Why A Gravel Bike Is The Only Bike You'll Ever Need!

Gravel bikes are seemingly everywhere at the moment, but they have been around for a while now. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but we think that they truly are the most versatile bikes out there. Alex takes you through why he thinks gravel bikes are the only bikes you could ever need!

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Versatility
1:39 - Speed
2:55 - Weight
3:56 - Carbon Footprint
4:35 - Cost

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Would you get rid of all your bikes for just one? What's the most versatile bike in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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[victormourana]

When your bike gets featured as the poster bike for "the only bike you need" video!!! My heart is full! :D

[wongasaur]

Can I just say… Alex is a real gun of a presenter - from his tech know-how to his power-based experiments and the ability to hold his own in front of the camera and around the pros - all without real need for a co-host, he’s a real asset to the channel and plenty fun to watch!

[robertperessini]

Great video Alex. I am 68 and have been riding for a number of years. I sold both my road and mountain bike and bought an e-gravel bike. Never thought I would ever buy a e-bike. My enthusiasm for riding is back!!

[ezekielvaldez]

I absolutely agree to this. I made my self a gravel bike because of it's durability and slight lightness compare to MTB. I used this every single day from my home to my job. And it makes me feel so good to see this video. More power to this channel ❤️❤️❤️

[malcraghill]

Not entirely convinced by the "reduce your carbon footprint - then travel around the world" argument, but I'm a gravel fan.

[Sergio_Math]

I ended up doing this! I was one of those N+1 folks. I had 4 bikes. Road, MTB, Gravel and a commuter (a 90s mtb with drop bars). I realized the vast majority of my rides are gravel and road or a mix of both. I rarely did MTB, and when I did, it was mostly with my family abroad, who have extra bikes to lend me. Most of my MTB rides at home I could have done on a gravel bike, but opted for the MTB for variety... Now I have a 3T Exploro Ultra with two sets of wheels, one for road and light gravel, and a very chunky 650b set for off road and single track. Not only selling the other bikes allowed me to buy my dream bike, but I'm also happier with more space at home. Sure, I miss the full sus every now and then, but I think if there is a space for another one, it would probably be a Brompton for running errands. Taking the 3T would be... too much probably.

[jorritvandommelen]

I agree, love the video. I only have a gravel bike and I did not even change the setup, such as gears and tires, ever. Yet I rode 200km+ trips on the road, managed to hit 35kph+ average speeds on road rides, did gravel and mountainbike trails and multiday bikepacking trips. The difference the rider makes is far bigger than the difference a bike will make for the majority of amateur riders.

My bike is setup a bit more towards a road setup with Shimano GRX 2x11 and Vittoria Terreno Zero 38mm tires. Still it manages amazingly well on gravel and light mountainbike trails. And when I go for a gravel ride, it is very hard to find routes with over 60% of unpaved trails anyway in my area.

[appa]

In my opinion, the most important reason to have a light bike is you can carry it around easily. As someone who lives in a big city and moves my bike up and down a lot of stairs, elevators, in and out of transit, it's super nice to have a bike that easily lifts with one hand onto your shoulder and maneuvers in tight spaces.

[Noddingdog]

I have to agree. I run a Planet X Full Monty with "off road" 40mm tyres which I swap out for something more tarmac friendly when needed. I only have the one bike...it's all I need really. My "Mongrel" is on the GCN Bike Vault.

[eric]

Thanks for the review, Alex. I bought the 2023 Grail cf SLX 8 Di2 - Yes, this bike is one of the fastest and lightest gravel bikes out there. I don't regret owning this machine one bit.

[Seppster]

Got a gravel bike last year. We mainly do rail trails and park trails with a few roads thrown in for the mix. Found this to be the best fit. And lastly, Alex - love the colour coordination with the bike and shoes. Nice look. 😀👍

[ericolsen]

I’m down to one bike, Trek Checkpoint SL6. We travel and camp a lot and I can take one bike and 2 sets of wheels and do anything. Running 40 for mixed terrain and Hunt aero wheels with 28 for the road. Bike is pretty fast. 2 by 11 speed ultegra drive train. Lots of fun and goes everywhere.

[davethedogdude]

Not technically a gravel bike, but I use my Giant TCX (cross bike but has huge tire clearance) as a do everything bike. I can fit 2.1" MTB tires on it with 650bs and ride it on single track or rough gravel and it becomes more stable and less "cross bike twitchy" as a side effect with the 650bs. I can put 35-40mm tires on 700s for normal gravel/grass/cross. I can put 28/32mm tires on it and turn it into a nice road bike. I have different wheel sets with different tires and cassettes, I just toss on whatever wheels fit my ride. The clutch derailer takes up chain slack so anything from an 11-42 to 11-32 works fine without messing with anything when I swap wheels.

[ragwort]

An old-school touring bike seems to me to be a much better choice as an all-rounder. Something like a 2009 Dawes Galaxy will do long day rides on road at a decent pace, handle mild off road with the right tyres and (crucially, for me) carry a decent amount of kit in a rear pannier for a commute. Oh, and you can load the thing up with four panniers and a tent and ride it round the world or through the Yorkshire Dales for a long weekend, if that's your thing. I often think a GCN "how to..." video on converting an old-ish tourer to a gravel bike would be a good watch.

[cjohnson]

Spot on. I'd only add that if this is your one bike, go for an AL (or any metal really) frame as many, if not most, carbon frames will lack the rack mounts that can be found on AL (Canyon Grizl is a good example). A light rack and basket or whatever is the single best daily-use/commuter upgrade you can make on any bike. No more sweaty back. The more comfy the commute, the more likely you'll keep doing it. The more you save not driving a car. The more money you have for baller carbon wheels.

[phunkalicious]

I love my gravel bike and have been riding it extensively for years on gravel, road etc. Best purchase I have ever made.

[MMMS]

I took the gravel one bike quiver two years ago. Orbea Terra 1x GRX. Two wheel sets with different cassettes: DT Swiss with wider range cassette for gravel, Hunt carbon with narrower cassette for the road wheels. Larger chain ring up front. Works fine in the Midwest. Upgrading the seatpost to a PNW Coast dropper next!

[mhamadhazeem]

I have been riding my gravel bike since i was a kid, 8 years now and i can not recommend your guys get a gravel bike more! It is just fast comfortable and so fun! Go Gravel❤

[teuast]

I got a gravel bike after my roadies were stolen. 2017 Masi Comp X, steel frame, Tiagra, mechanical discs, technically billed as a cross bike but basically a gravel bike in all but name. I definitely saw it as a cheap replacement at first, and it took a while before I could look at it and not see my own misfortune, but I remember the first time I took it out for a proper gravel ride in the Diablo foothills, getting deep into the woods, away from traffic noise, and having kind of a moment of realization that I was actually having more fun than I'd had on my roadies in a long time.

I've since broken and replaced both of the wheels (separately and with non-matching wheels), the saddle (though technically that was just because my old housemate's dog chewed on the old one), my brakes (which led to replacing most of my groupset), and my crankset and BB. I may also get some flared gravel bars next time the bike is in the shop, as a Christmas present to myself or something.

[Ubiets]

Just started cycling, I have acquired a Gravel bike ! first ride out today for 20 miles was a delight!