “a lightweight, versatile hardtail mountain bike built for both trail adventures and everyday rides.”

Cowie says the Trail 2 works well for cyclists who want one bike for everything—from dirt singletrack to commuting—thanks to its efficiency-focused build and low-maintenance design. As a gravel bike, it excels on hard-packed routes without a ton of chunky features or steep descents. But thanks to its knobby 2.25-inch tires, you really can take it just about anywhere.

At $799, it’s also a budget-friendly option for riders dipping their toes into gravel and/or mountain biking without wanting a second, dedicated bike. It even includes features rarely found on bikes under $1,000, like dropper-post compatibility and hydraulic brakes. For value, it earns 4.25 out of 5 points.

The SmartForm C3 alloy frame keeps costs down while maintaining durability, and the 100-millimeter suspension fork smooths out chatter on packed gravel or washboard roads. Paired with a Shimano CUES 1×9-speed drivetrain, it offers dependable shifting for mixed terrain, while hydraulic disc brakes give you confident stopping power in both dry and wet conditions.

Wheel size varies by frame size (27.5 or 29 inches) for better fit and handling, which is especially helpful when balancing comfort and speed on long gravel rides. The Trail 2’s build quality is not the best nor worst, but at this price point, it’s pretty exceptional, earning the bike a score of 4 out of 5 points for build quality. 

Drawbacks include a limited nine-speed cassette and heavier alloy frame, which can feel sluggish on long climbs compared to lighter gravel-specific bikes. Still, its ability to transition from weekday commuting to weekend gravel adventures earns it 3.75 out of 5 for versatility. It’s a great entry-level choice for riders who want durability, adaptability, and a reasonable price tag.

The Specialized Rockhopper Sport may be marketed as a cross-country trail mountain bike, but its balanced geometry and straightforward component setup make it a solid pick for budget-conscious gravel riders who want to feel confident going anywhere.  

My husband picked one up at a shop in West Texas and has ridden it frequently over the past year and a half. His routes have included rocky backroads, desert dirt roads, and fast, flat gravel stretches, along with true mountain bike singletrack. For versatility, it earns 4.5 out of 5 points.

“I honestly didn’t expect much out of this bike, given that it was so inexpensive and I randomly chose it at a bike shop (because of its price),” he says. “But it has been a wildly fun ride and I’m super impressed by how well it has handled on different trails that it really wasn’t built for.”

Weighing in at 29.5 pounds, the Rockhopper is unfortunately considerably heavier than a true gravel bike. It’s certainly not for gravel racers. But its cross-country-oriented geometry still helps it feel nimble over long gravel rides or rolling dirt roads, even without the specs of a dedicated gravel bike. 

And there’s a lot here to love. The Shimano CUES 1x drivetrain keeps shifting simple, though the nine-speed cassette can feel limiting on steep, extended climbs. Internal cable routing keeps it looking clean, and its aluminum frame balances durability and maneuverability. Its components are midrange, earning the Rockhopper Sport 3.75 out of 5 points for build quality. 

While the Rockhopper Sport isn’t as fast or efficient on pavement as a true gravel bike, its durability and adaptability make it an excellent gateway option for riders exploring mixed-surface cycling without a four-figure investment. For value, it scores 4.75 out of 5, thanks to features like hydraulic disc brakes, a wide 2.35-inch tire clearance, and dropper-post compatibility—rare at this price point.

The Salsa Fargo earns its place as the best steel gravel bike for riders who want true all-terrain capability and bikepacking readiness. Its triple-butted CroMoly steel frame delivers a stable ride over long distances, while the carbon Firestarter 110 fork keeps weight down and steering precise. At 24.5 pounds, it’s not the lightest bike in its class, but it’s built to thrive under heavy loads and across multi-day adventures. And for a steel frame, that weight is impressive.

Long-distance gravel rider Jo Raby says she and her husband settled on the Fargo after trying several other gravel bikes. “It is the bike that rules them all—it can do anything and everything,” she says. “Being able to get onto one of these bikes for under $3K is amazing.”

