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Gravel biking has become one of the most popular cycling activities in the past year, according to a January 2024 report from activity tracker app Strava.

In this recent trend report, which includes data from uploaded activities from October 2022 through September 2023, Strava found gravel biking is the fastest growing sport among its users, with a 55 percent global increase and 48 percent U.S. increase in this off-road sport.

Gravel cycling involves riding on packed dirt or gravel roads, often with a gravel-specific bike. Unlike mountain biking, gravel biking rarely involves major rocks or tree roots. Sometimes, gravel cycling will require some riding on paved roads in order to get to your preferred off-road route.

While not required, a gravel-specific bike, colloquially known as a “gravel bike,” can make gravel riding safer and more fun. That’s because gravel bikes have thicker, knobbier tires to accommodate for the rough roads and may have sturdier, alloy frames to provide vibration resistance against the rocks and dirt you’ll ride over.

Want to give gravel cycling a try or just in the market for a bike upgrade? To take the guesswork out of your search, we spoke with elite cyclists, coaches, and bike sellers to help you narrow down which bike is best for you.

TIP

Because some manufacturers market bikes according to gender, we’ve listed both women’s and men’s picks below. The difference between most men’s and women’s bikes lies in the bike’s frame size. We encourage you to choose the bike that fits your proportions best, regardless of what the label says.