Gravel Bike Reviews

The Breezer Radar X Pro is a steel drop-bar gravel bike with big tire clearance, plenty of mounting points, and a dependable build kit, all for $2,000. Does its unique geometry and fit complement its impressive list of features, or is it holding it back? Read on for Miles’ review with thoughts on where it falls between a gravel and drop-bar mountain bike…

The titanium Viral Wanderer is an adventure-focused drop-bar bike built around a Pinion Smart.Shift system. Neil spent several months testing one on off-road rides around Colorado to determine if this uniquely comfortable, durable, and low-maintenance rig could be a true “forever bike.” Find out in his video and written Viral Wanderer review here…

Originally published Jan 2nd, 2019. Major update: Jan 8th, 2025 Bikepacking bikes come in all shapes and sizes—everything from plus-tire hardtails to svelte gravel race rigs and from full-squish to […]

Is steel the perfect frame material for an efficient, dedicated gravel bike? Neil got ahold of the new Otso Warakin steel to find out. Find his in-depth Otso Warakin review here after two months and 350 miles aboard this chromoly beauty, including an overnighter and several big adventure rides to test its mettle…

Following our review of the titanium Esker Lorax, Logan put in a few months aboard the latest Esker Lorax steel model to see how it handles a variety of trails and dirt roads. Read on for the full review, complete with a comparison to other drop-bar 29ers, pros and cons, and, as always, a full complement of photos…

The new Esker Lorax Ti is the brand’s interpretation of the quintessential drop-bar mountain bike. Neil has been riding one for the past month, covering over 300 miles from the North Shore of Minnesota to the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains. In this review, he compares the Lorax Ti to similar bikes and shares its unique characteristics, value, and more…

Dirt-specific drop-bar bikes are undoubtedly one of the most—if not the most—prolific styles of bicycle we feature on the site. In this piece, we review the history of this genre, consider where it is today, and list what we feel are the 13 best drop-bar MTBs, ranked based on votes from our team of editors here at BIKEPACKING.com. Find it all here…

Whether you’re running the latest wireless drivetrain or a mechanical one, derailleur-based drivetrains have some obvious shortcomings. They require regular maintenance and cleaning to function correctly, the parts wear out, […]

The acronym behind the new Specialized Diverge STR (Suspend The Rider) refers to its unique front and rear suspension setup that isolates riders from bumps without sacrificing the efficient stiffness of a rigid carbon frame. There was no suspension of disbelief required for Amy Jurries, however, as she found the Diverge STR to be a joy to ride on a recent bikepacking trip across the diverse landscapes of Cyprus, even when loaded. Find Amy’s full review here…

Reporting from the 2024 Sea Otter Classic, we got a first look at a brand new drop-bar adventure bike from Viral Bikes. Read on to find a photo gallery and learn more about the intriguing Viral Wander, a titanium bikepacking rig designed around the Pinion Smart.Shift system…

Today, Kona Launched their latest bike, the Ouroboros. We were lucky enough to have one for a month or so beforehand, and Neil put it through its paces, pedaling it more than 300 miles around Colorado and Utah, riding it on gravel, singletrack, and an overnighter. In his video, he dives into Kona’s new drop-bar offering in detail. Find our Kona Ouroboros review here…

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…