Test gravel bikes 2023: Gravel bikes for adventure and bikepacking in the test
TOUR
· 15.05.2023
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Wiebke Lühmann is a bike adventurer. She loves this type of challenge, which is not about being faster than others. Instead, the focus is on new experiences, encounters and exploring unknown areas. Her cycle tours and bikepacking trips are always about self-development and self-reflection. With her packed gravel bike, a Wilier Triestina Jena, she set off on a 3,500-kilometre tour from Hamburg to the North Cape in August 2022. She had 30 days to do it. Countless raindrops poured down on her during the journey, she met new people and ate lots of noodle soup and chocolate. In addition to the necessary equipment, she had a GoPro camera in her luggage; Fabienne Engel, friend and photographer, accompanied her on the last four days. This is how the inspiring Film On Her Ownwhich was published on YouTube.
The next destinations, the next journey:
My next bikepacking adventure will be the longest trip of my life. I'm going on a test tour in May and will then share more information about it on my YouTube and Instagram channel @wiebkelueh. It's going to be exciting!
We tested these gravel bikes for adventure and bikepacking:
(Click to go to the individual rating)
The perfect bike for adventure
For Wiebke Lühmann, the ideal bikepacking bike epitomises a feeling of freedom. For her, her gravel bike is the perfect companion for all her adventures: "I can take any route, have plenty of options for carrying luggage and sit comfortably," she says. Whether she's out for a short training ride, an extended bikepacking weekend or even a trip lasting several weeks, she always opts for her gravel bike.
Three criteria that the bike must fulfil:
- A suitable and cosy Saddle - Wiebke's choice is the Selle Italia Diva Flow. "I only ride pain-free, and the saddle simply has to fit."
- Thread on the fork. Depending on the length of the tour Fork pockets mounted: "I love my Fork Packs from Ortlieb (5.8 litres), which I can easily mount there."
- Platform or combi pedals. Contrary to many opinions, Wiebke Lühmann doesn't miss her clipless pedals. On the contrary, she doesn't need to pack another pair of shoes. "I don't race and have realised that I don't need clipless pedals or only very rarely ride with clipless pedals."
More articles on the subject of gravel:
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Further content on the topic of bikepacking:
The test reports of the three gravel bikes
Focus Atlas Carbon 8.8
In the brand new carbon version, the Focus Atlas leaves the major weakness of the aluminium model of the same name behind, as the bike is competitively light for its price range. The riding position is also sportier, creating a more dynamic riding impression. With plenty of threaded eyelets and frame protectors, the Focus is nevertheless ready for travelling and adventure. One special feature is a dedicated carrier system that straps a five-litre Ortlieb pannier to each of the chainstays. Another is the wider hub dimensions (110 instead of 100 millimetres at the front and 148 instead of 142 millimetres at the rear), which enables stable wheels but limits the retrofit options.
The 500 euro cheaper version is slightly heavier, but otherwise offers hardly any disadvantages; the barely lighter top model comes with electronic 1 x 12-Sram Rival gears for 4299 euro >> available here.
PLUS
- Robust components
- Sophisticated pocket system as an option
MINUS
- Little choice of equipment
- Unusual installation dimension restricts the choice of impeller
Technical data and notes Focus Atlas Carbon 8.8
Manufacturer information
- Price: 3499 Euro
- Frame sizes²: XS, S, M (tested size), L, XL Seat / top / head tube 488 / 570 / 130 mm
Measured values
- Weight of complete bike: 9.2 kilos
- Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,288 / 516 / 75 g
- Stack / Reach / STR³: 592 / 391 mm / 1.51
- Wheelbase / caster: 1,045 / 75 mm
Equipment
- Drivetrain / gears: Shimano GRX 600/800 (46 / 30, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 810 (160 / 160 mm)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: DT Swiss X 1900 / WTB Riddler 45 mm (f. / h.: 1,673 / 2,143 g)
TEST RATING: 1.9
Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1
If you are looking for the most comfortable gravel bike possible for long days in the saddle, you should take a closer look at the Giant Revolt. The extended seat post absorbs road bumps extremely effectively; the riding position is rather upright and relaxed. Because the bike with its lightweight carbon wheels and high-profile tyres is comparatively lively and fast, fans of a faster pace will also get their money's worth. The tyres quickly reach their limits in rough terrain or mud, but the frame allows for tyres up to 53 millimetres wide. The wheelbase of the Revolt is adjustable at the rear end, and within certain limits the handling behaviour can be varied between manoeuvrable steering and better directional stability.
The large selection of variants between 2300 and 6000 euros is nice, and the top model even has a suspension fork.
PLUS
- Very comfortably tuned
- Many equipment options
- Long guarantee
MINUS
- Standard tyres overstretched in mud and sludge
Technical data and notes Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1
Manufacturer information
- Price 5299 Euro
- Frame sizes²: S, M, M/L (tested size), L, XL
Measured values
- Weight of complete bike: 8.3 kilos
- Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,224 / 426 / 58 g
- Seat / top / head tube 490 / 575 / 165 mm
- Stack / Reach / STR³: 609 / 387 mm / 1.57
- Wheelbase / caster 1,030 / 58 mm
Equipment
- Drivetrain / drivetrain: Sram Rival eTap AXS (2x12; 43/30, 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Rival (160 / 160 mm)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Giant CXR 1 / Cadex AR 40 mm (f. / h. 1,336 / 1,822 g)
TEST RATING: 2.0
Trek Checkpoint SL6 AXS
The US company Trek is also focussing on a particularly comfortable riding experience with its Checkpoint model. The seat tube, which is extremely slim at the lower end, is flexibly attached to the top tube with a ball bearing and can noticeably smooth out vibrations when riding off-road. The concept only reaches its limits on rougher impacts. On rough terrain, the bike impresses with its unshakeable straight-line stability, but twisty cross courses are not its strong point. The frameset has a number of attachment points for luggage, and mudguards are also provided. A storage compartment in the down tube holds tools. In contrast to comparable concepts from the competition, the riding position on the Trek is relatively stretched; however, if you are not on one of the very expensive top versions, the high weight of the bike quickly puts the brakes on any sporting ambitions.
PLUS
- Very comfortable
- practical details
- Many equipment options
MINUS
- Relatively heavy
Technical data and notes Trek Checkpoint SL6 AXS
Manufacturer information
Price: 4799 Euro
Frame sizes²: 49, 52, 54 (tested size), 56, 58, 61
Measured values
- Weight of complete bike: 9.4 kilos
- Weight frame / fork / headset¹: 1,427 / 531 / 86 g
- Seat / top / head tube: 505 / 570 / 125 mm
- Stack / Reach / STR³: 574 / 400 mm / 1.44
- Wheelbase / caster: 1,040 / 68 mm
Equipment
- drivetrain / gears: Sram Rival eTap (40 / 10-44 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Rival (160 / 160 mm)
- Wheels / tyres (weights)⁴: Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 / Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 40 mm (f. / h. 1,607 / 2,112 g)
TEST RATE: 1.9
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.
