Welcome to my Bikepacking channel! In this video, we are looking at the best steel gravel bikes in 2025. In this video, I share my top picks for steel gravel bikes that deliver unmatched comfort, durability, and versatility for gravel riding, bikepacking, and touring. Whether you’re chasing multi-day adventures, grinding out miles on rough roads, or just love the classic ride feel of steel, these bikes are built to go the distance. From Reynolds steel gravel bikes to budget-friendly options, I cover the best steel gravel bikes for the money, highlighting models with incredible tire clearance, adventure-ready geometry, and the strength to handle heavy loads. These bikes are perfect if you’re searching for the best gravel bike for bikepacking or the best gravel bike for touring.
Read more about these bikes: https://cycletraveloverload.com/best-steel-gravel-bikes/
Kona Sutra LTD Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsxBbikBetI
I break down each bike’s weight, tire clearance, frame material, gear range, and ride feel so you can find the one that matches your style of riding. You’ll discover everything from Reynolds 725 and 853 steel gravel bikes to expedition-ready adventure rigs and versatile steel touring bikes with modern gravel geometry. Whether you’re after a drop-bar mountain bike for off-road exploration, a lightweight steel frame for long-distance gravel racing, or a rugged all-rounder that won’t let you down, this guide to the best adventure gravel bikes will help you choose the perfect companion for your next journey.
GET YOUR FREE Bikepacker Starter Kit: https://cycletraveloverload.com/starter-kit
Want to find your dream adventure bike? My step-by-step masterclass is just $17 → you’ll never doubt your decision again: https://cycletraveloverload.com/masterclass
My Full 2025 Bikepacking Gear List: https://cycletraveloverload.com/recommended-bikepacking-gear/
Claim your BlendVoyage™ Travel Blender: https://zuetani.earth/product/blendvoyage-portable-travel-blender/
📖 Chapters:
2025 BEST Modern STEEL GRAVEL BIKES For Bikepacking & Touring
00:00 – Intro
01:12 – Mason InSearchOf
02:42 – Panorama Taiga EXP
04:14 – Cotic Cascade
05:51 – Bombtrack Beyond SUS
07:03 – Mason Exposure
08:00 – Fairlight Faran 3.0
08:39 – Surly Bridge Club
09:52 – Cinelli HOBOOTLEG GEO
10:49 – Genesis Croix De Fer 50
11:58 – Stayer Groadinger UG
13:22 – Bombtrack HOOK EXT
14:37 – Surly Midnight Special
15:40 – Marin Nicasio + & 2
About Me
Hey, I’m Codey Orgill – a long-distance cyclist, filmmaker, and adventure storyteller. My journey into bikepacking began over a decade ago with an old road bike, zip ties, and a dream. From improvised setups to continent-crossing expeditions, I’ve ridden through wild landscapes and remote backroads, learning what it truly means to explore the world by bike.
Through this channel, I share everything I’ve learned – bikepacking for beginners, how to pack for bikepacking, compare touring bikes and bikepacking bikes. To help you choose the best gravel bikes and low-budget bikes for long rides. You’ll also find guides on bikepacking setups, camping gear for bike touring, and cinematic bikepacking documentaries that bring the adventure to life.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or chasing your next one, my mission is to help you unlock the freedom, joy, and transformation that only bicycle touring and gravel biking adventures can offer. Let’s ride.
📸 Follow behind the scenes on IG: https://www.instagram.com/codeyorgill
More Bikepacking & Cycle Touring Videos You’ll Love:
▶ How Solo Bikepacking Can CHANGE Your Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58y4Lk5cojA
▶ How to Choose YOUR Bikepacking Bike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O_8gXyl7Dk&
▶ Go Anywhere Bikepacking Gear Setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScQfRNXwE9c&
Tags:
#SteelGravelBikes #BestSteelGravelBikes2025 #SteelGravelBikesForBikepacking #ReynoldsSteelGravelBike #BestGravelBikeForTouring #AdventureGravelBikes #TouringGravelBikes #GravelBikesForLongDistanceRiding #BikepackingGravelBikes #DurableGravelBikes #GravelBikepackingSetups #BestGravelBikesForTheMoney
29 Comments
Motorcycle rider here. Never heard the term “Italians craftsmanship” before.
Nice video, I'm the proud owner of Pelago Stavanger. The Stavanger is also amazing. Use it for all my bikepacking holidays and ride it everyday of the week 9000km a year 😃. Maybe you could check it out some time.
Keep up the good work and greetings from the Netherlands
Brilliant as always
Oh, we are happy!!! Many thanks for the appreciation.
No Rondo?
Have you ridden these bikes or are you just picking your favorites from online research?
your volume is very low. I have amplified speakers and can barley hear you. would like to watch your video but cant sit hear and strain to understand you.
i somehow would want my steel bike with a steel fork, not carbon. this thing should last a life time
What's your opinion on the Surly Grappler? I can't get it off my mind 😀
What's your opinion on the gearbox bikes?
10:40 12:20 – bagageiro traseiro
Salsa Fargo is an awesome steel bike.
I’ve ridden too many years to put up with unsuspended bikes any more. Especially on rough gravel roads.
Gusoline dream
Hey, two other great steel gravel bikes are the Vasco and Ceres from the German brand Tout Terrain! What is extremely nice is that you can customize the bikes! Cheers
The Genesis Longitude has great appeal, flat bar, takes 3" wide tyres. Not sure if currently available.
Great mini reviews 😎
Jamis Renegade S2……great bike, Reynolds 631….ssooooo smooth.
I have a steel touring bike, but I can only fit 38c’s on it, so I’m thinking about getting an aluminum gravel bike for more off-road capabilities (ie specialized diverge or trek checkpoint etc) but I usually carry quite a bit of weight. Racks and Ortlieb back roller panniers etc. what y’all think: can I swing it with an aluminum bike or should I keep it steel?
Panorama Taïga, made in Taïwan
Cotic Cascade, less clear but according to Bike Radar, also made in Taïwan, with production moving to Portugal fpr 2026.
Please check your facts and give Taïwanese craftspeople the credit they deserve for making ALL the more affordable high-end frames.
Missing the Squid Gravtron!
These are more MTB than gravel just saying
Just got a Breezer Radar X….looming at. Primos dame as well..
Excellent video Codey, I recently swapped my carbon gravel bike for a steel one. The gravel cyclist channel reviewed the Officina Battaglin Matera and really praised this bike. I was so impressed, I ordered the frame from Backyard Bikes in Gateshead UK. It rides exceptionally well and it's admired at every cafe stop! Check it out for your channel & best wishes from the UK.
Great video. Torn between Genesis and Fairlight
Why is Ritchey Outback not listed?
Do you torque your bicycle parts to some value of Newton Meter or Kilogram Meter? If Newton-Meter, then why do you say weight is kilograms? Weight = Mass x Gravity = kilogram meter per second square = Newton. And torque = weight or force mulitplied by distance = Newton Meter and not Kilogram Meter. It's the 21st Century! Say Mass when referencing the unit Kilogram.
great vid mate, how about some home grown bikes here in Australia, the cost of imported bikes is so expensive.
I picked up a State All Road 4130 about 5 years ago, most just for commuting, but as a mountain biker, I've ended up falling in love with it as an adventure bike, upgrading a lot of it, it's the longest I've ever held onto a bike, I use it for everything, commuting, bike packing, bike rafting, all day gravel grinds, and even use it on some green MTB trials, and single track.