If speed is most important to you when it comes to choosing a gravel bike. All the bikes in this article will have you covered.
Gravel bikes are becoming more and more popular these days. Allowing roadies to travel where they didn’t previously dare on their road bike with 32mm tires. The gravel bike has opened up a new world of bike adventure possibilities, while also not sacrificing speed.
All these bikes had to meet our criteria to be classified as some of the fastest gravel bikes on the market. What is that criteria you ask?
An aerodynamic gravel bike is super important to cut through the wind, so these bikes have developed aero tubing and overall design. Allowing you to get the most out of the power you put down.
You could call these categories of bikes, gravel racers, the roadies gravel bike or even some all-rounder gravel bikes. A few of the bikes mentioned have received awards and recognition by winning some famous gravel races. They can also give you the speed you need on those wet road rides when you might need the extra traction. Some all-rounder gravel bikes provide speed and also the ability to carry all your gear, making the perfect light-touring bikepacking rig. The bikes we chose had to fit either one of these gravel sub-categories.
The weight of the bike obviously has to be light enough so you can go as fast as possible. Gravel bikes can be as heavy as 13kg but these bikes are mostly carbon builds and weigh around 9.5kg or lighter!
Frame stiffness is rather important when it comes to riding fast, making the most of the energy put into the pedals. Some comfort can be sacrificed for that extra speed. However some bikes have ways around this, with intuitive suspension designs.
Performance focused riding is the main goal for a gravel race bike. To make a bike ride fast these bikes have taken advice from good road bikes, when it comes to riding position and design. The stack to reach ratio might be slightly more relaxed compared to a road bike but not as upright and comfort inspiring as some more adventure focused gravel bikes.
When it comes to geometry these bikes can vary from each other. They still give an agile and responsive ride feeling. around 54 to 66 mm in trail lengths. While the chainstay length run from short to mid length or 415 to 435mm. When compared to road bikes they slightly differ in geometry, with larger wheelbase, lower bottom brackets and slackened head angles.
Now that you have some idea as to how we have defined fast gravel bikes. Let’s take a look at some of your options to ride fast on all-road conditions.
Make the aggressive riding position of your fast gravel bike comfortable!
Let’s take a moment to talk about a game-changing accessory that every bikepacker needs to consider – The Fred Bar.
Less for the aerodynamics and extra efficiency but more so for comfort, offering more hand positions and the ability to stretch out.
But one issue I have always run into with aero bars for bikepacking is how much stretching happens. Resulting in discomfort and I just never end up spending that much time in the aero bars while riding!
Until now!
This product is the perfect solution to aero bar comfort!
I’ve been testing out the Fred Bars and I use my aero bars all the time now! Raising the aero bars and bringing them back, results in less reach allowing you to rest in a more relaxed, crouched position.
Okay, let’s get back to the article…
Ridley Kanzo Fast
Combining gravel specific geometry, aerodynamic tubing and wide tire clearance. The Kanzo fast claims to be “the fastest gravel bike in the world.” We are unable to test for sure if it really is the fastest. But it definitely made the list for a reason. They are claimed to ride fast on any terrain and even outperform some road bikes at their own game.
Ridley really focused on designing the bike to make the most of all the effective power transfer, helping you convert every single watt into maximum speed. The bike has also been designed to cut through the wind while also keeping you comfortable for long rides. Each tube has an optimised NACA profile that was extensively tested in Ridley’s wind tunnel. The bike also features a lowered seat stay for vertical compliance.
- Weight : 8.92 kg or 19.67 lbs
- Components / Rating : Shimano GRX Di2 (5/5)
- Gear Ratio : 38.97″ to 120.50″
- Escape Velocity : 61 km/h or 38 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Kanzo Fast – Shimano GRX800 Di2 1x CLASSIFIED)
- Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 40 / up to 42mm tires
Open U.P.P.E.R EKAR
The third generation U.P. & U.P.P.E.R bikes offer standard performance gravel bike features. Such as dual wheel size compatibility and a dropped chainstay. These bikes find that balance between road bike speed plus go-anywhere capabilities. Making them fast but also able to go on rad adventures. The idea behind the U.P.P.E.R bikes is the option to run multiple tire setups. Road tires to make it a very fast road bike, turn it into a go-anywhere bike with gravel tires 32-40mm or run 650b mountain bike tires allowing it to be pretty much unstoppable. It does feature a road riding position for that extra speed even if you run MTB tires. Meaning you can get to the trails faster. Weighing just under 8 kg!
