Gravel bikes are a great way to enjoy cycling. They can go both on and off-road, are comfortable to ride, and you have hundreds to choose from when it comes to buying one. They are the best do it all bikes available, and with gravel rides and races popping up everywhere, you don’t want to miss them.
When people first want to start gravel riding, we recommend a budget bike. A budget gravel bike is a great way to learn how to ride on rough terrain. They are very easy to look after and maintain and much easier on the pocket than a high-end bike. In this article, were going to be discussing:
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What Frame Material Should I Expect In A Budget Gravel Bike?
When it comes to budget gravel bikes, you will typically only get two materials. Aluminum and Steel. These are cheap to produce, fairly light, and very strong. If you want material like titanium or carbon fiber, you must spend above $2500.
Budget Gravel Bikes Quick Pics
| Manufacturer/Model | Material | MSRP | Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marin Gestalt | Aluminum 6061 | $1150 | Check Prices>>> |
| Tommaso Siena | Aluminum 6061 | $600 | Check Prices>>> |
| Diamondback Haanjo 2 | Aluminum 6061 | $925 | Check Prices>>> |
| Royce Union Gravel Bike | Aluminum 6061 | $380 | Check Prices>>> |
Best Budget Gravel Bikes
So let’s get to the best gravel bikes on a budget. Here’s our top selection of cheap gravel bikes that offer the best ride quality.
Marin Gestalt
Cost: $1150
Frame: Aluminum 6061 frame
Fork: Aluminum
Groupset: Shimano Claris 2×8
Wheelset: 700c Marins Own
Tires: 35c Vee
Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Marin knows off-road bikes, and they currently make some of the best value-for-money gravel bikes on the market. The Gestalt is a gravel bike that has so much to offer, not only does it look epic, but it has great components and is going to be a lot of fun on a gravel road.
The Gestalt is for a gravel rider who mainly spends their time on the road but loves occasionally jumping onto a gravel path or light trail. It’s a lightweight aluminum frame and fork with a relaxed geometry. It has Shimano 2×8 gearing and comes with a decent set of mechanical disc brakes to stop you quickly.
The wheels are Marin’s own, and coming with 32 spokes, they are very strong. The 35c Vee tires keep you fast on the road but also will be sufficient for a trail or gravel road. We like the Gestalt because it’s excellent value for money! Most gravel bikes can’t offer the performance on the road but the Gestalt will keep up with a road bike.
Rating: Best Light Gravel
- Lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and fork
- 700c tubeless-ready wheels with 35c Tires
- Shimano 2×8 Claris Groupset
- Great value for money at only $1150
- Looks excellent and is covered in mounts
Overall Score: 8/10
Scores By Rating
Off Road 7/10
Road 9/10
Components 8/10
Cost 8/10
Looks 8/10
Pros
- Marin quality
- Solid aluminum frame with aluminum
- Branded components
- Great wheels and tires
Cons
- Not the most capable off-road
- Aluminum can offer a sharper ride
The Marin Gestalt is an excellent budget gravel bike. It’s amazing quality, looks good, and great for light trails. Perfect for the road rider going across to gravel riding.
Related Reading: 6 Best Gravel Bike Carbon Wheels
Tommaso Siena
Cost: $600
Frame: Aluminum 6061 frame
Fork: Aluminum
Groupset: Shimano Tourney 3×7
Wheelset: Tommaso’s Own
Tires: 40c CST Tirent
Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Next we have the Tommaso Siena. Tommaso bikes you will commonly come across on platforms such as Amazon. In the past few years, they have become increasingly popular and are building a name for the brand very quickly. We think there are few brands that can match value for money.
The frame is lightweight aluminum, and so is the fork. It will give a nice ride, and if you take a tumble, it’s strong enough to cope. That’s paired with a Shimano 3×7 Tourney groupset, which is very basic but offers 21 gears to play with, a lot for climbing and descending quickly. The brakes come from Avid, they are the BB5 mechanical disc brakes.
