How to choose the best gravel bike: Your ultimate buying guide

The reasons to buy a gravel bike are as varied as the terrain you ride and deciding on which bike can be just as difficult as ascending a steep and winding road. But it doesn’t have to be. This gravel bike buyer’s guide will help you figure out which gravel bike you should choose and why.

Imagine if a road and mountain bike had a baby; odds are, it’d look like a gravel bike. Boasting wide tires, long wheelbases, and handling between an endurance road bike and an MTB, these rugged machines allow you to tackle mixed tarmac, dirt, and gravel surfaces with ease.  

Gravel bikes are designed for versatility, providing plenty speed on the road while offering the durability and stability needed for off-road adventures. Whether you're riding through gravel paths or navigating rough trails, a gravel bike is built to handle it all without compromising comfort or speed.   

For more than a decade, gravel riding has been one of the most popular segments of the bike industry. There’s something exciting about discovering a lonesome gravel road disappearing into a forest or up a mountain and thinking to yourself, “I’m going to follow it until it ends.”   

There are gravel races and events everywhere now and new riding groups full of friends you haven’t met yet, who are looking to explore forest roads and a never-ending series of gravel backroads too. Because gravel bikes are totally happy riding into town for the groceries, a coffee or a commute, a gravel bike may also be the most versatile bike you can own. We’ve really leaned into that with the latest Canyon gravel bikes too, making them the ultimate, adaptable freedom machines.  

Gravel bikes generally offer comfort, versatility, and ruggedness. But thanks to the evolution of gravel, we’re no longer dealing in generalisations.

Similarly to the plethora of specifically designed road and mountain bikes out there, individual gravel bikes today are further refined with very distinctive riding styles in mind. Some prioritise speed and efficiency for fast gravel races, while others focus on stability, durability and cargo capacity, for adventures well beyond the beaten track. But what makes them different?

As the name suggests, gravel race bikes are engineered around speed. Unlike their road bike counterparts, however, they're built to maintain that pace across rougher, looser terrain.

The key to their brilliance is balancing outright performance with off-road capability. Gravel race bikes combine aerodynamic tube profiles, lightweight and stiff frames, and aggressive geometry with increased tyre clearance, a longer wheelbase, and a slightly more upright riding position to improve comfort, traction, and stability without sacrificing efficiency.

The result is a race-sharpened machine that feels equally at home on rough roads and flowing gravel. Designed for high-speed adventures, competitive events, and long days on non-technical mixed terrain.

Take the Canyon Grail for example: a highly advanced aero-optimised carbon frame and seamlessly integrated cockpit with deep carbon gravel specific wheels and massive 57mm tyre clearance, it’s the choice for riders who want to cover all sorts of surfaces as quickly as possible.

If you’re looking for a do-it-all bike that’s as happy on the streets as it is exploring singletrack, an all round adventure gravel bike is purpose built. Designed with long-distance exploration and bikepacking in mind, these bikes prioritise comfort, stability and carrying capacity over outright speed.

Typically, you’ll find generous tyre clearance and a more stable upright position compared to a faster paced gravel race bike. Prioritising versatility over outright speed, you’ll also likely find cargo mounts and more rugged durable components too. These features make adventure gravel bikes ideal for bikepacking trips, multi-day tours and remote off-grid adventures where self-sufficiency is key.

All this and more, the Grizl is built around a lightweight yet incredibly tough carbon-fibre frame for a true freedom machine – ready for anything with multiple cargo mounts for racks and bags and internal LOAD storage. High-traction tyres come as standard, with clearance for XC MTB rubber when the trails get rough. Swap them for road slicks, and the Grizl transforms into a super capable all road bike. 

Add ECLIPS endless adventure power and optional RIFT suspension, and the fun keeps going long after dark and over even the roughest terrain.

