Gravel Bike vs Road Bike Speed: What’s the Difference?

The Short Answer is:

Road bikes are slightly faster than gravel bikes on flat roads and going up hills, with a difference of around 5% and 9-12% respectively. However, the speed difference can vary depending on factors such as rider, bike weight, gearing, and tires.

Gravel bikes and road bikes are two popular types of bicycles that are designed for different purposes. Road bikes are built for speed and aerodynamics, while gravel bikes are designed for comfort and versatility on rough terrain. But how do these two bikes compare in terms of speed?

In this article, we will explore the differences between gravel bike vs road bike speed. We will look at the factors that affect the speed of each bike and compare their performance on different surfaces.

Understanding Gravel Bikes

Gravel bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their versatility and ability to handle different terrains. Gravel bikes are essentially a cross between a classic mountain bike and a road bike. They are designed to be faster than a mountain bike and more durable than a standard road bike.

Gravel bikes are drop-bar bikes that allow riders to ride over many different surfaces. The drop handlebar and sporty geometry mean that riders can make good progress on the road, but with wider tires, lower gearing, and stable handling, they can also head off-road with confidence.

Features of Gravel Bikes

• Geometry: Gravel bikes are designed to create stability and comfort. A long wheelbase helps provide stability on loose surfaces and over long distances. The headtube is considered ‘tall’ or ‘long’, and in association with a shorter top tube, puts the rider in a more upright position.
• Tires: Gravel bikes have wider tires than road bikes, which provide better grip and comfort on rough terrain. The real advantage of the gravel bike is that you can switch the tire and fit much larger wheels and tires, giving you improved grip and comfort on the bumpiest of tracks.
• Simplicity: Gravel bikes are designed simply and have far fewer components that can go wrong or break. That means you really can get on and just ride, making the most of the time you have available and reducing surprise costs.
• Lightweight: Gravel bikes are typically lighter than adventure bikes that are commonly built from steel with greater capacity for racks to transport luggage

Brands

There are several brands that offer gravel bikes, including Canyon, Giant, Enigma, Trek, Ribble, and Genesis.

In conclusion, gravel bikes are a great option for multiple cycling pursuits. They are suitable for all but the fastest of road riding, while the wider tires and wider-range gearing make off-road trails, gravel, and fire roads manageable.

They are robust, comfortable, and often can carry luggage, making them ideal for light touring adventures or for those longer and faster commutes.

Understanding Road Bikes

Road bikes are bicycles designed for efficient riding on paved surfaces. They are characterized by their sleek look, with dropped, curving handlebars, narrow wheels, “skinny” tires, a small seat, and lots of cogs, or gears, on the back wheel. Road bikes are lightweight and oftentimes look “fast,” which is why they are sometimes referred to as racing bikes.

Components of a Road Bike

• Frame: The frame is the backbone of the bike and is made of various materials such as aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium. The frame’s geometry determines the bike’s handling, fit, and comfort.
• Wheels and Tires: Wheels and tires have a significant impact on the handling and feel of the complete bike, and road riders prize those that are as light as possible. Tires are typically narrow and smooth, with high pressure to reduce rolling resistance.
• Handlebars and Levers: Drop handlebars mark out a road bike and offer a number of positions. The tops, with your hands on either side of the stem, are used for steep climbs or cruising. The hoods are the brake lever covers, and these provide a comfortable cruising position and good leverage for climbing out of the saddle.
• Gears: Road bikes have multiple gears, which allow riders to adjust their pedaling effort to the terrain. The number of gears can vary from 16 to 30, with the higher number of gears providing more options for fine-tuning the ride.

Types  of Road Bikes

• Racing Bike: This is the quintessential road bike type, purpose-built for speed, agility, and miles and miles of riding on paved surfaces. Racing bikes are lightweight, no fuss, stripped down, and designed to go fast. They have a low front end for an aerodynamic position, a stiffer frame, and super responsive handling.
• Endurance Bike: Endurance bikes are designed for long-distance riding, with a focus on comfort and stability. They have a more relaxed geometry than racing bikes, with a taller head tube and shorter top tube, which puts the rider in a more upright position.
• Gravel Bike: Gravel bikes are designed for riding on unpaved roads and trails, with wider tires and a more relaxed geometry than racing bikes. They are versatile and can be used for commuting, touring, and even cyclocross racing.

