Test gravel bikes 2023: Bikes for gravel racing

Paul Voss is known as a former road cycling and cyclo-cross pro. In 2004, he won the German Junior Cross Championship, a year later he came second in the U23 category; in 2016, he took part in the Tour de France as part of the Bora-Argon 18 team. If you don't know Voß from this time, you may have heard him on his cycling podcasts (Besenwagen, Autsaid). The 36-year-old is now a successful gravel bike racer. He finished 27th in the first edition of the 2022 Gravel World Championships and also competed in the most famous of all gravel races, the Unbound Gravel in the USA. He needed 9:46 hours to complete the 321-kilometre course. Even longer distances, so-called unsupported bikepacking races, i.e. gravel races without team support, don't put him off. He says of his participation in Badlands 2021: "I've never had to push myself to my physical and mental limits as much as at Badlands."

Paul Voß's goals for 2023:

My goals will again be the Unbound and the Gravel World Championships, but I'm riding so many cool events where I want to perform or at least have a good time.

We tested these gravel bikes for racing:

• BMC Kaius 01 One
• Scott Addict Gravel Tuned
• Specialised S-Works Crux

(Click to go to the individual rating)

What makes a race gravel bike?

For Paul Voß, a Race gravel bike offer a compromise between aerodynamics, riding comfort and handling. Due to the high speeds involved in gravel races, you have to focus on aerodynamic details in the bike and seating position, he says. Weight also plays a role; many races have an elevation gain of around 2,000 metres, while multi-day bikepacking races often have over 15,000 metres. "Without comfort, a super aero gravel bike isn't much use." One aspect that is often forgotten, according to Voß. Ideally, the bike should run very smoothly and not be too nervous when turning.

Different races - different wheels?

The Orbea Terra M21E offers the gravel pro Voß the perfect compromise for his purposes. He customises his bike for each race. "I ride the same frame for all of them, but swap out components," says Voß. For the Unbound ordeal, this means aero wheels, aero handlebars, a 46 mm chainring with a racing cassette and fast 40 mm Schwalbe G-One RS tyres. "For events like the Badlands, I would use flatter wheels for more comfort, plus wider and more robust tyres, wider handlebars and an MTB cassette." The riding position remains unchanged.

More articles on the subject of gravel:

>> Gravel bike test: 10 gravel bikes made of aluminium and carbon around 2000 euros <<

>> Test gravel bikes 2023: Gravel bikes for adventure and bikepacking in the test <<

>> Test gravel bikes 2023: Bikes for everyday life and commuting <<

>> Buying advice for tyres: What you need to know about gravel tyres <<

The test reports of the three race gravel bikes

BMC Kaius 01 One

The Kaius from BMC is probably one of the most consistent gravel bikes currently available for sporty use. The aerofoil-shaped handlebar unit sits extremely low and is only 36 centimetres narrow at the brake levers, making the riding position aerodynamically favourable. Apart from threads for a small top tube bag, the lightweight frameset does without any luggage attachments; details such as the aerodynamically integrated bottle cage round off the concept. The carbon rims and the only slightly profiled Pirelli tyres are also designed for high speed. However, the bike has weaknesses in terms of comfort, with the front end in particular being stiff.

If the price of the top version shown here is too high, there are two cheaper versions for 8499 and 5499 euros - they are a little heavier and come with a classic clamped handlebar >> available here.

PLUS

• Light
• Very sporty seating position

MINUS

• Expensive
• No attachment points for luggage or accessories

Technical data and notes BMC Kaius 01 One

Manufacturer information

• Price: 11,499 euros >> available here
• Frame sizes²: 47, 51, 54, 56 (tested size), 58, 61

Measured values

• Weight of complete bike: 7.6 kilos
• Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,075 / 432 / 67 g
• Seat / top / head tube: 495 / 575 / 145 mm
• Stack / Reach / STR³: 572 / 402 mm / 1.42
• Wheelbase / caster: 1,025 / 72 mm

Equipment

• Drivetrain / drivetrain: Sram Red eTap XPLR (1x12; 42, 10-44 t.)
• Brakes: Sram Red (160 / 160 mm)
• Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Zipp 303 Firecrest / Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 40 mm (f. / h. 1,387 / 1902 g)

TEST RATE: 1.8

Scott Addict Gravel Tuned

With the Scott Addict Gravel, it is not only the name that is reminiscent of the road racing machine, many design elements can also be found on the off-road version. The integrated carbon handlebar unit hides all cables from the wind, while aerodynamic tube shapes are designed to increase top speed even on gravel. But the Swiss have also thought about the utility value for touring, as evidenced by the slightly more moderate seating position or threads for mudguards and a tool box under the bottom bracket. The double crankset, which is rare in this category, allows for a wide range and a fine gradation in equal measure. On easy terrain, the gravel bike's smooth ride is impressive; when things get rough, more comfortably tuned wheels have the advantage.

The wide range of variants is a nice touch: In addition to the top version shown here, there are seven more to choose from starting at 2799 euros >> available here.

PLUS

• Smooth running
• Many equipment options

MINUS

• Moderate ride comfort

Technical data and notes Scott Addict Gravel Tuned

Manufacturer information

• Price: 9999 Euro
• Frame sizes²: XS, S, M, L (tested size), XL

Measured values

• Weight of complete bike: 8.3 kilos
• Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,153 / 479 / 75 g
• Seat / top / head tube: 555 / 397 / 168 mm
• Stack / Reach / STR³: 592 / 397 mm / 1.49
• Wheelbase / caster: 1050 / 68 mm

Equipment

• Drivetrain / gears: Sram Red eTap AXS (46/33, 10-36 t.)
• Brakes: Sram Red HRD (160 / 160 mm)
• Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: DT Swiss GRC 1400 Spline / Schwalbe G-ONE R 45 mm (v. / h. 1543 / 2006 g)

TEST NOTE: 1.6

Specialised S-Works Crux

At exactly seven kilograms, the S-Works Crux even rivals road racing bikes - no production gravel bike is currently lighter. But the US-Americans pull out all the stops. The no-frills frame weighs just 800 grams, and the traditionally clamped attachments and in-house carbon rims also save weight. The Crux is correspondingly light-footed as it moves through the terrain, the bike is a fun machine that dispenses with attachment points for accessories and rolls on relatively narrow standard tyres.

If you want to make the bike more suitable for off-road riding, you can fit tyres up to 47 millimetres wide; with smaller 27.5 wheels, you can even fit 53-millimetre tyres through the frame and fork. Unfortunately, the price for this is exorbitantly high; there are still three cheaper versions available from € 4,200, but they are heavier.

PLUS

• Extremely light
• Maintenance-friendly design
• generous guarantee

MINUS

• Very expensive

Technical data and notes Specialised S-Works Crux

Manufacturer information

• Price 12,800 euros >> available here
• Frame sizes²: 49, 52, 54, 56 (tested size), 58 cm

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel 7.0 kilos
• Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 800 / 431 / 148 g
• Seat / top / head tube: 550 / 565 / 148 mm
• Stack / Reach / STR³: 580 / 395 mm / 1.47
• Wheelbase / caster: 1035 / 62 mm

Equipment

• Drivetrain / gears: Sram Red eTap AXS (40, 10-44 t.)
• Brakes: Sram Red eTap AXS HRD (160 / 160 mm)
• Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Roval Terra CLX / Specialized Pathfinder Pro 38 mm (v ./ h.: 1268 / 1780 g)

TEST RATE: 1.6

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.