Shopping for a Gravel Bike Doesn't Have to be Confusing
If you've shopped for a gravel bike in the last five years, you probably felt a bit overwhelmed by the number of choices on the market. Here at Full Cycle, we regularly stock around 20 different gravel bikes that span over five different types of rider experiences. Talking to a sales expert can help narrow down your options so you can make an informed decision about which bike is right for you!
We stock gravel bikes for endurance riders, racers, bikepacking aficionados, those who want to mix it up on single track, and bikes on every end of the price spectrum. If you want to do a little homework before you shop with us, we made this handy-dandy flow chart to help narrow down your options!
Welcome to the Gravel Bike Matrix
Where Did You Land?
Here's a quick rundown of all of our favorite bikes designed to fit any rider's needs!
Endurance Carbon & Alloy Gravel Bikes
Endurance gravel is our largest category at Full Cycle, and it spans a very wide range of price categories. Endurance gravel bikes have a more relaxed geometry, making it possible for more people to sit comfortably on a bike for longer distances. These bikes tend to fit the widest range of cyclists.
For entry-level cyclists, choosing an alloy gravel bike is a great way to get your foot on the pedal. For riders who want it all, buying a carbon or titanium frame can enhance ride quality, experience, and speed while going the distance.
Fast Gravel
"I feel the need, the need for speed." - Gravel racers everywhere.
Gravel racing has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. While you don't necessarily need a "race" gravel bike, for those who are competitive or simply like to go fast, these bikes are designed with speed in mind.
Steel Gravel
For those looking to go far (really far), steel is the first choice for the strength of a steel frame, loaded weight capacity, and the ability to make repairs through welding when the road gets a little too rough. Generally these bikes are thoughtfully designed so you can add racks, bags, and endless accessories. Ride across the country - or maybe just commute across Boulder - whatever your purpose, steel gravel bikes are all about getting from A to B.
All-Road Bikes
Many people walk through our doors thinking they want a gravel bike. In reality they may still be spending most of their time on pavement or venturing onto the packed gravel roads around the Boulder Reservoir.
For people looking for one bike that can do it all, look not further than an all-road bike. These bikes are now accommodating anywhere from a 32mm tire up to 40mm tires, including knobby gravel tires. The added positive to an all-road bike is the fact that most come with a 2x road drivetrain, meaning you will have a wider range of gearing options to tackle ups and downs on both gravel and pavement. For those who seldom venture onto more technical gravel terrain, all-road bikes are the way to go!
"Rowdy" Gravel
Bikes in this category start to look a little less like road bikes and a little more like mountain bikes. Rowdy Gravel bikes are characterized by the increase in suspension, increase in tire size, and likelihood that these bikes may come equipped with a "mullet" drivetrain (road shifters on the front, mountain bike gearing on the back).
People who chose a gravel bike in this category like to blur the line between what a dropbar bike should do and what a mountain bike can do. "Rowdy" gravel bikes aren't limited just to people looking to take their gravel bike on singletrack. Bikes in this category also are great for people who are just looking for more comfort from the added suspension and more climbing capabilities from a 50t+ cassette.
