Choosing your first gravel bike: a UK buyers guide for 2026
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Gravel bikes have exploded in popularity over the past five years, and for good reason. In the UK we have thousands of miles of unpaved lanes, forestry tracks, canal towpaths and bridleways that connect together into rides you simply cannot do on a pure road bike. A good gravel bike opens all of that up, while still riding fast enough on tarmac to be your main road bike too.
This guide covers what to look for in your first gravel bike, the best options in stock at Cyclestore for 2026 at every price point, and how to decide which one is right for you. All bikes mentioned are current stock, ship free within the UK, and can be reserved for collection at our Congleton shop.
What actually is a gravel bike?
A gravel bike sits somewhere between a road bike and a cyclocross bike, taking the best of both. Compared with a pure road bike, a gravel bike has:
- Wider tyres (typically 38mm to 50mm) with more grip and comfort
- Frame clearance for those wider tyres plus mud
- More relaxed geometry for stable handling on loose surfaces
- Disc brakes for reliable stopping in wet and muddy conditions
- Mounts for racks, mudguards and bikepacking bags
- Lower gearing suited to riding loaded and climbing steep gravel
The result is a bike that rides fast on tarmac (much faster than a mountain bike) but can also handle proper off-road terrain that would destroy a road bike. This is why gravel bikes have become so popular for commuting, weekend adventures, bikepacking trips, and even racing.
What size gravel bike do I need?
Gravel bike sizing follows a similar pattern to road bikes. As a rough guide:
- 5'2" to 5'6" — Small
- 5'6" to 5'10" — Medium
- 5'10" to 6'1" — Large
- 6'1" plus — Extra Large
But saddle height, reach and stack vary between models, and gravel bike sizing is often slightly different from your equivalent road bike size. If you are between sizes, we generally recommend going for the smaller frame with a longer stem, as this gives you a more responsive feel on loose terrain. Come to the Cycle Centre shop in Congleton for a proper fitting.
Best gravel bikes under £1,500
Kona Rove AL at £799. The Rove AL is Kona's entry-level gravel bike and one of the most popular first gravel bikes we sell. Aluminium frame, Shimano CUES 1x drivetrain, mechanical disc brakes, and clearance for 700x50c tyres. If you want to try gravel riding without spending big, this is where to start.
Kona Rove AL 700 at £769. Similar to the Rove AL but set up for 700c wheels with more road-oriented gearing. Great choice if your riding will include more tarmac than off-road.
Giant Revolt 2 at £1,199. The Revolt is Giant's proven gravel platform. The Revolt 2 uses Giant's ALUXX SL alloy frame with the D-Fuse seatpost technology (the same tech from their Defy road bikes) that flexes to smooth out rough surfaces. Shimano GRX 400 groupset. This is where gravel bikes start to feel genuinely quick.
Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy at £1,288. The Diverge is arguably the most versatile gravel bike on the market. This aluminium version includes Specialized's Future Shock front suspension (a 20mm suspension unit above the head tube), which is genuinely game-changing on rough British lanes. Shimano CUES 1x drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, mounts for everything. Our top pick for anyone whose gravel rides include actual gravel.
Giant Revolt 1 at £1,399. Same platform as the Revolt 2 but with Shimano GRX 810 2x drivetrain for more gear range. Ideal if your riding includes long climbs on tarmac as well as rough tracks.
Best gravel bikes £1,500 to £3,000
Giant Revolt 0 at £1,799. Full carbon frame with the same proven Revolt geometry, Shimano GRX 820 groupset, and Giant's flip-chip technology that lets you adjust the geometry for different terrain. If you want a serious gravel race machine at a fair price, this is it.
Specialized Diverge 4 Sport Alloy at £1,999. The updated Diverge 4 with Future Shock 2.0, more compliance, and the room to run 700x50c or 650bx53c tyres. Whether you fit slick tyres for road or knobbly tyres for the trail changes what this bike is capable of. One of the most versatile bikes we sell.
Giant Revolt Advanced 3 at £1,999. Advanced-grade composite (carbon) frame, GRX 820 groupset, and geometry proven at gravel world championships. If you want carbon for the same money as most alloy competitors, the Revolt Advanced is exceptional value.
Specialized Crux DSW Comp at £2,288. The Crux is Specialized's cyclocross-inspired gravel bike, sharper handling and lighter than the Diverge, with SRAM Apex XPLR 1x groupset. If you race gravel or ride tight technical singletrack, the Crux is the choice.
Specialized Diverge 4 Comp Alloy at £2,399. Same alloy frame as the Sport but with SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed 1x drivetrain and higher-end finishing kit. The simplicity of a 1x drivetrain is a real advantage for gravel riding.
Giant Revolt Advanced 2 at £2,499. Composite Advanced frame, GRX 820 group, and Giant's own composite wheels. Genuinely fast on road and rough enough for real gravel. Excellent all-rounder.
