Gravel bikes are often lauded for their versatility. While they remain inherently practical due to their wider tyre clearance and relaxed geometry, they have become increasingly specialised and nuanced in recent years. There are gravel bikes designed for fast gravel races, off-grid bikepacking, rugged trails, and everything in between. With specialism and development comes cost. So, do the best budget gravel bikes live up to their siblings' do-it-all versatility? And should you be considered one?
Well, you're in just the right place to find out. We’ve tested a number of the gravel bikes that fit the bill and have selected our six top-rated budget options to showcase here. We’ve chosen them for their overall performance as well as for their ability to shine in specific areas, which will hopefully help you to make a more informed choice when buying your first gravel bike.
The quick list
The GRVL AF is pretty much everything you could ever ask for in the best budget gravel bike. It's excellent value, rides well and offers decent comfort. It is hard to find a fault worth making too much fuss about.
At over $2500, it might not seem like a budget bike; however, given the quality of the Crux frame, build kit, and how fast this aluminium bike is. If you wanna go racing on a budget, the Crux DSW is the one.
There are few ever that match Canyon on value, and the Grail CF SL 7 is a shining example of this. With an intergrated cockpit, wireless shifting and responsive ride, makes it just about the best budget carbon gravel bike out there.
At its heart, an endurance road bike, the Domane does sport a crazy amount of tyre clearance. While I found it to be instantly comfortable and predictable, this can translate to not being very exciting and a bit middle-of-the-road.
Featuring women-specific geometry, the updated Devote is a great entry point for new gravel riders. Highlights include flip chip tech that allows you to adjust both the wheelbase length and the tyre clearance.
Best budget gravel bikes 2026
Best budget gravel bike overall
The Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 gravel bike really impressed me with its capability, especially given its incredibly affordable price. I found it remarkably comfortable to ride across various terrains, which is undoubtedly down to its well-balanced geometry and smart use of frame materials. Pair that with the carbon fork and high-volume tyres, and you have a setup that truly delivers a confident and forgiving ride.
As it was my first time using the relatively new Microshift Sword drivetrain, I was pleasantly surprised to find it offered reliable shifting and excellent ergonomics for the price. You can't really ask for more than that at this price. While the mechanical disc brakes weren't as smooth or as powerful as hydraulics, which is to be expected, they were certainly dependable. I think with a proper bedding in and a reasonable amount of maintenance, they serve their purpose. Ultimately, the GRVL AF 2 offers excellent value, making it a fantastic and fun option for anyone looking to get into gravel riding or explore bikepacking adventures.
Read our full Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 gravel bike review
Best budget gravel race bike
Likely one of the best alloy frames available for gravel
The Crux DSW frame is as close as you can make a 'carbon' copy of the highly regarded S-Works Crux in aluminium. In fact, it is rather impressive what Specialised has done with the DSW and continues to do with Aluminium, like their now-discontinued Allez Sprint. At just 1.4kg/3lbs, you get a full build with SRAM Apex mechanical 12-speed that is close to 9kg and under 20lbs.
While Specialised are always heavy on the superlatives, this time around they are backing them up with a lot of substance. The DSW is a joy to ride. Having done many miles on its carbon sibling, the geometry is immediately familiar, and despite the difference in material, covering similar terrain, the same group rides, I never felt hammered by the material. It's responsive, plenty fast and very capable, even being quite punchy out of the saddle thanks to the unique way Specialised welds the DSW frames.
There are a couple of limiting factors associated with the DSW Comp. First of all is the wheels, the DT Swiss G540 wheelset paired with SRAM's heaviest 10-44t cassette and tyre, which weighed in at around 2.3kg. Thats more than the frame on its own. While the only wheels I had to hand were a £2000/$2500 Roval carbon wheelset, obviously, they made a huge difference; just something lighter and a Rival or Force level cassette would have a significant impact.
The second limiting factor is, of course, the price and the single-spec option! While it's not wildly different to other brands' top-tier alloy bikes, it is still not the most 'budget' friendly bike in the guide. While Specialized of course market this a 'premium' alloy frame, wouldn't it be amazing to see it cladd with say Shimano Cues or even a higher spec, so you don't need to buy wheels and lighter cassette for example.
