Test gravel bikes 2023: Bikes for everyday use and commuting
TOUR
· 06.05.2023
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Sandra Schuberth is an online editor and gravel specialist for the cycling magazines published by Delius-Klasing-Verlag. Besides Ultracycling events and Bikepacking trips she commutes between her home and the editorial office, several times a week in the morning on the direct route to Munich. After 26 kilometres and a good hour, she swaps her cycling gear for her office outfit. On the way home, she sometimes takes detours and explores new routes.
Commuting destinations by Sandra Schuberth:
My aim is to cycle to the editorial office two or three times a week, whatever the weather. The other days I work from home. Exceptions: If the cycle paths are icy, it's thundery or stormy. Then I take the S-Bahn.
We tested these gravel bikes for adventure and bikepacking:
(Click to go to the individual rating)
The perfect bike for commuting
First and foremost, Sandra Schuberth wants to sit comfortably on her commuter bike. In addition, the maintenance effort on the bike should be limited. She also expresses three wishes - her perfect commuter bike would be equipped with:
- a hub dynamo with permanently installed lighting system
- mudguards for rainy weather and wet roads and
- a porter
Half of the wishes have already been fulfilled with the Quick Rack Light from Ortlieb. This is a luggage rack with an integrated mudguard that can be fitted to the bike in just a few seconds and removed without tools. "I just hope the laptop can withstand the strain caused by the vibrations in the bag in the long term," she says, expressing her concerns. Previously, she commuted with a rucksack in which she stowed her laptop, a change of clothes and everything she needed for a working day. Now she enjoys the feeling of travelling without a load on her back.
More articles on the subject of gravel:
The reality of commuting
Your commuter bike has to cope with a lot. The outward journey to Munich is mostly on tarmac cycle paths and roads. On the way back, it can be gravel paths and single trails. "My requirements for a commuter bike are actually different from those for a gravel bike for bikepacking tours. Nevertheless, my gravel bike is the bike for almost everything," she says. That means making compromises, for example with the mudguards. But there is no compromise when it comes to comfort. Battery lighting plus Quick-Rack luggage rack on the bike. And off you go!
The test reports of the three gravel bikes
Bergamont Grandurance RD
The basis of the sporty Commuter from Bergamont is an uncomplicated gravel bike on which you sit quite upright and which allows for a lot of luggage. Apart from the colour scheme, the bike is unspectacular, but also free of technical frills. The Grandurance can be ridden nimbly through the terrain; good Tyres and the predictable handling almost make you forget the high weight. The bike also scores well on the road, the tyres roll easily and the steering doesn't feel as sluggish as on other gravel bikes.
The equipment deserves a lot of praise: nothing rattles or grinds even in tough off-road use, the mudguards are sufficiently wide and very stable, the light is bright and the pannier rack is solid. There is also nothing to criticise about the component mix of Ultegra and GRX parts. If you want to spend less, there are five aluminium models starting at € 1,200 >> available here.
PLUS
- Solid equipment
- Fast tyres
- Functional accessories
MINUS
- Only four sizes
Technical data and notes Bergamont Grandurance RD
Manufacturer information
- Price: 3,799 euros
- Frame sizes²: 50, 54 (tested size), 57, 61
Measured values
- Weight of complete bike: 11.3 kilos
- Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,250 / 550 / 114 g
- Seat / top / head tube: 525 / 550 / 163 mm
- Stack / Reach / STR³: 610 / 380 mm / 1.60
- Wheelbase / caster: 1,060 / 75 mm
Equipment
- Drivetrain / gears: Shimano GRX 810 (2x11; 48 / 31, 11-34 t.)
- Shimano brakes: GRX 810 (160 / 160 mm)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Syncros Capital 2.0 /Schwalbe G-One Speed 40 mm (f. / h. 1,940 / 2,204 g)
TEST RATING: 2.6
Cube Nuroad Race FE
The abbreviation FE stands for "fully equipped", which you can take literally with the Cube Nuroad. In addition to a pannier rack, mudguards and dynamo light, a bell and a kickstand are also on board. Cube offers three versions equipped in this way at affordable prices between 1,049 and 1,899 euros. The most important plus points of the most expensive version shown here are the reliable Shimano GRX components and first-class Schwalbe tyres. The rather heavy aluminium frame scores with its unshakeable smoothness, the riding position is pleasantly upright.
We liked the high-quality front headlight; the poorly visible rear light, rather narrow mudguards and the pannier rack, which only accepts side bags with a click system, are worthy of criticism. Apart from these minor weaknesses, the Nuroad offers a lot of bike for the money >> available here.
PLUS
- High-quality equipment
MINUS
- Luggage carrier for side bags only
- rear mudguard a little short
Technical data and notes Cube Nuroad Race FE
Manufacturer information
- Price 1,899 euros
- Frame sizes²: 50, 53, 56 (tested size), 58, 61 cm
Measured values
- Weight of complete bike 11.4 kilos
- Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,738 / 452 / 62 g
- Seat / top / head tube: 510 / 560 / 166 mm
- Stack / Reach / STR³: 589 / 388 mm / 1.52
- Wheelbase / caster: 1,050 / 71 mm
Equipment
- Drivetrain / gears: Shimano GRX 600 / 810 (46 / 30, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160 / 160 mm)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Alexrims GR 2.3 / Schwalbe G-One Allround 40 mm (f. / h.: 1,961 / 2,295 g)
TEST RATING: 2.4
Rose Backroad GRX 810 Randonneur
Rose presents the Backroad gravel bike as a classic touring bike. The carbon frame allows a relaxed riding position and comes with robust 35 mm road tyres so that the sturdy and long mudguards still fit. Although the bike is hardly suitable for off-road riding, it is all the quicker in city traffic. The handling is close to that of a road racing bike, but thanks to the well-sprung seat post, comfort is not neglected.
The classy lighting system from Busch & Müller is in a class of its own, the front spotlight illuminates the track perfectly, the mini rear light shines incredibly brightly. The elegant pannier rack can carry a load of 16 kilos. With Shimano's GRX 810 and lightweight wheels, the Backroad is also equipped to an above-average standard. The similarly constructed aluminium version is cheaper at 2,499 euros >> available here.
PLUS
- Light
- great lighting system
- Fast road tyres
MINUS
- Only limited off-road capability
Technical data and notes Rose Backroad GRX 810 Randonneur
Manufacturer information
- Price 3,299 euros
- Frame sizes²:²: 50, 53, 55, 57 (tested size), 59, 62 cm
Measured values
- Weight of complete bike 10.8 kilos
- Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,103 / 451 / 91 g
- Seat / top / head tube: 525 / 560 / 172 mm
- Stack / Reach / STR³: 609 / 388 mm / 1.57
- Wheelbase / caster: 1,040 / 65 mm
Equipment
- Drivetrain / gears: Shimano GRX 810 (48 / 31, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 810 (160 / 160 mm)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Rose R-Thirty Disc / Continental Grand Prix Urban 35mm (f. / h.: 1,893 / 2,092 g)
TEST RATING: 2.2
¹Weighed weights.
²Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
³STR (Stack / Reach) projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube: 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright riding position.
⁴Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if applicable.
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