What's the best frame material for a gravel bike: aluminium or carbon?

If you're thinking of buying a gravel bike, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is about the frame material. Canyon has a huge range of both carbon fibre and aluminium gravel bikes.  

Choosing between aluminium and carbon? It's the eternal debate in cycling circles and it extends to the world of gravel riding as well. 

Carbon fibre is generally lighter than aluminium and can help transform every climb into a more manageable challenge – something your legs will thank you for on those brutal 200-kilometre days. But here's where carbon truly shines: vibration damping. Those relentless washboard sections that rattle your fillings loose and slowly drain your energy? Carbon can be constructed to absorb that punishment, delivering comfort that keeps you fresh for the final push. These are just a few of the reasons racing-focused riders and endurance junkies absolutely swear by carbon.  

Aluminium, however, is a great workhorse frame material in its own right and generally delivers strong performance at the most affordable prices. Depending on the wall thickness of each aluminium tube, aluminium frames can be heavy and tough as nails or they can be as ultralight as their carbon counterparts. While aluminium generally isn’t as effective at damping vibrations as carbon fiber, the money saved by going with an aluminium frame can also allow you to splurge on killer component upgrades.  

So, here’s the verdict: Carbon for riders seeking the lightest and most comfortable frames and aluminium for adventure riders seeking the most budget-friendly value in a gravel bike.

When bikes were first invented, they had steel frames. Technology improved and by the 1980s aluminium was proving the material of choice for riders seeking to shed grams. The latest advancement in frame materials has been carbon fibre. While carbon frames have also been around since the 1980s, this frame material truly began to dominate the ranks of higher-end bikes in the early 2000s. There’s good reason for that shift... Carbon is light, stiff and can be moulded into any tube shape. 

Gravel bikes are a relatively new phenomenon. In fact, some people might even say gravel bikes are a “gimmick” or passing fad. Given that gravel bikes have been growing in popularity for more than a decade now, it’s clear at this point that gravel riding is here to stay. Gravel bikes’ popularity stems, in large part, to their versatility. Want to ride road? Pump up the tyres and off you go. Want to ride that sneaky little trail just around the bend? Go for it. Don't know what you might encounter along the route? A gravel bike will probably be fine. 

The recent (circa 2013) arrival of gravel bikes on the market means consumers have had the luxury of choosing between several frame material choices when shopping for their ideal gravel bike. 

The frame material you choose for your gravel bike largely depends on your goals, budget and personal preference. To help you decide whether to choose aluminium or carbon, let's take a look at the pros and cons of both. 

Aluminium gravel bikes represent the sweet spot where durability meets affordability- and Canyon's range exemplifies this perfectly. The Grizl AL models showcase exactly why aluminium remains relevant in today's carbon-obsessed cycling world.  

Canyon's aluminium frames deliver remarkable bang for your buck. Starting at €1,499, the Grizl AL packs serious adventure credentials. These frames handle punishment gracefully. The Grizl AL's dropped chainstay accommodates massive 50mm rubber- perfect for those chunky adventure tires. 

Aluminium gravel bikes are great on all surfaces including roads. In fact, some riders prefer to use an aluminium gravel bike as a winter road bike due to its chunky tyres and durable frame. We've also seen aluminium gravel bikes used as commuting bikes due to their increased comfort. 

There isn’t a “yes or no” answer to which frame material is "better". It depends on your priorities and goals. We build all of our bikes to meet specific strength targets, based on the kind of riding that bike is intended for. To that end, our aluminium and carbon bikes meet the same strength standards. The difference between aluminium and carbon then isn’t that one is inherently stronger than the other. Rather you can achieve the same strength with both materials, but the carbon version will invariably be lighter. The carbon version will also tend to offer a bit more vibration damping and comfort. 

So, the real question is this: Which material is better for you, personally? The upside of aluminium is that it can provide you a great ride experience at the most affordable price possible. If you're looking for the fastest, lightest gravel muncher, a carbon gravel bike is generally the better bike. In a racing scenario, a carbon gravel bike certainly makes more sense.  

Tests have shown aluminium and carbon frames to have similar durability. If you dent your frame while riding, it is still possible to ride (depending on the severity), while this is less likely to be the case with carbon, should the carbon frame actually fracture.  

Since many of our carbon frames are made from low-modulus carbon fibre (a more flexible fibre than its high-modulus sibling), the frames are able to withstand a lot more. Since carbon fibre is an anisotropic material (meaning the stiffness of the material is direction dependent), our engineers can optimise the strength in vulnerable areas of the frame while also designing in just the right amount of flex for a given portion of the frame. This ability to fine tune strength and stiffness levels can give carbon frames the edge when it comes to superior ride dynamics and handling. 

