How to choose your Gravel Bike

Since gravel racing took hold a decade ago, the demand for drop-bar gravel bikes has grown exponentially. This can largely be attributed to the sheer versatility and ride-anywhere capability this type of bike offers. The Ribble gravel range comes in a choice of frame materials, each offering something a little different in terms of weight, handling, and overall ride feel. Here we explore the key differences between the various models, and in doing so, hopefully help you to choose which is the perfect gravel bike for you.

Gravel bikes can best be described as sitting somewhere betwixt a road bike and a mountain bike. They're light, fast, and efficient on compacted surfaces while being composed and stable enough to tackle moderate to challenging off-road terrain. Versatility is a key selling point. Their go-anywhere and ride-it-all capability is what sets them apart from other dop-bar machines.

This blog aims to highlight the key differences between the models that make up the Ribble gravel range. We hope that it will go some way in helping you to choose your gravel bike.

As the last member of the Gravel range to launch, the Gravel 725 provides the ideal starting point. Perfect for long or short-haul rides, this steel gravel bike was born our of a love of adventure. It features an eye-watering array of built-in luggage mounts, so you can outfit your ride with as many bottles, bags, and racks as you need.

The Reynolds 725 steel frame and carbon fork deliver the supple ride quality that steel bike fans adore, absorbing the lumps and bumps, so you don't have to. Whether you've picked out a location on a map or simply wish to explore sidetracks on a whim, the Gravel 725 is tuned for exploration. Let your imagination run wild - incredible adventures await.

Features

• Weight - Like all steel bikes, the attraction lies not in the weight, but in the incredibly compliant ride quality that only comes from Reynolds steel.
• Comfort - The supple nature of steel means it can absorb vibrations from the roughest terrain like no other frame material.
• Luggage Mounts - Built-in rear rack, front fork cage, and water bottle mounts ensure you never need leave home without your bike-packing or daily travel essentials. No matter how long or far your ride is.
• Cable Routing - Each cable is routed internally for added protection from the elements. This includes the versatility to retrofit the frame with Shimano Di2 electronic groupsets or a dropper post at a later date.
• 1x Compatible: As one of the most cutting-edge gravel frames on the range, the Gravel 725 is engineered exclusively to accept single-ring drivetrains only.

Who would buy the Gravel 725?

Riders for whom all-out speed is not the priority. But instead want a capable ride all-day gravel bike capable of traversing the most challenging terrain in ultimate comfort.

The Gravel AL e puts the 'e' in electrifying. Our electric gravel bike looks, feels, and rides like any non-assisted bike. But push the magic button, and you are provided instant access to three levels of natural feeling power assistance. All of these flatten out the hills and negate those tiresome headwinds.

This advanced e-gravel bike range, connectivity, and e-power assistance make gravel exploration accessible to everyone, allowing you to extend your rides further and ride faster than you could ever have dreamed possible.

Features

• MAHLE X35+ Motor - Up to 250W of smooth power assistance delivered to each pedal stroke at the push of a button. The complete X35 motor system tips the scales at just 3.5kg, making it one of the lightest smart bike systems on the market.
• Weight - With builds ranging from 13.5 to 14.1 kg, the Gravel AL e is easily one of the lightest bikes in its class. It's so light you can even ride it with the assistance switched off, whether to conserve the battery or to give mind and body a more vigorous workout.
• Aluminium frame - Lightweight yet robust, the 6061-T6 aluminium frame features a seamless weld construction for increased strength and a premium look generally reserved for high-end race bikes.
• Comfort - Like carbon, alloy frames are incredibly stiff for enhanced power transfer. The dropped seat stays introduce vertical compliance, allowing the seat post and seat tube to flex, reducing the amount of vibrations being transferred to the rider from rougher surfaces. This results in less rider fatigue, so you stay fresher for longer.
• Luggage Mounts - Integrated frame mounts for a rear rack, front fork cages and water bottles allow you to outfit your bike for epic off-grid bike-packing expeditions.
• Cable Routing—Routing the cables internally keeps everything clean and uncluttered while protecting them from dirt and water ingress.

Who would buy the Gravel AL e

You want the ride-anywhere versatility of a gravel bike but with the extra pedal assistance of one of the world's market-leading e-bike systems.

