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    The Best Gravel Bikes of 2025 (I’ve tested 100+)



    What is THE best gravel bike? Well… how about I share with you my favorite four bikes that I tested this year, and two of my all-time faves that I regularly recommend more than any others?

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    View 50 Comments

    50 Comments

    4. @proffate on

      There is one reason the Propain is objectively superior to the Ari: it has a derailer braze on. Even if you only want a single chainring, the braze on is useful for mounting a chain keeper. When I survey the setups at gravel races/fondos, my eyes tell me that racers understand a 1x still needs extra help keeping that chain on.

      My Propain came a little later than expected so I can't deny that's a potential downside.

    5. @coneklr on

      I had ZERO issues ordering my Propain. I had to change some items after order and they were awesome to work with. It was my first experience with the brand and I am very happy with my purchase.

    6. @BjornE46 on

      My experience with Propain was nice, after they told me they couldn't deliver on time, I got coupons for their store. I bought their framebag and two fidlock bottles with that. And guess what, bike still arrived on time 😆

    8. @stevenolechny1049 on

      Great video Ben. While I suspect it doesn't really line up with your opening comments on favoring "road-ish" gravel bikes, how would the Stigmata fit in here? Like you, I prefer a racier bike but for single track and rougher stuff, I've been thinking about a slacker ride. That said, the Giant isn't especially "road-ish" yet you have loved it consistently for years….

    9. @mruizsr on

      Just ordered the Shafer, and the ordering process was super easy(literally over text🤯). I'm getting exactly what I want down to the crank length. Super stoked and can't wait to ride it🔥

    10. @jackbutler4254 on

      Thanks for keeping older, popular bikes on your list. When reviews get time boxed to a launch year, it can be difficult as a consumer to understand the relative differences between bikes and if it's time to upgrade.

    11. @thomaswipf7986 on

      Litespeed Toscano non-FI GRX810 2×11 with threaded bb. Get the cheap bb and upgrade to BBinfinite ceramic yourself as Litespeed currently only offers Chris King. Get the cheap DTswiss wheels too and upgrade to Berd yourself. Carbon is not meant for bike frames you pay for. It's very comfortable. If you race, I'd consider a Rock Lobster or ask Litespeed to build custom geometry so you can shoulder the triangle.

    12. @thomaswipf7986 on

      I test rode a crux and wasn't impressed. The bars were too lofty, shifting was clunky, carbon frame is a no go. I went with Litespeed Tuscano. They will let you special order whatever parts you like if you ask nicely.

    13. @thomaswipf7986 on

      45mm is the sweet spot for a front gravel tire. 40-45mm for rear. I prefer Panaracer X1R for front. IRC Boken DoubleCross Light 42mm for rear but a Panaracer X1R would be my second choice. Tires are the lowest hanging fruit for performance. I've eaten dirt on a 40mm front. 50mm front offers no benefit and is much slower. 50mm rear causes tire to run over obstacles rather than graze the side and scoot around and is much slower.

    17. @tracksmart2887 on

      For those who want Ben's list…
      This year:

      – Factor Aluto ("roadiest" of the bunch)

      – Canyon Grail Rift (suspension fork done better than others)

      – Ari Shafer (2.25" tire clearance; build options)

      – Cervelo Aspero 5 (aerodynamic)

      Older:

      – Specialized Crux (enjoyable to ride, but no UDH)

      – Giant Revolt (versatile and comfy; tire clearance; can try in stores)

    18. @kml1399 on

      Bought the new Cervelo Aspero 5 a few weeks ago, swapped wheels to DT Swiss GRC 1100 with ceramic bearings and G one Rs 45mm and am absolutely in love. Only thing which I’m not sure about is the mullet setup… might rather swap the cassette to a 9-45. great bike, comfy 10/10 and does it all. Top notch

    19. @cesar0610 on

      I go surprise Trek Checkpoint and Specialized Divwrge and Santa Cruz Stigmata didn't make the cut.

      I truly believe your advices in your preferences

      Only thing keeps me away from Canyon is the lack of threaded BB

    20. @kruysser on

      I went black 2026 aspero (not -5), but with cervelo aero 2 piece cockpit, GRX di2 2X with ultegra 34T cassette, XT rotors, reserve 42/49 wheels with 32mm Pzero, and second identical cassette/rotor on reserve 30 GR wheels with cinturato H 45mm tyres (and 40mm pzero as alternate). Also 170mm GRX with 4iiii.