We liked the DSW so much, we tested it twice! I joke, but after Anne-Marije Rook tested the bike shortly after launch in the US. We decided to include the Crux DSW Comp in our Gravel Bike of the Year review for our magazine, where Rachel Sokal rated it equally highly.
Read Rachel's full Specialized Crux DSW Gravel bike of the year review
Read Rook's full Specialized Crux DSW Comp gravel bike review
Best budget carbon gravel bike
There are no many carbon bikes at this price, let alone with this specification
Okay, I'll address the elephant in the room straight away. I understand that a bit over £3000/$3500 is not a 'Budget' bike. However, if your budget stretches to carbon fibre or you are looking for the cheapest carbon fibre gravel bike right now, sure, we know Van Rysel/Decathlon has a very affordable carbon gravel bike; Boardman here in the UK is always competitive with its carbon-framed bikes; and Canyon itself in the EU offers a £2000 build called the Grail CF. However, for bikes available on both sides of the pond, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 is it.
And... for good reason!
For the price, you get Aero tubing, integrated one-piece cockpits, and an SRAM AXS fully wireless groupset, before we even talk about how fast and responsive the bike handles terrain and pedalling.
So... What's the catch? Why is it a 3.5-star bike and not more?
Unfortunately, in chasing the specification sheet, Canyon has lost sight of what makes a 'racier' gravel bike worth buying. The one piece cockpit is to short, meaning a more aggressive position (longer stem and narrower bar) a costly change. It also removes comfort from the front end, which gives a mismatched ride from the back of the bike.
For outright value, the Grail cannot be beaten, and if the stock specification suits you, you are quids in. However, I do wish they had gone with the more 'affordable' model they had, at the very least, a two-piece cockpit.
Read our full Canyon Grail CF SL 7 gravel bike review
Best budget all-road bike
Trek's Domane is technical a road bike with clearance for wider tires it can handle some rough stuff
The Domane AL4 struck me during use as a versatile and reliable road bike, perfect for those longer rides or adventurous outings where comfort and practicality are paramount. I appreciated its confident and predictable handling, which instantly built my trust in it.
Trek's in-house Bontrager components, like the durable wheels and puncture-resistant tyres, undoubtedly contribute to its solid feel. The comfortable, noseless saddle also stood out, perfectly complementing the bike's upright riding position. While the stock parts are good, I couldn't help but think how a simple upgrade to the wheels and tyres could truly transform the ride feel down the line.
Aesthetically, the bike really pops with its gold detailing and premium finish. However, I initially found the cable routing to be baffling, and, like many mechanics, I am sure, frustrating. Once that hurdle was cleared, though, the Domane AL4 proved to be a competent, practical, and good-looking bike that's genuinely easy to live with and enjoy. It might not be the most cutting-edge in terms of spec for the price, but as a steady, confidence-inspiring ride for on and slightly off-road adventures, it absolutely hits the mark.
The Trek Domane AL4 was part of a budget bike group test, which put four bikes under £1800/$2400 directly up against one another.
Best women's specific
Liv's Devote is a women specific gravel offering
The updated Devote features a lightweight ALUXX-grade aluminium frame and a carbon composite fork that’s designed to deliver a smooth and comfortable ride. The geometry has been tweaked from previous models, making it slightly more performance-focused; in essence, it’s slightly lower at the front end than before.
While we have yet to test this exact model of the Devote, we've tested its larger sibling, the Devote Advanced Pro, which shares much of its overall DNA with its aluminium counterpart. Although the more affordable version lacks the sophisticated carbon of the Advanced Pro, its geometry is very similar across platforms. Therefore, any comparisons in how the bikes handle are directly relevant and transferable. From our testing of Liv's partner brand, Giant Bikes, Revolt X aluminium frame, we know that no expense is spared when it comes to quality.
Here is what our Digital Editor Michelle had to say about the Devote Advanced Pro, "For many riders, the pull towards the gravel trend is the ability to stitch together sections of road, gravel, trail, fire road and cycle path, It was these rides where the Devote felt most at home - tackling each component of the changing terrain, perhaps not perfectly, but always very capably."
