So you want a carbon gravel bike? Here at Cycle Travel Overload we are mostly about adventuring by bicycle. Carbon is not your most popular material for that. Steel or Titanium is more a go to.
However carbon has its many advantages. The main one being weight reductions. Carbon is simply a lighter material, this allows for some of the gravel bikes in this list to be around 7kg! Comparing my 13kg steel gravel/adventure bike that is a whopping 6 kg in weight saving.
Due to this lighter weight you can ride faster then most other material gravel bikes.
But how strong is a carbon fiber bike? Will a carbon fibre gravel bike be strong enough? These are a few concerns people have when looking for a carbon gravel bike.
The reality is that carbon bikes actually have a strength to weight ratio that is higher than steel. Carbon frame a relatively strong, and hold up to a significant amount of force. Only if it is applied in the direction it was intended.
If strength is a number one priority and you want something that is bomb-proof, steel is best. If you want a bit of both worlds. Strength of steel (or more), and similar (slightly more heavier weight of carbon.) I would recommend looking into a Titanium gravel bike.
This brings our first concern with carbon gravel bikes. They are susceptible to impacts and damage isn’t always visible. But you are more likely to damage a carbon bike, by damage I mean break the frame, then steel. If it does break carbon is much more difficult to repair.
But if you just want the lightest possible gravel bike and want to go nothing but fast! Carbon is your go too.
With carbon frames you can achieve damping qualities and comfort similar to high-end steel and titanium bikes. Not all carbon is created equal. Just because a bike is made from carbon does not mean it’s good quality or suitable for a specific application.
That is why we have done the hard work for you. Below is an ultimate list of carbon gravel bikes.
Our criteria for choosing these bikes, was they had to obviously be a carbon frame. While also only being the newest and most updated models available. They have mid to upper quality components.
Normally we only choose bikes with a 1.5 stack/reach ratio or higher. As this means a more upright seated position making all day riding much more comfortable. But because carbon bikes are often faster this means smaller ratios and more racer riding positions to be more aero on bike. So we still included bikes with as low as 1.4 stack reach ratios.
Also there is no particular budget, so bikes up to $10,000 can be expected in this list. If you want to checkout the best carbon gravel bikes under $2,000. (we have this article in the pipelines, so stay tuned for that).
Also that brings me to another thing to consider about carbon gravel bikes. They can be expensive. Due to all the weight saving you pay for it.
Salsa Warbird Carbon
The warbird is a gravel king bike! If you are after a more in-depth review read it here. Shimano GRX 600 gravel-optimized drivetrain features nonslip ergonomic levers, precision 2×11-speed shifting and hydraulic braking. Class 5™ Vibration Reduction System (VRS)–equipped high-modulus carbon fiber frameset and Warbird gravel racing geometry deliver a comfortable, responsive and confident ride. Class 5 VRS features tall, thin, vertically oriented seatstays that subtly flex outward on impacts, promoting vertical compliance. Priced at $3,199.00
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Women’s
A womens gravel bike with real suspension, offering more give and more go. Shimano Ultegra RX 2 x 11 mechanical drivetrain uses a clutch design that cuts chain chatter and maintains crisp, accurate shifting over bumpy ground. Hydraulic disc brakes offer excellent stopping power on any terrain. Lightweight KingPin suspension system lets you ride harder on dirt and more smoothly on pavement, giving you better control, traction and comfort. Priced at $3,300.00
Cannondale Topstone Carbon
This is the option of a non-women specific Cannondale Topstone with some incredible suspension for ultimate suppleness. Comes with big 700C x 37mm tires for grip and comfort, but fits up to 700C x 40mm tires thanks to a roomy design with tons of clearance. Also fits smaller 650B wheels with up to 48mm wide tires for riders who are looking for maximum flotation. Priced at $4,200.00
Salsa Cutthroat
If you want to read about our review and buyers guide for all the different Salsa Cutthroat models check this out. This bike has a unique drop-bar mountain bike geometry that delivers a stable ride, no matter what’s under your tires; 69° head tube angle provides a longer wheelbase for stability over long days. Priced at $2,699.00
Marin Headlands 2
Marin make some great quality gravel bikes for budget prices! Not all bikes are designed for adventures both on and off the road. Whether you are a long-distance commuter or a weekend gravel grinder, the new Marin Headlands is a bike you’re going to love. Marin took everything they learned from their Gestalt X line of aluminum gravel bikes and incorporated that knowledge into a new line of full carbon adventure bikes. The Headlands is Marin’s lightest beyond-road bike to date. Priced at $2,649.99
Evil Chamois Hagar
More progressive gravel bikes are becoming more popular today! The Evil Chamois Hagar GRX Gravel Bike is the new gravel bike from Evil Bikes. The frame is made of uni-directional carbon fiber and features internal cable routing, flat-mount disc brakes, and thru-axles for better steering. The geometry provides mountain-bike stability and handling to the gravel category. This means it is much more playful on the trails. Priced at $4,799.00
GT Grade Carbon Expert
The GT Grade Carbon Expert is engineered to take you further and faster. It is a versatile and compliant bike that is loaded with features. It starts with a carbon fiber frame that has an EnduRoad Triple Triangle Design that features Floating Seatstays that provide more vertical compliance for a more comfortable ride. The fork has a Flip Chip that provides 15mm of adjustability that allows you to go from 55mm to 70mm of fork offset. That means you can either have a more playful ride or a more stable ride. The frame is also compatible with up to 42mm tires. Priced at $2,500.00
Wilier Jena Rival