Carbon fibre is a great material for gravel bike frames due to its light weight, easily-tuned stiffness, and highly-customisable qualities. A lighter bike means more efficient power transfer. Carbon gravel bikes are the gravel bike of choice for riders wanting a high-performance bike for off-road riding. 

It's no secret that carbon is a more expensive material to manufacture with. The carbon layup takes time and precision – it is a very labor intensive material to work with. The layup orientation is what makes the bike more comfortable as the material can be stiffer in certain directions to better absorb shocks and vibrations. 

A carbon frame can look vastly different to an aluminium frame. Just like you see on carbon road bikes, tube shapes can be honed for aerodynamics and aesthetics. 

Canyon's carbon gravel bikes, from the race-focused Grail CFR to the adventure-ready Grizl, showcase why this material dominates serious gravel riding. Carbon's light weight and easily-tuned stiffness transforms every pedal stroke into forward momentum, crucial when you're grinding through loose gravel or sprinting to close gaps. Whether you're piloting a sleek Grail CF SLX through rolling farmland or loading up a Grizl for bikepacking adventures, carbon delivers that perfect balance of compliance and performance that aluminum simply can't match. 

To find out which of these two Canyon gravel icons suits your riding style best, explore our detailed Grail vs Grizl comparison guide. 

Carbon gravel bikes are remarkably durable workhorses. Expect 8-12 years from a quality frame with proper care. Regular cleaning prevents grit buildup that causes micro-damage. If you happen to have any minor crashes, inspect the bike thoroughly after. With mindful maintenance- torque specs, gentle washing, avoiding harsh chemicals- your carbon companion could outlast your desire for upgrades.

It’s also worth noting that carbon frames, unlike aluminium ones, can be repaired and actually made even stronger (albeit a bit heavier) than when new. Skilled carbon repair specialist can fix cracks and even some fractures. If a carbon frame suffers damage during the warranty period, it’s best to simply contact the manufacturer to get a replacement frame. However, if the frame is damaged beyond the covered warranty period, repairing it is certainly an option. This is another area where carbon shines as a frame material, since aluminium frames cannot be safely repaired.   

When it comes to long days in the saddle, comfort can make all the difference. Here’s how carbon and aluminium compare on rough terrain: 

Carbon gravel bikes: 

• Offer superior vibration damping for a smoother, more comfortable ride. 
• Allow precise tuning of stiffness and flex — stiff where you need power, compliant where comfort counts. 
• Ideal for long rides, races, or rougher gravel where reduced fatigue matters most. 

Aluminium gravel bikes: 

• Naturally stiffer and transmit more road feedback, giving a firmer ride feel. 
• Modern tube shaping and carbon forks improve comfort significantly. 
• Perfect for riders who prefer a more direct, connected feel to the terrain. 

So, which material sounds more like you? If long, fast rides on unpredictable terrain are your thing, carbon might be the perfect fit. But if you love that raw, responsive connection to the road - and want the most “bang for your buck” - aluminium delivers in spades. No matter your choice, both of these frame materials can open the door to endless gravel adventures. 

Which will it be - the lightweight comfort of carbon or the outstanding value of aluminium? Each brings its own character and benefits to the ride, but both are built for the same purpose: to take you further, faster, and beyond the beaten path. The best choice is the one that inspires you to ride more and explore without limits. 

After reading this guide, if you’re still unsure whether you’re keen to go for a carbon or aluminium gravel bike, use our bike finder tool or read through the buyers guide for gravel bikes to help you make up your mind. And if you’re new to gravel riding, don’t miss our gravel bikes for entry-level beginner’s guide - it’s the perfect starting point to find your first adventure-ready setup. You can also use the bike comparison tool to see the differences in the specs of the available gravel bikes. 

Think about where you will ride your gravel bike and what kind of adventures or races you want to do. From there, you can decide whether an aluminium or carbon gravel bike is best for you. Once your new bike arrives, check out how to set up your gravel bike, so that you can get riding as quickly as possible. And if you’re planning a full-on bikepacking adventure, our Bikepacking 101 guide has you covered. To help you prepare even more, don’t miss our bikepacking on a budget guide, bikepacking checklist, and how to choose a bike for long-distance cycling guide - everything you need to make your next adventure unforgettable. 

Whether you go the carbon or aluminium route when it comes time to buy your next bike, what matters most is getting out there - discovering new routes, pushing your limits, and enjoying the freedom that gravel riding brings.