Gravel bikes have the versatility to be used for several cycling disciplines. There is good reason to why they continue to grow in popularity over the last few years. You can use them for bikepacking adventures, racing your roadie mates, or casually riding around town.
These bikes listed below are more suited to cruising around town or the daily commute to work. Yes, that means the less traveled commute! The off-road commute when the conditions are not always smooth!
Having that said, I believe adventure focus gravel bikes make the perfect commuter bike. And you also get the extra benefit of taking it out on weekend adventures, as some commuter-focused gravel bikes will be restricted regarding tire clearance and even geometry. Just not overall suited for bikepacking if that is what you are also interested in. Also, touring bikes make some great commuter bikes.
So what makes a great commuter gravel bike, then?
It is common for commuters to run rack and pannier setups on their bikes. Making it easier to transport your gear to and from work. Therefore a bike with braze-ons to mount racks is ideal. Then you can get a backpack pannier to attach to the rack and use it as a backpack when you get to your location! Also, fender compatibility is nice.
Also, flat bar bikes seem to be more popular for commuting. This is a highly debatable topic all it takes is a leap into the Reddit multiverse to see that there is mixed opinion. But generally, flat bars offer a wider grip, which results in better control. However, drop bars can be just as good, offering more hand positions and other benefits.
Geometry seems less important for a commuter as you are generally not riding further or for a very long time. Unlike an adventure bike that needs a more upright riding position, it needs to offer comfort for multiple days of riding back to back. However, comfort is something to be considered. But it comes down to personal preference. Do you want a bike to ride fast, which means more aero riding position or something more comfortable, meaning upright riding position. Looking at the bike stack/reach ratio, generally, anything over 1.5 will offer more upright comfort.
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So what are some of the best commuter gravel bikes out there?
Surly Straggler
This steel gravel commuter bike by Surly is tuned for cross-over exploration on a wide variety of terrain conditions. It’s a day-tripper and a weekender. It’s a ‘rough road’ bike, a cyclocross bike with no pretense about racing, a utilitarian townie, a light-duty touring bike, and an all-weather commuter. Priced at $1,625.00
Looking at the Midnight Special or Cross-Check? These linked articles compare the Straggler with these bikes to see which is best for the riding you have in mind.
Kona Rove
This entry-level gravel bike features a full aluminum setup with modest components, a 2×8 Claris, and mechanical disc brakes. Priced at $899, rolling on 650b wheels with the WTB Venture Comp 650x47c tires. It is considered by Kona to be ideal for the commute, gravel trail, or the after-work fitness lap on your local hill.
The gearing has an FSA Tempo Adventure, 34/50t crank, and Shimano Claris 11-34t rear cassette, which results in a climbing gear of 26.54 inches and 120.74 gear inches for the largest gear.
Taking a look at this bike’s geometry it has a 66 mm trial. Which means it is on the stable end and is rather predictable. The chainstay is 435 mm, which puts it in that mid-range, making it relatively quick and almost an all-rounder. The stack/reach ratio is 1.52
Specialized Diverge Expert E5 EVO
The all-new Specialized flat bar gravel bike has to be a personal favorite at the moment. You could say this bike is redefining the notion of gravel grinding.
When it comes to the bike’s geometry, it is more progressive than the new drop bar Diverge. With an increase in the reach, slackened the head tube and lowered the bottom bracket, resulting in a rather planted feeling.
The bike is MTB inspired, with a 1 x 12 high-end level XT, Praxis groupset, hydraulic disc brakes, and a dropper post built around an alloy frame and carbon fork. Rolling on 700x42mm tires, you get a max clearance of 47mm with a 700c wheel and 2.1” with a 650b wheel. You also get a Praxis Zayante Carbon 1X, 40T crank, and Shimano XT, 12-speed, 10-45t cassette.
Caletti Scrambler Flat Bar City Shredder
If you have the budget you could look at the Caletti Scrambler, which is quite expensive. But you do get a custom build flat bar gravel bike. The geometry is designed from the ground up to utilize flat bars.
“The SCRAMBLER is our 100% fun, versatile ripper. It’s ready to rip around town, grind gravel, shred singletrack, commute to work, and escape town on a bike tour. It’s the perfect mixed terrain bike.”
The bike build features and slider dropouts allow you to easily set it up for geared on single-speed use, replace a damaged derailleur hanger, or use an internally geared hub. You get the room for up to 50mm tires. While also including Size Specific tubing. Total bike build prices start from $5700, you can find out more here.
All-City Macho Man Disc Flat Bar
The Macho Man flat bar gravel bike is perfect for those looking for a fast, responsive bike for quick trips around town or off-roading. With their expanded size range, they do a great job preserving the bike size dimension as the bike scales for larger and small sizes. Meaning that for 43,46, and 49 sizes, the Macho Man has 650B size wheels and 700c wheels on the other frame sizes.
