Its Tuesday, its probably going to rain, and Ryan Mallons back with more news, views, and silliness on your favourite cycling live blog. Well, it beats debating whether to dig out the turbo trainer and winter bike just yet

Bahrain Victorious strengthens its roster for the coming seasons with the signing of Ibon Ruiz. The 27-year-old Basque rider will join the WorldTour outfit from 2027 on a two-year deal, keeping him with the team through the end of 2028. His arrival marks a definitive step up to the top tier after se...

Nicely made, easy to use and versatile

Kvin Vauquelin has not finished a race since the Tour de France, and this Tuesday he will be at the start line of the Giro d'Abruzzo as its headliner. The Frenchman is looking to finally win in the colours of the Netcompany INEOS team after a season that lacked the results he hoped for and a Tour d...

The best gravel bikes under 2,000 / $2,000 are a great way to sample the delights of gravel riding.At this price point, gravel bikes start to get very good, with quality frames and components on many of the latest bikes.As well as venturing off-road, buying a gravel bike can be a smart decision if you want a versatile all-weather machine that can take mudguards or a pannier rack, for winter riding or cycling to work.With this in mind, gravel bikes have largely replaced cyclocross bikes as the go-to for year-round practicality.They open up a new realm of riding, with wide gravel tyres and disc brakes enabling them to ride on unpaved surfaces, whether thats smooth singletrack, fire roads or just your local towpath.We've tested more than 200 gravel bikes here at BikeRadar. The bikes in this buyer's guide, costing between ,1,000 and 2,000, have all been ridden and reviewed by our test team, who have ridden gravel bikes since their inception in the early 2010s.This best list was written by our staff writer,Nick Clark, who has brought together expertise from across the team while adding his personal experience in the saddle.The reviews in this buyer's guide were written byWarren Rossiter, Simon Withers and Katherine Moore.Editor's note: this list was updated on 14 September 2026 with our latest high-scoring reviews, including the Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3, Whyte Verro, Boardman ADV 8.9 and Focus Atlas 6.7. We have also removed bikes no longer available for purchase. Best gravel bikes under 2,000 / $2,000Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 SQUIRREL_TEXT_14036284 The Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 combines a lightweight aluminium frame with 50mm tyre clearance and plenty of mounts for versatile gravel riding. Scott Windsor / Our Media 1,700 / $2,099 / 1,999 as tested by Warren Rossiter Pros: Modern frame design; agile handling; great ride quality Cons: Tyres won't suit all conditionsThe Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 is a thoroughly modern gravel bike that offers excellent performance without a huge price tag.Our tester found the aluminium frame and carbon fork deliver a responsive but comfortable ride, while the geometry gives it a useful balance of road manners and off-road capability.The 50mm tyre clearance and plentiful mounting points also make it well suited to bikepacking and commuting.At 10.56kg, it feels quick on the road and climbs well, while the SRAM Apex XPLR drivetrain shifts reliably. The main limitation is the stock Bontrager Girona Pro tyres, which struggle in mud. Read more: Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 reviewSQUIRREL_14036284Orro Terra S GRX600 SQUIRREL_TEXT_14036523 he Orro Terra S GRX600 strikes a good balance between fun and practicality. Russell Burton / Our Media 2,000 as tested by Warren Rossiter Pros: Steel-framed with lively handling; great value for money Cons: Brakes set up softThe Orro Terra S GRX600 is a lesson in how to build a steel bike with slim tubing bringing plenty of life and zip to the ride. Its lively handling is matched with a smooth and steady feel, making it at home on double-track gravel roads and singletrack trails.Orro has matched the impressive frame with a compelling spec list for the price tag. The bike comes with a Shimano GRX600 1x drivetrain, Fulcrum wheels, Continental tyres and a Deda cockpit.With its mounting points, this bike would be equally suited to commuting, winter road riding and bikepacking, as well as gravel riding.It's a shame it isn't set up tubeless and the brakes were a little soft in testing, but this doesn't detract too much from a practical yet fun ride. Read more: Orro Terra S GRX600 reviewSQUIRREL_14036523Boardman ADV 8.9 SQUIRREL_TEXT_13101377 The