Adventure begins where the road ends Riding on gravel roads has become an increasingly popular way to enjoy time in the saddle, and with good reason – there’s a lot of terrain to explore, it can be a more engaging experience than riding on roads, there’s not much traffic, and anyone can do it. Gravel riders are widely accepted as people who know how to make every adventure a really good time. Want to join the fastest-growing segment of cycling today? Here’s everything you need to know about gravel bikes and gear so you can make your first gravel adventure a great one.
Do I need to ride a gravel-specific bike?
At its core, gravel riding is like riding on the road: you can technically do it on anything. But you’ll be a lot more comfortable and efficient on an actual gravel bike because they’re built specifically to handle more demanding surfaces.
If adventure strikes and you don’t have access to a true gravel bike, we’d recommend heading out on a bike with disc brakes and wider tyres. These things will give you more control, confidence and stopping power on loose and muddy terrain.
What gear do I need?
Every great adventure starts with lots of lists, meticulous planning and plenty of over-packing.
Okay, fine – usually the best adventures are spontaneous, but as long as you’re prepared with everything you need, you’ll be able to answer the call of the wild as soon as you hear it.
We recommend:
– Lots of water
– Front and rear daytime running lights
– Gloves
– Racks with bags, frame packs or a lightweight backpack
– A repair kit with spare tubes, a pump and a multi-tool
– Map and a GPS computer
Instant experience upgrade
When you’re riding a go-anywhere, do-anything bike, you need gear to match. Browse our selection of gravel bike equipment for everything from tyres to take you off the beaten path to backpacks and seat bags for your next bikepacking adventure.
We recommend:
– Adventure bags
– Carbon wheelsets
– Gravel Tyres
– Rapid Pack
– Comfortable saddle
– WaveCel Helmet
– Gravel Shoes
Checkpoint
About the Author: Trek
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