Looking for the best budget gravel bike to jump into the gravel fever?
You are on the fence with your current road bike or mountain bike but feel intrigued by what it feels like to hit the dust with a gravel bike.
The popularity of gravel biking continues to grow every year.
With more and more people exploring the great outdoors and challenging themselves on new routes.
However, it’s important to choose the right bike for your needs.
Whether performing on the most challenging terrain or just carrying the essentials.
Fortunately, many excellent budget gravel bikes are on the market today that provide a lot of value and perform incredibly well.
In this article, we look at the nine gravel bikes looking for the best budget gravel bike of 2023.
Best Budget Gravel Bike – Go Hit The Mud With One of These
Canyon Grail 7
Canyon Bicycles is one of the most respected brands in cycling, and the Grail 7 demonstrates why.
The 6061-aluminium frame adds strength and durability, allowing you to explore the trails without worrying about damage.
The full Carbon fork adds precision steering and a comfortable ride.
It’s equipped with Shimano Sora groupset, a wide-range 11-34t cassette and hydraulic disc brakes, making it the perfect choice for rougher terrain.
It also has 12mm thru-axles for added stability and off-road performance.
The Canyon Grail 7 is an excellent choice for the price, offering superior performance and great value for money.
Specifications:
- 6061 aluminium frame
- Full carbon fork
- Shimano Sora groupset
- 11-34t cassette
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- 12mm thru-axles
Price: US$ 1,850
Trek Checkpoint ALR 5
The Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 has been designed specifically for gravel riding, with an ultra-light aluminum frame and full-carbon fork.
The frame also has adjustable IsoSpeed for a more comfortable ride.
It’s equipped with an 11-speed Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and disc brakes, providing superior gearing control and impressive stopping power.
The Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 also has a generous selection of mounts for those looking to add racks and luggage to their gravel rides.
It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a budget gravel bike for their adventures.
Specifications:
- Ultra-light aluminum frame
- Full carbon fork
- Adjustable IsoSpeed
- 11-speed Shimano Ultegra drivetrain
- Disc brakes
- Mounts for racks and luggage
Price: US$ 2,390
Specialized Diverge Base E5
The Specialized Diverge Base E5 is an excellent choice for a gravel bike.
Its lightweight aluminum frame provides stiffness and durability, and it offers clearance for larger tires so you can take on more challenging terrain.
It also features Shimano Claris components, double-butted stainless steel spokes, and tubeless-ready wheels for maximum versatility.
The Diverge Base E5 offers superb performance and value for money, making it a great option for budget gravel riders.
Specifications:
- Lightweight Aluminum frame
- Shimano Claris components
- Tubeless-ready wheels
- Double-butted stainless steel spokes
- Clearance for larger tires
Price: US$ 1,400
Giant Revolt 1
The Giant Revolt 1 is a great choice for those on a budget.
Its ALUXX SL-grade aluminum frame and full-carbon fork provide lightweight performance, and its D-Fuse technology helps reduce road vibration for a smoother ride.
It’s also equipped with a wide-range 8-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes, offering reliable and efficient performance.
The Giant Revolt 1 is a great budget gravel bike and is sure to impress.
Specifications:
- ALUXX SL-grade aluminum frame
- Full-carbon fork
- D-Fuse technology
- 8-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain
- Mechanical disc brakes
Price: US$ 1,625
Scott Speedster Gravel 30
The Scott Speedster Gravel 30 is an excellent option for budget riders.
Its Speedster alloy frame is lightweight and durable, while its Carbon Speedster TCC fork adds precision steering and a comfortable ride.
It’s also equipped with a combination of Shimano Claris and Tiagra components, including an 11-32t cassette and hydraulic disc brakes, providing reliable and efficient performance.
The Speedster Gravel 30 is sure to provide reliable performance and great value for money.
Specifications:
- Speedster alloy frame
- Carbon Speedster TCC fork
- Shimano Claris and Tiagra components
- 11-32t cassette
- Hydraulic disc brakes
Price: US$ 1,300
Kona Rove AL 650
The Kona Rove AL 650 is a great choice for budget gravel riders looking for value for money.
Its rigid aluminum frame provides a reliable and efficient platform, while its hydraulic disc brakes bring reliable stopping power.
It’s also equipped with a Shimano Sora drivetrain, offering a wide range of gears and an 11-34t cassette.
