Evil is known for their progressive designs in the mountain bike world, and they’ve translated that to their playfully named Chamois Hagar gravel bike. The big news is its geometry, which has a downhill-oriented 66.67-degree head angle for an aggressive stance that’s impressively stable and confidence-inspiring on the descent . At $4,799, the Evil is not a price leader, but its fun factor is hard to beat. I grew up with flat bars, but converted to drop bars when I got my first touring bike, the Specialized Awol Evo several years ago. Now I find it difficult to go back to my mountain bike, which seems unwieldy and cumbersome.
Before you open up your wallet, reflect on where you ride. It’s the single most important indicator to consider when choosing any bike. We invited some 30 brands to participate in GearJunkie’s gravel week in southern Utah. With demo bikes in high demand, some 20 brands obliged. The Libre is finished with loads of mounts and internal cable routing, allowing it to transition from daylong rides to overnight jaunts.
For a complete list of options, see our article on the best mountain bike shoes. In general, 700c wheels and tires offer the best overall performance for mixed-terrain riding, and they continue to be the most common option for gravel bikes. 700c tires are narrower than 650b options, usually weigh less, and roll faster on tarmac and most gravel paths.
Nukeproof’s Digger Factory brings a unique approach to the gravel scene that will undoubtedly appeal to mountain bikers that are looking for a bike for winter training miles or a capable adventure bike. All that said, it can be a challenge converting your bike to tubeless. While installation has become significantly easier over the last few years due to improvements in the technology, you still get the occasional tire-and-rim combination that just doesn’t want to inflate. You’ll also have to replace the sealant a couple of times per year—it has a tendency to dry and become ineffective at sealing small holes. And finally, tubeless setups can be a bit of a mess should you ever need to put a tube in your tire.
This is a win for those who prize a clean-looking bike or want to strap bike bags to the frame. More road-friendly than upright, the geometry isn’t revolutionary. It’s a comfortable bike that doesn’t break the bank.
It’s a close call, but we give the slight edge to the Trek as a do-everything model that can still toe the race line. Of note, Specialized’s Diverge lineup is expansive, starting at $1,300 and going all the way up to $10,500, so most riders should be able to find exactly what they’re looking for. Love them or hate them, electric bikes are here to stay, and Cannondale’s first go at a gravel-focused model was a huge success in our opinion. After spending some time on the Synapse NEO SE, we came away extremely impressed by the bike’s smooth acceleration, confidence-inspiring ride, and quality build.
This difference comes in handy if you spend a lot of time weaving through tight traffic while commuting in a busy city. You can fit through gaps that you couldn’t with flat bars. When it comes giant ROAD BIKES to bicycle handlebars, you have two main choices. This list outlines all of the pros and cons of drop bars vs flat bars to help you decide which style to go with for your next bike.
However, the same geometry and designs trickle down to less expensive Diverge models. The Diverge Pro Carbon we tested will set you back $7,500. While not the most expensive bike in the Diverge stable (that award goes to the top-shelf S-Works model), it’s a hunk of change that prices the Pro out of reach for many. Inside the down tube hides the uniquely Specialized SWAT storage port.