Since it first appeared in the American Midwest a decade or so ago, Gravel Racing has undergone a massive transformation in terms of popularity. It was precisely this form of cycling that the Gravel SL was designed. Its stiff and highly responsive carbon monocoque frameset makes this bike the perfect option for full-gas gravel racing or tearing along beat-up backroads and gravel tracks at pulse-racing speeds.

Features

• Weight - When it comes to ultra-low weight, carbon is king, marking the Gravel SL as the lightest frameset in our gravel lineup.
• Stiffness - The Gravel SL's carbon monocoque construction makes it ultra-stiff, allowing the rider to lay down the power more efficiently.
• Comfort - A dropped seat stay geometry introduces vertical compliance, allowing the seat post and seat tube to flex. This reduces the vibrations transferred to the rider from rough surfaces, resulting in less rider fatigue, so you stay fresher for longer.
• Luggage Mounts - Integrated frame mounts for a rear rack, front fork cages and water bottles allow you to outfit your bike for epic off-grid bikepacking adventures.
• Cable Routing - Compatibility with the optional LEVEL 5 carbon integrated handlebars system allows every cable to be routed internally and hidden from airflow. It also offers the additional benefit of generating up to 40% less drag than a conventional handlebar setup while giving the bike its sleek, cable-free lines.

Who would choose the Gravel SL

Those looking for a lightweight and fast gravel bike that is robust enough to cope with extreme terrain and can carry all the luggage required for bucket-list bike-packing adventures.

Titanium is often referred to as the dream material, and with good cause. Its inherent properties make it lighter than steel, more robust than carbon and more forgiving than alloy. The Gravel Ti will suffer the abuse of the most extreme off-road terrain and come back begging for more. Oh, and it's beautiful to behold, with its sleek and timeless lines concealing the unmatched strength and ride anywhere ruggedness that lets you explore beyond the paved and predictable.

• Durability - A high-quality titanium frame can last a lifetime - literally. Titanium does not degrade, corrode or fatigue. It will also shrug off accidental impacts or crash damage that may result in other frames being written off.
• Comfort - Titanium has a natural spring-like quality like steel, which translates into enhanced vibration absorption (compliance). This extra compliance makes for a very forgiving ride, which reduces rider fatigue.
• Weight - The ride quality of Titanium is almost identical to steel. Yet, you get more speed at roughly half the weight and for less effort.
• Luggage Mounts - Multiple frame mounts for a rear rack, front fork cages and water bottles allow you to outfit your bike for the biggest bikepacking adventures.
• Cable routing—The cables are routed internally through the frame to preserve those beautifully sleek titanium lines while improving aerodynamic efficiency.

Who would choose Titanium?

Riders who refuse to compromise when it comes to performance and comfort yet want a robust, sleek, and beautiful bike for life.

The Gravel AL represents the entry point into the gravel range. Constructed from 6061-T6 alloy, it's rugged and robust, delivering big performance and incredible value. Well-behaved on the tarmac, the Gravel AL explodes into a life where the pavement ends, and the off-road party begins. Its longer top tube and short stem geometry enhance handling and agility on loose, technical terrain.

Features

• Weight - Second only to the Gravel SL in terms of weight.
• Comfort - Similarly to carbon, alloy frames are incredibly stiff for enhanced power transfer. The dropped seat stays introduce vertical compliance, allowing the seat post and seat tube to flex, reducing the amount of vibrations being transferred to the rider from rougher surfaces. This results in less rider fatigue, so you stay fresher for longer.
• Durability - 6061-T6 alloy is robust and durable, meaning it can last many years. However, it doesn't quite boast the extended lifespan of steel or titanium. But if its care and maintenance are kept up to scratch, an alloy bike can last many years.
• Luggage Mounts - Mounting points for front fork cages and water bottles allow you to load up for epic bikepacking adventures or multi-terrain commutes.
• Cable Routing - All cables are routed internally, preserving the Gravel AL's super-clean looks and sleek lines.

Who would choose aluminium

The Gravel AL is quick and agile yet offers plenty of stability and control to conquer even the unruliest singletrack and gravel trails. Versatility comes as standard, with multiple frame mounts to suit every riding style, from gravel rides to adventure bikepacking and everyday commutes.

If the onset of winter heralds a sudden urge to train indoors, our guide will help you to work out how to fit Ribble bikes to most models of trainers.

Should you decide to brave the cold, we definitely recommend fitting mudguards. Discover how to fit them to disc brake bikes here.