Are gravel bikes really heavy? We investigated whether thumbnail

Are gravel bikes really heavy? We investigated whether

Gravel bikes have been rapidly gaining popularity over the past few years. However, we often hear people say, "gravel bikes are heavy". In this issue, we investigate whether gravel bikes are really heavy and why.

Modified at: 2023.11.24Posted at: 2022.8.30

Are gravel bikes really heavy?
Let’s compare gravel bike weights
Why are gravel bikes heavy?
Most gravel bikes have aluminum frames.
Gravel bikes have larger tires = heavier
Gravel bikes have disc brakes
Gravel bikes often have heavy wheels.
Can gravel bikes be made lighter?
If you want to go light, convert your road bike to gravel

Are gravel bikes really heavy?

Reviews and word-of-mouth often say that gravel bikes are heavy.

In this article, we will compare what exactly makes them heavy. But first, let us conclude that gravel bikes tend to be heavier than road bikes, mainly due to the following parts.

frame (about 500g)
tires (about 200g)
wheels (about 500g)

The total weight is about 1.2 kg, so if you subtract that weight, it is about the same as a road bike in the same price range. In other words, it is generally true that "gravel bikes are heavy.

Let’s compare gravel bike weights

Now let’s compare the actual weight of gravel bikes.

We compared with GAINT’s REVOLT and TREK’s Checkpoint, which are popular gravel bikes.

model	manufacturer	price	weight	frame material	tire size
Checkpoint SLR 7 eTap	TREK	$8,699.99	8.45kg	Carbon	40C
REVOLT ADVANCED 2	GIANT	$3,000	9.4kg	Carbon	38C
Checkpoint ALR 5	TREK	$2,499.99	9.75kg	Alumium	40C
REVOLT 2	GIANT	$1,450	10.4kg	Alumium	38C

As you may have guessed if you are familiar with road bikes, all models have a heavier chassis weight compared to disc road bikes in the same price range.

Why are gravel bikes heavy?

Most gravel bikes have aluminum frames.

The first thing to look at is the frame material.

In general, carbon frames are lighter and aluminum frames are heavier. All of the gravel bikes we picked up this time are heavy in aluminum, except for Giant’s REVOLT ADVANCED 2 and TREK’s Checkpoint SLR 7 eTap.

Aluminum frames are often in the low 2 kg range, including the fork, while carbon frames can be in the 1 kg range, including the fork, or in the low 1 kg range for high-end models.

One reason gravel bikes are heavy may be that many models use aluminum for the frame.

Gravel bikes have larger tires = heavier

The next thing to look at is tire size.

In the previous list, all models are equipped with 38C or larger tires, and for Checkpoint, 40C tires. Naturally, the larger the tire size, the heavier the tire.

Let’s compare the weight of each tire size with Panaracer’s GravelKing, a popular gravel tire.

The 28C tire on the GravelKing SS (clincher model) weighs 310g, while the 40C tire on the GravelKing SS (tubeless ready model) weighs 410g, or 100g more. The combined weight of the front and rear is 200g.

The clincher increases the weight of the tube, but in fact, the internal weight of the tire is almost the same for the Tubeless Ready because of the additional sealant and tubeless valve. In other words, 28C and 40C simply weigh about 200g more.

Since Gravel King is a lightweight tire, the tire that comes with the complete bike will be a bit heavier. In this light, one of the reasons for the heaviness of gravel bikes can be attributed to the thicker tires.

Gravel bikes have disc brakes

Gravel bikes use disc brakes for better braking performance on rough terrain. Disc brakes are actually heavier than rim brake road bikes when the weight of the rotor, disc hub, and thru-axle are added, although the caliper itself is lighter! .

Depending on the grade of the parts, a comparable grade can be 200g heavier than rim brakes front and rear combined.

Gravel bikes often have heavy wheels.

Unlike road bikes used on paved roads, gravel bikes are designed to be ridden on rough terrain, so wheels are selected to be sturdy. Gravel bikes are subjected to more stress on the wheels when going over bumps, so the number of spokes must be increased and the rims must be sturdier to withstand the impact.

Increasing the number of spokes and the strength of the rim naturally increases the weight of the wheel. Most lightweight road bike models these days have carbon wheels weighing less than 1.5 kg front and rear combined, but sturdier wheels, such as those used on gravel bikes, weigh more than 2 kg front and rear.

This means that the wheels alone weigh about 500g more than a lightweight road bike.

Can gravel bikes be made lighter?

We have seen that gravel bikes are heavier than road bikes in the same price range. However, gravel bikes can also be made lighter.

