Last Updated on 17 March 2025 by Cycloscope
Gravel bike touring. The pros and cons of touring and bikepacking on a gravel bike
+ the 6 best gravel bikes for bikepacking and bicycle touring
Gravel bikes are one of the hype of these times. Agile, light, and versatile they are certainly funny rigs. But What about cycle touring on a gravel bike? Or should we say gravel bikepacking?
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How we compile our gear guides: during the almost 10 years of cycloscope.net our team personally tested dozens of similar pieces of gear. For what we can't test personally, we involve other people in the cycling community to give their feedback and opinion about gear they have used. Our decade-long experience in bicycle touring enables us to find the key cons and pros of every product we mention.
Gravel bikes are an explosive market, with so many new brands and redesigned old bicycle models from the big players like Giant and Specialized, but how do they perform on an extended bicycle trip?
This article aims to give an answer to all those questions, so please read on.
Check also
> 11 best gravel bikes under 1500$
What’s a gravel bike?
In between the frenzy and performance-driven worlds of road cycling and cyclocross, sits the more leisurely and versatile category of gravel bikes.
Some say gravel bikes are a mix between the two, but they are something more. Happy both on the tarmac and on mud, gravel bikes are adventure machines where a bit of performance is set aside in favor of improved comfort, trail resilience, and sturdiness.
The geometry of a gravel bike is more relaxed compared to a race bike. The head tube is often taller and the head angle is slicker for more relaxed steering (less twitchy than a racing bike, less responsive on technical off-road sections than a cyclocross).
Somehow similar to that of an aggressive touring bike, a world from which gravel designers drew a lot of inspiration. And here we could start to list the many advantages of touring on a gravel bike.
Are gravel bikes good for touring?
Short answer: yes. Real answer: it of course depends on many factors. Let’s start by listing some features of gravel bikes that make them similar to touring dedicated bicycles.
One of these is the longer wheelbase, found in many gravel bikes, it’s a fundamental characteristic of a touring bike.
The aim of a long wheelbase is to make the bike more stable both on asphalt and dirt, to provide extra comfort over long distances, and to handle medium-heavy loads. It is a feature that works great for multi-day bikepacking trips.
Disc brakes, fatter tires, eyelets, and mounting points that you won’t find on a road bike make most gravel bicycles ideal machines for the increasingly trendy discipline of bikepacking.
A sloping top tube offers more stand-over height, which is useful in a get-off, while taller head tubes than what you’d expect to see on a ‘cross’ or race bike allow for greater comfort in a more upright rider position.
The bottom bracket will usually be a little lower than a cyclo-cross bike but still high enough not to get bumps on most rocky trails.
Most gravel bicycles mount drop-bars, but flat bars and alternative handlebars like Jones Loop H are becoming more and more common on gravels, giving more space for MTB computers, phone mounts, or GPS navigators.
The gearing is also pretty unique, while cyclocross requires a narrower gear range (short circuits can’t have big long climbs), gravel riding is done on more varied terrain: steep mountains, flat and smooth tarmac, farm roads, single track… this calls for a much wider choice of gear.
The choice is usually towards 2×11 or 1×10, often with the bigger sprocket going up to 36 or even 42T.
Although the initial purpose of gravel bikes is to compete in a cycling discipline called gravel grinding (long races on varied terrain, mostly off the sealed road), their versatility makes them indeed a great solution for multiple cycling pursuits, including extended bicycle touring trips.
They are suitable for all but the fastest of road riding, while the wider tires and wider-range gearing make off-road trails, gravel, and single tracks manageable.
When you buy a gravel you get a commuter, a racer, a tourer, and a cross-country all in one – of course with the due compromises.
Downsides of gravel bike touring
From what we have said in the previous pretty technical paragraph, it seems gravel bikes are as good as touring bikes for traveling. But of course, that’s not the case, gravel bike touring is somehow restricted to a certain kind of adventure, let’s see why.
Gravel bikes are not meant to really carry loads for long periods of time, they can hold a light bikepacking setup but we’ll suffer under four loaded bike panniers plus maybe a trunk bag, almost to the point of becoming unrideable.
A touring bike indeed performs at its best with loads on, that’s when its stability is maxed, and so it’s the control. Bikes that are not meant to carry panniers perform very poorly when loaded laterally.
