So you are after a gravel bike? This budget range of $2000 or under is probably the perfect place to get the best value for money gravel bike. At this range, you can get access to really good gravel bikes with high-end components and great build quality.
In this article, we are going to show you a list of gravel bikes between $1000 to $2000 USD and we will break down each bike and show you which is the better option for your money.
Check out this article if you want something even cheaper at under $1000!
The only criteria I considered for selecting these gravel bikes, was that they had at least a 1.45 stack/reach ratio, so there is nothing here that is too areo and down low, like a road bike. (Ideally, anything 1.5 and over is most upright and comfortable if you plan to ride long days in the saddle and do some overnight exploring.) However, there are still a few bikes that opt for a more racer bike feel.
Also, all these bikes have mid-range level components or higher. I didn’t opt to consider bikes with modest components. So the base level components you can expect in this list are bikes with; Tiagra, Alivio, Apex, X5, and up from there in quality.
And obviously the last criteria I selected for choosing these bikes was that they are the newest models, so most are 2023 models.
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Let’s get into these bikes
Kona Rove AL/DL
Looking for one of the best gravel bikes for touring adventures, on the market? The Kona Rove DL formerly called the Rove ST, features a stunning Kona Butted Cromoly frame and Project Two Cromoly Disc fork. It is the steel gravel bike option out of the lineup if steel is your thing.
Depending on what model you choose, it’s powered by the 1 x 11 Rival 1 upper mid-range groupset. And has mechanical disc brakes instead of hydraulic ones. Breaking down the groupset, the bike has an SRAM S350, 40t X-Sync crank, and SRAM PG1130 11-42t cassette. Still, with 650b wheels, you do get the same WTB Venture TCS DUAL 650x47c tires and WTB KOM Light Team i23 TCS 2.0 wheels.
The model pictured above comes with fenders/mudguards, road touring/gravel gearing (more suited for a loaded bike) and components, and your general rack and fender mounts so you can easily transform this into your daily commuter or touring bike.
Marin Nicasio 2
The Marin Nicasio 2 Bike is built for the rider who is looking for something different and modern, yet with traditional steel construction. It features CrMo steel tubes and the frame features rack and fender mounts so you can easily transform this bike into a light-duty touring bike or a daily commuter. The frame has Beyond Road Geometry and has tire clearance for up to 700 x 40mm or 650b x 47mm tires.
We test-rode its sibling the Nicasio Plus and we loved it! The Nicasio 2 being the better bike out of the two with high componentry levels and specs, it’s bound to be a great choice.
Liv Devote
One of the best women’s gravel bikes under $2k! Suited for bikepacking, gravel grinding, and adventure rides. A clean and contoured finish with internal cable routing. The bike comes with clearance for up to 45c tires. A lightweight build, with some models coming equipped with vibration-absorbing D-Fuse seat post, or dropper seat post. Dampening all that off-road terrain you will be exploring.
Canyon Grail
Cover huge distances at speed and in comfort. That is the promise by Canyon with their Grail gravel bike. It’s a good all-rounder entry-level gravel bike for just under $2,000. Just at home as a road bike as an adventure gravel bike. If you want one bike to do it all the Grail is worth checking out. Offering road bike speed, all-terrain control, and grip with stable but also agile handling.
Specialized Diverge Elite E5
The Diverge Elite E5 utilizes an E5 alloy frame and a full carbon FACT fork for a fast, confident, and comfortable ride on road, in the dirt, and over thick gravel. Shimano’s gravel-inspired GRX 400 group shifts 2×10 gears smoothly on any terrain, while Axis Elite alloy wheels with Road Sport 35mm tires provide an efficient ride on the pavement with the versatility for hardpack dirt riding. The bike offers 47mm of tire clearance with a 700c wheel and 2.1-inch with a 650b wheel.
Marin DSX FS
Looking for a flat bar front suspension gravel bike under $2,000? Look no further! A gravel commuter! With an upright riding position that offers comfort for commuting and having fun out in the dirt. It has a Series 3 aluminum frame that uses 60mm of travel on the front. The frame features internal cable routing, a mudguard, rack mounts, thru-axles, and wide tire clearance for up to 700 x 45mm or 29 x 2.1″ tires.
