THE BIKE SON TEST ...

BI VI BIKES GRAVEL LE R £1499

Liverpool-based microbrand BiviBIKES offers this one-sizefits-all solution to your gravel needs. The Japanese Sanko steel tubing is something different from the norm with a frame that’s appointed with all the fixtures and fittings you could wish for. BiviBIKES’s approach to gravel geometry certainly brings something different, too, as does the mix-and-match approach it takes to the build.

RAGLEY TRIG £1699.99

UK-based Ragley bikes has been making highly regarded steel mountain bikes since 2008. Now, it’s brought its extensive mountain-bike knowledge to the world of gravel. The low-slung steel frame is based around 650b wheels and huge 47c tyres with treads that are built to cope with soggy British conditions. All of which adds up to a bike that promises huge off-road potential for UK gravel riders.

VITUS SUBSTANCES RS1 £1599.99

Vitus’s steel take on its excellent Substance gravel platform follows the big tyre/small wheel design brief, as seen on the Ragley Trig, while the classy Reynolds steel frame is partnered with a full carbon fork for what certainly promises to be a lively ride. At first glance this looks like another gravel machine that’s suited more towards mountainbike style rides, rather than allroad adventures.

FELT BREED 20 £2159

Felt’s metal take on gravel is all about oversized lightweight aluminium, rather than skinny steel pipes. When you add into the mix a premium SRAM Force drivetrain and some classy finishing kit, the Breed certainly looks valuepacked. However, I want to find out if svelte on the scales (more than a kilo less mass than its rivals on test here) makes the difference when it comes to getting dirty on the gravel tracks.