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Best Road and Gravel Bikes 2023
1. Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Ultegra
Specifications
-Drivetrain Mixed Shimano ULTEGRA R8000/GRX RX800
-Wheelset Cannondale HollowGram 35
-Size 51, 54, 56, 58, 60
-Weight 7.89 kg
-Frame material Carbon
This special build of the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Ultegra is the definition of a sporty all-road bike. It is quick to accelerate, climbs with ease and excels on the descents. It is constructed of stiff, responsive carbon. This bike is a versatile and comfortable race bike.
Pros
+ Great function of the GRX groupset mix
+ High efficiency on the flats
+ HollowGram wheels are rigid and responsive
+ Lightweight carbon frame
+ Internally routed cables
Cons
- Steering angle limited
2. GT Grade Carbon Pro
Specifications
-Drivetrain Shimano Ultegra Di2, with RX (clutch) mech
-Wheelset WTB KOM Light i23
-Size 48, 51, 55, 58, 61
-Weight 8,88
-Frame material Carbon
The GT Grade Carbon Pro with its "Triple Triangle" construction ensures a pleasant ride comfort. Further, features make the bike a successful all-rounder. On faster sections, the bike seems a bit nervous, which unfortunately makes for a few deductions.
Pros
+ Flipchip Feature
+ Successful driving comfort
+ Balanced geometry
+ Ultegra Di2 shifts smoothly and quickly
Cons
- A little nervous on faster passages
3. BMC URS One
Specifications
-Drivetrain Sram Apex 1
-Wheelset DT Swiss C1850 Spline
-Size S, M, L, XL
-Weight 9.00 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The BMC URS One convinces not only with a high-quality look, but also with an equally first-class performance. Both the first-class driving comfort and the fun splashiness ensure a sporty yet pleasant overall package, which is rounded off by high-quality equipment.
Pros
+ High-quality equipment
+ Good acceleration
+ Great overall performance
+ First-class comfort
Cons
- Price
4. Canyon Grail CF SLX 8.0 Etap
Specifications
-Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle AXS
-Wheelset DT Swiss GRC1400 Spline db
-Size 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
-Weight 8.29 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The Canyon Grail CF SLX 8.0 Etap is a top-class gravel bike. With first-class comfort and yet impressive sportiness, it knows how to convince on any surface. The great overall package is rounded off by high-quality equipment elements that leave little to be desired. The Hoverbar is a curse and a blessing at the same time - it is the icing on the cake on the great comfort package, but visually gets used to and makes individual adjustments difficult.
Pros
+ Impressive comfort
+ First-class equipment
+ Sporty yet quiet driving characteristics
Cons
- Low accessory compatibility
- Cockpit can only be individualized to a limited extent
5. Scott Addict Gravel 10
Specifications
-Drivetrain SRAM FORCE eTap AXS
-Wheelset Syncros Capital 1.0 X40 Disc
-Size XS, S, M, L, XL
-Weight 8,11 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The Scott Addict Gravel 10 is an extremely sporty gravel racer with noble equipment. The bike can be easily brought to speed and strikes the right balance between smoothness and agility. However, with so much sportiness, you have to make a few compromises both in terms of comfort and in terms of mounting points for accessories.
Pros
+ High quality frame
+ First-class acceleration
+ Overall athletic performance
+ Successful equipment
Cons
- Driving comfort suffers from sportiness
- Low accessory compatibility
6. Trek Checkpoint SL 7
Specifications
-Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS
-Wheelset Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V
-Size 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
-Weight 8,63 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The Trek Checkpoint SL 7 is a sporty gravel all-rounder with first-class driving characteristics and high-quality equipment. It pleases especially in classic gravel terrain with first-class comfort and a good-natured, balanced handling. Thanks to the numerous attachment points, it is enormously versatile and also cuts a good figure as a bikepacking companion.
Pros
+ Balanced handling
+ High-quality equipment
+ Sprightly acceleration
Cons
- Somewhat uncomfortable in rough terrain
7. Open U.P.P.E.R. Ultegra Di2
Specifications
-Drivetrain Shimano Ultegra Di2 8000
-Wheelset Zipp 303 Firecrest Disc Carbon Clincher
-Size S, M, L, XL
-Weight 7,7 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The Open U. P. P. E. R not only shows its best side with its high-quality optics. Thanks to a successful construction with first-class attachments and components, the bike is not only super light, but also offers a great, sporty overall performance. An ideal gravel bike for many road bike fans.
Pros
+ High-quality complete package
+ Impressive weight
+ Sporty balanced all-round performance
Cons
- Price
- Low accessory compatibility
8. Kona Libre DL
Specifications
-Drivetrain Shimano GRX 810
-Wheelset Easton EA 70AX 650b
-Size 46, 49, 51, 54, 55
-Weight 9,22 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The Kona Libre DL shows that it has not yet completely abandoned its mountain bike genes and still convinces with sporty riding characteristics. With a successful overall performance, which is characterized by a crisp acceleration and pleasant riding comfort and a first-class accessory compatibility, the Kona Libre becomes a sporty touring bike par excellence.
Pros
+ First-class accessory compatibility
+ Successful all-round performance
+ Pleasant comfort
+ Sporty tourer
Cons
- Tires on extreme surfaces slightly under-profiled
- Ergonomics of the lower link
9. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX
Specifications
-Drivetrain Shimano Ultegra RX
-Wheelset HollowGram 22
-Size XS, SM, MD, LG, XL
-Weight 8.4 kg
-Frame material Carbon
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX is a convincing and especially extremely comfortable gravel bike. The Kingpin rear end keeps what the manufacturer promises and is positively noticeable in almost any terrain. The Topstone is not sluggish in the start, but can not quite build on the high level of comfort. The numerous mounting options are likely to suit touring drivers and bike packers.
Pros
+ Outstanding comfort
+ Safe driving experience off-road
+ Numerous mounting points
Cons
- Firmer up front than at the supple rear
10. Specialized Diverge Expert
Specifications
-Drivetrain SRAM Force 1
-Wheelset Roval C 38 Disc
-Size 48, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
-Weight 8,38 kg
-Frame material Carbon
Thanks to the Future Shock Progressive System, the Specialized Diverge Expert is one of the most comfortable gravel bikes in the test. Thanks to its sophisticated design, the bike retains its agile handling and can also attract attention with good tanginess. Even if the Diverge seems to take some getting used to at first glance, a second, closer look is certainly recommended here. In our opinion, the rather relaxed seating position does not quite match the otherwise extremely sporty, agile handling - but this, as so often, depends on the driver and track profile.
Pros
+ Successful overall package
+ High comfort
+ Responsive acceleration
+ Agile Handling
Cons
- Slightly out-of-round geometry
- Optics that take some getting used to