Canyon Grizl
Want a gravel bike that is purpose-built for bikepacking adventures? All Grizl models come equipped with wide 45 mm rubber with clearance to take up to 50 mm. Canyon has done a great job only including a balance with the right number of practical frame and fork mounts you’ll actually use. Featured in our list of the best overall bikepacking bikes!
Merida SILEX 300 or 600
Available in two options the SILEX comes in the ‘classic’ SILEX with 700c wheels, being the perfect ‘all-road’ bike that 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 tires. When it comes to tire clearance 700c wheels are 42 mm (road profile) while with 650B wheels being fitted, tires up to 50 mm wide road profile tires on the carbon and up to 42 mm on the aluminum bikes can be run.
Co-op ADV 2.2
Featured as one of the best gravel bikes for touring. REI offers this budget gravel bike option with gravel-specific gearing that features the Shimano GRX 600, 46-30t crankset and Shimano CS-HG50, 11-36t rear cog. With WTB Nano Comp 700c x 40mm tires. Although it is made from an Aluminum frame and carbon fork. Not steal which is ideal. But that means it is lighter at 23.4 pounds or 10.6 kg than some other bikes. The gearing range works out to be 22.94″ to 115.53″ or 503.6%.
Salsa Journeyer
The all-new Journeyer is Salsa’s evolution from their previous Journeyman gravel bike. An all-road adventure machine. Its versatility and confidence-inspiring ride are the perfect gateway to all-road riding—Journeyer can be your 700c or 650b gravel bike; your drop bar or flat bar gravel bike. For under $2,000, you can get the Apex 1 model, with an alloy frame and carbon fork. Weighing in at 22 lbs. 7 oz / 10.18 kg
Surly Ghost Grappler
The all-new drop bar bikepacking bike from Surly. Could this be the ultimate do it all drop bar trail bike? The Ghost Grappler fits nicely into an emerging category of drop-bar off-road-ready bikes. This bike has the DNA of mountain bike geometry with drop bars.
It’s easy to say that this is a bike to do it all! Combining trail-ready geometry with a “stable and comfortable drop-bar hand position” you get a bike that is built for single-track, all-day dirt rides and bikepacking adventures.
Surly has taken what they have learned from developing drop-bar and flat-bar bikes to optimize the Ghost Grappler’s geometry. As the bike is engineered for drop bars, the reach is longer and the stack is higher. A low standover height as this is important with off-road riding when you get on and off all the time. Surly also dialed in the head tube angle with some tests resulting in 69.5 degrees. Offering a good mix of nimble steering and control on descents and at higher speeds. Learn more.
GT Grade Carbon Elite
Built for road and gravel the all-new GT Grade Carbon Elite features that unique Triple Triangle carbon frame. The distinctive looks may not be for everyone, also it does have external cable routing. But you get mounts galore, especially thanks to the fork. We recommend taking a closer look at this bike if you are after a budget-friendly carbon gravel bike that is very much capable and fun to ride.
All City Space Horse
A light touring road bike or adventure gravel bike. It’s All City’s most versatile and popular model, ideal for road riding to randonneuring to full-fledged touring. Seven different sizes mean fit options for the smallest to tallest of riders. With clearance for 650b x 47mm on all sizes. The 650b flat bar build make it one of the better commuter gravel bikes you can pick up.
Cannondale Topstone
Another all-rounder do it all gravel bike that’s great for speeding up the commute, navigating tricky courses, and exploring the roads less traveled. Built around a C2 alloy construction and full carbon fork offering lightweight, durable, and high-performance; the full carbon fork delivers light, comfortable and precise steering. Weighing in at around 10.4 kg or 23 pounds. The new midnight blue color is a vibe! Check out the women’s gravel bike option.
Surly Straggler
Classic all-steel commuter gravel bike. The Straggler is a bikepacking-inspired road/gravel bike that is mostly at home on pavement but can ride trails when you need it. Featured as one of the best steel gravel bikes. It’s essentially a mountain biker’s road bike. Available in 650b and 700c wheel diameters, ability to fit racks and fenders. Singlespeed compatibility and wheelbase adjustability thanks to the Forward-exiting horizontal dropouts. Clearance for 650b x 41mm or 700c x 41mm tires with fenders.
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