In conclusion, understanding road bikes involves knowing the fundamental components that make up a road bike and the different types of road bikes available. When choosing a road bike, it’s important to consider the type of riding you’ll be doing and ensure that the bike fits you properly.

Design Differences: Frame and Geometry

Design differences in frame and geometry play a significant role in the speed difference between gravel bikes and road bikes. While road bike geometry tends to prioritize precise handling and a responsive, fast ride, gravel bikes prioritize stability and capability over more technical terrain, while also maximizing comfort for long days in the saddle.

Gravel bikes feature longer wheelbases and slacker head tube angles to give added stability, just as trail bikes tend to be longer and slacker than cross-country bikes. Gravel bikes tend to be designed with a more upright body position in mind, with the exception of racing steeds, and therefore measure up with a shorter reach and higher stack than many road bikes.

Road bikes, on the other hand, have shorter wheelbases and a longer reach, which helps the rider stretch out and become more aerodynamic while still maintaining a strong power output. Road bikes will also have a longer frame stack and head tube to facilitate a longer, lower, more aero position, while gravel bikes are shorter and more upright.

The frame tubing on high-end road bikes is designed to be more aerodynamic than that of gravel bikes, and the geometry of the frame for a road bike is often designed to make the rider more aerodynamic as well. Overall, the differences in frame and geometry between gravel bikes and road bikes make each bike better suited for different types of terrain and riding styles.

Tire Differences: Width and Tread

When it comes to comparing the speed of gravel bikes and road bikes, tire differences play a significant role. Road bikes have narrower tires with smooth and slick treads, while gravel bikes have wider tires with more tread.

The wider tires on gravel bikes provide better traction and stability on rough terrain, but they also create more rolling resistance, which can slow down the bike. On the other hand, the narrow tires on road bikes create less rolling resistance, making them faster on flat surfaces and uphill climbs.

Road bikes are around 5% faster than gravel bikes on flat roads and between 9% and 12% faster on uphill climbs. However, when a gravel bike is fitted with road tires, the difference in speed is fairly minimal on flat and downhill surfaces.

Gearing Differences: Gear Ratios and Range

One of the main differences between gravel bikes and road bikes is their gearing. Road bikes are designed for speed and aerodynamics, while gravel bikes are designed for comfort over long distances.

Gravel bikes have a longer wheelbase and slacker head tube angle compared to road bikes, which helps lengthen the bike and improve its stability and handling over rough terrain. Road bikes, on the other hand, have shorter wheelbases and a longer reach, which helps the rider stretch out and become more aerodynamic while still maintaining a strong power output.

When it comes to speed, road bikes are slightly faster than gravel bikes over the majority of surfaces. On flat roads, road bikes will be around 5% faster than gravel bikes, and they are between 9% and 12% faster on going up hills.

However, when a gravel bike is fitted with road tires, the difference in speed is fairly minimal on a flat and downhill. A noticeable difference is found when climbing. The gear ratios and range of a bike can also affect its speed.

Road bikes typically have a higher gear range than gravel bikes, which allows riders to achieve higher speeds on flat terrain. Gravel bikes, on the other hand, have a lower gear range, which makes it easier to climb steep hills and navigate rough terrain.

In conclusion, while road bikes are generally faster than gravel bikes, the difference in speed is not significant when a gravel bike is fitted with road tires on flat terrain. The gearing differences between the two types of bikes also play a role in their speed capabilities. Ultimately, the choice between a gravel bike and a road bike depends on the rider’s preferences and the type of terrain they plan to ride on.

Terrain Considerations: Pavement vs. Mixed Surfaces

When it comes to comparing gravel bikes and road bikes, one of the key considerations is the terrain. Gravel bikes are designed to provide a stable ride over rougher ground, with wider tires and more relaxed upright riding positions.

On the other hand, road bikes are optimized for smooth surfaces, with narrow tires and aerodynamic tubing that slices through the air faster. As a result, road bikes are slightly faster than gravel bikes over the majority of surfaces, with a 5% speed advantage on flat roads and a 9-12% advantage on climbs.

However, gravel bikes can get close to emulating the performance of a road bike but will never be a true substitute for raw speed on the road. When it comes to pavement vs mixed surfaces, road bikes are faster on smooth pavement, while gravel bikes are more specialized towards uneven terrain making them an excellent fit for mixed surfaces.

Gravel bikes encourage a slightly more upright rider position which is more comfortable but less aerodynamic. While road bikes tend to err towards precise handling and a responsive, fast ride, gravel riders look for stability and capability over more technical terrain, while also maximizing comfort for long days in the saddle.

