Gravel biking for beginners: How to choose the best entry-level gravel bike

Gravel riding is the fastest-growing discipline in cycling. It hits the sweet spot for many people - calmer and closer to nature than road cycling, more focused on covering distance and enjoying the whole ride than mountain biking. It has so much to offer that it can easily become confusing for a new rider.  

People talk about gravel being on a spectrum. This means that there are lots of different interpretations of gravel riding. For many, it is relaxed rides around their local countryside. For some, it is heading off into the wild blue yonder and for others, it is all about racing and speed. This guide will walk a beginner through how to find the right gravel bike for you, the basic kit you will need and how to find rides near you.

“I think gravel is a nice in-between way of riding.” Having ridden around the world not just once, but twice, adventurer, Vedangi Kulkarni, knows more than most about spending time in the saddle. “Some days you don't want to go out on a road bike and deal with the traffic. You can ride on forest tracks, where it's unlikely that you'll come across vehicles, and you can go somewhere wild. It's a good start for riding off-road, it’s less demanding, and I think it is a more fun way to be off-road than on a mountain bike.”  

Today, we find more and more people agreeing with Vedangi. It seems like in the last few years the roads are getting angrier and more crowded. For road cyclists, gravel offers more access to nature and escape from the cars; for mountain bikers, it opens the door to long-distance riding, and for beginners, it is the simplest cycling discipline to start with. 

There are so many types of riding gravel that one bike will never fit everyone. Gravel riding can mean different things to different people, which is why we have split our range into two models. If your idea of gravel is more about adventure, bikepacking and exploration, then we have the Grizl. Built to be rugged and dependable, with bigger tyre clearance, stable geometry and affordable aluminium options, it will suit riders who are focused on enjoying their ride rather than worrying about what the stopwatch says.

The Grail is our fastest gravel bike. With longer and lower geometry, it feels like a road race bike for the dirt. “I would say that if you didn't want to buy two bikes, a road bike and a gravel bike, then you would choose something like a Grail. You can do everything, and it feels like a road bike, but it still rides like a gravel bike,” explains Vedangi. And she should know, because she rode around the world on hers.

Vedangi’s top tip is to “Ask what the widest tyre I can put on it is? Because that increases what the bike is capable of.”

Our Grizl range is split into a few models, with different features and technologies to suit a range of riders:

The Canyon Grizl AL embodies everything a beginner-friendly gravel bike should offer: versatility, reliability, and great value for money. Its lightweight yet durable aluminium frame and relaxed geometry make both long stretches of pavement and rough terrain a pleasure to ride. As a beginner, you’ll enjoy using this gravel bike for relaxed rides – and later, for more demanding adventures or even extended bikepacking trips.

Light but rugged, the carbon Grizl can do it all. With stable geometry, more than 25 mounting points and wide tyre clearance, the carbon fibre models of the Grizl are built to go as far as your imagination can take you.

Designed around our innovative Full Mounty handlebar, the Grizl ESC models are designed for riders who want to take on the biggest of rides. Adventure-ready with wide-range gearing and big tyres, these bikes are built for riders who want to go further.

The Grizl RIFT models are equipped with DT Swiss F-132 suspension forks. We were not satisfied with the options on the market, so we developed this fork in partnership with DT to create the benchmark in gravel suspension. Light, precise and with a handlebar-mounted lockout, it is built to help take the sting out of the ride.

If you go far enough, for long enough, power starts to become a big issue. This is why we made the ECLIPS (Endless Charge and Lighting Integrated Power System) version of the Grizl. Fitted with a dynamo hub, USB charging port and front and rear lights, it gives you the power you need to be self-sufficient on the biggest of adventures.

We built our Grail range to suit a range of riders and budgets. Whether you are looking to compete at the highest levels or take your first steps in chasing off-road speed, there is a model for you:

Our entry-level carbon offerings, for off-road speed at a surprisingly affordable price. These feature a less race-tuned carbon layup, which is slightly heavier but more comfortable, but with all the same aero gains as our top-level frames. Frame weight is still just 1,130g. These bikes come with varied builds that feature electronic or mechanical shifting, carbon or aluminium wheels and 1-by and 2-by setups to suit a range of riders and budgets.

