How to choose your Gravel Bike

Since gravel racing took hold a decade ago, the demand for drop-bar gravel bikes has grown exponentially. It's the sheer versatility and ride-anywhere ability they offer that has led to this surge in popularity. The Ribble gravel range is available in various frame materials, each offering a unique ride quality. Here we explore the key differences and hopefully help you choose your gravel bike.

What makes a Gravel bike different from any other drop-bar bike?

Gravel bikes can best be described as sitting somewhere betwixt a road bike and a mountain bike. They are light, fast and efficient on compacted surfaces while being composed and stable enough to tackle moderate off-road terrain. Versatility is a key selling point. Their ability to go anywhere and do anything is what sets them apart.

How to choose your perfect gravel bike

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 newest member of the Gravel family, we'll start the guide with the Gravel 725. Perfect for long or short-haul rides, this steel gravel bike was born for adventure. It features an eye-watering array of built-in 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 fans crave, absorbing the 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 - The frame is manufactured from Reynolds steel, which may not be the lightest, but it makes more than makes up for this in its supreme ride comfort.
• 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 cages, and water bottle mounts ensure you never need to 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 of retrofitting 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, the Gravel 725 is engineered to accept single-ring drivetrains only.

The Gravel AL e puts the e into electrifying. Our electric gravel bike looks, feels, and rides like any non-assisted gravel bike. But push the button, and you can access three levels of natural feeling power assistance to flatten out any hills and negate bothersome headwinds.

This advanced e-gravel bikes 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 available in the 13.5 to 14.1kg range, the Gravel AL e is one of the lightest bikes in its class. In fact, it's so light that you can even ride it without assistance to conserve battery or to give yourself a workout.
• Aluminium frame - Constructed from a lightweight yet robust 6061-T6 aluminium, with seamless weld technology for enhanced strength and a premium look.
• Comfort - Similarly to carbon, alloy frames are incredibly stiff for enhanced power transfer. The dropped stays absorb vibrations from rough surfaces to smooth the ride and reduce rider fatigue.
• Luggage Mounts - Integrated frame mounts for a rear rack, front fork cages and water bottles allow you to outfit your bike for the biggest bike-packing expeditions.
• Cable Routing - Routing the cables internally offers a sleek, clean look and protects the cables 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 its first appearance in the American Midwest some ten years or so ago, Gravel Racing has steadily increased in popularity. The Gravel SL's stiff and highly responsive carbon monocoque frameset makes it the perfect option for bulleting along beat-up backroads and gravel tracks.

Features

• Weight - Carbon is lightweight, making this frame the lightest in the lineup.
• Stiffness - The Gravel SL's carbon monocoque construction makes it ultra-stiff, allowing the rider to lay down the power much more efficiently without lateral flex.
• Comfort - A dropped seat stay geometry enhances vibration absorption to deliver a smoother ride on unforgiving terrain.
• Luggage Mounts - Integrated frame mounts for a rear rack, front fork cages and water bottles give you the option to outfit your bike for the biggest bikepacking adventures.
• Cable Routing - Compatibility with the optional LEVEL 5 carbon integrated handlebars system allows every cable to be routed internally and away from airflow. This generates up to 40% less drag than a conventional handlebar setup and gives the bike a sleek, cable-free look.

Who would choose the Gravel SL Those looking for the lightest and fastest gravel bike. Yet one that's still robust enough to load up with all the luggage required for bucket-list bike-packing adventures.

You may find Titanium, sometimes referred to as the 'dream' material, because of its inherent properties. Not only is it more fatigue resistant than aluminium, but it's also roughly half the weight of steel and delivers a more forgiving ride than carbon.

Features

• 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 another frame being written off.
• Comfort - Similarly to steel, titanium has a natural spring-like quality which translates into enhanced vibration absorption (compliance). This additional compliance makes for a very forgiving ride and less rider fatigue.
• Weight - The ride quality of Titanium is almost identical to steel. Yet it is roughly half the weight. So you get more speed for less effort.
• Luggage Mounts - Multiple frame mounts for a rear rack, front fork cages and water bottles give you the option 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 its aerodynamic efficiency.

Who would choose titanium? Riders who place a premium on performance and comfort yet want a forever bike that's robust, sleek and beautiful to behold.

The Gravel AL represents the entry point to the gravel range. Constructed from 6061-T6 alloy, it's rugged and robust, delivering big performance and value.

Features

• Weight - Only the Gravel SL is lighter than this frame.
• Comfort - Similarly to carbon, alloy frames are incredibly stiff for enhanced power transfer. Similarly to carbon, alloy frames are incredibly stiff for enhanced power transfer. Dropped seat stays absorb vibrations from rough surfaces to smooth out the ride.
• Durability - 6061-T6 alloy is extremely strong and durable, meaning it can last many years. However, it doesn't quite offer 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 bikepacking adventures or daily 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 nimble 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.