Best of Test 2024: Victory by 5 grams! The lightest gravel bikes in the 2024 test

It could hardly be closer! The top three lightest gravel bikes in the 2024 test year are separated by just 65 grams. The list of the best is headed by a newcomer: the Checkmate SLR 8 from Trek. At 8155 grams, the first competition-orientated off-road bike from the US company comes out on top. However, the "lead" over the second-placed Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AXS is negligible. After all, the model from Koblenz was only five grams heavier on the TOUR scales.

The Backroad FF from Rose completes the trio. We calculated a total weight of 8220 grams for the Force AXS XPLR version, which puts the Bocholt-based specialist for fast races on a par with the Trek and Canyon. All gravel bikes earn a straight B in the weight classification.

In a direct comparison, the Checkmate benefits from being built with SRAM's Red AXS. The top US groupset saves a few grams compared to the Force AXS on the Grail and Backroad. The Canyon has the lightest carbon wheels, the Zipp 303 Firecrest. Here, too, the models only differ by a few grams.

The lightest gravel bike that TOUR has tested so far cannot compete with the front runners of the test year: the S-Works version of the Specialized Crux with its unpainted frame weighed in at an impressive 7030 grams. The Californian bike occupies an absolutely unique position in the gravel segment. Thanks to more robust framesets, wider tyres and heavier groupsets, even racing and expensive gravel bikes rarely weigh less than eight kilograms.

TOUR was recently able to test a current version of the S-Works Crux. At 7.1 kilograms, the Specialized is also significantly lighter than the Trek, Canyon or Rose. However, as the test was published in issue 1/2025, the bike was not included in our annual review. However, the first place for the lightest gravel bike of 2025 could already be taken.

Trek Checkmate SLR 8

• Weight: 8155 grammes
• Price: 8999 Euro
• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red XPLR AXS (1x12; 40, 10-44 t.)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V
• Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL GR (38 mm)
• Click here for the detailed test report

Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AXS

• Weight: 8160 grammes
• Price: 5299 Euro
• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force XPLR AXS (1x12; 42, 10-44 t.)
• Impellers: Zipp 303 Firecrest
• Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC (40 mm)
• Click here for the detailed test report

Rose Backroad FF Force AXS XPLR

• Weight: 8220 grammes
• Price: 4999 Euro >> available here
• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS XPLR (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.)
• Impellers: Rose GC50
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One RS (40 mm)
• Click here for the detailed test report