      Current running some loaner shimano RX wheels with pzero 40mm tyres (thank you Simon Gerrans for cannibalizing your own gravel bike for the wheels and cranks while I am waiting on mine – running Gerrans’ loaner wheels adds 100 watts for me right?)

      I reckon this hits the under $10k AUD/under $7k USD sweet spot for high end do it all bike

    21. @DaneKromer on

      Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations. As it turns out I have two gravel bikes, a Revolt and an S-Works Crux… love them both. My 2X Crux also serves as my road bike for which I have a second wheelset. The Revolt is my adventure bike which uses the Wheeltop GEX 1X setup running an XT 10-51 cassette and 42T Wolftooth chainring. I just had to try the Wheeltop groupset and it has been rock solid. I rode the Revolt at this year’s Rift and Day Across Minnesota and with 50mm tires it was like cheating! By the way, the Crux is spec’d for 47mm tires but will accommodate the new 50mm Pathfinder and Tracers easily. The Tracer measures 50.2mm on my 25mm internal wheels and there’s 5mm of clearance on either side in the rear…

    24. @wvnovello on

      I still use my very first bike for gravel races: 2018 Giant AnyRoad Adv. it’s definitely pretty crickety now, but I only do 3-5 races a year for fun, so I really don’t need anything more:)

      That being said if I can find that SE Revolt I’ll pull the trigger..that color scheme is amazing

    30. @urbanadventurer5 on

      This year I got a Felt Breed Advanced Carbon on a closeout sale and have loved it. I am about to drop some Zipp 303 XPLR S wheels on it, probably with Schwalbe tires and call it a day. The rest will be stock. It’s that good. Plenty of tire clearance and it feels quick enough to me at 52 yo. I highly recommend it as an option for folks. It’s underrated.

    31. @toomanyfingusernames on

      Thousands of miles later I still adore my 2022 Specialized Crux! Yeah I can only fit 45s on it — don’t care! It fits my riding style. I ride a lot of pavement to get to gravel and dirt roads. I love its versatility and just what a joy it is to ride. I’m curious if you have any titanium bikes you have tested that you’d recommend (or anyone else here). I am considering an Esker Lorax as a “buy it once” bike that I can throw fatter tires on and use for bikepacking and touring as well as races/events where drop bars are useful but fatter tires are warranted. Thanks!

    33. @emilioc700 on

      If you ever get the opportunity to test a Ridley Astr, I would recommend it. Although they do apparently have a new aero gravel bike on the way with bigger clearance. Embargo leaked I guess. Maybe you already know about it.

    34. @russellscott1151 on

      If it was available in the uk without rip-off shipping and import duty I’d be interested in the Ari possibly with a Rudy front end. But as it is I’ll have to wait and see. Possibly Argon 18 DM or Lauf Seigla.

    35. @Doverpro on

      ENVE MOG works for me with a somewhat road setup by SRAM riding here in Colorado (Boulder/Carbondale/Fruita/Utah ish). Good video and so many choices hard to make a mistake.

    36. @mikeschweiger1826 on

      Hey Ben, Its Mike in Lyons CO with another bike comparison quesiton for you. Comparing the Cervelo Aspero 5 to the Factor Ostro Gravel how would you compare: Ride comfort, ride harshness, handling a 3 to 4 hr ride, beating up the old body. I know subjective but I trust your unbasis opinion. Thanks

    42. @markus_bike on

      I ride 26.000+ km on my Panamericana from Deadhorse Alaska to Ushuaia Argentinia with the Cervelo Aspero GRX and was totally happy with Pirelli Cinterato EVO TLR in 40 mm. I ride mostly shity Tarmac and Washboard Gravel on the Carratera austral in Chile.

    45. @MegaSixpac on

      I have a Pinerello Greville, it takes 700c for Road a gravel and 650b for when the ride takes a turn on the wild side but more importantly, it’s orange.😊

    47. @georgeisenbarg8302 on

      So did AZ BWR this past weekend. Talked to Ian from ARI for a bit. Why does someone who prefers quick handling list the ARI as a fav? Is it just because of the stability on downhill gnar? Or do you really think it handles well on tarmac? I have the Factor Ostro Gravel and like it very much. Only real fault is it barely clears 45s in the rear as I have it set up 2x. The AZ BWR had me wishing for 50 plus mm on Saturday. The worst was the very rocky single track sections, they beat me silly, hence the long talk with Ian from ARI. If you could only pick the crux or the ARI. Would you give up the snappy feel of the crux for the ARI?

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