Weight : Under 8 kg or 17.64 lbs
Components / Rating : Ekar (5/5)
Gear Ratio : **27.64″ to 129.07″
Escape Velocity : Approx 56 km/h or 35 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (WI.DE. Force/Eagle AXS ENVE)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 40 / up to 2.1″ 650b tires or even more with W.I.D.E models
Santa Cruz Stigmata
Dedicated to making the best mountain bikes, Santa Cruz have taken what they have learnt from mtb’s and implemented that in their new gravel bike. The Stigmata was released in 2007 and at the time it was categorised as a cyclocross bike. This is before gravel bikes were a thing. it is a great do-it all drop bar bike machine. That is also able to ride fast if you need. Made from a carbon fiber construction, weighing around 8.57 kg / 18.89 lb and clearance for 700×45 mm or 650×53 mm tires.
Weight : 8.57 kg or 18.89 lbs
Components / Rating : X01 Eagle AXS, Force eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 23.22″ to 116.08″
Escape Velocity : Approx 58 km/h or 36 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Santa Cruz STIGMATA Force / 1X / Carbon CC )
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 40 / Tire Clearance for up to 45mm (700c) or 2.1″ (650b)
Cervelo Aspero
Designed to “haul ass, not cargo”. The Aspero by Cervelo is a bike made for the rider who wants to push their physical limits. Someone who loves the freedom and exploration that gravel culture was founded upon but who has a hunger to ride hard and to go all out. To ride fast! It features a Classics-racing stiff build for speed and only speed. Performing like you would want a road bike to perform off-road.
Weight : Approx 8.3 kg or 18.30 lbs
Components / Rating : RED XPLR eTap, RED eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 25.01″ to 109.92″
Escape Velocity : Approx 56 km/h or 35 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Cervélo Áspero-5 Red XPLR eTap AXS 1)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 38 / Tire Clearance for up to 59mm / 650b tires**
Salsa Warbird
Made for gravel racing, fire-road riding, and road riding the Salsa Warbird geometry focuses on stability and comfort. Offering that extra comfort on long rides. It features many mounts to carry gear for bikepacking adventures. This is a great bike for those looking to ride fast, bikepacking adventures on road or gravel. The Warbird is an agile, light, nimble, very refined, and entirely capable gravel bike. Perfect if you want to ride fast!
Weight : Approx 8.98 kg or 19.80 lbs
Components / Rating : Force eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 23.07″ to 119.52″
Escape Velocity : Approx 60 km/h or 37 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Salsa Warbird C Force eTap AXS Wide)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 42 / Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 45mm or 650b x 2.0”
3T Exploro RACE
The world’s first full-aero gravel adventure bike! Changing gravel racing and riding forever. The bike combines road speed with mountain toughness. Winning Dirty Kanza, Jeroboam, RAT1000 to name a few events. Having the capability to ride fast on any surface, paved, gravel or singletrack! With a clearance for up to 54mm gravel tires. Available in a number of bike build options.
Weight : Approx 8.38 kg or 18.47 lbs
Components / Rating : Ekar (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 25.02″ to 117.30″
Escape Velocity : Approx 59 km/h or 36 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (3T Exploro RACE EKAR 1×13)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 42 / Tire Clearance for up to 54mm tires
Pinarello Grevil F
Distinctive and aggressive lines with aerodynamic details make the Grevil+ a versatile and powerful bicycle. I must say it is a very unique looking gravel bike. With an emphasis on aerodynamics you know it is going to ride fast. It has the versatility to run 700c x 25c tires or up to 650b x 2.1 “or 700 x 50mm. Designed to absorb vibrations to add extra comfort. Attention to detail, the front fork has increased flap to protect the disc and aerodynamic optimisation.
Weight : Approx 8.54 kg or 18.83 lbs
Components / Rating : Ekar (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 26.11″ to 122.01″
Escape Velocity : Couldn’t find info for this bike, but its a super aero bike made for speed.
Tire and tire clearance : Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 50mm or 650b x 2.1″
BMC URS
A gravel bike ready for high-intensity gravel racing and limitless backroad exploration. Featuring its gravel+ geometry, the URS likes to roam UnReStricted territory. The URS is built around a super lightweight, race-ready frame.
