16 Best Gravel Bikes Under $1,500 – Budget Gravel Bikes

So they seem to be some of the most popular articles on the site. In this articles we will take a look at the 8 best gravel bikes ready for you to explore and crush gravel moving into 2021.

I just updated the best gravel bikes under $1,000 including more 2022 updated gravel bikes. All the bikes in this article are valued between $1,000 too $1,500. So if you want to find even more bang for your buck it might be worth heading over to the sub $1000 gravel bike article here.

Why Pay Up To $1,500 For A Gravel Bike?

But if you are willing to spend that little bit more, you can expect to generally get slightly better quality components, with some bikes featuring GRX 400 or Apex setups. Compared to the more modest groupsets, like Claris or Sora that is more common on bikes around $1,000.

While also being slightly lighter-weight overall. Especially the bikes with aluminium frames and carbon fork builds. As carbon fork is generally out of the budget range for sub $1000 gravel bikes. You can expect those bikes to be around that 10 kg mark. Most of the bikes feature mechanical disc brakes with some hydraulic bikes in the list.

Most of them are good for adventure cycling, with rather upright stack/reach ratios over that 1.5 mark (with some exceptions.)

Marin DSX 2

Marin have also jumped on the flat bar gravel bike bandwagon and have resealed their take on these cruisy types of bikes. This rig has been built around their Gestalt X drop bar platform. Expanding Marin’s beyond road line of bikes, with a more comfortable and upright position.

Featured number 8 best flat gravel bike you can buy. See what number one was here!

Cannondale Topstone 4

Cube Nuroad Pro

The name says it all, NUROAD = “No Road Needed”. With the Nuroad, Cube have created a bike that blends cyclocross ruggedness with road bike alacrity. Without compromising on speed it allows you to travel that little bit further then you could otherwise get on a road bike.

Breezer Radar Expert

The Radar is one of the more adventure ready gravel bikes in the list. A full steel build with the Chromoly frame & fork that also features Multi-Mount bottle-cage and rack options on frame & fork for all the gear you could possibly need to take along with you.

Sonder Camino

An award winning and ultimate adventurers gravel bike. The aluminium Camino frame and carbon blade fork is built for multi-day expeditions, built with SRAM Apex1 groupset and class-leading components for round-the-world travel. See more of the best flat bar gravel bikes here.

Fuji Jari 2.3

Designed to take on gravel races, light touring, bikepacking or pretty much whatever you can throw at it. With the long, slack geometry provides a stable and confidence-inspiring ride no matter what the terrain, allowing you to comfortably grind gravel or tackle tarmac all day long.

Liv Devote 2

Looking for the ultimate women’s gravel bike under $1,500? The Liv Devote 2 is a favourite. If you want some other women’s gravel bike options, check out this article. But this is the most budget friendly option.

Salsa Journeyer Sora 650b

Marin Nicasio +

Specialized Diverge E5

The first bike in this article doesn’t have the best components but because it is a “high-end” brand it had to make the list. This Specialized Diverge E5 gravel bike features a Shimano Claris groupset. With a aluminium frame and carbon fork build, mechanical disc brakes and 700 x 38mm tires. The bike has a predictable mid range trail length and an all-rounder mid length chainstay. With a stack/reach ratio at that 1.51 sweet spot

This results in Specialized’s most progressive geometry they have created for a drop bar bike, giving riders a capable and stable bike in the dirt, that still feels responsive and nimble on the road. The bike also has a reasonable tire clearance for a gravel bike with 47mm of tire clearance for a 700c wheel and 2.1” with a 650b wheel. Priced from $1,300

Vitus Substance V-2

Marketed as an adventure road bike this Vitus Substance is capable to take you on some off the beaten path adventures. Mechanical disc brakes and rolling on 650b x 47 wheels and tires. However these rims are compatible with 700c. Slightly more aero stack/reach ratio at 1.48, the bike has a higher end and stable trail length and a chill, mid range chainstay length. Priced at £899

Diamondback Haanjo 3

Giant Revolt 2

The Revolt has to be one of the most popular gravel bikes on the market. Allowing you to ride roads, gravel or dirt with this all-new aluminium all-rounder. A composite fork gives it a smooth ride, and a flip chip lets you adjust wheelbase and tyre clearance. Offering more mounting options than some other bikes in this list, with top tube and fork options.

Merida SILEX 300

Available in two options the SILEX comes in the ‘classic’ SILEX with 700c wheels, being the perfect ‘all-road’ bike which loves lanes, forest tracks and gravel or the new more ‘rugged’ SILEX+ version, which can easily tackle more demanding terrain due to its more burly 650B wheels and 45 mm tyres. When it comes to tire clearance for 700c wheels is 42 mm (road profile) while with 650B wheels being fitted, tyres up to 50 mm wide road profile tyres on the carbon and up to 42 mm on the aluminium bikes can be run.

State Bicycle 6061 Black Label

Genesis CDA 30

Suited for commuting, touring, utility, road, gravel and adventure cycling. Great for a winter road bike, all you need to do is strap on some bikepacking bags and go on your next adventure. With all the mounting options you need for all your gear.

About The Author

codey

Codey Orgill, a seasoned bicycle adventurer, has been exploring the world on two wheels for over 10 years. Since embarking on his initial cycling journey, Codey Orgill has traversed numerous countries, experiencing a series of epic adventures.

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