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A recent report from Strava, an activity tracker app, showed that gravel biking has become one of the most popular cycling activities. The report, which includes data from uploaded activities from October 2019 through September 2020, found that gravel biking is the fastest-growing sport, with a 55 percent global increase and a 48 percent increase in the U.S. Gravel cycling involves riding on dirt or gravel roads, often with a gravel-specific bike. We consulted with experts including tech writer Bruce Lin from The Pro’s Closet, elite triathlete Julie Dunkle, experienced gravel cyclist Karel Sumbal, and elite triathlete and gravel cyclist Marni Sumbal to help you narrow down the best bikes.
While not required, a gravel-specific bike, colloquially known as a “gravel bike,” can make gravel riding safer and more fun. That’s because gravel bikes have thicker, knobbier tires to accommodate the rough roads and may have sturdier, alloy frames to provide vibration resistance against rocks and dirt.
We understand that some manufacturers market bikes according to gender, but we believe the best bike is the one that fits your proportions, regardless of the label. Our favorite picks include the Trek Checkpoint series, the Cannondale Topstone 4, the Polygon Tambora G4, the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon, the Giant Revolt line, and the Juliana Quincy for women.
For further details and expert recommendations on these bikes, find out more here.