With tire clearance up to 3 inches, the Fargo pushes into “monster gravel” territory—a main deciding factor for Raby. “This is what made us outgrow our prior gravel bikes: The tire clearance was just not there,” she says.

Raby and her husband, who regularly ride more than 100 miles a day across singletrack, gravel and paved road—all on bikes loaded down with camping gear—say versatility was another major factor. “We wanted the ability to move hand positions to accommodate the most comfortable ride for the available road or trail surface,” she says. “We can really tackle anything we come across on this bike with the diversity of available hand positions.” 

Alternator dropouts give you drivetrain flexibility, and the abundance of mounting points makes customizing your bikepacking setup simple. These features help the Fargo earn a perfect 5 out of 5 for versatility.

The Fargo’s build quality earns 4.5 out of 5, thanks to thoughtful frame construction and durable components that stand up to abuse. Its SRAM Apex 1×11 drivetrain is reliable, powerful, and simple to maintain, but it’s paired with TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes instead of hydraulics, which slightly lowers its drivetrain score to 4 out of 5.

If your gravel goals lean toward exploration over speed, the Fargo Apex 1 delivers the reliability and flexibility to go anywhere.

Ben Mahaffey, bike rental shop lead supervisor at Massanutten Resort, recommends the Trek Checkpoint for anyone looking for a high-end, lightweight gravel bike at a midrange price point. The Checkpoint SL weighs in at about 20 pounds for the ML frame size, so it’s not quite as light as our best overall pick—the Specialized Crux at 17.1 pounds—but it’s incredibly lightweight for such a versatile, durable build. It’s snappy, and for gravel bikes, it still falls within bounds of our 5-out-of-5 rating for weight.

“It’s a standout choice largely because of the wide range of build options and price points available,” Mahaffey says. “It really offers something for every type of rider, whether you’re just getting into gravel or you’re looking for a race-ready setup.” 

He notes that the geometry is dialed for stability and comfort on long rides, and the storage and tire clearance (up to 50 millimeters!) make it pretty much a go-anywhere bike. Plus, this line of bikes is affordable: The Checkpoint lineup starts at just $1,500 for the ALR Gen 3, which features an aluminum frame and lower-tier (but still great) components like a Shimano CUES 10-speed cassette. 

Regardless of the exact spec you choose, a Trek Checkpoint can take you from smooth backroads to bumpy trails to loose gravel with ease. It earns 4.5 out of 5 points for versatility, largely thanks to its ability to run wider tires, with that half-point docked because there are better options for riders who want their gravel bike to play double-duty as a road bike.  

For more advanced riders, the higher-end Trek Checkpoint models (like the SL or SLR series) are especially worth a look, says Mahaffey. “They’re lightweight, responsive, and come with features that seasoned riders will appreciate, like carbon frames, IsoSpeed decouplers, and integrated frame storage.” Across the board, Checkpoint models are well-built with attention to detail, earning the line 4.5 out of 5 points for build quality. Trek’s lifetime warranty on the frameset backs up their commitment to quality bike-building. 

The Cervelo Aspero 5 is designed for racers who demand speed, control, and cutting-edge technology on mixed terrain. Julie Gabay, owner of Pacific Cycling & Triathlon, calls it her shop’s top pick for gravel bikes and praises its newly redesigned geometry for being racier, lighter, and more aerodynamic. 

She highlights its tire clearance—up to 45 millimeters—and integrated downtube storage that allows easy access to spare tubes and tools. “It’s a beautifully designed bike, ready for racing,” she says. 

The Aspero’s all-carbon frame and fork provide a stiff yet compliant ride, which is ideal for aggressive riding on gravel roads and challenging races. The lightweight construction and stiff carbon wheels support quick acceleration, consistent climbing power, and incredible nimbleness. Plus, the 12-speed wireless drivetrain delivers precise shifting across plenty of gears, earning the bike 5 out of 5 points for ride quality and handling. 

For versatility, the Aspero scores 3.5 out of 5. While the bike excels in race settings, its aggressive geometry and stiff frame may limit comfort and adaptability for casual touring or bikepacking. It also doesn’t feature mounting points or much integrated storage, so it’s not ideal for those looking to get far from the beaten track. 

