There’s never been a better time to buy a gravel bike. There are more options than ever before, depending on what you’re looking for and your budget. However, according to experts, the biggest mistake people make is buying the wrong bike for the type of riding they actually want to do.
That became obvious when we recently visited The Sports Room in Wicklow to get fitted for two Orbea gravel bikes. On paper, both bikes looked remarkably similar. In reality, they were built for completely different riders.
One thing quickly became clear: there is no such thing as the best gravel bike. There is only the best gravel bike for you.
What is a gravel bike?
In many ways, a gravel bike sits somewhere between a road bike and a lightweight mountain bike. It combines the speed and efficiency of drop handlebars with wider tyres and more capable geometry, allowing you to venture beyond smooth tarmac. For some people, that makes a gravel bike the ultimate one-bike solution. It’s equally at home commuting to work, heading out for a weekend spin, tackling a bikepacking adventure or joining friends for a road ride. For others, it’s a specialist second bike. Road cyclists who already have a dedicated road machine are increasingly turning to gravel bikes to open up new routes, escape traffic and add a sense of adventure to their riding.
Who are gravel bikes for?
The beauty of gravel bikes is that they appeal to a wide range of riders.
If you’re new to cycling and want one bike that can do a bit of everything, a gravel bike makes a huge amount of sense. They are comfortable, versatile and capable of handling everything from rough country roads to forest tracks and greenways.
But they also appeal to experienced cyclists. For somebody who already owns a road bike, a gravel bike can become the fun bike. A harder-wearing winter bike. A bikepacking bike. A machine for exploring roads and trails you’ve always ignored because your tyres were too narrow.
And with the growth of gravel events both in Ireland and abroad, more and more riders are discovering that riding off-road doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down.
What type of gravel bike should you buy?
This is where talking to your local bike shop becomes invaluable. At The Sports Room, we had the opportunity to ride two bikes that sit under the same family tree but are aimed at very different riders: the Orbea Terra and the Orbea Terra Race.
The Terra is the all-rounder. Comfortable, versatile and adventure-ready, it feels much more like an endurance bike. With in-frame storage and a more forgiving geometry, it’s the sort of bike you could happily use for commuting, bikepacking and all-day adventures.
The Terra Race, meanwhile, is unapologetically fast. Lighter and more aggressive, it feels closer to an aero road bike. It features an integrated bar and stem and is designed with speed in mind. It’s a dream machine for experienced cyclists looking to pin on a number at gravel events or simply ride fast.
Neither bike is better than the other. They’re just built for different adventures.
Where can you ride a gravel bike in Ireland?
One of the reasons gravel riding has become so popular is that Ireland seems tailor-made for it.
Greenways offer traffic-free miles perfect for beginners. Forest roads in Wicklow, Kerry and Connemara provide endless opportunities for exploration. Quiet boreens and rough country roads become far more enjoyable when you’re riding wider tyres. Places like Ballyhoura offer flowing mountain bike trails that are perfectly suited to gravel bikes, while organised events such as the Gravel Ride Series are helping build a thriving community around the sport.
Perhaps the greatest advantage is that a gravel bike allows you to combine all of these different surfaces into one ride. Road. Gravel. Forest. Greenway. One bike, endless possibilities.
How much should you spend?
As with most things in cycling, you generally get what you pay for.
Entry-level gravel bikes such as the Orbea Terra start at around €1,800 and offer an excellent introduction to the sport. For many riders, that’s all the bike they’ll ever need.
Higher-end machines offer lighter frames, better components and a more refined ride experience, but they come with a significant increase in price.
The race-focused Orbea Terra Race starts closer to €4,000 and climbs from there depending on specification.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway from our visit to The Sports Room was this:
- Don’t buy the bike you think you should want.
- Buy the bike that suits the riding you’ll actually do.
- Because the best gravel bike isn’t necessarily the fastest one. It’s the one that makes you want to ride.
