Excited about riding gravel, but not ready to break the bank? Gravel bikes can be very expensive, easily eclipsing the $5,000 mark for an Ultegra level build. Sure, those expensive models are amazing bikes, but they are out of the budget of many cyclists. We’ve gathered up what we think are the best choices to consider for a gravel bike under $2,000.
Got a different opinion, or think we left something out? Leave a comment and tell us.
https://feltbicycles.com/collections/breed/products/breed-30-2020
Felt Breed 30 Gravel Bike
This one is probably our favorite gravel bike under $2,000 when it comes to how it’s outfitted. It’s an aluminum framed bike that allows you to run either 650b wheels or 700c wheels. But it also comes with the brand new, gravel specific GRX 11 speed group from Shimano and 1x shifting in the front. Comes in just under the wire at $1,999.
Giant Revolt Advanced 3 Gravel Bike
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/revolt-advanced-3-2020
Giant offers a range of gravel bikes under the Revolt model, and the Advanced 3 is their least expensive. This is a terrific composite frame with gravel specific geometry, disc brakes, and respectable Shimano Tiagra shifting with two chainrings in the front, and 10 speeds on the rear cassette. I personally ride a 2019 Revolt that’s a level up from this, and it has been a terrific bike for both road and gravel riding. Runs around $1,850.
Specialized Diverge E5 Gravel Bike
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/diverge-e5/p/171310?color=264805-171310
Here’s a Specialized gravel bike that’s quite a bit lower than the max at only around $1,100, so you can spend some of the money you save on shoes, pedals, helmets and other gear to go with it. This aluminum framed bike comes with lower level Shimano Claris shifting with two chainrings in front and 8 gears in back. Disc brakes. Want to get closer to the $2K limit? Consider the Shimano 105 equipped Diverge Comp E5 model instead at around $1,999.
Salsa Vaya 105 Gravel / Allroad Bike
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/2019_vaya_105
Steel is real, and the Vaya comes with a sturdy steel frame that’s built to last. Adventure riders love this brand for a reason. The Vaya features a Shimano 105 groupset and disc brakes. Lots of tire clearance of up to 50mm, so you can ride wide. $1,999
Trek Checkpoint AL4 Gravel Bike
Trek’s aluminum framed Checkpoint AL4 comes in almost $500 under our $2,000 limit. It has a carbon fork. Up to 38mm tire clearance. Shimano Tiagra 2×10 shifting. The wheels are tubeless ready, if you want to use sealant rather than tubes. $1,479.
Cannondale Topstone 105 Gravel Bike
Cannondale’s Topstone gravel bike features an aluminum frame, Shimano 105 shifting with 2×11 gearing, hydraulic disc brakes, and tubeless ready rims. It runs $1,750.
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/grail/grail-al-7.0/2196.html
Canyon AL 7.0 Gravel Bike
Here’s another gravel bike under $2,000 with top notch components for the money. You’ll get 2×11 Shimano 105 shifting on this aluminum framed gravel bike. But another outstanding feature of this bike where many other lower priced bikes try to save money is the wheelset, saddle and tires. You get a nice quality Selle Italia saddle, DT Swiss gravel-specific wheels, and Schwalbe G-One Bite 40mm tires that have lots of width to help you float over deeper gravel with confidence. There’s also a SRAM single chainring Rival version of this bike for around $100 more if you’re into 1x. $1,799.
Surly Straggler Gravel Bike
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/straggler
It might be named the Straggler, but it’s definitely no straggler when it comes to components and specs for the price. A super sturdy steel frame that can run either 650b wheels or 700c wheels. SRAM Apex 1×11 shifting, so you can ride with a single ring in front. Costs around $1,650.
Which one is your favorite, and why?
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