Aluminum Odyssey: Discover the Best Gravel Bikes for Road and Beyond

Are you looking for a aluminum gravel bike? Is it your first gravel grinder? Aluminum gravel bikes are often some of the more budget friendly options out there. And can make a great option if you are a beginner gravel rider.

Sam with steel you can also get some good deals on some steel gravel bikes. But part of the reason why you are looking at aluminum gravel bikes is the weight factor? Yes, not incredibly light, like a carbon bike, but for the price you pay you do get something generally lighter weight than a steel bike.

So below is a comprehensive list of all the best specced out gravel bikes made with a aluminum frame! Enjoy!

(Note we have quite a few gravel bikes in this list. As it turns out aluminum gravel bikes are actually quite the popular type. All bikes included are in no particular order. This article is just the locating of some of the most popular aluminum gravel bikes available on the market.)

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Cannondale Topstone Ultegra

A aluminum frame with carbon fork gravel bike weighing in at 21.8 lbs or 9.9 kg. Rolling on WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37mm, tubeless ready, tubeless ready tires and powered by a Ultegra 2×11 speed. With the FSA Omega ME alloy, 46/30 crank and Shimano 105, 11-34, 11-speed cassette. Priced at $1,750.00

Specialized Diverge Expert E5 EVO

Looking for a flat bar aluminum gravel bike for epic commutes? It is designed to get aggressive, to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible on a gravel bike. Aluminum frame with carbon fork. It features a great quality 1×12 speed XT Groupset. With the Praxis Zayante carbon 1X, 40T crank and Shimano XT, 12-speed, 10-45t cassette. Rolling on some Rhombus Pro, 2Bliss Ready, 700x42mm tires. Priced at $2,600 Also available in the drop bar option.

Cannondale Synapse Neo 1

What about a aluminum gravel e-bike? We have included a whole rang as you can see of e-bikes, flat bar gravel bikes and whatever else they seem to be evolving in this gravel niche! Powered by a 2×11 speed Ultegra, 105 and a Bosch Active Line Plus drive system with Cannondale road-specific software. Giving you a range up to 160 km (100mi). Priced at $6,999

Trek Checkpoint ALR 5

This gravel grinder is probably Treks most value for money gravel bike in their lineup. Featuring adjustable horizontal sliding dropouts, massive tire clearance, and extra mounts and many other features. Priced at $2,099.99

Whyte DEAN v1

A alloy gravel bike with mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes. Suited for either off road adventures, or a super-hardy utility bike. With a 2×10 speed, Whyte, Forged Cranks, 2pcs, Super Compact Double 30-46t and SunRace CSMS1, 11-36, cassette. MSRP £1,275

Kona Libre

The Libre is Konas bad ass gravel grinder. So they made a more budget friendly option for the masses to enjoy. Made from aluminum and a Carbon Verso fork, offering so many carrying capabilities for all your gear. With SRAM Apex 1×11 speed. Priced at $1,799

Kona Rove AL 650

Kona also have their entry level Rove gravel bike in a all aluminum build with 650b wheels and 47c tires. With mechanical disc brakes and Shimano Claris 2×8 speed. Priced at $899

Giant Revolt E+ Pro

This is a beast of an electric gravel bike! A ALUXX SL aluminium frameset with carbon fork that has a SyncDrive Pro motor, powered by Yamaha, 80Nm. A GRX 800 1×11 speed and a Giant 375Wh battery with hydraulic disc brakes. Priced at $4,200

Ribble CGR AL e

On for inspection you may think that this gravel bike is heavy at 13kg but then you realise that it is a e-gravel bike. It just looks like a normal gravel bike, doesn’t it? Powered by a MAHLE Ebikemotion X35 M1 250W motor and Panasonic 36V/250Wh, 18650GA-10S/2P battery. Priced at €3,199

Whyte GISBURN v2

A grave bike with MTB DNA! Or more specifically a MTB-inspired geometry, tubeless ready wheels and tyres, hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano’s new GRX 800 1x groupset. Making it a high-end component level gravel grinder. Weighing in at 22.0 lbs / 10.0 kg. Even comes with a dropper post. Priced at £1,999

Co-op ADV 2.3

Another rig with gravel specific gearing, the ergonomics provide stability and reliability. Powered by the high component level GRX 800, GRX 600 setups with a 1×11 speed. Aluminum frame and carbon fork. 23.2 lbs / 10.5 kg. Priced at $2,199.00

Merida SILEX 700

An aluminum frame and carbon fork gravel bike that features high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes. With the 2×11 speed GRX 800 groupset. Weighing in at 21.4 lbs / 9.7 kg and Rolling on Maxxis Rambler, 700x38C tires. Find out more.

Scott Speedster Gravel 10

Another alloy and carbon combination with the same high quality 2×11 speed GRX 800 gravel groupset. With Shimano BR-RX810 hydraulic disc brakes. The bikes weight is 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg. Including some rugged Schwalbe G-One Allround 700x35C tires and Syncros components. Priced at $1,999

Niner RLT 9 – 4-STAR SHIMANO GRX 800 2X

Definitely a bit on the pricer end for a aluminum gravel bike at $3,400. Built around the endurance geometry to keep you as comfortable for the long haul as possible. As with the Niner carbon fork with thru-axle for precise tracking. The bike weighs 21.2 lbs / 9.6 kg and is powered by a 2×11 speed GRX 800, Ultegra groupset. On some MAXXIS RAMBLER TLR EXO 650X47 tires.