Boardman ADV 8.9 combines a versatile aluminium frameset, 50mm tyre clearance and a quality GRX groupset at an appealing price. Scott Windsor / Our Media 1,899 / 1,999 as tested by Warren Rossiter Pros: Amazing value; great frameset; confident handling Cons: 2x GRX can be noisy; front derailleur requires regular adjustmentsThe Boardman ADV 8.9 is a hugely capable gravel bike that offers excellent value at 1,200.Its well-finished 6061 aluminium frame has sensible geometry, 50mm tyre clearance and plenty of mounts for bikepacking, commuting or longer adventures.The compact riding position and stable handling make it comfortable on the road, while the bike feels surprisingly agile and confident when the trails get rough.Shimano GRX 2x10 provides a useful spread of gears, and the tubeless-ready wheels and Goodyear tyres are impressive at this price.The main issue is the front derailleur, which can suffer from chain rub and needs regular adjustment. Read more: Boardman ADV 8.9 reviewSQUIRREL_13101377Cannondale Topstone Alloy 2 SQUIRREL_TEXT_14036522 The Cannondale Topstone Alloy 2 is suited to road and light off-road riding. Russell Burton / Our Media 1,800 / $1,925 / 2,199 / AU$3,199 as tested by Katherine Moore Pros: Bang up to date with mounting points and plenty of tyre clearance Cons: Tyres are narrowThe Cannondale Topstone Alloy 2 is an aluminium version of the Cannondale Topstone Carbon, bringing many of the same features to a more affordable price point.The Topstones geometry is fairly conservative for a gravel bike, but this isnt too surprising considering it's intended to cover road to light off-road riding.When riding, the Topstone performed immediately on the road. Its build is suited to fast riding and it feels a lot like an endurance road bike.A flared handlebar helps navigate rougher terrains, but lumps and bumps are exaggerated by the lightweight 37mm Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres. If you want to make this bike more suitable for riding off-road, it can fit up to 700x45mm gravel tyres.Elsewhere, the bike has a 2x drivetrain with a 10-speed cassette. This feels like a compromise, with 11-speed and now 12-speed being commonplace. Read more: Cannondale Topstone Alloy 2 reviewSQUIRREL_14036522Focus Atlas 6.7 SQUIRREL_TEXT_13215746 The Atlas 6.7 scores points for its versatility. Scott Windsor / Our Media 1,899 / 1,999 as tested by Warren Rossiter Pros: Handles tough terrain well; comfortable ride without being dull Cons: 2x drivetrain can be noisy; front derailleur requires regular adjustments; heavyThe Focus Atlas 6.7 is a versatile gravel bike with the handling to tackle surprisingly rough terrain.Its stable front end, wide 45mm tyres and broad handlebar give it impressive confidence on technical trails, while the comfortable ride makes it well suited to longer adventures.The aluminium frame is packed with practical features, including rack, mudguard and multiple luggage mounts.Shimano GRX 2x10 provides reliable shifting and the brakes are excellent, although the front derailleur needs regular adjustment.At 11.42kg, its not a lightweight, and the 11-34 cassette leaves it lacking a really low gear for steep climbs. Read more: Focus Atlas 6.7 reviewSQUIRREL_13215746Genesis Fugio 30 SQUIRREL_TEXT_13178150 The Genesis Fugio 30 is bundles of fun. Russell Burton / Our Media 2,000 as testedby Warren Rossiter Pros: Great-looking; competitive price; bundles of fun Cons: A few downgraded parts; ponderous on the road; not tubeless-readyThe Genesis Fugio 30 embodies whats so great about gravel riding, proving to be bundles of fun and capable of covering big miles.Previous Fugios had steel frames, but this version is alloy, saving 500g over its predecessor.The Fugio 30 may not be the fastest on roads, but its relaxed geometry and clearance for 57mm tyres make it ideal for exploring and riding terrain and trails beyond your comfort zone.The price has been kept low with the odd downgraded component, which is the only thing holding this bike back from a higher score. Read our full Genesis Fugio 30 reviewSQUIRREL_13178150Marin Gestalt X10 SQUIRREL_TEXT_13078462 The Marin Gestalt X10's geometry wouldn't look out of place on a hardtail MTB. Russell Burton / Our Media 1,255 / $1,549 / 1,599 as testedby Warren Rossiter Pros: Great off-road handling; comfortable Cons: Brakes lack feelThe Marin Gestalt X10 is a gravel bike inspired by mountain bikes.Its geometry isn't massively different from a hardtail mountain bike, with a long wheelbase and slack head tube. So it might come as little surprise that the Gestalt isnt so quick on paved surfaces. But when it comes to pure