Tired of the mundane, bravely exploring new routes – this is the new definition of a specific type of bike in the new subdivision of road bikes: the gravel bike. Sometimes called an Adventure Bike, it is expected to satisfy various desires of riders. Single chainrings, disc brakes, a long wheelbase geometric design, and free switching between 700c and 650B have already become standard features on gravel bikes. So, how will this type of bike evolve in the future?

The Return of Steel Frames to Gravel Bikes

Gravel bikes are ridden on uneven terrain, and the vibration absorption effect of mainstream carbon fiber materials is often insufficient. Traditional steel frames, however, offer a very good effect. Gavin, the brand manager of UCC, also stated that in the future, gravel bikes will focus on a rational combination of materials. On the other hand, Marin's Four Corners gravel bike series uses a steel frame, which, compared to carbon fiber frames used in competitive versions, inadvertently lowers the entry barrier for gravel bikes.

▲Traditional steel frames offer very good vibration absorption, and their application to gravel bikes has broad prospects.

The Trend of Electric Assist on Gravel Bikes

Electric assist bicycles have been a new global trend in recent years, with mid-drive motors providing more efficient and convenient performance, which is widely accepted by riders. As a durable bike for long-distance riding, gravel bikes need to traverse various road conditions. It is undeniable that adding electric assist to gravel bikes gives this new type of bike even more vitality.

The Shape of Gravel Bikes Will Become More Unique and Diverse

Canyon previously released a gravel bike called the Grail. This new bike, which shares the same meaning as the Holy Grail in Da Vinci's code, can be said to be at the forefront of gravel bike design. In addition to the exclusive VCL 2.0 shock-absorbing seat post, the entire bike features a new distinctive handlebar that resembles old-fashioned double wings. This not only provides a more comfortable riding posture but also, through its unique carbon fiber construction, maintains superior vibration absorption and rigidity. Furthermore, BMC has also introduced its unique RM series. It can be said that each brand is showcasing a hundred different designs for gravel bikes.

▲This new bike was at the forefront of gravel bike design.

Single Chainrings Dominate + The Rise of Double Chainrings

From an analysis of the differentiation between single and double chainrings in gravel bikes, it was clear that the SRAM Force 1x system inherits the mature mountain 1x system, offering strong reliability and versatility for riding on uneven roads, aligning with the primary off-road functionality of gravel bikes. Trek's gravel bike, the Checkpoint, adopts the traditional Shimano Ultegra R802 2x11 system (Trek Checkpoint SL 6) for a closer gear ratio, allowing riders to choose according to their riding habits.

Brand-led Diversification

Major brands such as Trek Checkpoint, Pinarello GAN GRS, Giant Revolt, and Canyon Grail are joining the gravel bike trend. Litespeed, a renowned American brand famous for its dedication to titanium alloy frames, also launched a gravel bike last year. Additionally, Open and Yeti brands released a limited edition Open U.P. gravel bike frame. This limited edition gravel frame realizes the vision of building bikes that both the owners and employees want to ride, rather than simply following market trends.

ICAN's Gravel Bike: New for 2020!

For more details, please click here. We will introduce it in more detail in a future article.