Riding Position and Efficiency

The riding position and frame geometry of a bike can affect its efficiency and speed. Gravel bikes encourage a slightly more upright rider position, which is more comfortable but less aerodynamic.

On the other hand, road bikes typically have a more aggressive riding position, with the geometry of the bike made with speed and aerodynamics in mind. This means that road bikes are slightly faster than gravel bikes over the majority of surfaces, with road bikes being around 5% faster than gravel bikes on flat roads and between 9% and 12% faster on going up hills.

However, when a gravel bike is fitted with road tires, the difference in speed is fairly minimal on a flat and downhill. Ultimately, the choice between a gravel bike and a road bike depends on the rider’s preferences and needs.

Speed Comparison: On-Road and Off-Road Performance

Gravel bikes and road bikes have some differences in terms of speed and performance on different terrains.

Gravel Bike vs Road Bike Speed Comparison:

• Road bikes are slightly faster than gravel bikes over the majority of surfaces. On flat roads, road bikes will be around 5% faster than gravel bikes, and they are between 9% and 12% faster on going up hills.
• Road bikes have a shorter wheelbase and toughened head tube angle compared to gravel bikes which help shorten the bike and improve its stability and handling over normal terrain. Gravel bikes on the other hand have longer wheelbases and shorter reach which helps the rider completely stretch out and become more aerodynamic while still maintaining a strong power output.
• Gravel bikes are designed for durability and stability over multi-terrains, such as gravel roads and dirt tracks, as well as ordinary road use. They have wider tires and frame clearances to match, which help deal with rougher road surfaces and trails.
• Road bikes, with their aerodynamic design, are built for speed and use on predominantly smoother roads. They have narrower and slicker tires than gravel bikes, which makes them faster on Tarmac.

In summary, road bikes are generally faster than gravel bikes on flat roads and going up hills. However, gravel bikes are more versatile and can handle a wider range of terrains.

Factors Affecting Speed: Skill and Fitness

Factors affecting speed can be divided into two categories: skill-related and fitness-related. Skill-related factors include coordination, balance, and reaction time, while fitness-related factors include power, speed, agility, and joint flexibility.

In terms of cycling, both skill, and fitness play a role in determining speed. For example, a cyclist with good balance and coordination may be able to navigate technical terrain more quickly than a cyclist with poor balance and coordination.

On the other hand, a cyclist with good power and speed may be able to maintain a higher average speed on flat or rolling terrain than a cyclist with poor power and speed. Joint flexibility is also important for cyclists, as tight hamstrings can limit a cyclist’s ability to bring their legs through a full range of motion, which can negatively impact speed.

Therefore, when comparing gravel bikes and road bikes, it is important to consider both skill and fitness factors that may affect speed. For example, a gravel bike may be better suited for technical terrain that requires good balance and coordination, while a road bike may be better suited for flat or rolling terrain that requires good power and speed.

Ultimately, the choice between a gravel bike and a road bike will depend on the specific terrain and riding conditions, as well as the individual rider’s skill and fitness level.

Choosing the Right Bike for Your Needs

When choosing the right bike for your needs, it’s important to consider the type of terrain you’ll be riding on and your desired speed. Road bikes are generally faster than gravel bikes, with an average speed difference of 10-30%.

This is due to factors such as the bike’s weight, frame geometry, rolling resistance, and tire width. If you plan on riding on smooth, paved surfaces and want to go fast, a road bike may be the better choice. However, if you plan on riding on rougher terrain, such as gravel or dirt roads, a gravel bike may be more suitable.

Gravel bikes are designed to handle rough terrain and have wider tires with more tread, which can provide better traction and stability. Ultimately, the right bike for you will depend on your personal preferences and the type of riding you plan on doing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, road bikes are generally faster than gravel bikes on flat roads and uphill climbs, with road bikes being around 5% faster on flat roads and between 9% and 12% faster on uphill climbs.

However, the speed difference can vary depending on factors such as rider, bike weight, gearing, and tire type. Gravel bikes are designed for comfort over long distances and off-road riding, while road bikes are designed for speed and aerodynamics.

When it comes to commuting, a gravel bike can be a versatile option, especially when fitted with road tires, as the speed difference is fairly minimal on flat and downhill terrain. Ultimately, the choice between a gravel bike and a road bike depends on personal preference and the type of riding one plan to do.