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Attention, gravel beginners: here are your must-haves:
- Trousers - such as: Sportful Supergiara 2 Bib Shorts
- Helmet - such as: Crivit helmet from Lidl
- Gloves - such as: Castelli Perfetto Light
- Jersey - such as: Alé Traccia
- Shoes - such as: Rockrider 900 MTB / Gravel Race 900
- Wind and rain jacket - such as: Gripgrab Pacr Emergency Jacket
- Glasses - such as: Julbo Intensity Reactiv
Trousers
If you ask experienced cyclists what the most important piece of kit is for the sport, most will mention cycling shorts first. Made from stretchy fabric, with a close-fitting cut and fitted with a chamois, they fit like a second skin, leaving no creases between the legs or on the bum and reducing the pressure that inevitably builds up when sitting in the saddle for long periods – especially when riding a gravel bike on unpaved surfaces, where the ride is significantly bumpier than on smooth tarmac. Experienced road and gravel cyclists generally prefer shorts with integrated braces. Women’s shorts feature specially cut braces that run alongside the breasts or as a single strap between them. Some models can be opened for a toilet break, so you don’t have to take off your jersey. If you don’t like the road cycling style of tight-fitting shorts, specialist shops also stock loose-fitting shorts which, when worn with special cycling shorts underneath, are suitable for gravel biking.
The model Sportful Supergiara 2 Bib Shorts For example, this model is designed for gravel cyclists and features four pockets – two on the thigh and two on the back.
The Gobik X Bib As a highly recommended gravel cycling pair, they feature a very sturdy pad, hard-wearing braces and leg cuffs that fit very well.
The Scott Shorts It has a casual style and is hard-wearing. It features two zipped pockets and an adjustable waistband for the perfect fit.
Helmet
In our view, the second most important accessory for gravel bike beginners. Of course, given all the excitement and anticipation surrounding this new sport, you don’t want to jump straight to the worst-case scenario; but especially if you’re planning to take your new gravel bike out onto rougher terrain, a fall is always a possibility. What’s more, a helmet stops twigs from bushes and trees whipping against your head on country lanes and forest tracks. You can use any road bike or cycling helmet that fits. If you prefer to take it easy on your gravel bike rather than racing along gravel ‘motorways’, you might prefer to wear a helmet with a visor, like the sort favoured by mountain bikers. Important: try it on, check the size and adjustability, and set the straps to the correct, individual length.
The Crivit helmet from Lidl For example, this is a helmet that’s both highly recommended and good value for money for gravel cyclists.
Fizik’s new gravel helmet combines Italian style with a wide range of safety features, including the MIPS system:
Gloves
A comfortably padded grip on the handlebars, protection against grazes in the event of a fall, a secure grip even with sweaty hands, no sunburn on the backs of your hands: the arguments in favour of wearing gloves whilst cycling really leave no room for doubt – except for one: Short-fingered or long-fingered gloves? Experienced road cyclists prefer short-fingered models because they allow for greater sensitivity on the gear and brake levers – and let in more cooling air in summer. Experienced mountain bikers use long-fingered gloves in both summer and winter because they offer even better protection for the hands when riding off-road and on trails through the undergrowth.
An example of a very good pair of gloves for the in-between seasons is the Perfetto Light by Castelli, which we have tested here.
Jersey
For your first gravel rides in summery weather, a T-shirt or polo shirt will do – but as your rides get longer and more strenuous, cotton clothing definitely has its day, as it soaks up sweat, takes ages to dry and, sooner or later, leaves you feeling chilly. A cycling jersey is the better choice in this case, as it’s form-fitting and specifically tailored for the sport: the sleeves and shoulders fit snugly and don’t flap in the wind. The back is cut longer to cover the kidneys and lower back, whilst the front is shorter so that the fabric doesn’t bunch up in front of the chest when you’re bent over on the bike. A full-length zip makes it easier to put on and take off, whilst pockets on the back hold essential small items such as a smartphone, energy bars, a mini pump or similar.
The range on offer is huge, from sporty, race-style cuts to casual styles, for women and men, with short and long sleeves, for summer conditions and for the chill of autumn. By the way: if you say ‘A’ – that is, cycling jersey – you have to say ‘B’ too: ‘B’ as in base layer, or sports undershirt. It’s only when these two layers of clothing – usually made of synthetic fibres (or with a merino wool blend) – are worn together that they create a comfortable body climate by wicking sweat away from the skin to the outside of the garment, where the moisture can evaporate.
The Alé Traccia For example, it is made from ultra-soft yet hard-wearing recycled yarn and has a very figure-hugging cut.
Shoes
Of course, you can also go gravel cycling in trainers and with flat pedals. Some of our editorial colleagues have already cycled a thousand kilometres from Munich to the Baltic Sea this way. Nevertheless, specialist cycling shoes and pedals are recommended, particularly as rides become longer and more challenging. The connection between the cycling shoe and the pedal – similar to a ski binding – provides a secure footing, saves energy and makes the pedalling motion more efficient and fluid, because even at a higher cadence you don’t have to concentrate on keeping your feet properly on the pedals. Gravel shoes are often identical to mountain bike shoes from various manufacturers and are preferable to road cycling shoes. They have grippy soles that are also good for walking, as well as reinforcements around the shoe that protect against knocks and stone chips. Cheaper models usually have Velcro or ratchet fastenings – or a combination of both – whilst more expensive gravel shoes have one or up to three twist fastenings, allowing you to adjust the shoes very precisely and, in most cases, whilst riding out of the saddle.
The Rockrider 900 MTB / Gravel Race 900 For example, the sports goods discount retailer Decathlon sells a good, affordable pair of gravel shoes with a non-slip sole and a twist fastening
Wind and rain jacket
Whether it’s cool air in the morning or evening, a draughty wind at the summit, or a rain shower: a lightweight jacket is a real must-have, especially on longer hikes when you can’t just turn back and be home in twenty minutes. We recommend a windproof, water-repellent jacket; it’s versatile and meets most requirements. You really only need a fully waterproof jacket if you have to carry on cycling in pouring rain for quite some time and can’t wait for the downpour to ease off.
The Gripgrab Pacr Emergency Jacket, for example, meets the requirements for a lightweight, compact wind and rain jacket perfectly >> available here.
Glasses
Sports glasses are a must-have for style anyway, but when cycling – and particularly when gravel biking over rough terrain and on gravel tracks – they also provide vital protection for your eyes against the sun, wind, dust, dirt, insects, rain and twigs.
The Julbo Intensity Reactiv are excellent cycling and gravel glasses: large lenses, good protection against dust and insects, lightweight and well-ventilated.
Thomas Musch
Publisher