Top 5 Gravel Bikes for 2023

These are the Gravel Cycling Nations top 5 gravel bikes to consider in 2023.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 6 AXS

The Trek Checkpoint SLR 6 AXS is an impressive gravel bike that delivers an exceptional riding experience. This bike features a lightweight carbon frame that provides excellent stiffness and stability, making it perfect for off-road adventures. The SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset delivers smooth, precise shifting and the hydraulic disc brakes provide exceptional stopping power, making this bike suitable for a wide range of terrains and conditions.

One of the standout features of the Checkpoint SLR 6 AXS is its versatile design. It has a wide range of tire clearance options, allowing you to customize the bike to your preferred riding style. The bike also has multiple mounting options for accessories, making it suitable for bikepacking and long-distance rides.

The Checkpoint SLR 6 AXS comes with Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V, which are lightweight and durable, and the Bontrager Pro IsoCore handlebar dampens vibrations, providing a comfortable ride on rough terrain.

Overall, the Trek Checkpoint SLR 6 AXS is an excellent gravel bike that offers top-of-the-line components, versatile design, and impressive performance. It’s a great choice for riders who want a bike that can handle any terrain, from smooth roads to rugged off-road trails.

Specialized Crux Expert

The new Specialized Crux Expert gravel bike is a versatile and high-performance bike designed for riders who want to tackle a wide range of terrains and riding styles. The bike features a lightweight and stiff carbon frame that’s optimized for gravel riding, with a comfortable yet efficient geometry that delivers a smooth and responsive ride.

The Crux Expert is equipped with top-of-the-line components, including a SRAM Rival eTap AXS 1×12 drivetrain that delivers smooth and precise shifting, and powerful hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power in all conditions. The bike also features Roval carbon wheels that are lightweight and durable, and come with wide tires that provide excellent traction and stability on gravel roads and trails.

One of the standout features of the Crux Expert gravel bike is its versatility. It’s designed to handle a wide range of riding styles, from gravel riding to road riding and even cyclocross racing.

Overall, the Specialized Crux Expert gravel bike would be one of my top picks for a bike to handle both road an gravel. With it’s lightweight this makes it an excellent choice.

Canyon Grail CF SLX 9 eTap

The Canyon Grail CF SLX 9 eTap is a top-of-the-line gravel bike that’s designed for performance and comfort on long-distance rides and challenging terrains. This bike features a lightweight carbon frame that’s designed to provide excellent power transfer and stability, while also offering a comfortable ride.

The Grail CF SLX 9 eTap is equipped with the top-of-the-line SRAM Red eTap AXS 1×12 drivetrain, which delivers smooth and precise shifting in all conditions and a powermeter is included on this model. The bike also features powerful hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power on steep descents, as well as lightweight and durable carbon wheels that deliver excellent performance on any terrain.

One of the standout features of the Grail CF SLX 9 eTap is its innovative and comfortable cockpit design. The bike features Canyon’s unique Hover Bar technology, which provides additional compliance and vibration damping, reducing fatigue and discomfort on long rides.

Overall, the Canyon Grail CF SLX 9 eTap would be a great choice for a gravel bike that you could even use for road riding. The price point is great on this bike as well since it is direct to consumer.

Allied Echo Rival AXS

The Allied Echo Rival AXS is a high-performance gravel bike that’s designed for riders who want to tackle challenging terrains and long distances with speed and comfort. This bike features a lightweight carbon frame that’s stiff and responsive, providing excellent power transfer and handling on any terrain.

The Echo Rival AXS is equipped with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS 1×12 drivetrain that delivers precise and smooth shifting, and powerful hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power in all conditions. The bike also features high-quality wheels and tires that deliver exceptional performance and traction on gravel roads and trails.

One of the standout features of the Echo Rival AXS is its comfortable and efficient design and it’s flip chip to easily convert from road to gravel geometry. The bike features a comfortable geometry that’s optimized for long-distance rides. The bike also has multiple mounting options for accessories, including racks and fenders, making it a great choice for bikepacking and touring.

Overall, the Allied Echo Rival AXS would be a great option for someone wanting a bike for both road and gravel. I do think the price point on these are a little high but that is due to them being made in the USA.

3T Exploro RaceMax Rival AXS

The 3T Exploro RaceMax Rival AXS is a high-performance gravel bike that’s designed for speed and versatility. This bike features a lightweight carbon frame that’s designed to be aerodynamic, providing exceptional speed and efficiency on any terrain.

The RaceMax Rival AXS is equipped with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS 2×12 drivetrain that delivers precise and smooth shifting, and powerful hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power in all conditions. The bike also features high-quality wheels and tires that deliver exceptional performance and traction on gravel roads and trails.

One of the standout features of the RaceMax Rival AXS is its versatility. The bike is designed to handle a wide range of terrains and riding styles, from gravel riding to road riding.

Overall, the 3T Exploro RaceMax Rival AXS is a great gravel bike that would be well suited for road rides as well. It’s aero benefits make this bike one of my top choices for a gravel bike on the road.

Check out the table below with some key facts for the top 5 gravel bikes to consider in 2023.

Top 5 Gravel Bikes with Sram Rival AXS

Model		Price	Groupset	Wheelset	Crankset	Weight	Powermeter Included	Cassette
Checkpoint SLR 6 AXS		$7999.99	Sram Rival Axs with Powermeter	Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V	SRAM Rival AXS w/ power meter, 40T, DUB Wide, 172.5mm length	19.6 lbs	Yes	SRAM XG-1251, 10-44, 12 speed
Canyon Grail CF SLX 9 eTap		$6999.00	Sram red Xplr AXS	DT Swiss GRC1100 XDR	SRAM Red DUB Powermeter 40T	18.112 lbs	Yes	SRAM Force XPLR XG-1271, 12-speed, 10-44
Specialized Crux Expert		$6200.00	Sram Rival Axs	Roval Terra C	SRAM Rival 1x 40T	N/A	N/A	SRAM XPLR, XG-1251, 12-speed, 10-44t
Allied Echo Rival AXS		Starting from $6990.00	Sram Rival AXS	Industry Nine 1/1 GRCX (You can also choose different wheels for an upcharge)	SRAM Rival AXS 46/33	N/A	N/A	SRAM Rival XG-1250-D1 10-36
3T Exploro RaceMax Rival AXS		$5499.00	Sram Rival AXS 2x	Fulcrum Rapid Red 900	Sram Rival AXS, 46-33T	N/A	N/A	12-speed Rival AXS 10-36T