What Is An Adventure Bike?
What Is An Adventure Bike?
An adventure bike is sometimes called a gravel bike. They look similar to a traditional road bike, but they have a lot more capability. Riders take them for long rides on and off the road. Additionally, many people use them for commuting and family rides. There are a few different categories of adventure bike that you should be aware of.
Gravel Bikes
Gravel bikes look a lot like road bikes, but once you delve into the details, their capabilities become a bit more obvious.
They are designed to to be more versatile than a road bike and are capable of taking on different surfaces, carry extra gear and to be suitable for long rides. Gravel bikes are much more durable than your standard road bike. They have a wider range of gears and have extra clearance around the tyres to prevent the build up of mud.
The versatility gravel bikes offer makes them a good option for different types of riding. You can use them for fast road riding, but the wide tyres and gearing make them very capable off-road. They are robust and comfortable, and many are capable of carrying extra luggage. Therefore gravel bikes are perfect for touring adventures.
Gravel bike’s geometry aims for stability and comfort. They are long, which keeps them stable on rough surfaces over long distances. The riding position is more upright than you would get on a road bike. This is, so you are more comfortable on long rides and have better visibility when using it for commuting. The head tube is set at a slack angle, which makes it more manageable at slower speeds.
You will notice that the frame is much heavier than one on a road bike. This is because gravel bikes are way more durable, so they can carry extra weight when touring. Also, gravel bikes have larger tyres to improve grip, stability and comfort. The capabilities of a gravel bike are enhanced by the use of disc brakes, for good modulation and control.
Cyclo Cross Bikes
Cyclo-Cross bikes have much in common with gravel bikes, but there are some different aspects to them. Rather than the endurance style of riding gravel bikes are designed for, Cyclo-Cross bikes are intended for short, intense racing and are more aggressive. Therefore, a gravel bike is more comfortable, as you tend to spend more time on them.
The geometry of a Cyclo-Cross bike is more aggressive. This means it is shorter and has a higher bottom bracket. This extra height makes it easier to get over obstacles. The tyres are not as wide as the ones you will find on a gravel bike due to UCI race regulations, but they still come with disc brakes.
Touring Bikes Bikes
A touring bike is pretty much the same as a gravel bike. The geometry and riding position make them comfortable to ride for long distances. However, they have large load carrying capabilities. You will find that touring bikes are equipped with different mounts for carrying lots of stuff. You should expect to see a rear rack at least, but ideally, you want one with a front rack too. The best position for a front rack is by the front axle. This means that the weight of your pack will have the least effect on how your bike handles.
Best Gravel Bikes Of 2020
Vitus Substance CRS2
The Vitus Substance CRS2 is built to be an efficient, comfortable and versatile adventure bike. It is equipped with a carbon frame and touring fork will allow you to ride anywhere.
- Modern Geometry Carbon Frame and Fork
- Shimano GRX 2×11-Speed Drivetrain and Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- WTB SpeedTerra 650b Tubeless Wheels and WTB Byway Tyres
- Easy to Setup Tubeless for Greater Rolling, Grip and Comfort
- Functional and Stylish Vitus Finishing Kit
Orro Terra Gravel 7020-HYD R900 Bike 2020
This bike is lightweight on the road and rugged off road. The frame is made from OSD 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium. Its full carbon fork and high end components make this a very versatile and quality bike that is perfect for riding everywhere.
- Shimano 105 7000 11-Speed Drivetrain and Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Fulcrum R900 Wheels and Vittoria Zaffiro Tyres
- Lightweight full carbon fork
NS Bikes RAG+ 1
The NS Bikes RAG+1 is designed for great stability and performance on both road and gravel surfaces. Its strong, lightweight 6061 aluminium frame and carbon fork gives you all day riding comfort, fantastic agility and control whether riding on tarmac or trail.
- SRAM Apex 1×11-Speed drivetrain
- Alex Draw 2.1P Asymmetrical, 32h, Tubeless Ready wheels
- Lightweight carbon fork
Best Cyclo Cross Bikes
Vitus Substance CRX
The Vitus Substance CRX is built for high-speed riding. This bike is ideal for riding anywhere you you want to very quickly. The frame and fork is made from strong, lightweight carbon fibre and are compatible with both 700c and 650b wheels. This makes it a very versatile bike to suit many rider’s needs.
- SRAM S-Series 350 X-SYNC 40T
- Prime Kanza Carbon 650b XD Driver, Tubeless tape installed, Tubeless valves supplied
- Substance Carbon UD T700 Internal cable routing, 142 x 12mm rear end, mud-guard mounts, rack mounts, 3 bottle cage mounts
Vitus Energie Cyclocross Bike
This very good value for money cyclo cross bike is very versatile. It is perfect for commuting, training, and racing. The Vitus Energie Alloy Cyclocross Bike has a durable and lightweight alloy frame with SRAM Apex components.
- SRAM Apex 1 frame, long cage drivetrain
- Energie Aluminium 7046-T6, Internal cable routing
- WTB ST i21/Novatec, disc wheelset
Are You Going To Buy An Adventure Bike?
These bikes may not be able to allow you to take on bike parks very easily or big alpine descents, but there is a place for them in the mountain bike world. They are very versatile and provide great value for money and lots of fun. Pleas let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
Thank you so much for sharing with us such a beautiful article about Adventure Bike. Your guide is very useful for everyone like me. I am planning to buy a bike for my brother. I liked your reviews because you provide each product review after using or testing the product reviews etc. You have awesome work for me. I liked Vitus Substance CRS2 Gravel Bike. Your guide helped me a lot while choosing the best one. Thanks for the information and sharing. Much appreciated.
Hi Sabrina,
Thanks for your comment the Vitus is the best value for money here.
Thank you for your article. I had never heard of an adventure bike before and was surprised that there are so many kinds of bike. Cycling is a world within itself it seems. I know a friend that sold his car and only uses a recumbent bike to get around with. I have a generic bike but i hardly ever use but reading your article makes me want to take it out for a spin. I am sure that it’s not nearly as comfortable as a gravel bike or as efficient as an adventure bike. I could see that such an investment in a quality bike would be worthwhile. Thanks for all the info.,
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for your comment, I have never tried a recumbent bike, I’m sure it is pretty fun.
Hi! I really like a bike that has great stability and performance. So in my book, the one that suits me best is NS Bikes RAG+ 1. It’s aluminium frame and lightweight carbon fork have made me make up my mind. And the bike’s design is the cherry on top, really cool! Thanks for this post!
Hi Paolo,
I think the NS is the best one here too. Thanks for your comment.
Hi, Tom.
Thanks for sharing your efforts in explaining the adventure bikes. You have given some vital information while describing these eight bikes and I read each detail very carefully. Nowadays, adventure bikes are so costly that we need to do a comprehensive research before opting for a new purchase. Out of all, I liked the Touring Bike most.
Warm Regards,
Gaurav Gaur
Hi Gaurav,
Thanks for your comment.
Hello,
Thanks for your buyers guide for the Adventure Bike, I see there are several types of these bikes used for many types of riding.
The one that stands out more to me is the The NS Bikes RAG+1 because it for tarmac and trails which are big here in my part of the country, also, this style catches my eye because it can withstand weather, I’ assuming relating to rain and slippery conditions which is common where I’m from.
Are the prices the same for the female bikes for the male ones or are they less?
Another question is are people able to request customize their colors?
Best regard
Audrey
Hi Audrey,
These bikes are unisex, so they will suit men and women. After a few rides you may want to change certain components, such as a women’s specific saddle. Some bikes come in different colours, but this depends on the manufacturer and model. Thanks for your comment.
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