So you want to carbon gravel bike? But don’t want to pay the big bucks? Same here! Carbon bikes are often way to expensive to justify! But you are in good luck.
I have been researching all over the web and have gather a list of carbon gravel bikes that are around $2,000 or less. It seems anything around or under this price is a bargain!
Just a word of warning I can’t gaurantee that any of these bikes are the best, they are simply the cheapest. Having that said I only chose bikes with decent quality components and the ones I am personally considering. I was thinking it would be fund to have a light gravel bike to race around and play on. Most of these bike are around that 8.5 kg to 10 kg mark! That’s 3 kg lighter then my steel gravel bike.
They would also make some rather good lightweight bikepacking gravel bikes. Not all have a relaxed geometry though.
But that’s the whole point of this post. To take a look at all the bikes and compared them to see which ones out of all these cheap carbon gravel bikes would be best suite to your type of riding remains.
So without further ado lets get into these bikes, shall we?
Quick list of the bikes mentioned in this article:
- 2021 CUBE NUROAD C:62 PRO
- 2020 Diamondback Haanjo 5C EXP Carbon
- 2020 On-One Space Chicken SRAM Rival 1 650B
- 2020 On-One Free Ranger SRAM Rival 1
- 2020 Holdsworth Mystique SRAM Rival 1
- 2020 Ribble CGR SL, Shimano Tiagra
- 2021 Giant Revolt Advanced 3
- 2020 GT Grade Carbon Elite
- 2019 Salsa Warbird Carbon Tiagra
- 2020 Van rysel Gravel EDR Offroad Bike GRX 1X
2021 CUBE NUROAD C:62 PRO
This Cube Nuroad C:62 Pro carbon frame gravel bike comes with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes. Weighs in at 20.1 lbs / 9.1 kg and has a 1 x 11 GRX 600 gravel groupset. Powered by a Shimano GRX, 40T crank and Shimano SLX CS-M7000, 11-42T. Rolling on some Schwalbe G-One Allround 40c tires. Priced at €1,949.
The stack/reach ratio is 1.49 for the 56cm frame. Which is that little bit lower then ideal if you want an upright riding position. The chainstay length is 440 mm which means it is rather chill and not quick and jumpy at all! The trail is all over the shop for all the different size but for 56cm frame it is 61 mm. Meaning it is rather predictable and not sluggish.
2020 Diamondback Haanjo 5C EXP Carbon
This Diamondback Haanjo 5C EXP Carbon gravel bike again has upper mid-range components. With the 2 x 10 Deore, Tiagra groupset, Praxis Cadet, Direct Mount, 46/36T crank and Praxis Cadet, Direct Mount, 46/36T cassette. With 650b x 47 c tires and mechanical disc brakes.
With a 1.54 stack/reach ratio it is perfect for longer days in the saddle. With a more upright position on the handlebars. It is rather quick in the rear thanks to the 430 mm chainstay length. Then you get a 72 mm trail this is with a medium sized frame. Which is in the high end for gravel bikes. Meaning it will feel stable in the front and on the edge of being sluggish. This bike is a great option if you want to go bikepacking on your carbon gravel bike, priced at $2,000
2020 On-One Space Chicken SRAM Rival 1 650B
The On-One Space Chicken SRAM Rival 1 650B gravel bike is another carbon gravel bike option with upper mid-range components, with hydraulic disc brakes. With a 1 x 11 Rival 1 groupset with the SRAM Rival 1 GXP Chainset (No BB) / 172.5mm / 42t crank and SRAM PG1130 Cassette / 11-42T cassette. Rolling on the Vee Rubber Zilent Sport Tyre / 650b x 47c tires.
Taking a look at the 54 cm frame size you get a stack/reach ratio of 1.47 or you get opt for the next size up (57 cm) for 1.5. The bike has a chainstay length of 422 mm which is on the shorter end for gravel bikes. Meaning it will feel quick and a little jumpy in the rear. The trail is 63 mm for the (54 cm) and 47 mm (57 cm). If I was to get this bike I would opt for the 54 cm which would feel rather predictable otherwise with the 57 cm frame size it would feel rather nervous, being on the low end for gravel bike. Priced at £1,499
2020 On-One Free Ranger SRAM Rival 1
The On-One Free Ranger SRAM Rival 1 is another carbon gravel bike with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes. With the 1 x 11 Rival 1 groupset and Panaracer Comet Hardpack Wire Bead Tyre / 700c / 38mm tires. This bike sees a SRAM Rival 1 GXP Chainset (No BB) / 172.5mm / 42t crank and SRAM PG1130 Cassette / 11-42T cassette. The bike is priced at £1,599
Taking a quick look at the geometry for the medium sized frame. It has a 1.51 stack/reach ratio. With a 435 mm chainstay length and 65 trail. The chainstay length makes it feel like an all-rounder at the rear and it feels predictable and stable in the front.
