In our Tech Q&A series, we tackle cycling queries – big or small, complex or simple – with insights from the BikeRadar team and trusted industry experts. Next up, a regular reader wants to know if they can use their road bike for gravel riding.
“Can I ride my road bike on gravel tracks? Will it break it and will it affect my warranty?”
YouTube commenter
If you think about the conditions on the famous road races, Paris-Roubaix and Strade Bianche, it won’t surprise you to learn there’s nothing stopping you from riding a road bike on a gravel track.
As BikeRadar's digital editor Jack Luke points out, it’s how and where you ride the bike that makes the difference.
Jack explains that light gravel tracks (or old country lanes in the UK) are likely to be fine, while chunkier surfaces and gravel descents are less advisable and most certainly won’t be comfortable or particularly fun.
The risk of damage to the bike – frameset, tyres, rims, etc – is the largest problem, but the geometry of a road bike will also make it significantly less comfortable.
For example, road bikes tend to have a steeper head angle (designed to make them climb well), which can be harsh and feel precarious on gravel.
The way bike design has changed in recent years means that modern road bikes often have greater tyre clearance than early gravel bikes, so it’s not surprising that gravel-curious roadies are tempted to have a go.
If you’ve got tyres that are up to the job (strong and grippy), Jack recommends going for it, but maybe ride a bit more cautiously than you would otherwise.
As a final thought, if you’re in the market for your first bike and you’re torn between road and gravel, it’s easier to ride a gravel bike on the road than vice versa, so that’s where you should put your money.
Gravel bikes are still great fun on tarmac and you can easily swap the tyres for some slicks when you’re heading out on the road.