Designed around aerodynamic oblique tubes gives the classic truncated tail shape of Willier’s aero frames. The Jena comes in 5 different frame sizes that focus around reactivity and performance. The geometry shares many characteristics as some of Willier’s race frames. Differing characteristics include a slacker head angle which provides increased stability and a rear end that features a more distinct response to vertical stress, absorbing more vibrations. Priced at $2,719.32
Look 765 Gravel RS Force
The Look 765 Gravel RS Disc Force 1x Bike is a carbon hybrid gravel bike that will help you find your new balance between road racing, mountain biking, cyclocross, or urban riding. The frame is designed to accommodate both 700c and 650b wheels and the frame features 3D Wave Stays that enhance the comfort and enabling a 15% increase in the natural flexibility of the carbon. Priced at $4,500.00
Devinci Hatchet Carbon
The Devinci Hatchet Carbon Rival Bike is willing, able, and highly capable. It has a lightweight carbon DMC-R frame that has exceptionally wide tire clearance for up to 700 x 45c or 650b x 2.1″ tires. The frame geometry is MTB-inspired with a longer top-tube and shorter stem for enhanced handling on loose, technical terrain. The frame features three bottle mounts, a top-tube mount for added storage and rack/fender mounts. Priced at $2,499.00
Niner RLT 9 RDO
The Niner RLT 9 RDO has been redesigned for 2020 and comes with a ton of new features. The carbon fiber frame is light enough and stiff enough to satisfy the most selective gravel racers and is tested to ISO mountain bike standards for strength. The frame has clearance for 700 x 50c or 650b x 2.0” tires so you can have maximum traction everywhere you ride and the frame features 26 integrated, fixed mounting points for bottles, bags, lights, fenders, and racks so you can easily transform this into your weekend bikepacker. Priced at $3,700.00
Argon 18 Dark Matter Force
When Argon 18 created the Dark Matter, they didn’t just want to create a cookie cutter gravel bike. They wanted to create something that felt as fast and responsive on the trail as it would on the road. it is safe to say they have accomplished it with this bike. Tire clearance for up to 45c tires or 40c with fenders. This bike is 20% off at Jenson USA for $3,360.00
IBIS Hakka MX GRX
We published a in-depth review of this bike if you want to read more. The new Ibis Hakka MX is a serious contender in a wide range of cycling styles and landscapes. It’s built to handle technical terrain with ease, while still tackling smoother, high speed roads with grace and stability. You can run 700c tires up to 40mm wide, or even run 650’s with up to a 2.1” tire. The clean internal cable routing is built to accommodate a wide range of drivetrain systems, and will even suit a dropper post no problem. The driveside chainstay has been lowered to increase chainring clearance, and still keep the rear end short for snappy handling. Priced at $4,399.00
Orbea Tarra M30-D
The Terra fills the role of efficient road bike, capable gravel grinder, and will also satisfy cyclocross enthusiasts who need a bike with excellent tire clearance that is light and fast. Priced at $2,464.15
Santa Cruz Stigmata
All of the new Stigmata frames sport Santa Cruz’s top-shelf CC carbon lay-up, which delivers robust strength and stiffness alongside lightweight efficiency. With modern geometry tweaks that place it solidly in contention with the herd of high-end all-road and gravel bike options, with a 71.5-degree head angle, 74-degree seat angle (based on a 54cm model), and lower bottom bracket height that varies by frame size to account for the crank length spec. You’ll also find improved fits for smaller riders with the introduction of a size 49cm. Priced at $3,599.00
Ridley X-Trail
A bike that offers versatility and comfort. Still with a nimble and agile ability around switchback turns and eagerly surges forward when pouring the power into the pedals at the base of a climb. And true adventure bike with more then enough mounts and eyelets. Ridley also blesses the X-Trail with clearance for tires up to 38mm wide up front and 36mm in the rear. Priced at $2,999.00
Cervelo Aspero
The Aspero is crafted with modern geometry that’s aim is to combine comfort for the long gravel miles, with progressive fit to help you soar to the front of the pack. Trail is Cervélo’s secret weapon in the world of geometry, and it comes into play on the Aspero to provide stability, regardless of the bike’s size. Priced at $4,000.00
Pivot Vault
The Vault Pro Ultegra Complete Bike is all-new with some exciting new frame details and features that further aid its multipurpose demeanor. With an eye towards compliance, more clearance everywhere, and new mounts that boost its versatility, the Vault is the machine to own if you enjoy riding gravel, racing cross, throwing down on the weekly road ride, or simply want a bike for adventure riding. Priced at $4,679.00
Juliana Quincy Womens
If you are looking for a full carbon, ultra-high gravel bike. Then Juliana has you covered with this gravel grinder. Just look at this bike, it is so so nice. It is a incredibly lightweight, strong, and comfortable bike. That has taken the knowledge gained from years of mountain bike innovation, resulting in a stiff yet great off-road feeling bike. Priced at $3,599.00
Giant Revolt 0 Advanced
This high-performance all-rounder made a big splash with its 2018 debut, landing podium finishes at big-time gravel events including Grinduro and the unofficial “Gravel Worlds” in the U.S. It’s designed around a lightweight Advanced composite frameset with gravel-riding geometry, so you can tackle long, hard rides with greater control and less fatigue. A composite fork eats up bumps, and the D-Fuse seatpost and Contact XR D-Fuse handlebar absorb shocks and vibrations. The frame is integrated for disc brakes and has clearance for larger tires up to 45c so you can float through the rough stuff. Priced at $3650.00
Rondo Ruut CF 1
Rondo’s Ruut CF 1 Gravel Bike is an exceptional off-road gravel racer and high-end tourer. It’s engineered with Flex Design Carbon and features a SRAM Force 1×11 drivetrain with a wide-range 10-42T cassette and hydraulic disc brakes. Priced at AU $5,599.00
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