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When I’m in the saddle, there’s only one thing that matters to me: I want to switch off and enjoy myself. I want to hear the crunch of gravel beneath my tyres rather than the creaking of the bottom bracket. The soothing sound of a deep breath rather than the nasty hiss of a tyre that’s running out of air. I want a comfortable ride rather than a sore bum. To drink when I’m thirsty, rather than having to top up my water bottle at every fountain. Sun protection rather than sunburn. A tyre that rolls rather than slowing me down. An energy bar within easy reach rather than rummaging through my rucksack with a rumbling stomach. Do you want the same as me? Then these 14 gravel parts could be just the thing for you.
Look X-One-G Ti
Load-bearing joint
Road bike pedals on a gravel bike are a bit of a nonsense, whilst MTB pedals are often too heavy. The solution: Look’s ultra-light X-One pedals. They combine the single-sided clipping system of a road bike with the SPD mechanism and large contact surface of an MTB. A titanium axle brings the weight down to 240 grams – wow! To prevent dust and dirt from corroding the mechanism, Look fits particularly high-quality bearings and seals. Price: 299 euros >> available here.
Endura Alltrack Rout L/A Tech T-shirt
Parasol
Endura crafts the perfect shirt for bikepacking adventures. On or off the bike? The comfortably cut Alltrack Rout is always a good choice. On dusty gravel tracks, its UPF 40+ protection shields your skin from sunburn whilst also providing a pleasant cooling effect. You can confidently do without sticky sun cream on your arms. Price: 64 euros.
Selle Italia SLR Gravel Elite
Good Vibrations
The constant mini-vibrations that gravel tracks send coursing through our bodies will, sooner or later, wear down even the most seasoned of backsides. Selle Italia steps into the breach with the SLR Gravel: small shock absorbers in the frame and additional padding are designed to effectively filter out vibrations. A clever touch: a removable insert for the recess protects against water and dirt.
Weight: 195 grams
Price: 199.90 euros.
Wheeldan Titan Ultra-Light Bottle Holder
Simple beauty
If you strip away everything superfluous from a bottle holder and focus purely on function, you’ll probably end up with Wheeldan’s titanium holder. There’s hardly a more timeless and elegant way to carry a water bottle than with this featherweight holder, crafted from precisely bent and laser-welded Grade 9 titanium.
Weight: 29 grams
Price: 60 euros
Fidlock Hermetic Hydration Bladder
Full bladder
If there’s no room left on your bike for a water bottle because it’s packed full of luggage, it’s best to use a hydration bladder. This not only saves you the hassle of refilling, but also the fiddly business of reaching into the frame triangle, as the mouthpiece is always within easy reach. A particularly clever feature: a magnetic strip automatically secures the hydration bladder without any fiddly adjustments.
Size: 1.5/2.5 litres
Price: 59.99 euros >> available here
Evoc Top Tube Pack Ultra WP 2
Full steam ahead
The Evoc top tube bag fits aerodynamically into the slipstream behind the stem, keeping your most important essentials within easy reach. The waterproof bag has a capacity of two litres. The large opening and an additional compartment ensure everything is easy to organise. Sturdy TPU straps secure the bag to the frame, preventing it from suddenly hanging upside down. Clever: this means the entire frame triangle remains free for water bottles.
Weight: 140 grams
Price: 70 euros >> available here
Tailfin HydroMount
Placeholder
The HydroMount creates space where there isn’t normally any: on small frames, on bikepacking set-ups or on bikes with unconventional frame shapes. The adapter plate, with a 64 mm thread spacing, is compatible with all standard bottle cages or accessory mounts. The basic version with two TPU straps can hold one kilo of load, whilst the full version with three straps can hold even more.
Weight: 45 grams
Price: 25 euros
Rex Black Diamond Drip Wax
Fountain of Youth
Fine gravel mixes with the sticky chain oil to form a fine abrasive paste. A real nightmare for your bike chain. Chain wax not only keeps the drivetrain clean and dry, but also extends its service life. The Black Diamond Liquid Wax From Finland, it’s one of the best on the market and a real fountain of youth for your bike chain.
Contents: 90 ml
Price: 27.95 euros >> available here
Continental Terra Competition
Pacemaker
Pacemakers, also known as ‘hares’, keep the pace high during the race so that the top athletes can achieve their best times. The Terra Competition is the ideal tyre for pacing on gravel tracks. Its aerodynamic tread pattern literally cuts through the wind and reduces rolling resistance. With its finely profiled tread, it performs best on dry to slightly damp, hard surfaces. Available in widths of 35, 40 or 45 millimetres.
Weight from 350 grams
Price from 79.95 euros >> available here
Osprey Escapist Velocity 3 Cycling Vest
at sign
Most rucksacks are too heavy, too big or too unwieldy for gravel riding. Hydration vests like the Escapist are significantly lighter, hug the torso in a streamlined way and, thanks to cleverly designed storage compartments, keep small snacks or your smartphone within easy reach at all times. The Osprey comes with a 1.5-litre hydration bladder and can be extensively adjusted to fit the wearer.
Weight: 450 grams
Price: 110 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
WTB TCS Rocket Tyre Plug Kit
Sealant
The TCS is not a launch pad for moon rockets, but a handy tool that shoots tubeless plugs through slashed tyre casings. Small anchors remain in the tyre, much like a bee’s stinger, preventing the tubeless patches from coming loose. The aluminium ‘torpedo’ case holds up to 15 plugs and 6 anchors in two sizes.
Weight: 55 grams
Price: 44.95 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
Rapha Brevet Cargo Bib Shorts III
Loading Supervisor
A pair of cycling shorts only seems to be a proper gravel bib short if it’s fitted with all sorts of pockets for snacks and accessories. The Brevet Cargo is the master of storage. Two mesh pockets on the thighs, plus a slip pocket and a zipped pocket at the back, offer plenty of space. And by the way: the finest materials and a high-end pad ensure comfort on long rides. Price: 300 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.
SQlab 614 Ergowave Active 2.1 S’Qantara
Sports seat
In motorsport, Alcantara is the material the pros sit on. It’s lighter than leather, offers better grip in corners and creates a comfortable environment. SQlab thought these were all attributes that would also suit a bicycle saddle perfectly. The S’Qantara cover on the 614 Ergowave is inspired by this and ensures optimum grip in all weathers, remains at a comfortable temperature and gives the saddle its distinctive matt finish.
Weight from 229 grams
Price 159.99 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini
Hand-held blower
When the tiny high-speed motor in the E-Booster sets the piston compressor in motion, the air rattles. Yet this little gem can inflate up to four size 30 tyres to four bar in 60 seconds each, without you having to break a sweat. Compact size, light weight, powerful performance. These are the strengths of the Topeak battery-powered pump.
Weight: 142 grams
Price: 109.95 euros >> available here
Stefan Frey
Editor