A gravel bike is designed for off-road adventure rides and races on rough roads, gravel and dirt. A gravel bike features wide, tubeless tyres and a relatively long wheelbase to give you added stability and comfort, as well as mounts for carrying gear if you want to go bikepacking or touring.

Some gravel bikes have front suspension, others don’t. Giant’s Revolt X features a short-travel 40mm suspension fork, while the Revolt Advanced series has a rigid composite fork. A suspension fork improves handling and control but also adds some weight and may not be necessary on all types of terrain. A rigid composite fork is lighter and more efficient but does not offer the same level of impact absorption.

Cyclocross bikes are purpose-built for short, intense efforts, featuring a shorter wheelbase, a more forward rider position, and a higher bottom bracket for pedaling through corners or even bunny hopping. Gravel bikes are designed for efficiency and control over longer distances. They typically are designed with a lower bottom bracket, longer wheelbase, and more clearance for wider tyres. A gravel bike also has a wider gear range than a cyclocross bike to help you tackle longer, steeper climbs, as well as integrated mounts to add fenders or racks for longer treks or bikepacking adventures.