The mid-level of our carbon frames hit the price-to-performance sweet spot. These frames are constructed with less ultra-high modulus and ultra-high tension carbon fibre than our CFR models, but they are still race-ready. They are a little more comfortable, but a little heavier, with a frame weight of 1,090g. They include in-frame storage and builds include carbon wheels, gravel-specific cockpits and our Gear Groove technology.

Our CFR models are the pinnacle of the Grail lineup. Crafted from ultra-high modulus and ultra-high tension carbon fibre, they are very light, very stiff, but rugged enough for the biggest adventures. The frame weighs just 990g and features built-in storage. As high-end racing models, these bikes are specced with power meters, pro gravel cockpits and our Gear Groove technology.

When you need more comfort than large tyres alone can offer, our RIFT models are equipped with DT Swiss F-132 suspension forks. Built as a partnership between DT Swiss and Canyon, we believe it is the pinnacle of gravel suspension.

Most of our gravel bikes have carbon frames today. For long-distance riding, we think that the weight and ride-feel benefits of carbon are undeniable (click to see our range of carbon gravel bikes). However, we realised that these bikes were hard to reach for beginners, so we have a more affordable, aluminium versions of the Grizl (check out our aluminium gravel bikes here). Stiff, rugged and capable just like its carbon counterpart, we think beginners will love it as a great bike for their first off-road adventures. 

Our tip: As a gravel beginner, you can’t go wrong with a bike like the Grizl AL. You’ll save money, still get a high-quality bike, and can always upgrade to carbon later once you know your preferences better

No, is the honest answer. For most riders, a gravel bike without suspension is the simplest and most cost-effective way to get started. While suspension can improve comfort and control on particularly rough terrain, it also adds weight, cost, and complexity. Today, suspension is most commonly found on bikes designed for racing or demanding adventure riding, which is why we offer it on premium models such as the Grail CFR Di2 RIFT and the Grizl CF8 RIFT. If you're looking for easy rides and want to explore the sport, suspension is not something you need to worry about. 

If you're unsure which setup is right for you, check out our guide to gravel bikes with and without suspension to learn more about the benefits and trade-offs of each.

Most gravel bikes use either a 1x or 2x drivetrain. A 2x setup offers closer gear steps and is well suited to mixed road and gravel riding, while a 1x setup prioritises simplicity and control on rougher terrain. We offer both SRAM and Shimano options across our gravel range. For a deeper dive, check out our guide to gravel gearing. 

No. Unlike mountain bikes, which are often available with different wheel sizes, all of our gravel bikes use standard 700c wheels, from the largest frames down to XXS. In the past, some gravel bikes used smaller 27.5-inch wheels to create space for larger-volume tyres. Today, advances in frame design mean riders can enjoy the benefits of both 700c wheels and wide tyres in a single package. 

The latest Grail offers tyre clearance for up to 57 mm tyres, demonstrating how modern gravel bike design can combine standard 700c wheels with wide, high-volume tyres. For riders seeking even greater off-road capability, the Grizl range offers additional clearance and adventure-focused features for tackling more demanding terrain.

To learn more about tyre widths, clearance and choosing the right setup, check out our guide to the best wheels and tyres for gravel riding.

In the past, we have made women-specific models, but today we believe that bike fit is the most important factor in finding the right bike for both men and women and we do not make gender-specific bikes. Our Perfect Positioning System takes around five minutes with some household items; it can be done on your own (it is easier with the help of a friend), and 98% of customers report getting a great-fitting bike with it.   

Not sure what gravel bike size you need? Use our complete gravel bike sizing guide to find the right fit for comfort, control, and performance on any terrain.  

As a beginner, it can be bewildering trying to make sure you have all the right gear. If you start digging into it there are so many things you could think about, how do you tell which ones you need? The good news is that we think you only need a few essentials to get started:

No cyclist should be without a good helmet, it’s that simple. If you are starting from scratch, this is always the most important piece of kit to buy first, and it is worth investing as much as you can to make sure you get a high-quality helmet. We’d recommend one with good ventilation and a system to protect against rotational impacts, like MIPS, if you can afford it.   

Professional cyclists have chamois sewn into their riding kit, but if you are on a tight budget maybe good quality cycling gear is too far for now. There is no reason why you cannot ride in whatever clothing you have, ideally, it should be light and move well to allow you to pedal freely, but we would recommend adding a short liner. Little more than a foam pad sewn into an undershort, you can slip one of these underneath your clothing to help keep your intimate areas comfortable when riding (Discover performance-ready cycling clothing here.)  