off-road riding and technical trails, its excellent.Our tester said the Marin is one of the most comfortable budget gravel bikes hes tested, with the front end minimising vibrations and taking hits in its stride.The Microshift drivetrain offers great shifting and ample range for off-road riding.The TRP mechanical disc brakes have enough power, but are less progressive than pricier hydraulic brakes. Read more: Marin Gestalt X10 reviewSQUIRREL_13078462Ribble CGR 725 Steel SQUIRREL_TEXT_13078464 Ribble offers customisation options that most manufacturers do not. Robert Smith 1,349 as tested by Simon Withers Pros: Classy looks; supremely versatile Cons: WeightyThe CGR 725 Steel from Ribble is defined by its charming Reynolds 725 steel chassis, which is compatible with 700c and 650b wheels, and tyres up to 47mm.Its a classy looking, comfortable bike to ride with heaps of practicality. Its about as versatile as bikes get thanks to rack mounts, mudguard fittings and bosses galore.The bike we tested didnt stray far from Ribbles off-the-peg configuration and featured Shimanos Tiagra groupset, Tektro mechanical disc brakes and Mavic Aksium Disc Clincher wheels.Riders looking for a different spec can toy with Ribbles BikeBuilder service, which allows individual component upgrades, from groupsets and wheels right the way through to different handlebars. Similarly, those who seek a more individual look can opt for Ribbles custom colour option. Read more: Ribble CGR 725 Steel review SQUIRREL_TEXT_13078464Whyte Verro SQUIRREL_TEXT_13637379 The Whyte Verro combines progressive gravel geometry with 50mm tyres, a dropper post and a wide-range SRAM Apex Eagle drivetrain for serious off-road riding. Scott Windsor / Ourmedia 1,799 as tested by Warren Rossiter Pros: Wonderfully capable on technical terrain; clever and well thought-out specification Cons: Not quite as fast on the road as it feels off itThe Whyte Verro is a gravel bike built for riders who want to take on seriously rough terrain.Its progressive geometry, 50mm Maxxis Ravager tyres, wide handlebar and dropper post give it impressive confidence on technical trails.The SRAM Apex Eagle 1x12 drivetrain uses a huge 10-52t cassette, giving it plenty of low-end range for steep climbs.The frame and fork have plenty of mounts for racks, mudguards and bikepacking bags, making it a useful commuter and adventure bike, too.At 1,799, the specification is particularly well thought out. The Verro's main drawback is that it isnt as quick on tarmac as some gravel bikes. Read more: Whyte Verro reviewSQUIRREL_13637379How we test sub-2,000 / $2,000 gravel bikes We put sub-2,000 gravel bikes through their paces on a variety of terrain. Scott Windsor / Ourmedia We test sub-2,000 gravel bikes in the same places we test all gravel bikes over a range of surfaces, from paved roads to light singletrack trails and, of course, in their natural environment on gravel roads.Our team of testers have been involved in the world of gravel bikes since their inception. Our senior technical editor, Warren Rossiter, first tested a thoroughbred gravel bike at the beginning of the 2010s and since then he reckons hes reviewed close to 200 gravel bikes.We use long test cycles to ascertain how the bikes live up to real-world riding and go out in wide-ranging conditions to see how they perform in the wet and dry.Ultimately, our gravel bike reviews are based on the following criteria: Handling characteristics how does the bike handle and does it inspire confidence on descents? Specification does the bike feature decent components that will live up to the rigours of gravel riding? Performance against brand claims does the bike perform well for the intended use? Value vs competition is the bike a good deal compared to others in the market?Why you can trust BikeRadarBikeRadar has been an authority on bikes and cycling tech since its inception in 2007, delivering the worlds best riding advice.We have experts testing all types of bikes, parts, clothing and accessories, from road, mountain and gravel bikes to commuting, bikepacking and electric bikes.Our reviews are always editorially independent with no exceptions. Our reviewers comprehensively test all products in the real world, always reflecting on performance, value and the wider market when delivering their verdicts and review ratings.We have more than 15,000 product reviews available at your fingertips, as well as expert buying, maintenance, training, skills, health and fitness advice.Our annual Bike of the Year test is an industry benchmark and the BikeRadar team consists of some of the most experienced riders and testers in the business.