We would have loved hydraulic disc brakes but not common on a bike of this price. The bike comes with a set of Tommaso’s own 700c wheels equipped with 40c CST Tirent tires. Overall the Tommaso offers a solid budget setup with all branded components, which are going to last and be fun to use.
Rating: Best Value For Money
- Lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and fork
- 700c wheels with 40c Tires
- Shimano 3×7 Tourney Groupset
- Great value for money at only $600
- Relaxed Geometry
Overall Score: 8/10
Scores By Rating
Off Road 7/10
Road 7/10
Components 8/10
Cost 9/10
Looks 8/10
Pros
- Great price
- Solid aluminum frame with aluminum fork
- Looks great like a top bike
- Larger tires for off road ability
Cons
- It’s quite a basic bike
- Not a fully known brand
Tommaso is a new brand compared to others on this list, but don’t let that put you off. They make a great bike for a low cost.
Diamondback Haanjo 2
Cost: $925
Frame: Aluminum 6061 frame
Fork: Steel
Groupset: Shimano Claris 2×8 (Cross)
Wheelset: Diamondback’s Own
Tires: 40c Vee Tires
Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Diamondback has made a big splash into the gravel bike work with the Haanjo gravel bike range. They are excellent bikes that offer a good level of performance, look great, and are built to a good standard. For under $1000, the Haanjo 2 is the best value for money and well worth every cent.
It has an aluminum frame keeping it stiff and lightweight. This is paired with a heavier steel fork that offers a level of flexibility the aluminum fork can’t. It has a Shimano Claris groupset but with a cross crankset giving much lower ratios for climbing and loose terrain. You get Tektro mechanical disc brakes, too, which offer great stopping power.
The 700c wheels come with 40c Vee tires. These are a great size for off-road riding and incredibly comfortable riding on the road, even though they are a little laggy. Over the Diamondback, Haanjo is a great bike, and as far as budget multi-terrain riding, we rate it so highly.
Rating: Best All Rounder
- Lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and steel fork
- 700c wheels with 40c Tires
- Shimano 2×8 Claris cross groupset
- Looks great in a bold green
- Relaxed Geometry
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Scores By Rating
Off Road 8/10
Road 7/10
Components 9/10
Cost 7/10
Looks 9/10
Pros
- Looks excellent in a strong green
- Quality components
- Diamondback are a great brand
- Steel fork offers a very forgiving ride
Cons
- It’s not the cheapest
- Color isn’t for everyone
The Haanjo gravel bikes have so much to offer. They look great, have solid components, and can perform. We couldn’t not recommend it for the price.
Related Reading: What is a Gravel Bike Frame?
Royce Union Gravel Bike
Cost: $380
Frame: Aluminum 6061 frame
Fork: Aluminum
Groupset: 2×8 Shimano
Wheelset: Royce Union’s own
Tires: 1.95” MTB
Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Then we have the Royce Union Gravel Bike, which is nothing like the other bike on this list, and our wild card bike. It’s a flat bar gravel bike, and coming in at $380 is incredibly cheap with a lot to offer the rider. In fact, it’s actually very close to a classic mountain bike, in our opinion, but we still feel it’s an excellent tool to ride gravel on.
It’s an aluminum frame and fork with a very relaxed geometry. Paired with the flat bars gives a nice upright riding position and helps with control. Unlike the other gravel bikes here, It has a 2×8 gearing system and uses mountain bike trigger shifters to change gears.
It comes with mechanical disc brakes to get you stopped quickly. Another great feature of the Royce Union is the smaller 27.5” wheels and small mountain bike tires. Essentially it’s a gravel bike frame with mountain bike components on it, but that’s why we like it so much. Coming in at $380, there’s little not to like.
Rating: Best Budget
- Lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and fork
- 27.5” wheels with 1.95”c Tires
- 2×8 groupset
- Flat Bars and MTB shifters
- Fun to ride
Overall Score: 7/10
Scores By Rating
Off Road 8/10
Road 5/10
Components 6/10
Cost 9/10
Looks 7/10
Pros
- Flat bars offer control and comfort
- Price is very low
- Great off-road ability
Cons
- Laggy on roads
- Very basic components
The Royce Union is very good value at only $380. It’s a flat bar gravel bike which is great for beginners or experienced cyclists who want to take on those tougher trials.