2020 Holdsworth Mystique SRAM Rival 1
Marketed as a bike perfect for further and faster adventures, this is ideal if you want a “super fast carbon fibre adventure bike!” The Holdsworth Mystique SRAM Rival 1 carbon gravel bike has upper mid-rang components with hydraulic disc brakes. Priced at £1,599. You get the SRAM Rival 1 GXP Chainset (No BB) / 172.5mm / 42t crank and SRAM PG1130 Cassette / 11-42T cassette. With Panaracer Comet Hardpack Wire Bead Tyre / 700c / 38mm tires.
The bike features are rather upright position with a 1.57 stack/reach ratio, for those lightweight, long distant endurance expeditions. 440 chainstay length and 67 mm trial. Rather chill in the rear while being on the high end in the front feel more stable and predictable.
2020 Ribble CGR SL, Shimano Tiagra
This Ribble CGR SL, Shimano Tiagra carbon gravel bike had mid-range component levels with mechanical disc brakes. Comes with the 2 × 10 Tiagra groupset, which sees a Tiagra 4700 34-50T crank and Shimano HG500 11-32T cassette. Rolling on Schwalbe G-One Allround 700 x 40c tires. The bike weighs in at 21.2 lbs / 9.6 kg.
Taking a look at the geometry measurements for a medium size frame, we can see that the stack/reach ratio is 1.48 which is no as upright as some other gravel bikes. The rear is rather chill with a 435 mm chainstay. Along with a predictable and stable feel at the front with a 65mm trail. Priced at €1,713
2021 Giant Revolt Advanced 3
This Giant Revolt Advanced 3 carbon gravel bike is Giant’s cheapest in their lineup, this bike has mid-range components with hydraulic disc brakes. Featuring a 2 x 10 GRX 400 groupset. With a FSA Omega, 32/48T crank and Shimano Tiagra, 11×34 cassette. Coming with the Giant CrossCut AT 1, tubeless, 700x38c tires.
The Revolt Advanced 3 has a fairly upright riding position with a 1.53 stack/reach ratio. Having a rather short chainstay length that is quick and somewhat jumpy at 425 mm. But stable at the front with a 71 mm trail. Priced at $1,950
2020 GT Grade Carbon Elite
The GT Grade Carbon Elite is another gravel bike with mid-range components with the 2 x 10 Tiagra groupset, hydraulic disc brakes. FSA Omega Adventure, 46/30T crank and Shimano HG500, 11-34T cassette. This carbon gravel bike is priced at $2,000
2019 Salsa Warbird Carbon Tiagra
The 4th generation of the original gravel race bike is the Warbird Carbon which features a Tiagra groupset with Shimano Tiagra 4700, 50/34t crank and Shimano HG500-10, 11-34t cassette. With a max tire clearance for 700c x 45 or 650b x 54 (27.5×2.1) tires.
It comes with the Maxxis Rambler 700c x 40mm tires. And an upright and overall comfortable geometry for long haul bikepacking races, with a 1.53 stack/reach ratio. It also has a 430 mm chianstay and a 69 trail. That means a quick feel in the rear and very stable in the front. Priced at $2099.00
2020 Van rysel Gravel EDR Offroad Bike GRX 1X
A carbon gravel bike that has been tested for gravel races and performs rather well on trails. Weighing in at 19.4 lbs / 8.8 kg and includes HUTCHINSON BLACK MAMBA tubeless ready 700×38 tires with hydraulic disc brakes.
It comes with the SHIMANO GRX full groupset (drivetrain and wheels). A bike that really caught my eyes! It comes with 12° flared aluminium handlebars for extra comfort and a versatile, 11 x 42 cassette with 42×11 for flat riding and 42×42 for slopes. Priced at £1,699
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