Gravel Bike Reviews

The Santa Cruz Stigmata, the brand’s longstanding gravel bike, was recently updated with new geometry and some intriguing features that further expand its capabilities. Version four (V4) was marketed for “big races, big distances, or big dumb rides,” and we couldn’t resist putting it to the test. Neil’s been extensively testing the latest Santa Cruz Stigmata for several months for this full review…

Taking design cues from their fully custom US-made gravel bikes but available at a more approachable price point, the Super Something is Sklar’s first production bike. It caught our attention with its clean aesthetics, curvy steel frame, matching fork, and generous tire clearance, and we were curious to see how it would handle everyday riding and loaded bikepacking. Find Miles’ Sklar Super Something review here after extensive riding around Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado this fall…

The Kona Sutra is a perennial classic touring bike that has been around in various forms for nearly two decades. Seeking to shake up his perspective, Lucas spent most of the past year pedaling one around Colorado. Find his in-depth review and a generous helping of photos here…

We’ve received more review requests for the Black Mountain Cycles La Cabra than almost any other bike over the years. After getting a hold of one early this spring, the day is finally here. Find our in-depth review of the venerated and unique La Cabra after several months of testing it loaded and unloaded on the trails and gravel roads of Western North Carolina here…

The Otso Fenrir Ti is a full two pounds lighter than the stainless steel version we reviewed two years ago. Find an in-depth review of the Fenrir Ti after 550 miles of bikepacking, gravel grinding, and trail riding in Utah and Colorado here, plus photos, a swappable build kit, and more…

Inspired by Australia’s long-rooted history with overlanding, the Curve GMX+ Titanium is designed to handle big rides through challenging terrain, move swiftly in a variety of conditions, and easily carry everything needed along the way. Miles and Emily spent around two months living aboard the GMX+ during their recent trip to Australia and report back for this review. Find heaps of photos and their findings after 2,000 kilometers of pedaling here…

In our latest drop-bar 29er test, Logan throws a leg over the new Cotic Cascade and looks well beyond the obvious after pedaling it hundreds of miles on singletrack trails, dirt roads, and gravel on bikepacking trips around Pisgah National Forest. Find out what makes the Cascade different from other steel bikes in its class in this detailed review…

Originally published October 2020, major update January 2023 As mentioned in part one, 650B Gravel(plus) Bikes, bikepacking bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Drop-bar mountain bikes are one of the more popular manifestations, favored among Tour Dividers, weekend escapists, and those hellbent on a one-bike stable—especially the drop-bar 29er. In short, riders find these […]

Just announced, the new Tumbleweed Stargazer Ti is a titanium version of the revered steel drop-bar dirt-touring bike of the same name. We had the chance to put one to the test on our local trails and dirt roads before taking it on a 700-mile loaded bikepacking trip to see how it compares to its chromoly sibling. Find all the details in this full review…

Designed for travelers and apartment dwellers alike, the Velo Orange Neutrino is a Chromoly steel mini-velo with a small but surprisingly capable stature. A few months ago, Miles pieced together a custom build to see just how much big fun this small bike can deliver. Find his review here…

We’ve seen many bike manufacturers launch drop-bar mountain bikes with high-volume tire clearance in recent years, including UK-based Pipedream Cycles, who recently released their third iteration of the A.L.I.C.E. In our latest video review, Neil introduces the A.L.I.C.E., highlights its unique features, and talks through everything else you need to know about this blue beauty…

Made for fast gravel riding, bikepacking, and long-distance randonneuring, the updated Pelago Stavanger promises the world of versatility with none of the compromises. Josh took it across all types of roads and trails throughout Europe this summer, testing its worth as a go-anywhere, do-anything drop-bar bikepacking rig. Find his detailed review here…