What Are The Best Upgrades For My Budget Gravel Bike?
We often get asked by our amazing readers about gravel bike upgrades. When it comes to gravel bikes, we recommend these upgrades:
Tubeless Tires
Tubeless tires are where instead of inner tubes, you have sealant. These tires can self-heal after punctures, they are lighter, faster, and mean you can carry fewer spares.
Clipless Pedals
If you’re really enjoying gravel biking and want to take it to the next level, then clipless pedals could be the way forward for you. These are pedals where you clip your feet and secure them to the pedals. Once you do, it makes you much more efficient when riding.
Carbon Wheels
Although this can be a very expensive upgrade, carbon wheels will make the work easier, give you stronger wheels, and sound incredible when you’re riding.
Bike Fit
If you want to get the most out of your bike, we recommend getting a bike fit done for you and your bike. It will make you more comfortable and faster and pedal much more efficiently.
Low Ratio Gearing
If you haven’t already got it, we highly recommend getting low-ratio gearing. So many gravel riders opt for high-ratio gearing when it only helps you descend quicker. The low ratio helps when you climb, which is much more often.
Aero Bars
Finally, we have aero bars. These are a small set of clip-on bars you can add to the front of your bike to give you an extra position. They come in handy on flat terrain and are great for longer rides.
Carbon Fork
Typically an entry level gravel bike won’t come with a carbon fork. They are a great way to make the handling feel more agile and lose some weight. Providing you have the tire clearance this is an excellent upgrade to make.
Budget Gravel Bike Buyers Guide
Now that you know a little about some great budget bikes, how do you pick the right one? Here are the questions you should be asking yourself.
Budget
How much money are you willing to invest in a gravel bike? We recommend having a budget before looking and getting everything you can for your money. When it comes to bikes, you get what you pay for.
Sizing
Another very important factor is size. Use the manufacturer’s size guide to ensure they have the right size bike in stock for you. You can’t compromise on size.
Brand
Going for a well known brand goes a long way in cycling. Brands such as Diamondback don’t just release anything. A lot of research and development goes into the products they make.
Intended Use
Some gravel bikes are made for road riding with light off-road ability, while others are made for off-road riding with little road ability. It’s important to get the right bike for you.
What Is The Best Budget Gravel Bike?
Bikes come in all shapes and sizes to suit different people. The best budget gravel bike is the one you like that you like and works for you. We feel the bikes on this list are a great place to start looking and will give you a great experience while smashing in the miles on gravel trails.
Related Reading: 6 Best Gravel Bike Handlebars
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do You Need To Spend On A Gravel Bike?
There’s a strong misconception in cycling that you need to spend a lot of money to have an amazing experience when you don’t. You can enjoy cycling on a small budget, and sometimes the experience can be even better.
You can spend as little as $400 to get started with a bike and accessories. The bike will be basic, yes, you might experience more punctures, and it could be harder work on the climbs. You will still get a great experience, though, and the bike will be great for all kinds of riding.
How Much Should I Pay For A Good Gravel Bike?
If you are looking for a good gravel bike that will offer performance, reliability, be comfortable, last for years, and be fun to ride, spending around $1500 upwards will get you something good. At that price, you will also have a lot of options for upgrades, but nothing will hold you back while you save for them.
Is An Expensive Gravel Bike Worth It?
I have been lucky enough to ride some $5000+ gravel bikes, which offer an incredible experience. In my opinion, they are only worth it if you are seeking major performance gains or are riding a huge amount of miles.
If you spend $5000+, then it’s got to have value for you as a rider. It’s also worth remembering that the more the bike costs and the more performance it offers, the more the servicing will cost and the more repairs will be if dropped or damaged.
Read More: Best Gravel Bikes Under $1,000