Smaller riders will benefit from smaller top tube lengths and the greater acceleration that a lighter, smaller wheel provides. Built from a 612 Select CroMoly frame and 4130 CroMoly Fork.
The bike features a bi-plane lugged fork crown, signature brazed-on seat collar, signature vertical dropouts, a custom bottom bracket, bottle boss reinforcements, and an E.D. coating. It clears a 38c tire (650b x 42c on the smaller sizes) with plenty of room for mud, has fender mounts for rainy days, and has rear rack capability. Powered by an SRAM Apex 1 rear derailleur with 11-speed
Salsa Journeyman
The Journeyman is Salsa’s entry-level gravel bike option. As Salsa says, “The Journeyman provides features the cycling enthusiast is looking for to take on their first gravel race or ramble down that old ‘B’ road.” Priced at $999 from Tree Fort Bikes and wherever else you can find it available.
Out of all the bikes on this list, the Journeyman Claris 650 would have to be up there with one of my picks. But why is that? Let me explain. Salsa has an incredible track record and is up there with quality like Surly (my favorite bike brand!).
Aesthetically this bike works. The overall geometry and proportions are pleasing. It rides comfortably on rough terrain with good traction, thanks to the wider 650b wheels. There are three mounting eyelets on either side of the Fantail fork, allowing you to carry extra water or gear or to run a low rider rack and panniers. However, the Journeyman does come in two different tire/wheel sizes (700c x 37mm or 650b x 2.1″). Read our review of the Journeyman here.
The bike’s Claris setup features the FSA Tempo Adventure, 46/30t crank, SunRace 8-speed, 11-34t cassette. When we calculated the gear inches accounting for the WTB Nano 27.5 x 2.1″ Comp tires. The result was; 25.52″ for the climbing gear up to 121.23″ for the largest gears, with ratios of 0.88 to 4.18.
When it comes to the Journeyman’s geometry, the stack/reach ratio is 1.54 (getting very close to that upright and comfortable riding position for long days in the saddle). The trail is 64 mm making it feel predictable at the front, and the chainstay length is 440 mm, making it rather chill and ride like an all-rounder in the rear.
Poseidon Redwood
A gravel/adventure bike, just what I like! Here at Cycle Travel Overload, we are all about adventure cycling. This could be the budget gravel bike to take you on some epic adventures. But also make a great daily commuter! If you are looking for one bike for the commute but also to go on weekend adventures, then look no further! Also, with drop bar options.
This bike has taken on the Poseidon X geometry but has been amped up so you can eat up gravel with enough tires to absorb the vibrations. Allowing for 27.5 wheels with enough clearance for 2.5″ tires.
The build features a 6061 Double Butted Hydroformed Aluminum frame and 6061 Aluminum Fork – Tapered Steer 1 1/8″ – 1 1/2″ fork. Powered by a 1 x 10 Advent X groupset. This means a Prowheel 38t Narrow Wide Crank with a Microshift 11-48T Advent X cassette. It gives you an incredible 21.88″ granny gear and a 95.54″ highest gear, combining to make a 0.79 : 3.45 gear ratio. The stack/reach ratio is around 1.48, which is not the most upright. You get a chill to feel at the rear with a 440mm chainstay.
It has the potential to take you on some rad adventures for only $899.99! With mounting options on the fork and those Poseidon Adventure Bars with 24 Degree Flare for extra comfort when shredding!!
Rondo Ruut ST
This has to be up there with some of my favorite gravel bikes’ looks! With unique adjustable geometry, a strong, lightweight, and compliant steel frame, and a carbon fork, this Ruut ST2 rolls with Plus-sized tire compatibility, modern geometry, and majestic style. Making a tremendous rugged commuter bike.
It’s super-dependable and responsive Tange-steel build, this ride urges you to ride beyond the limits of most traditional gravel bikes and enables you to explore farther from the beaten track to roads less traveled with the utmost confidence and composure in achieving your aspirations. Priced at around $1800.00
Commencal FCB
FCB or Fast City Bike! A stylish commuter flat bar gravel bike ready for whatever riding you have in mind! Now you can cruise the streets with speed and style. Whether on tarmac or gravel, the Commencal FCB is one of my favorite picks!
Available in the Origin or Essential bike builds and frameset. Both bikes have the same geometry and aluminum frameset. The main difference is the cheaper Origin has a 1×11 Apex 1, Sram groupset, and the Essential with more capable 1×12 GX Eagle, Rival 1 setup.
Weighing in at 10.9 kg, hydraulic disc brakes, 425 chainstay length, 1.4 stack/reach ratio, and comes with the Maxxis Rambler 700c x 45 tires. Prices start from $2,399!
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