Tire clearance is another factor. It certainly is wider than a roadie but not as fat as a modern touring bike. Big tires improve traction on unsteady surfaces like rocks and sand, where a gravel bike will meet its limitations.
One more thing to consider is the wheels and spoke count. Extended touring and bikepacking require strong wheels, possibly at least 36 spokes, and solid rims.
Most gravel bikes are performance-oriented, designed to be lighter, with fewer spokes and sometimes carbon rims. Great gravel wheelsets don’t necessarily mean they are suited for touring.
So what kind of touring are gravel bikes good at?
Gravel bikes are ultimately great for light bikepacking expeditions, loaded with streamlined bikepacking bags such as frame packs, top tube packs, saddlebags, and cargo cages.
If you’re not going too far and do not need to carry a lot of stuff a similar setup will work perfectly and be great fun on a gravel bike.
Also, consider what types of roads you’ll tackle. If you plan to stay on tar for most of the time then a gravel will do great, also some light off-road would be welcomed and enjoyable to cycle.
If instead, you expect sandy or rocky roads, or in general terrible trail conditions, resorting to a gravel would just give you pain and stress. Get something with fatter tires and a geometry more adapted to off-road riding.
5 best gravel bikes for touring and bikepacking
Here I selected my personal favourites, trying to keep a bit of variety in the design and geometries while considering everything we just said about what’s important to consider when buying a gravel bike for bikepacking or cycle touring.
It is by no means a complete list, so feel free to contribute more ideas in the comment section.
1. Specialized Diverge E5
Less than 1,300$
The Specialized Diverge E5 is a versatile gravel bike built to tackle everything from paved roads to rough trails. It features a high-quality E5 aluminum frame and a lightweight FACT carbon fork, providing a balance of strength, durability, and comfort. This setup ensures a smooth and responsive ride across different surfaces.
A key highlight of the Diverge E5 is its modern gravel-specific geometry. Specialized designed it with an extended reach, a slacker head tube angle, and a longer fork offset.
These adjustments improve stability on rugged paths while maintaining agility on smoother roads. The bottom bracket is positioned for enhanced control yet remains high enough to accommodate both 700c and 650b wheels, giving riders flexibility in tire choices.
The bike also boasts impressive tire clearance, allowing for up to 47mm tires on 700c wheels and 2.1-inch tires on 650b wheels.
This wider clearance improves traction and comfort without compromising frame durability. Unlike some designs that rely on fragile dropped chainstays, the Diverge E5 maintains strength while offering excellent adaptability.
For adventure riders and bikepackers, the Diverge E5 includes multiple mounting points, including options on the fork and top tube. These mounts allow for the attachment of racks, bags, and accessories, making the bike well-suited for long-distance exploration.
Overall, the Specialized Diverge E5 is an excellent choice for riders looking for a gravel bike that balances speed, control, and versatility. Whether used for daily rides, weekend adventures, or extended bikepacking trips, it delivers reliable and capable performance.
Specialized Diverge E5 Specs:
| Frame | Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, Open Road Geometry, threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Fork | Specialized FACT carbon, flat-mount disc, 12x100mm thru-axle |
| Bars | Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Brakes | Tektro Mira, flat-mount, mechanical disc |
| Speeds | 16 – Shimano Claris R200 46/34T / SunRace, 8-speed, 11-34t |
| Derailleurs | Shimano Claris, 8-speed |
| Shifters | Shimano Claris 2000, 8-speed |
| Rims | Axis Sport Disc |
| Tyres | Specialized Roadsport, 60TPI, wire bead, Flak Jacket protection, 700x35mm |
| Tyre Clearance | Max 42mm |
| Weight | 9.3kg (M-Size) |
2. Cannondale Topstone Alloy Gravel Bike
+/- $1500
Here’s one of our favorites. The Cannondale Topstone is a highly versatile bicycle that sits firmly in the gravel category.
Its svelte lines make an impression of elegance seasoned with a pinch of adventure and are meant to convey tremendously enjoyable riding in all kinds of road and weather conditions.
Since it’s designed to be the ultimate combination of road racing and cyclocross bicycles, it can be considered a mixed-surface tourer as well as a 4 seasons commute bike.
At any time, with only a few adjustments, you can set up your rig for a camping bike trip, or join the group of your roadie friends.
The big tire clearance allows plenty of room for tires up to 42mm wide for comfortable grip and adventurous capability.