The Kona Rove AL 650 is sure to provide years of reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious riders.
Specifications:
- Rigid aluminum frame
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Shimano Sora drivetrain
- 11-34t cassette
Price: $1,190
Cube Nuroad Pro
The Cube Nuroad Pro is a great choice for those looking for a budget gravel bike.
Its aluminum frame provides stiffness and durability, and its full-carbon fork adds precision steering and a comfortable ride.
It also features Shimano Sora components and an 11-32t cassette for reliable and efficient performance.
The Cube Nuroad Pro is an excellent budget option and is sure to provide years of reliable performance.
Specifications:
- Aluminum frame
- Full-carbon fork
- Shimano Sora components
- 11-32t cassette
Price: US$ 1,950
Merida Silex 400
Its aluminum frame is comfortable and lightweight, while its full-carbon fork adds precise steering and great shock absorption.
It’s also equipped with a Shimano GRX400 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, providing reliable and efficient performance. The Merida Silex 400 is sure to provide years of quality performance and great value for money.
Specifications:
- Aluminum frame
- Full-carbon fork
- Shimano GRX400 drivetrain
- Hydraulic disc brakes
Price: US$ 1,950
Rose Backroad
The Rose Backroad is a great option for budget gravel riders.
Its aluminum frame is lightweight and durable, and its full-carbon fork adds precision steering and a comfortable ride.
It’s also equipped with a Shimano Sora drivetrain, offering a wide range of gears for tackling any terrain.
The Rose Backroad also has clearance for 650b x 38 tires and is sure to provide years of reliable performance.
Specifications:
- Aluminum frame
- Full-carbon fork
- Shimano Sora drivetrain
- Clearance for 650b x 38 tires
Price: US$ 2,840
Best Budget Gravel Bike Key Takeaways
After evaluating this of nine gravel bicycles, we would recommend the Canyon Grail 7, the Specialized Diverge Base E5, and the Giant Revolt 1.
Each of these bicycles offers unique features and benefits that set them apart from the rest, providing a comfortable, versatile, and performance-oriented experience for cyclists.
The Canyon Grail 7 is a high-quality gravel bike that offers a perfect balance of comfort, efficiency, and off-road capabilities.
The bike features a lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fork, providing a responsive and stable ride.
The Grail 7 is equipped with a Shimano GRX groupset, which is specifically designed for gravel riding, ensuring reliable and smooth shifting.
The bike also includes hydraulic disc brakes for superior stopping power in various conditions, as well as wide Schwalbe tires for excellent traction and comfort on rough terrain.
The Canyon Grail 7 is an excellent choice for riders looking for a versatile and high-performing gravel bike that can handle various types of terrain.
The Specialized Diverge Base E5 is another outstanding option for cyclists seeking a versatile and comfortable gravel bike.
The Diverge Base E5 features a lightweight aluminum frame with a carbon fork, ensuring a comfortable and stable ride.
The bike is equipped with a Shimano Claris groupset, which provides smooth and reliable shifting performance.
The hydraulic disc brakes and wide tire clearance add to the bike’s off-road capabilities, making it suitable for tackling a variety of terrains.
Specialized’s Future Shock suspension system offers additional comfort by absorbing vibrations from rough surfaces, making the Diverge Base E5 ideal for long rides and challenging off-road adventures.
The Giant Revolt 1 is a gravel bike designed for cyclists who prioritize comfort and off-road performance.
The bike features a lightweight aluminum frame with a composite fork, providing a comfortable and efficient ride.
The Revolt 1 is equipped with a Shimano GRX groupset, ensuring reliable shifting performance and off-road capabilities.
The hydraulic disc brakes offer excellent stopping power, while the wide tires and Giant’s D-Fuse seatpost technology provide additional comfort and traction on rough terrain.
The Giant Revolt 1 is perfect for riders looking for a comfortable and capable gravel bike that can handle a wide range of off-road conditions.
While the other gravel bikes on the list offer specific benefits and features, the Canyon Grail 7, Specialized Diverge Base E5, and Giant Revolt 1 stand out for their combination of comfort, versatility, and high-quality components.
Each of these bikes is suitable for a wide range of cyclists, from recreational riders to those seeking more challenging off-road adventures.
The choice between these three bikes ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences, but you can be confident that any of them will serve you well on your cycling journeys.
