BikeRadar Builds | Why I built my gravel bike like a road race bike

A BikeRadar editor, in their latest "BikeRadar Builds" feature, detailed the construction of their personal gravel bike, notably opting for components and geometry more akin to a road race machine. This unconventional approach, highlighted in their recent article, saw choices prioritising aerodynamic efficiency and stiff power transfer over traditional gravel comfort or ruggedness, challenging prevailing trends in the burgeoning off-road segment.

This build is significant as it pushes against the prevailing narrative of gravel bikes becoming increasingly mountain-bike-like, with slacker geometries, wider tyres, and more suspension. It reflects a growing niche within the gravel scene — the "fast gravel" or "roadie gravel" contingent — who value speed and efficiency on smoother off-road terrain or mixed-surface events. It also showcases the ongoing experimental phase of gravel bike design, where manufacturers and riders alike are still defining the optimal balance of features for diverse applications.

Ultimately, it’s a reminder that "gravel" is a broad church, and for some, the fastest way from A to B, regardless of surface, still involves a healthy dose of road race DNA.