As for the frame and fork, they cannot be lightened, but tires and wheels can be customized on gravel bikes. Just by replacing these two parts with higher grade parts, the weight can be reduced by 700g.

In addition, if you reduce the weight of the handlebars, saddle, seat post, and other parts made of carbon material, you can reduce the weight by another 150g or so. In addition, if you customize a gravel bike with a single front wheel, which is a popular customization, you can reduce the weight by about 300g.

All together, the weight can be reduced by less than 1 kg.

However, it will still be slightly heavier than a road bike, but if you are not race oriented, it will m fine and light enough.

If you want to go light, convert your road bike to gravel

Gravel bikes tend to be built sturdier for riding on rough terrain, so the increased weight is a trade-off.

If you still want to enjoy gravel on a lightweight bike, a shortcut is to convert a lightweight disc road bike to gravel spec.

A lightweight, larger tire, flared handlebars, and wide-ratio sprockets are all that is needed to enjoy gravel riding.

Gravel Bike Lightweighting Guide

This is a lightweighting guide for gravel bikes, which have a higher body weight than road bikes, to make them lighter and ride more like road bikes.

Advantages and disadvantages of carbon wheels on gravel bikes and how to choose
Carbon wheels are becoming a major player in road bikes that pursue speed and high efficiency. They also contribute to weight savings on gravel bikes, which have different riding conditions than paved roads, but there are some things to keep in mind when choosing them.
How to convert a gravel bike into a road bike
A gravel bike, a derivative of a road bike, can be ridden on paved roads without modification. However, when converted to a road bike, they can be "ridden more like a road bike.
And lightweight too! Summary of the best binding pedals for gravel bikes
Gravel bike binding pedals need to be chosen from a different perspective than road bikes. Moreover, it is a cosmetic customization because the choice of binding pedals can reduce the weight of a heavy gravel bike.
How to choose gravel tires for those who just want to go fast
Gravel bikes are said to be slower than road bikes. If you want to go faster on a gravel bike! If you want to go faster on a gravel road bike, you can make it lighter and faster by simply customizing the tires.
How to reduce weight and cost-effective upgrades for gravel bikes
If you want to "lighten up your ride" on a gravel bike with a heavy body weight, the best way is to lighten the body weight. We have compiled a list of ways to lighten the weight of your gravel bike and cost-effective upgrades.
Advantages and disadvantages of slick tires on gravel bikes
Slick tires are the standard for road bikes on paved roads. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of daring to install slick tires on gravel bikes, which are often equipped with knobbed gravel tires.
Current Article
Are gravel bikes really heavy? We investigated whether
Gravel bikes have been rapidly gaining popularity over the past few years. However, we often hear people say, "gravel bikes are heavy". In this issue, we investigate whether gravel bikes are really heavy and why.

Gravel Bike Lightweighting Guide

This is a lightweighting guide for gravel bikes, which have a higher body weight than road bikes, to make them lighter and ride more like road bikes.

Advantages and disadvantages of carbon wheels on gravel bikes and how to choose
Carbon wheels are becoming a major player in road bikes that pursue speed and high efficiency. They also contribute to weight savings on gravel bikes, which have different riding conditions than paved roads, but there are some things to keep in mind when choosing them.
How to convert a gravel bike into a road bike
A gravel bike, a derivative of a road bike, can be ridden on paved roads without modification. However, when converted to a road bike, they can be "ridden more like a road bike.
And lightweight too! Summary of the best binding pedals for gravel bikes
Gravel bike binding pedals need to be chosen from a different perspective than road bikes. Moreover, it is a cosmetic customization because the choice of binding pedals can reduce the weight of a heavy gravel bike.
How to choose gravel tires for those who just want to go fast
Gravel bikes are said to be slower than road bikes. If you want to go faster on a gravel bike! If you want to go faster on a gravel road bike, you can make it lighter and faster by simply customizing the tires.
How to reduce weight and cost-effective upgrades for gravel bikes
If you want to "lighten up your ride" on a gravel bike with a heavy body weight, the best way is to lighten the body weight. We have compiled a list of ways to lighten the weight of your gravel bike and cost-effective upgrades.
Advantages and disadvantages of slick tires on gravel bikes
Slick tires are the standard for road bikes on paved roads. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of daring to install slick tires on gravel bikes, which are often equipped with knobbed gravel tires.
Current Article
Are gravel bikes really heavy? We investigated whether
Gravel bikes have been rapidly gaining popularity over the past few years. However, we often hear people say, "gravel bikes are heavy". In this issue, we investigate whether gravel bikes are really heavy and why.