Was about to go post here and felt like it was probably time for us to make something new for the likely flood of 2025 releases: Best Racing Gravel Bike 2024
Seems like the usual suspects list as of April '25 is:
Enve MOG - expensive and maybe a bit more adventure-biased than some are looking for, but an amazing option.
Cannondale SuperX - perhaps the first of the 2025 ‘generation’?
Lauf Siegla - ticks all boxes except integrated cables. Seems like the value buy for most right now.
Giant Revolt - if you want your Siegla’s cables integrated but don’t need UDH yet.
Ridey ASTR (& RS) - top model is expensive. Standard seems popular. Are there steerer recalls on this already or am I making that up?
Specialized Crux - we’re all waiting to see if/when they’ll update with integrated cabling, but it’s a solid choice as-is.
Canyon Grail - not sure why this isn’t getting more love? Expensive for a direct-to-consumer bike?
Santa Cruz Stigmata - even more adventure-biased than the MOG, and no integrated cabling.
Tideace Noah - chinese open mould shot at the MOG if that’s your bag. Geo a bit weird but seems a pretty good option. Originally a Tan Tan product and now also sold by State Bicycle under another name.
Felt Breed - needs integrated cable routing to really join the party.
Trek Checkpoint - current choice in the Trek world since the Checkmate missed the boat on tire clearance.
3T Extrema Italia
Parlee Taos
I think most of the following have fallen off the list due to tire clearance limitations and/or lack of UDH now:
BMC Kaius
Factor Ostro Gravel
Scott Addict Gravel
Cervelo Aspero (& 5)
Trek Checkmate
Let me know what else I’m missing or what notes should be added and I’ll update this post as our ‘starting point’ (but don’t plan on keeping it updated beyond that with future releases and developments).
It obviously won’t compete with the premium brands, but I think it’s going to tick nearly all the boxes we’re currently looking for and should be in the Siegla price range (in the UK at least). As far as I can tell, it’s going to be a mash-up of the Allroad SL and the current Gravel SL. I know the riders involved in the development of it have been clear with the designers from the start that modern tire clearance is crucial, so I’m sure we can expect something decent there. If you look through the Outliers instagram I think I can see a downtube storage hatch, and that looks to me like a new proprietary flared cockpit too.
Biggest strike against it IMO is the fact Ribble stopped selling frameset-only a couple years ago and their build options have become increasingly limited. Last time they sold the Gravel/CGR SL frameset it was £1599 if I remember correctly, so I’d probably be all over this new frameset if it was available as such.
Giant Revolt. No udh, but ticks the rest of the boxes.
As for Ribble, I’m still upset I didn’t buy the CGR SL back in like 2021 when it had sram axs for like $2,300 shipped to the states. I’m super keen on their new bike.
-The Felt Breed hasn’t changed its cable routing… DJ had a Deda fork painted to match, which has a D shaped steerer to allow aftermarket routing.
-Not sure why Canyon Grail has “fallen off the list” with 50mm~ clearance, and UDH…
-Trek Checkpoint seems to be getting a second wind, as people have now realized it clears a 2.1" tire, which is more than can be said for the Checkmate. You can find frame sets for under $2500, so it would be on my list if I were shopping.
-And the big omission that we’re likely to see in a few days is the Allied Able… Which, given the new tariffs might be closer to the $6k frameset mark that I predicted than not.
-A bit more boutique, but the Bike Ahead Superfast will be an option, although likely limited availability and high price.
Ooh Revolt, of course! Stuck it in next to the Siegla - first time I’ve thought about this but I think they’re available at similar prices so between the two you’re basically choosing whether you want integrated cables or UDH, but otherwise they probably appeal to a very similar market.
I’m about to rebuild my 2020 CGR SL for the 3rd (or maybe even 4th) time. Was planning to replace it for 2025 season but decided to get another year out of it and wait to see what else comes to market this spring. I think I’ll get a 48 in the back and can just about skate by with a Race King in front but will probably stick to smaller in most situations.
I’d initially been thinking Ostro Gravel, Kaius, or Aspero 5 until the tire revolution ballooned (pun intended). If I had the money I’d probably be on a MOG already, or maybe an ASTR RS, but at this point I sort of expect that by the time I’m ready to spend that much on my next frameset I might be looking at a next-gen Crux since I’m pretty partial to Specialized in the rest of my stable (Tarmac SL7, Allez Sprint, Epic Evo 7). But if I could bag that new Ribble frameset for sub-£2000 I don’t think I’d be willing to hold out for one of the premium options anymore.