Although the front fork does not support any eyelets for cages on either side, it is a beautiful piece of carbon fiber, with a longer-than-usual rake (55mm) for stability and hidden full-fender mounts. It is a light and performing fork, rare on a bike at this price range.
With mounts for three water bottles plus mounts for top tube storage Topstone is ready to go long. Multiple bottle cage positions on the downtube mount let you configure for big frame bags.
Read our
> Cannondale Topstone Sora Full Review
Cannondale Topstone Tiagra Specs
| Frame | SmartForm C2 Alloy, 142×12 thru-axle, tapered headtube, flat mount disc, StraightShot internal cable routing, multiple gear/bottle mounts |
|---|---|
| Fork | (F) Formula CL-712, 12×100 center lock (R) Formula RXC-400 |
| Front Derailleur | SHIMANO GRX 400 |
| Rear Derailleur | SHIMANO GRX 400, 2×10 46/30t x 11-34t |
| Number of Gears | 20 |
| Shifters | SHIMANO GRX 400 |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA Cartridge |
| Cassette | Shimano HG500, 11-34, 10-speed |
| Chain | KMC X10, 10-speed |
| Brakeset | Shimano Tiagra hydro disc, 160/160mm RT54 rotors |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Tiagra hydro disc |
| Handlebars | Cannondale 3, butted 6061 alloy, 16 deg flare drop |
| Stem | Cannondale 3, 6061 alloy, 7Deg |
| Headset | Topstone Si, 25mm Alloy top cap |
| Grips | Cannondale Grip Bar Tape w/Gel, 3.5mm |
| Rims | WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready |
| Hubs | 9.98kg (Approximate weight for size Medium with no pedals) |
| Spokes | Stainless steel, 14g |
| Tyres | WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Radius Sport, steel rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 |
| Weight | 9.98kg (Aproximate weight for size Medium with no pedals) |
3. Genesis Croix de Fer Series
from 1,500$
The Genesis Croix de Fer series is a versatile steel-framed adventure and gravel bike range, designed for endurance riding, bikepacking, and touring. Introduced in 2008, it has evolved to offer improved geometry, increased tire clearance, and enhanced comfort while maintaining its classic aesthetics.
Key Features:
- Frame & Fork: Reynolds steel frame (725 or 631, depending on the model) with a carbon or steel fork for durability and compliance.
- Tire Clearance: Can accommodate up to 700x47c tires, allowing for better grip and comfort on rough terrain.
- Drivetrain Options: Available in 1x and 2x configurations, with Shimano GRX or SRAM Rival groupsets depending on the model.
- Mounting Points: Includes multiple mounts for racks, fenders, and bottle cages, making it ideal for touring and commuting.
Popular Models:
- Croix de Fer 10 – Entry-level model with a Shimano Sora groupset.
- Croix de Fer 20 – Mid-tier option featuring Shimano GRX 400 for better off-road performance.
- Croix de Fer 30 – High-end version with Reynolds 725 tubing and a Shimano GRX 800 drivetrain.
The Croix de Fer remains a top choice for riders seeking a durable, do-it-all adventure bike.
The Genesis Croix de Fer Series is an all-rounder gravel/mountain bike that makes a great buy for those who like to practice different cycling disciplines but can’t afford multiple bikes
4. Ribble Adventure 725 – author’s pick
+/- $1,400
This is a very interesting and innovative bike, with amazing specs and a great price tag. The Adventure 725 by the British manufacturer Ribble Cycles (in business since 1897) features a weird-looking thin Reynolds 725 tubing with a very “contemporary geometry”.
It’s quite hard to consider this really a gravel bike, but since we are looking for touring/gravel ideas I think the Ribble Adventure definitely deserves a place here.
The mammoth tire clearance for tires up to 2.8” on its 27.5 wheels is absolutely great for those who want to venture on sandy tracks, this is one of the widest tire options in this list.
Added versatility is given by the several mounting points for racks (that can be doubled to use bikepacking cages like the Blackburn Cargo), three bottle mounts, and fender mounts.
The 11/42T 10-speed cassette gives a great granny gear that should be able to bring you up the steepest tracks.