Engineered with the highest-quality SRAM groupset, the Aspero earns 5 out of 5 points for build quality. On the downside, the $8,700 price tag puts it out of reach for many riders, and the aggressive geometry can feel unforgiving on rougher rides. But for those who want a fast, aerodynamic race bike that can handle gravel’s challenges, the Cervelo Aspero 5 is one of the best options on the market.

For gravel riders who really want to go the distance, especially when tuckered out from high-volume training weeks or long group rides, the Specialized Turbo Creo is a worthy choice. Equipped with a fully integrated 320 watt-hour battery, the Turbo Creo gives you that extra oomph when you need it. 

Clare Zecher, cycling coach and athlete, says she initially held off on getting an e-bike because she “felt like it was cheating.” A conversation with her mentor (and cycling legend) Joe Friel changed her mind. “The e-bike enables me to keep up with friends on training rides and also with faster clients when my legs are cooked,” she says. “While I still have the skills, I coach a lot on my bike and my legs just can’t handle twenty hours a week of hard riding anymore. The Turbo Creo has given me back an extra gear.” 

Its versatility earns a strong 4.5 out of 5, balancing gravel-ready tires and geometry with road-worthy efficiency. Though it can run road tires, Zecher often leaves gravel tires on the bike year-round because it “is still plenty fast on the roads.” The bike’s ability to handle long gravel rides and group road training sessions with power assist makes it a true all-rounder.

Zecher says she’s only drained the battery on the Turbo Creo once, and it was during a 100-kilometer ride with three of her male coached athletes who were training for an Ironman 70.3. Even putting out 200 watts of her own power, she needed a 30% assist on the rear leg of the ride, and the battery died as she rolled into the parking lot. That story is a testament to the Turbo Creo’s battery performance, for which it earns 4 out of 5 points—4.5 out of 5 with the optional battery extender, which boosts the range to nearly 100 miles. 

For build quality, the Turbo Creo earns a score of 5 out of 5 thanks to its fully carbon frame, seamless motor and battery integration, clean internal cable routing, SRAM drivetrain components, and DT Swiss wheels and spokes. 

Julie Gabay, owner of Pacific Cycling and Triathlon, also recommends the Turbo Creo. “The Specialized Turbo Creo is our most popular gravel e-bike,” she says. “It offers more power, a big range, lightweight design, and huge tire clearance.” Gabay notes that it also integrates with the Specialized app, allowing riders to personalize motor characteristics, record rides, customize screens, track data, and sync with other fitness apps.

The Fuji Jari 1.1 proves you don’t need to spend more than $3,000 to get a capable, adventure-ready gravel bike. Built from Fuji’s A6-SL super-butted aluminum, the Jari balances weight, stiffness, and durability. It comes in at just 22.75 pounds, making it one of the lighter options in its price range. Paired with a 1x Shimano drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, it offers smooth shifting and dependable stopping power in all weather and terrain conditions.

My friend Ashley Pfantz, who’s been riding her Jari 1.1 since 2021, calls it a true “chameleon” that has handled everything from road rides to gravel races to bikepacking trips. “It’s up for anything and I’m easily able to ‘hike a bike’ when needed,” she says of the bike’s light weight for carrying. 

She also loves its adaptability for different riding styles, noting, “I just wanted something well-rounded enough to allow me to experience most any adventure, and this bike checks the box.” That versatility earns the Jari 4.75 out of 5—slightly shy of perfect only because its lack of suspension limits comfort on rough singletrack, though that’s standard among gravel-specific models.

Build quality impresses as well, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for its well-finished frame and reliable components that have held up without issue over years of use. The GRX drivetrain gets a 4 out of 5, delivering crisp, reliable performance, though the stock gearing with 11 speeds may feel limiting on steep, fully loaded climbs.

There are a couple of fit-related drawbacks: Ashley notes the frame seems to run large, leading to excessive reach to the bars, and the straight top tube design can be uncomfortable when straddling the bike. Still, for riders who prioritize versatility, low weight, and longevity without overspending, the Fuji Jari 1.1 is an exceptional value in the under-$3,000 gravel category.