Without the presence of Tadej Pogacar, the World Championships' road race has gained a whole new dynamic. There are climbers and there are classics specialists who may win the rainbow jersey this September, but Remco Evenepoel believes the lighter riders are to be favoured. The race will feature 27...

I have dedicated my life to cycling. This is because there is so much that is wonderful about it: the joythe freedomthe exhilaration But what I love even more than any of those things is that it requires no personal growth from me whatsoever.See, in real life, no matter how obstinate you may be, you still have to come to terms with change every now and again. Maybe its adopting a new set of guidelines at work. Maybe its learning how to book an appointment online because a business doesnt take phone calls anymore. Or maybe you have kids, so you need to have at least a passing familiarity with this weird new world for which youre ostensibly comparing them.But none of these things are true about cycling. When it comes to your bikes and how you ride them you can be as closed-minded as you damn well please. And theres always something new and exciting to spurn, too, such as the nascent aero gravel tire craze:At first I thought this was ridiculous:In a world where aero is, allegedly, everything, the lack of aerodynamics in gravel tires is a bit strange. Then, when you consider how much the airflow around a gravel tire can matter, even at slow speeds, the lack of optimization is even stranger. So far, all the aero-engineering in gravel has been around the wheel. Stromm and WTB, however, saw a big, bright flashing light of opportunity that nobody in the industry seemed to be addressing.But then I realized it is in fact strange aero gravel tires didnt happened soonernot because people were clamoring for them, but because every tire company basically sells the same tires with the same tread patterns, so it was only a matter of time before someone figured out a new angle.Bright flashing light of opportunity indeed:Yes, vortices are now the new knobby:Heres how it works:What WTB and Stromm landed on was a small but significant aero treatment. On the sidewall of the tire, there are vortices and a trip line. The vortices are elevated, V-shaped rubber ridges. They create small areas of swirling air that serve as a buffer for high-speed air to flow around the shoulder of the tire tread when the air hits the front of the bike. The trip is a small, elevated line of rubber further down the sidewall. While that trip also helps create smoother airflow along that leading edge of the tire, the trip is more important for the trailing edge when the air is flowing across the rear of the tire and wheel.And heres why your skepticism is unfounded:Oh, and before you mention that aero goes out the window when it gets dirty, that is just not the case. Even with mud and dirt on the tread, the treatment to the tires sidewall can still produce aero gains at a range of speeds.Or, to put it differently: a muddy sedan is still more aerodynamic than a muddy pickup truck.Right. Now lets take a look at some of those muddy sedans, shall we?Imagine how much faster he would have been with some vortices.Still not buying it? Well, like every other cycling innovation, the proof that it works for bikes is that it already works for other types of vehicles that have absolutely nothing in common with bikes:While all of this seems complicated, trips and vortices are fairly common in the world of aerospace engineering, the industry where Rothacker spent more than a decade working, including at Boeing. For him, this secret sauce that he developed with WTB is not really a secret.The secret sauce is pretty much common knowledge in aerospace; its no secret. Thats part of why WTB is patenting this technology because we want to be the only ones who can use the very obvious thing that were doing.Ah, Boeing. Because thisis exactly the same this:By this logic gravel bikes should also have a tray that folds down in front of you so you can eat a meal while riding.Hey, Im not saying that it isnt possible a tire with vortices might make someone a teeny bit faster under the right conditions. Im just saying I dont careand not in an apathetic way, either. I passionately and aggressively DO NOT CARE, and I find the act of not caring deeply pleasurable if not downright cathartic.In fact I havent felt this good since disc brakes took over, and nary a day goes by when I dont come across a reason to reject those too:Are your disc brakes squealing? If what Im hearing out there on a daily basis is any indication then theres a good chance they are. In fact Id put the likelihood at no less than 40%, since if I ride past a group of 10 Freds on the George Washington Bridge at least four of their bikes will howl as they slow to make their way through the hairpin curve on the ramp. But its not a big deal, because all they need to do is set their bicycles on fire when they get home:With the pads removed from the bike, hit them with a dousing of your disc-brake cleaner and then let it evaporate completely. This may take a few minutes.The next part of the process should only be carried out by adults and done very, very carefully. Before getting stuck in, have a read through the steps and be sure you have the equipment necessary and are confident in undertaking the job.Fire the pads thoroughly with a propane torch, or over a gas hob, and you might be able to see the contaminants bubbling off its essential to make sure youre wearing an appropriate respiratory mask, eye protection and fireproof gloves, in a well-ventilated area and using fire-resistant tongs to hold the pads.Hey, Im always the first person to make light of environmental hand-wringing, but how do you turn maintaining something as efficient as a bicycle into something this toxic? Back in the rim brake days if yours were making noise maybe youd toe the pads in a little bit. Now youve got to turn your apartment into your own personal brownfield. But sure, Freds love disc brakes, because theyre much more effective in the rain they never ride in anyway:Granted, riding indoors when it rains is a much safer choiceunless you just sprayed a bunch of brake cleaner and forgot to open the windows.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has planned to replace the borough-by-borough contracts with a city wide scheme since as early as 2017, but has been delayed by Department for Transport regulations

From the 16th to the 20th of September, the peloton will be taking on the Tour de Luxembourg. With Mathieu van der Poel on the start line, the race will largely be seen as one of the main avenues of preparation towards the 2026 World Championships. We preview the race ahead, looking at its stages an...