If you are going to start doing longer rides, you are going to need to be able to take water and food with you. As the idea of gravel riding is to get away from civilisation, that means you may not find a handy cafe or shop to help you keep going. You don’t need to over-complicate things though, and water and a banana should keep you going on a short ride. If you start to go longer, things like energy bars are worth considering because they pack a lot of calories into a small space. All of our gravel bikes offer plenty of mounting points and storage options to help you carry everything you need with you (Visit our bike accessories category to gear up your ride.) 

As with water and food, when you start heading out further you need to think about mechanical problems. Sooner or later you will get a puncture or other small issue. If you have an inner tube, a small pump, a set of tyre levers and a good multitool, then that should be able to save yourself the long walk home nine times out of ten (Check out our cycling gear and bike maintenance collections here.)

Of course, if you need to carry tools, food and water with you, you are going to need to find some way of carrying them. There are many ways of doing this, like frame mounts, frame bags and backpacks, it is quite a personal thing, so you may need to experiment a little to find the best way for you and your budget. Vedangi explains, “I've always ridden gravel bikes where I have a really good top tube bag to keep things in so nothing is on me because people crash and break things.”

While easy gravel rides are just that, easy, some people need to go further and harder. When you start to venture away from civilisation, gravel riding becomes something else. If you have not done a long-distance sport before, it will likely change your relationship with the world.

The simple math is that if you ride long enough and far enough, bad weather will find you. Challenges will arise, bikes will break, and people will pick up injuries. Even with all the preparation in the world, it can still get really tough if you’re a long way out from the world. We don’t write this to put you off, this is one of the core appeals of gravel riding. In a world that is becoming more and more convenient and easy, for some people, gravel riding is about choosing to do hard things, and that is why they love it. This is what people refer to as having a gravel mindset.

Unlike mountain biking, where you have to deal with complex rights of way and access issues, it is usually pretty simple to find places to ride gravel. Most common maps will show gravel and dirt roads on them, although you will still need to check your route as they may not show private property signs and things like that. 

What regular maps will not show you is the profile of the ride you are taking on. For this, and to see where other people around you are riding, it is well worth checking out apps like Strava and Komoot.

If you would like some company on your rides, your best bet will be to find a local club or shop that organises group rides. These kinds of rides are a great way to meet other riders and discover the best riding spots in your area.

If you want to take your gravel bike further, you could consider going camping with your bike, which is called bikepacking. Bikepacking is different to traditional cycle touring because it focuses on minimalism. Rather than lugging huge panniers with you, it is about keeping the weight down with specialised bags that attach directly to your bike. We have produced a series of guides to help you get started, from a Bikepacking 101 to explain all you need to know, to how to put together an affordable setup and what to pack with you.

Our bikes arrived 80% assembled with the tools and instructions included to get you out and riding. However, there are still some basic checks you should make before your first ride. First, you should check the saddle height. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, your leg should be slightly bent to leave enough space to raise yourself up and off the saddle in an emergency.  

You will want to make sure that your stem is straight, your bars are tilted to a comfortable angle and your shifters are comfortable for you to ride on. It is worth investing some time in doing this because what may feel like a minor issue in the car park may be very uncomfortable after a couple of hours riding on rough ground. It is also worth making sure your brakes and gears are working correctly before you head out.   

Tyre pressure is another area worth investing some time in before your first ride. As so much of the comfort for the ride is in the tyres, getting them right can change your whole experience. We wrote this short guide to tyre pressure for gravel riding to help get you started.  

If you do not feel confident doing any of this, we would always recommend seeking the help of a professional mechanic. 

Hopefully, by now you have chosen your beginners’ gravel bike, know what kit you need and where you want to ride. All that’s left to do now is go and ride - the best part! If you are still not sure what sort of gravel bike you need, we’d recommend visiting one of our Experience centres. The team there will be able to help you figure out which bike is right for you. They can even set up test rides and will have some good tips on where to ride near you.

With such a wide range of bikes to choose from, we know it can be a little intimidating to try and work out which one would suit you. That is why we have produced this comprehensive buying guide to our gravel range to walk you through our bikes to find your perfect partner. If you would like to compare individual models you can use our easy-to-use bike comparison tool.

And that’s a wrap - have an awesome time discovering new roads and trails on your first gravel bike!