Gravel bikes are what many cyclists choose to ride in modern days. They give you the ability to ride on and off-road, and they are the perfect rig for adventure cycling and bikepacking. What we love about gravel bikes is they come in all different shapes and sizes, and you have a lot of choices. There are many kinds of bikes, one of which is the steel gravel bike. As gravel bike experts, we know how to find the best steel gravel bikes available. In this article, we want to speak about the following:
Table of contents
What Is A Steel Gravel Bike?
Although most assume it is only made for gravel, a gravel bike is actually an excellent bike for multiple terrains. It is much like a road bike but with a more relaxed geometry, lower gear ratios, and wide tires for grip. They are a perfect choice for a cyclist who wants to do many different kinds of riding, all with one bike.
When we speak about steel gravel bikes, the steel refers to the frame, not the rest. Many companies choose steel for gravel riding because it has many advantages, which we will discuss later in this article.
Related Reading: What is a Gravel Bike Frame?
What Is The Best Material For A Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes don’t just come in steel. Two of the other most popular materials used are aluminum and carbon fiber. Depending on the riding you plan to do really governs what frame material is best for you.
Steel is excellent for comfort, flexibility, and strength. It is a heavy material and isn’t made to give a responsive feel. Perfect if you are looking for an adventure bike, but not great if you want a racing bike.
Carbon fiber is an incredibly lightweight material that offers excellent strength and is very stiff. It is perfect for racing, offers an incredibly responsive feel, superb power transfer, and has a clean finish.
Aluminum is a metal like steel but is stiffer and weighs less. It is commonly used on many different kinds of bikes and is a great compromise between steel and carbon fiber as far as price and racing performance go.
Is a steel frame good for a gravel bike?
Steel is perfect for gravel bikes. It can take hits from rough roads, is very cheap to manufacture for companies, and has a natural amount of flexibility you don’t get from carbon fiber or aluminum.
Is steel better than aluminum for a gravel bike?
Aluminum is lighter than steel and is much stiffer. It is a great alternative to a steel bike if you’re looking for performance, but in general, if you are looking for comfort, steel would be the better choice.
How long will a steel bike frame last?
Steel bike frames can last a lifetime, provided you look after them properly. As long as they do not get pushed past the tolerance of the metal and have some protection from rust, you can expect them to last for decades or more.
Related Reading: 6 Best Gravel Bike Carbon Wheels
Best Steel Gravel Bike Quick Picks
| Brand | Features | Price |
| Niner RLT 9 Steel | The RLT Steel is an incredible steel gravel bike that is built to perform and give an excellent ride. | CHECK PRICE NOW >> |
| All-City Gorilla Monsoon GRX | The Gorilla has a lot of ability, and this is due to the smaller 650b wheelset paired with incredibly large 2.4” tires which are designed for mountain biking. | CHECK PRICE NOW>> |
| Marin Nicasio Plus | It’s made for control and has a very relaxed geometry. The gearing is the MicroShift 1×9, which, although basic, is a great system that offers a wide range of gearing and even a clutch mech. | CHECK PRICE NOW>> |
| Genesis Fugio 30 | It’s a lightweight steel frame, which comes with that high-end Shimano GRX 800 gravel groupset offering excellent gearing to get you up and down hills fast. The Fugio also has the Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes for great stopping power and reliability. | CHECK PRICE NOW>> |
Our Best Steel Gravel Bike Recommendations
When it comes to recommending some of the best steel gravel bikes, we don’t just look at performance. We look at quality, brand, design, components, and even value for money.
RLT 9 Steel
Frame: Reynolds 835 Steel
Forks: RDO Carbon Fork
Gearing: N/A
Brakes: N/A
Wheels: 700c DT Swiss Spline
Tires: 45c Schwalbe G-One
Niner is a big name in off-road cycling. They have been making incredible mountain bikes for many years, and that quality went across when they started on gravel bikes. The RLT (Road Less Traveled) comes in a steel version, and we love it. Not only does it look at the part, but it can perform.
You will get an incredible ride with Reynolds 835 steel paired with a carbon fiber fork. They also give you a choice of a lot of different groupsets, so you get to pick exactly what you want, and they pair them all with hydraulic brakes.
The RLT also comes with 700 DT Swiss Spline wheels and 45c Schwalbe G-One gravel tires. The RLT Steel is an incredible steel gravel bike that is built to perform and give an excellent ride.