Giant Revolt Advanced 1 at £2,699. Same frame as the Advanced 2 but with GRX 820 Di2 electronic shifting. This is where gravel bikes start to feel truly premium.
Specialized Crux Comp at £2,999. Full carbon Crux with Shimano GRX 820 groupset. Race-bred, incredibly light, and fast in all directions.
Specialized Diverge 4 Sport Carbon at £2,999. Full carbon Diverge with Future Shock, GRX 600 drivetrain. If we had to recommend one gravel bike between £2,500 and £3,000 for a rider who wanted comfort and versatility, this would be it.
Best gravel bikes over £3,000
Giant Revolt Advanced 0 at £3,299. Top-tier Revolt with Advanced Composite frame, GRX 820 Di2, and Giant's premium wheelset. Race-ready.
Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 0 at £3,749. The X model adds RockShox Rudy front suspension for genuinely aggressive gravel riding. If your gravel routes include technical descents that would benefit from suspension, this is a serious bike.
Specialized Diverge 4 Comp Carbon at £3,799. Full carbon Diverge with SRAM Apex AXS electronic shifting. Advanced components at a competitive price for the specification level.
Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1 at £3,999. Advanced Pro frame with the highest grade Giant composite, GRX 820 Di2, and race-level component spec. This is race gear.
Specialized Crux Expert at £4,249. Race-focused Crux with SRAM Rival XPLR AXS. Blazing fast.
Specialized Diverge 4 Expert at £4,299. Full carbon Diverge with GRX Di2 electronic shifting and Roval carbon wheels. Our top overall recommendation for a premium do-it-all gravel bike.
Specialized Diverge 4 Pro at £6,999. The premium build of the Diverge platform. SRAM Force XPLR AXS, top-tier Roval wheels, and every component chosen for pure performance. Enter here if budget is not the primary concern.
Tyres: the most important upgrade
The single biggest way to change how a gravel bike rides is the tyres. Most gravel bikes come with 40mm to 45mm tyres that are a compromise between fast rolling on road and grip off-road.
If you ride mostly on tarmac with occasional gravel, fit slick or semi-slick tyres in 32mm to 38mm. If you ride mostly on rough surfaces with occasional tarmac, fit knobbly tyres in 45mm to 50mm. Most gravel bikes accept a huge range, so try different setups to find what suits your riding.
All the gravel bikes we sell are tubeless-ready. Setting them up tubeless with sealant (we recommend Peaty's) gives you better grip, better comfort, better puncture resistance, and less rolling resistance. Worth doing.
Do I need a 1x or 2x drivetrain?
1x (one chainring at the front, wide-range cassette at the back) is simpler, lighter, and quieter with less to go wrong. Perfect for pure gravel riding and racing. 2x (two chainrings at the front) gives you more overall gear range and closer gaps between gears, which some riders prefer for road rides and long climbs. Neither is better, it depends on preference.
Our recommendation for a first gravel bike is usually 1x for simplicity, then upgrade to 2x if you find you need more gear range.
Warranty and dealer support
All the gravel bikes above come with the manufacturer's frame warranty and full dealer backing from Cyclestore. As authorised dealers for Giant, Specialized and Kona, we handle warranty claims directly with each brand and can process any issues quickly through their trade portals.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a gravel bike as my only bike?
Yes, absolutely. A gravel bike with two sets of tyres (fast road slicks and knobbly gravel tyres) genuinely covers most of what you would do on either a road bike or a mountain bike. For 80 percent of UK riders, one gravel bike replaces two other bikes.
What's the difference between a gravel bike and a cyclocross bike?
Cyclocross bikes are designed for 1-hour races on specific courses with tight geometry, aggressive positioning, and 33mm tyre clearance. Gravel bikes have more relaxed geometry, wider tyre clearance (up to 50mm+), lower gearing, and are designed for long all-day comfort. Gravel bikes are much more versatile.
Can I fit mudguards to a gravel bike?
Most gravel bikes have mudguard mounts, yes. The Giant Revolt, Specialized Diverge and Kona Rove all take full-length mudguards. This is one reason a gravel bike makes a fantastic all-weather commuter.
Is a gravel bike suitable for touring or bikepacking?
Absolutely. Most modern gravel bikes have mounts for racks and bikepacking bags. The Kona Sutra and Giant Revolt X are particularly well set up for loaded touring.
Do you offer Cycle to Work Scheme on gravel bikes?
Yes, every bike listed here can be bought on the Cycle to Work Scheme. See our Cycle to Work page for how it works and how to redeem your voucher with us.
Can I test ride a gravel bike?
Yes. Come to the Cycle Centre shop in Congleton to try any of the gravel bikes above. Call 01260 297837 to book a test ride, or drop in during opening hours.
Ready to buy? Browse the full gravel and cyclocross range at Cyclestore. All UK orders ship free, and every bike is professionally set up and safety-checked before dispatch.