Thanks!
Updated the note on the Breed
Moved the Grail back up the list (but also why haven’t I seen anyone talking about it in the 2024 thread for the last while?)
Split checkpoint from checkmate and added to the list but not sure how accurate the note is.
Are the Able and Superfast out already or should we treat them as future releases?
The Grail doesn’t have the MTB clearance people want. It launched last summer, just as the craze really reached a tipping point. You can fit a 47mm Pathfinder, and likely some of the new 50mm low know tires, but not a MTB tire.
If I were in the market, the 3T racemax/extrema Italias would be at the top of my list. To my understanding, they tick every box. UDH, integrated cables, aero frame, extrema fits 57’s.. not sure what is missing for the latest bikes. Not cheap, but can’t have it all.
Parlee Taos - UDH, integrated cables (if you care), stated clearance up to 50 mm 3T Extrema Italia - UDH, integrated cables, stated clearance up to 57 mm, compatible with a wireless dropper
Oh no, SuperX was a pretty glaring omission, thanks for flagging!
Added 3T and Parlee as well but haven’t taken a closer look at them. I didn’t even know the 3T was out - I thought they were still just iterating Exploros with that weird toptube cable port.
Surprised there is no mention of in-frame storage as a buying criteria. I’ve had it on my gravel race bikes for years and was also a big reason for getting an Epic 8 last year. Hard to go back once you’ve had it. Maybe not a show-stopper like tire clearance, but way above integrated cabling for me. Particularly after swapping out rusted headset bearings yesterday on my checkpoint, having to redo brake lines, new fittings, bleed, etc. I still like integrated cabling, but some manufacturers make it easier than others.
Must-have for me if buying a new bike -
-tire clearance up to at least 2.25 (real clearance with room for mud, not just squeeze it in), very few options today
-geometry - long/slack, low BB
-udh
Other criteria-
-downtube storage
-integrated cabling
-suspension adjusted frame
-boost rear spacing (not many options today, but I hope this is the future)
-aero optimized frame
I thought it was cool when I first got it on my Checkpoint a few years ago. Then, eventually the cover got loose, leaked and wasn’t usable during races (too slow to get to). So I removed tools for races and had to tape it down when using 1 liter bottles. Eventually, the novelty wore off and I never used it. My new bike doesn’t have downtube storage so I bought a small Silca saddle bag. Works great and I don’t miss the downtube storage at all.
I think they are great for training… it’s nice knowing I have a extra tube and tools in there and can just jump on the bike and go. For a racing bike I don’t think it is that important and weight becomes more of a factor IMO.
I look at the downtube storage the same way I look at a saddle bag. The only things that go in are things I don’t need in a hurry (basically the stuff to get me to the finish line when the race goes totally sideways). A lot of my events are longer and away from civilization, so things like tube, mini pump, patches, chainlink, RD hanger, extra battery, tire boots, etc.. It’s hard to fit all that junk in a saddle bag and I’ve personally never met a saddle bag I didn’t hate. I’ve been lucky enough to only have to go to the storage compartment once when racing (had to put in a tube) and it was 10+ minutes to make the fix so any extra time to get into the downtube (compared to a saddle bag) was meaningless.
Anything that is needed quickly during a race is mounted within reach on the bike or in a back pocket (just co2, bacon strips, dynaplug, and chainlube for most races). Basically, you need that stuff in hand almost before you’ve rolled to a stop, so it makes no sense to put in a saddle bag or downtube storage.
Is downtube storage heavier than a saddle bag? Probably. But I bet we’re talking about a quarter pound or less, so immaterial. That said, my gravel bike is over 23lbs as it sits, so I obviously don’t prioritize weight over function. But understand that some people do and that’s cool. That may be the reason many manufacturers don’t have the storage, but I suspect its more about not wanting to add complexity and cost to the frame. Which is valid, particularly if they can’t get it right. The specialized design is better than the Trek in my opinion, but I haven’t had problems with either (and I’ve got 10’s of thousands of miles on my checkpoint).
It allows you to push the chainline out and provide more tire clearance with less frame challenges. There are a couple brands that have moved to boost on their gravel frames, seems like a good direction if people want to run mtb sized tires. I won’t speculate on the Q factor pushback, but there are plenty of folks who ride MTB’s with wider Q factor and I’m not sure why it would matter if gravel frames shared the standard (along with the rear wheel standard). But I’m also in the school of thought that gravel bikes should be a lot more like drop bar XC MTB’s rather than road bikes. Opinions clearly vary.