Pros
It looks incredible in both colors
Excellent geometry for long days out
Carbon fork will give it an agile feel
You can pick your own groupset
DT Swiss wheels are excellent
Cons
It’s on the pricier side of steel gravel bikes, coming in at $3150 minimum
It only comes in two colors which might not be ideal for all users
All-City Gorilla Monsoon GRX
Frame: 612 Chromoly Steel
Forks: 612 Chromoly Steel
Gearing: Shimano GRX
Brakes: Shimano GRX Hydraulic
Wheels: 650b WTB
Tires: WTB Riddler 2.4”
All-City makes an excellent steel bike. Over the past five years, they have made some excellent bikes with incredible value for money. The Gorilla is as crazy as it sounds, and we love how they have thought far outside the box.
The frame and fork are made of 612 Chromoly steel giving maximum comfort and incredible durability. It comes with a Shimano GRX groupset offering a wide range of gearing, and these have the GRX hydraulic disc brakes for excellent stopping power.
The Gorilla has a lot of ability, and this is due to the smaller 650b wheelset paired with incredibly large 2.4” tires which are designed for mountain biking. It even comes with a dropper post. This makes the bike excellent off-road, but it lags on the tarmac.
Pros
The Gorilla offers a very comfortable ride due to the steel frame and forks
With large 2.4” tires, it has incredible ability and adds to the comfort
Shimano GRX groupset and powerful hydraulic disc brakes are excellent
You get a lot of high-end components for the price of $3000
Cons
It’s not the lightest of gravel bikes
Quite a retro coloring
Marin Nicasio Plus
Frame: CroMo Steel
Forks: CroMo Steel
Gearing: MicroShift 1×9
Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Wheels: 650b Marin’s own
Tires: WTB Horizon 47c
Marin was originally founded in California in Marin county. They make great off-road bikes and have a wide range of gravel bikes called the Nicasio. The Nicasio Plus is one of the most capable models they make and comes in at an incredibly low price.
The frame and fork are made of Marin CroMo steel which is incredibly strong and flexible. It’s made for control and has a very relaxed geometry. The gearing is the MicroShift 1×9, which, although basic, is a great system that offers a wide range of gearing and even a clutch mech.
It comes with mechanical disc brakes, which aren’t as powerful as hydraulic, but provided they are looked after well, they will be ok. With 650b wheels and large 47c tires, this bike has great ability and is a trail monster.
Pros
At $1200, it’s very cheap for what you get
Marin quality is excellent
It offers incredible ride quality
The large tires and small wheels give it excellent traction
It has a geometry for control and off-road riding
Cons
Gearing and brakes are basic
Not the lightest of bikes
Genesis Fugio 30
Frame: Genesis Steel
Forks: Carbon
Gearing: Shimano GRX 800
Brakes: Shimano GRX Hydraulic
Wheels: 650b WTB
Tires: WTB Venture 47c
The Genesis Fugio is one of the coolest looking gravel bikes you will ever see. It comes in a very rad purple pink design which lights up any trail. It’s made of Genesis steel and paired with a carbon fork, offering comfort and agile handling.
It’s a lightweight steel frame, which comes with that high-end Shimano GRX 800 gravel groupset offering excellent gearing to get you up and down hills fast. The Fugio also has the Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes for great stopping power and reliability.
The 650b WTB rims add to the agility of this bike, and with the WTB Venture 47c tires, you can hit any trail and feel in control. It even comes with a dropper post to add to the trail ability, which is quite the feature to have on rough terrain.
Pros
It looks crazy, but it works
Top end components
Made for technical trails
The dropper post is excellent
Steel frame and carbon forks are a great pairing
It’s a Genesis, and they are a great brand
Cons
At $3800, it’s not cheap for a steel bike
The color isn’t for everyone
What Is The Advantage Of Steel Bike?
As we mentioned earlier, steel frame bikes come with some amazing advantages. There’s a reason they are so popular:
- Durability, steel is very strong
- Comfort, excellent at absorbing bumps
- Adaptable, easy for frame builders to manipulate
- Price, steel is cheap to buy and manufacture
- Looks, steel looks great with small tubing
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Road Bike
What Is The Disadvantage Of Steel Bike?
Although steel bikes are full of excellent advantages, they do have some fairly big disadvantages that join them:
- Weight, unfortunately, steel is much heavier than aluminum or carbon fiber
- Stiffness, steel doesn’t transfer power as well because of its flexibility
- Design options, steel has to be smaller tubes removing design possibilities
- Rust, unlike carbon, steel can rust if left unprotected
Choosing The Best Bike For You
It can be challenging to pick the right steel gravel bike for you. We recommend going for well-known brands, high-quality components, and a fair price. Also, ensure you get a gravel bike for the riding you plan to do, as some are made more for off-road riding than others. We highly recommend a durable steel frame full of rack and fender mounts for any adventure.
Read More: Best Gravel Bikes Under 1000