Amplify that same all-round versatility with electric power and you’ve got the new generation of e-gravel bikes. If you’re looking to venture further, carry more or just add a bit more speed to your rides, an e-gravel bike could be a great way of doing so. And the latest range is lighter, more engaging and fun to ride than ever. 

Based around our gravel all rounder, the Grizl:ONfly family comes in various forms, from our mountain bike-inspired Trail build with mullet gearing, wireless dropper post and higher volume tyres, to the practical adventure Daily build ready to be laden up for challenging commutes and gravel e-assisted touring. 

Deciding which kind of gravel bike is right for you then comes down to your goals as a rider. 

• If your riding is fast, you pack light and the terrain you ride is mixed and flowing, the Grail – designed be fast and efficient for gravel and long distance racing – is the bike for you.
• But beyond rough roads and hard-packed forest tracks is a world of gravel adventure and the Canyon Grizl is for riders who prioritise exploration. More rugged, with more mounting options and a geometry designed for confidence, this bike can handle almost anything, from bikepacking, mixed-terrain adventures or simply one bike to rule them all.

Both models are available in a range of performance tiers – and build variations including suspension forks and in-built lighting – allowing riders to choose the right balance of weight, components and technology for their goals and budget.

In short – the higher the number in the name, the more premium the components.

In general it’s important to remember: even on our most affordable gravel bikes, the standard of modern bike components is very high in terms of reliability and durability. That’s to say, even on a Grizl 5 you could ride across entire continents or around the entire globe (as long as you keep your gravel bike well maintained and looked after).

However, on the higher-number bikes, the higher-quality components are significantly lighter, and feel more premium and more comfortable, which makes a major difference the more time you spend in the saddle. 

Example of upgrades you’ll see at higher levels include things like electronic gear shifting, carbon wheels, more premium tyres – all feel awesome and we can promise that upgrading to parts like these gives you a major boost in terms of speed and comfort.

BUT: functionally, remember it’s nothing you absolutely need to take on epic rides and love them.

In most cases, this refers to the frame material – CFR bikes using the world’s best carbon, CF SLX using high-end advanced carbon, and CF SL using high-quality carbon fibre. Of course, we tend to fit a higher spec of component onto the higher-end models.

Sometimes, you’ll see a bike name with an extra word or phrase added on the end, like Di2, AXS, RIFT, ECLIPS. These words typically describe a standout feature or characteristic of the bike that makes it standout. 

For example, ‘Di2’ and ‘AXS’ refer to the electronic shifting systems of Shimano and SRAM that they feature, RIFT means it has a suspension fork to better manage rough roads and singletrack. ECLIPS stands for Endless Charge & Lighting Integrated Power System. A unique, innovative dynamo, battery, light, controller and USB-C output system that means you’ll never get left in the dark or have devices go flat on your adventures. 

We recommend reading the short description on a bike’s product page for a clear idea of what the standout features of one of these bikes is. 

Consider these important elements when buying a gravel bike. The right setup can make all the difference on mixed terrain – whether you’re tackling smooth forest paths or rough, rocky trails. Key factors like wheels, tyres, suspension, gearing, drivetrain, weight, and handling all influence how your bike performs and feels on and off-road.

Arguably the most important components on your gravel bike are your wheels and tyres. They connect you with the road and can make a huge difference on both your speed and comfort.

Gravel bikes’ wider forks and stays give the needed clearance for wider wheels and tires. Most gravel bikes you see will offer generous clearance for high volume tyres. The sweet spot between road efficiency and off-road grip, the Grizl rolls out of the factory with 45 mm tires, but in the name of freedom, will fit tyres up to 54 mm.

As our understanding of off road speed has developed so has the volume of our tyres. The newest iteration of the Grail comes with a whopping 57 mm of clearance to fit chunky tyres or offer plenty of space for mud too. And new for this year, built for off road ultra-distance riding, is the Exceed Gravel, combining hardtail capability with drop-bar speed, rolling on 2.4” tyres.