How we test
At Cycling Weekly, we have a dedicated team of testers whose role is to evaluate a wide variety of cycling products and provide objective reviews based on their daily experiences in diverse conditions. With extensive experience, they are well-equipped to compare products, pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses, and deliver honest, unbiased insights into their performance.
Testing gravel bikes involves covering many miles, and our testers do exactly that. Routes range from technical mountain bike trails to multi-day bikepacking trips, with numerous intermediate options available. We also ensure that bikes are tested on paved roads, since many riders use gravel bikes for commuting and winter riding, which often involves some tarmac.
During rides, we assess bikes based on comfort, handling, suitability for different gravel terrains and bikepacking, as well as the quality, durability, and overall value of components.
Learn more about our testing process on our dedicated How We Test page.
Meet the testers
Having competed in some of the toughest gravel events, Rook has valuable insights into what makes a good bike for challenging terrain. Although she now pedals less competitively, she rarely spends a day without riding. Her persistence allows her to accumulate miles quickly, and she still maintains a good pace.
Rachel knows a thing or two about riding off-road. Aside from having been reviewing and writing about bikes for 15 years, she is also a well accomplished mountain biker, having won multiple 24-hour National and European championships. Rachel is not one to take a brands word for anything and tests exactly what is in front of her.
How to choose a budget gravel bike
What frame material should I expect in a budget gravel bike?
Inexpensive frames are sometimes steel but mostly aluminum. Metal frames are robust, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture. Alloy frames tend to be a little lighter than budget steel frames but steel is easier to repair if you find yourself in a remote region of the world.
Even at this price point, you will often find a carbon fork, which along with the wide tires will help take some of the road buzz out of your ride.
Whatever material you end up with be sure to protect it for use with bags. Use a strong, clear, adhesive material anywhere that a bag will come in contact with the frame. Even the best bags will wear through the paint.
What groupset and shifting should I expect on a budget gravel bike?
At this price point, there are a few different options on the market, from SRAM's Apex 1X groupset to double chainrings or even triples. Budget Shimano Sora or Claris options help to keep costs down and simplify shifting with 8 or 9-speed setups. These are road groupsets, rather than specifically gravel ones though, so they don't have a clutch to help keep the chain in place on bumpy terrain.
A gravel-specific groupset like Shimano GRX or SRAM Apex 1 will give you a better set-up for gravel riding than a road groupset, but is not often specced on lower-priced gravel bikes, as it's more expensive than 8 or 9-speed options.
Often gravel bikes will come with a single chainring set-up with a wide-range cassette to give you the range you need. It's a good option, but better with an 11 or 12-speed set-up; with the cheaper groupsets with a smaller number of sprockets, you may find the jumps between gears a bit wide.
The other option to give you lower gear ratios is a subcompact two-chainring groupset. Subcompact usually means either a 48/32t or 46/30t chainset, rather than the 50/34t that's typical on road bikes. The advantage of a two-chainring groupset is that you get more gear ratios, and smaller jumps as you move up the cassette.
The SRAM Apex 1 groupset is an excellent option at any price range.
What brakes should I expect on a budget gravel bike?
Mechanical disc brake setups are almost always specced at the sub-£1000/$1500 mark. These are less costly than hydraulic disc brakes but still yield benefits over rim braking systems, particularly for gravel bikes. Disc brakes make it possible to fit big tires and wide wheels without any decrease in braking power.
Even cable-actuated disc brakes offer greater power and modulation than cantilever brakes. Disc brakes will also save your wheelsets from wearing out in mucky conditions, unlike rim brakes.
Although not as powerful as hydraulic disc brakes, cable-operated brakes can be easier to maintain. Future upgrades are also always possible.
What wheels and tires should I expect on a budget gravel bike?
Even at this cheaper end of the gravel bike market, you can now choose between standard 700c wheels or smaller 650b wheels. A lot of these bikes will be compatible with both sizes too, so you can change as you like or even have a pair of each with different tires fitted.
For easier terrain or longer rides where efficiency is key 700c wheels are a good choice. Choose 650b wheels to run wider, chunkier tires for more technical terrain. The larger volume tires add extra comfort over rooty and rocky trails.