Weight : Approx 9.87 kg or 21.76 lbs
Components / Rating : X01 Eagle AXS, Force eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 20.18″ to 105.02″
Escape Velocity : Approx 53 km/h or 33 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (BMC URS LT, ONE)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 40 – Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 42mm
Wilier Jena
The Jena is a gravel bike that fits the bill for most styles of gravel riding. Allowing you to ride fast for performance on dirt roads and single track, or adventure, exploration, and bikepacking. A light, reactive, and easy-to-handle bike with racing-comfort geometries.
Weight : 8.45 kg or 18.63 lbs
Components / Rating : Rival XPLR eTap, GRX Di2 (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 25.15″ to 110.55″
Escape Velocity : Approx 56 km/h or 35 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (2023 Wilier Jena)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 40 – Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 44mm tires or 650b x 1.95”
Basso Palta
Why consider the Basso Palta? If you are one for quality craftsmanship, long lasting performance and ride quality that begs for speed! Allowing you to ride fast on the road, while maintaining that speed over vary terrains. Tire clearance for up to 42mm tires. It has that unique shape which makes it stand out but the build quality also offer ample amounts of comfort for that rough stuff.
Weight : 9.40 kg or 20.72 lbs
Components / Rating : Ekar (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 25.88″ to 114.43″
Escape Velocity : Couldn’t find info for this bike
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 35 – Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 45mm
Specialized S-Works Diverge
Fast, capable and fun might be some words used to describe this new Diverge by Specialized. It is the perfect bike if you want to get away of the main roads and far from cars to gravel grind. It is also the steed for riding fast at your favourite gravel race! The bike is well balanced, quick and lively under power but also confidence inspiring when the terrain gets rough. Feature future shock 2.0 with 20mm of axial compliance and a hydraulic damper, good for the rough stuff and efficient on smooth pavement. With its all new gravel geometry, internal storage and tire clearance for 47mm x 700c wheels or up to 2.1” x 650b. It is the ultimate getaway vehicle.
Weight : 8.3 kg or 18.30 lbs
Components / Rating : XX1 Eagle AXS, RED eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 23.35″ to 116.74″
Escape Velocity : Approx 58 km/h or 36 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Specialized S-Works Diverge)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 42 – Tire Clearance for up to 47mm x 700c wheels or up to 2.1” x 650b
Lauf True Grit
The Lauf True Grit is a versatile gravel and endurance race machine. Featuring that very unique looking Lauf Grit SL gravel suspension fork. With the stiffness of the fork matched to the size of the frame. With 30mm of suspension, with superb small bump performance. The fork require no maintenance. The bike can take up to 45 x 700c tires. The geometry is designed for speed! Offering an aerodynamic position with great stability at high speeds and in rough terrain. Option to run 1x or 2x, and if you go for the 1x option you also get a bottle opener where a front derailleur would otherwise be.
Weight : 8.21 kg or 18.10 lbs
Components / Rating : RED XPLR eTap, RED eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 26.26″ to 116.08″
Escape Velocity : Approx 58 km/h or 36 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Lauf True Grit – Ultimate)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 40 – Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 45 tires
Scott Addict
The all new 2022 Scott Addict Gravel Bike is for those gravel riders who want to go faster and farther on rougher terrain. With aero, lightweight, and integration features. It is a very versatile machine, thanks to the longer and lower design, more generous tire clearance, additional carrying capacity, and plentiful mounts.
Weight : 8.12 kg or 17.9 lbs
Components / Rating : RED eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 25.79″ to 128.94″
Escape Velocity : Approx 64 km/h or 40 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Scott Addict Gravel Tuned)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c x 45 – Tire Clearance for up to 700c x 45 tires
Canyon Grail
Cover huge distances at speed and in comfort. That is the promise by Canyon with their Grail gravel bike. It is the ultimate all-rounder, offering road bike speed, all-terrain control and grip with stable but also agile handling. The CF SLX model is designed to win races, while they also offer other more accessible models if you just want to ride fast and save some coin.
Weight : 8.21 kg or 18.1 lbs
Components / Rating : RED XPLR eTap, RED eTap (5/5)
Gear Ratio : 25.15″ to 110.55″
Escape Velocity : Approx 56 km/h or 35 mph – Top speed pedalling at 100 rpm at your highest gear (Canyon Grail CF SLX 9 eTap)
Tire and tire clearance : 700c / 650b x 40 – Tire Clearance for up to 42mm
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