BULLS Grinder 3

Featuring high-end components with the 1×11 GRX 800 groupset. A Shimano GRX FC-RX810-1, 42T crank and Shimano SLX CS M7000 11-42T rear cassette. MSRP €1,999

CUBE NUROAD SL

Another gravel bike with the high component level 1×11 GRX 800 groupset. With a weight of 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg. With the Shimano GRX, 40T crank up front and Shimano CS-M7000, 11-42T in the rear. Rolling on the 700c Schwalbe G-One Allround, Kevlar tires. That Titanium N’ Orange color combination is sexy! MSRP €1,699

Diamondback Haanjo 5

The bike features a 2×11 speed giving it plenty of gears, with HED Tomcat wheels and grippy WTB Riddler 700×37c tires. With high end components in the form of GRX 800, GRX 600. MSRP $1,800

Canyon Grail AL 7.0

The AL Grail is very good value for a epic gravel bike for adventuring. Weighing 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg. Allows for 650b or 700c wheels and is powered by GRX 800, GRX 600 components. MSRP $1,999

Boardman ADV 8.9 2021

The heart of the bike is based on a triple-butted 6061 aluminium frame with hidden welds, and a full carbon fork with tapered steerer, with thru-axles at both ends. It is Boardman’s most value bike they have made. But still features great quality components with the Shimano’s 2×10 speed GRX adventure bike groupset which has a wide range of gears with a 48-32 FSA chainset and 11-36 cassette. Bike is a bit heavier at 23.1 lbs / 10.5 kg. £1,000

Felt BREED 20

A perfect bike if you are looking for something that is a do-it-all, drop-bar bike that is at home on any type of road, be it paved, gravel, or otherwise. With the option for dual-wheel compatibility (650b and 700c). Comes with Vittoria Terreno Dry, TNT Grey, tubeless ready, 650b x 47c tires. And clearance for some nice and wide tires. Featuring a 1×11 speed SRAM Force groupset. Weighing in at 20.2 lbs / 9.1 kg. MSRP $2,499

Pinnacle Arkose D3

A bike that has been on the market for 7 years. Safe to say it was a gravel bike before the term was well known. A best seller with some re-designs. Featuring full compatibility for wheel size (650B x 52C or 700C x 45mm), rear axle and Di2/cable gearing options, plus internal F+R dynamo light routing. With handling that sits on that fine line between the best of road and gravel bike characteristics. Weighing in at 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg and featuring a Shimano 105/Ultegra 22 Speed Drivetrain. MSRP £1,300

Wilier Jareen SHIMANO GRX 2X11

Made from a double-butted 6061 aluminum frame and carbon fork dedicated to the gravel. With cable integration in the frame, differentiated diameter head tube, 27.2 mm diameter seat-post for greater comfort, flat mount disc brake system, fork with through axle. The frame can mount mudguards and front and rear racks, with clearance for up to 42mm tires. Bike weighs 23.8 lbs / 10.8 kg and priced at MSRP €1,800

Felt BROAM 30

The Broam 30 is built for adventure and utility. Designed around a modern endurance geometry for stability, control, and comfort. Including Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs, along with an FSA Omega Adventure crankset featuring super-compact gearing. With 46/30T at the front and 11-34T rear cassette. Rolling on Maxxis Refuse 700 x 40c tires. $1,749.00

Nukeproof Digger Factory

The bike features Shimano GRX 1x groupset. Spec’d for simplicity and off-road performance with Shimano’s clutch derailleur 1x 11 speed set up (11-42t) drivetrain. Rolling on some WTB Sendero 650x47C Road Plus tires. Also with a dropper post and wider then average, 500mm wide handlebars. Find out more.

Norco Search XR A1

Blurring the line between mountain and road, the X6 butted aluminum frame and mid-modulus carbon fork offer lightweight, agile stability, efficient pedaling, and comfortable vertical compliance. A 2×11 speed GRX 800, GRX 600 groupset with Schwalbe G-One Bite 700x38c tires. Priced at MSRP $1,999

Orbea TERRA H30-D

Made from a hydroformed triple butted aluminium frame and Orbea Terra OMP carbon disc fork. A Shimano GRX RX600 30x46t crank and Shimano 105 R7000 11-34t cassette making it a 2×11 speed gravel grinder. MSRP $1,999

Marin Gestalt X11

Considered a adventure and gravel bike, with a more upright riding position. It is a better grave bike option then most if you are looking to ride multiple days on end and still need that on bike comfort over the long haul. Put by Marin it is a mountain biker’s drop bar bike with reliable and simple 1x drivetrains, large tire clearance, and dropper post routing for better off road control, and on road descending stability. Featuring a 1×11 speed Rival 1 groupset. Priced at $2,199

Rocky Mountain Solo 70

The last bike to close of our ultimate aluminum gravel bike list, is this Rocky Mountain Solo 70 gravel bike. It is another bike build for true bike adventures. With massive tire clearance, the ability to run a full-length dropper post, and a 1x specific frame, it is designed to ride just about anywhere. Featuring a Rival 1 groupset and WTB Venture TCS Light Fast Rolling 27.5 x 2.0 tires. Priced at $2,599

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