Another factor for speed, comfort, grip and durability is what’s inside the tyre. Running tubeless increases all four of these things making wide tubeless tyres the new standard for capable all terrain bikes.

Whether or not you need suspension depends on how and where you ride. If you pedal primarily on pea gravel with few roots or big rocks to ride over, then a carbon fork and seatpost should be enough to make the ride comfortable; adding a suspension fork would just add unneeded weight and complexity to the bike.  

But if you’re unafraid of taking your rig on singletrack or more gnarly roads, then a suspension fork may be a good idea. Bikes like the Grizl CF SLX 8 AXS Trail come equipped with the RockShox Rudy Ultimate 30 mm suspension fork, which helps smooth out bumpy rides and allows you to roll over small obstacles.   

To learn more about Canyon gravel bikes with and without suspension, how suspension forks affect ride quality and performance, and whether they’re the right choice for you, check out our guide.

Gravel bikers typically must choose between single- and double-chainring setups.

On a 2x setup, the gaps between gears are smaller, which on the road or on faster, smoother sections of gravel ensure you’ll always find the right cadence for optimal speed and efficiency.

On the other hand, the simplicity of a 1x configuration with a big cassette is better suited to rockier, loose terrain, offering ample gear range for more technical riding, though you’ll notice a bigger difference when you change up or down.

Across our range of gravel bikes we build both 1x SRAM and Shimano and 2x Shimano configurations designed with very specific use-cases in mind. For a much more in-depth understanding of gravel gear ratios, check out our guide.

Depending on how and where you plan to ride, attaching gear to your gravel bike is not only a handy way to keep gear off your body, but for remote or multi day adventures it is essential to carry everything you need.

But dialling in the perfect bikepacking setup can be about as complicated as choosing the right bike. Attachment points on most gravel bikes however certainly makes things easier.

Both the Grizl and Grail also feature integrated frame storage, providing a convenient place for tools, repair kits and other ride essentials, keeping them protected, organised and always within reach. The Grizl also features multiple frame and fork mounts for direct-fit bags, accessories and extra bottle cages, while the Grizl Escape's Full Mounty cockpit adds even more carrying capacity. Custom-fit racks are also available for panniers and larger loads.

True to it’s race focussed approach, the Grail integrates seamlessly with the purpose-built LOAD FidLock Quickloader bags which also improve aerodynamic performance.

Before ordering your new gravel bike, you’ll need to find your Canyon bike size. You’ll need to know both your height and inseam in cycling shorts.

Each bike’s fit will be different, at least in part, because of its stack and reach. Stack refers to the vertical height from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube, while reach is defined by the horizontal distance between the centre of the bottom bracket and the head tube. A longer reach means you’re more stretched out on the bike, with your hands moving further forward. A bigger stack means a more upright riding position.

The Grizl in a size medium will feel different to a medium Grail because their stack and reach are different. If you buy either of those bikes, the fit and feel will be different than the road or mountain bike you’re currently riding.

Learn more about Canyon's Perfect Positioning System (PPS) to ensure the ideal fit for your riding style.

You’ve heard it before, the best bike for you is the one that matches how and where you like to ride. So in a discipline that’s all about versatility to ride how and where you want, how do you choose – particularly if you want to race, explore and bikepack?  

Both the Grail and the Grizl are incredibly versatile bikes, extremely capable of exploration and racing. Choosing between them is a case of which bikes DNA speaks to you the most: the all-round adventurer or the outright speed machine? 

Still not quite sure which gravel bike is right for you? Don’t worry - we’ve got your back! Our bike finder and bike comparison tool make it easy to narrow down your options and find the perfect match for your riding style and goals. And if you’re new to the gravel scene, check out our gravel bike buying guide for beginners, and how to choose a bikepacking bike – packed with tips on setup, riding techniques, and gear essentials. 

The key is to choose a bike that complements the way you ride today while supporting where you want to go next and inspire your riding ambitions, wherever they take you.