Read our
> in-depth review of the Ribble Adventure 725
Ribble Adventure 725 Deore Specs
| Shifters – Deore M6000 Rapidfire 10spd | |
| Brake Levers / Brakes – Shimano BL- MT201 / BR-UR300 | |
| Chainset – Deore 175 36/26T | |
| Cassette – Shimano HG500 11/42T | |
| Front Derailleur – Deore M6020 LCTSDP 34.9mm | |
| Rear Derailleur – Deore M6000 Shadow+ GS | |
| Rotors – Shimano RT66 6-Bolt 160mm | |
| Wheels – Mavic Crossmax 650b 15×100 / 12×148 (Boost Rear) | |
| Tyres – WTB Ranger 2.8 | |
| Bars – Level Loop Alloy, Black | |
| Stem – Level Gravel Alloy, Black | |
| Seatpost – Level 1 Alloy 27.2mm, 350mm, Black | |
| Saddle – WTB Koda Race 142mm |
5. Kona Rove LTD
from 800$
The Kona Rove LTD is a high-quality gravel bike built for adventure, offering a strong yet comfortable ride across a variety of terrains. Whether for daily commutes, long-distance bikepacking, or off-road exploration, this bike is designed to perform.
Key Features:
- Frame & Fork: Constructed from Kona’s butted Cromoly steel, the frame provides durability and a smooth ride. The Kona Rove Verso full carbon fork helps reduce weight and improve handling.
- Drivetrain: A 1×12 SRAM Apex groupset offers a wide gear range, with a 40T chainring and an 11-44T cassette for tackling steep climbs and varied surfaces.
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes from SRAM Apex ensure precise stopping power and control in all weather conditions.
- Wheels & Tires: The bike is equipped with WTB KOM Light Team i23 TCS rims and WTB Venture TCS 650x47c tires, balancing traction and speed on mixed terrain.
- Mounting Points: The Rove LTD includes multiple mounting options for racks, fenders, and bottle cages, making it ideal for long-haul adventures and gear-heavy trips.
Geometry & Ride Feel:
Designed for stability and comfort, the Rove LTD’s geometry ensures confident handling at speed while remaining agile. A balanced bottom bracket drop maintains stability without sacrificing pedal clearance.
Final Thoughts:
With its high-end steel frame, reliable drivetrain, and adventure-ready features, the Kona Rove LTD is a top choice for riders seeking a durable, all-terrain gravel bike.
Kona Rove LTD specs
6. Cinelli Hobootleg Geo
about 2,000$
Last but not least, one of my absolute favorites. You might have noticed I love this kind of geometry for gravel touring.
The Cinelli Hobootleg Geo features a sloping frameset made of Columbus Cromor triple-butted steel, this means no-bullshit great-quality Italian steel – definitely another tier compared to the Taiwanese materials used by many bike manufacturers.
Three bottle cages and CNC rear dropouts, designed to support the disc-brake clamps, all the eyelets for the rear rack and fender that every gravel designed for touring shouldn’t miss.
The maximum tyre clearance allows up to 3.0″ tire to fit in, with a choice between 29 and 27.5 – of course tubeless-ready.
The New Carbon fork has four lateral eyelets and two bottom ones for each side, “anything you need eyelet” they say, it certainly offers a lot of options for bikepacking cages and low-rider front racks.
The gear range is ample, with a 36/26t double chainring in the front and an 11-34t 10-speed cassette, derailleurs are Shimano Deore in the front and Tiagra in the rear.
Cinelli Hobootleg Geo Specs
| Frame: Columbus Cromor Double Butted Steel |
| Fork: Columbus Futura Adventure Carbon Tapered |
| Tire Clearance: Up To 29×3.0 / 27,5×3.0 |
| Handlebar: Cinelli Largo / Ø 31,8 / 560mm (S/m/l/xl) |
| Crankset: Shimano Deore / 36/26t – Size 170 (S/m) 175 (L/xl) |
| Ft. Derailleur: Shimano Deore Fd-m4100-m / Side Swing / Front Pull |
| Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra / 10 Speed / Long Cage |
| Cassette: Shimano / 10 Speed / 11-34t |
| Shifters: Shimano Tiagra |
| Brakes: Trp Hy-rd (Md-c705c) / Trp Tr29 160mm Rotors |
| Wheels: Shining / 29″ / Formula Hubs / 6 Bolt |
| Tyres: Wtb Ranger / 29×2,25 / Tan Sidewall |
| Weight: Frame 2500g / Fork 550g (Uncut) |