Tires make a huge difference to the quality of your ride and are also an easy element to switch out when you buy a bike. Having said that, it's good to see so many great tires fitted as standard, even at a budget level.
For mud and loose gravel look for more aggressive tread on the center line and shoulders. Slick, or file tread, tires will be faster for road, dry conditions and less technical terrain.
It's worth bearing in mind that entry-level wheels can come at the cost of greater weight. Heavier wheels take more energy to get moving and can feel sluggish. When you're convinced that gravel riding is for you, wheels are a good first upgrade.
WTB Resolute gravel tires on a gravel bike
What finishing kit should I expect on a budget gravel bike?
Many budget gravel bikes come from brands that offer their own in-house finishing kit, for example, Triban's seatpost, stem, handlebars, bar tape and saddle. This helps to keep costs low, and although not the flashiest, these parts tend to be well-made and robust. Finishing kit is easy to swap out if you fancy an update at any point in the future too.
Handlebars are the one piece of the finishing kit you might want to really pay attention to. Flared bars of around 12° can give a more stable position in the drops for rough descents. They also accommodate bikepacking bags more easily.
What are the best upgrades for my budget gravel bike?
Once you're happy that your new gravel bike is the best steed you've ever owned, you might want to consider a few upgrades to make the ride even more enjoyable. If you've got a little over $1,500/£1,000 to spend initially, you might consider these features for your first bike too.
SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc Lever
Although it sounds strange, better braking can actually help you go faster. With more powerful braking from hydraulic disc brakes, you can stop faster. With great braking performance at your fingertips, you'll have more confidence to let rip on the descents.
If you don't already have flared handlebars on your bike, consider this upgrade for confident descending and more room for bikepacking bags up front.
Your wheels can make a huge difference to the quality of the ride, and unfortunately, at lower price points the quality of these can suffer. Upgrading your original wheelset to a lighter and higher quality build can make the world of difference.
Don't feel stuck with the tires that come on your bike. Your preferred terrain and conditions might need something different. Experiment with different volumes and tread types until you find some that work for you. You may need a different set of tires for summer and winter riding to get the most out of your budget gravel bike, swapping between them to compensate for the changes in trail conditions.
Setting up your wheels tubeless can be one of the biggest (although not always the easiest) upgrades to your bike out of the box. With no tube to worry about you can run lower pressure for better traction and a more comfortable ride. Tubeless sealant can also seal small punctures before you even know something happened.
What extras do I need for gravel riding?
If you're looking to keep your spending on your new gravel bike under control, don't forget to budget for the extras you'll need.
Although you can ride on a set of the best flat pedals, it's easiest to ride off-road on clipless pedals, but you need an MTB-style two-bolt system rather than a road-going three-bolt one. The best pedals for off-road riding are two-sided for easier engagement, clear mud well and are robust.
You'll need a matching pair of two-bolt shoes for gravel riding, as the recessed cleats and grippy soles are essential when you need to walk your bike.
Don't forget to factor in a helmet, summer gloves in case you take a tumble and winter gloves to keep your hands from freezing. If you don't want to ride in road gear, there's also a good selection of gravel bike clothing for more versatility or a more relaxed look. Finally don't forget sunglasses to help keep dirt and bugs out of your eyes.
If you're planning to use your gravel bike for bikepacking or even for commuting, there's a whole range of bikepacking bags to make packing and carrying easier. We've got a comprehensive list of everything you need to go bikepacking - there's quite a lot of it.
You'll also run through consumables quicker off-road than on, so you'll need spare inner tubes and a puncture repair kit or, if you've swapped to tubeless, tubeless sealant and tubeless repair tools. You'll also need to clean your bike and drivetrain more often and you'll need plenty of chain lube.
Do gravel bikes need suspension forks?
It might seem like a silly question but as riders continue to push the limits of what's possible suspension forks on gravel bikes are becoming more common as seen with Specialized's Diverge STR—a full suspension gravel bike.
But if you're looking for a budget gravel bike, the answer is: probably not.
The vast majority of gravel bikes are still rigid and perform just fine. We'd only suggest looking into suspension forks for your gravel bike if you've got the budget and you're tackling more challenging terrains.