Pushbikes gravel bikes NZ can be ridden on a wide range of terrain, from broken tarmac and fire roads to flowy mountain bike trails. They take cues from cyclocross and MTB bikes but are often designed with more comfort in mind.
The Liv Devote Advanced Pro is a gravel bike with a 1x drivetrain that feels great on the road and even easier on the rough stuff. It’s also bike-packing ready with lots of mount points.
What is a Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes have exploded in popularity over the past few years. But what exactly are they, and how do they differ from other bike types?
A gravel bike is a hybrid bicycle built in various road environments. These include gravel roads, tracks, muddy paths, and technical off-road trails. They can easily handle multiple terrains and are suited to long endurance rides and even bike-packing adventures.
They’re an excellent choice for those who enjoy the freedom and efficiency of riding on pavement but want to explore New Zealand’s remote scenery. They have the clearance for wider tyres (up to 35mm, in many cases), providing greater comfort and traction when riding on gravel or rough surfaces. In addition, the geometry of a gravel bike is usually designed to create stability and comfort over longer distances, with a larger wheelbase and slacker angles for both the frame and fork.
The frame of a gravel bike is usually made from carbon fibre or aluminium to reduce weight and increase durability. It will also feature plenty of mounts for accessories and mudguards, which can be a valuable addition for anyone who plans on using their bike for multi-day cycling adventures.
Gravel bikes often feature tubeless tyres, which reduce the risk of pinch flats caused by sharp objects or puncturing from small flints and thorns that can become lodged in the rubber. These tyres are glued to the rim instead of having an inner tube inside them, and they’re sealed to the edge with a special sealant. It protects against punctures and is easy to fix if you experience a pinch flat.
A Pushbikes gravel bikes NZ will have a chainguard installed to protect the rider’s hands from the chains when not in use and a rear derailleur with a clutch to prevent damage from sudden shifts. In addition, they’ll typically have a wide range of gears to cope with different speeds and terrain, and some models will have a single chainring rather than a dual chainring to reduce the number of moving parts and increase reliability.
Gravel Frames
Building your custom gravel bike to suit your specific requirements is possible with a wide range of frame and tyre options. Gravel bikes have a longer wheelbase and a more comfortable ride position than road racing bikes, giving riders confidence in off-road terrain. It makes them ideal for commuting and light touring. In addition, they are typically heavier than road bikes to provide durability and allow for frame bags for additional carrying capacity.
Gravel bikes are designed to accommodate wider tyres than those found on road racing bicycles, generally over 30mm in width. This increase in tyre size improves grip on varying terrain and allows the tyres to be run at a lower pressure for increased comfort. The larger tyres also help reduce rolling resistance so the bike can be pedalled more efficiently.
While a specialised tyre may be needed for certain terrains, the ability to use standard tyres means that a gravel bike is more versatile than most other types of bicycle. As a result, gravel bikes are popular with cyclists who want to ride off-road trails and fire roads without having to buy a separate mountain bike.
The Specialized Diverge is one example of a gravel bike designed to be an all-rounder. Its carbon frame, fork, and hydraulic suspension system allow it to ride over bumps easily. Its geometry is focused on providing stability over rough surfaces and is complemented by a long reach and slack head angle for increased control when climbing or descending.
Other gravel bikes, like the Orro Terra C, are built for speed and race-ready performance. This model features a carbon layup with high-modulus fibres to increase strength and stiffness for quick acceleration. The rear thru-axle is 142mm to accommodate disc brakes, while the front axle uses 148mm boost spacing for greater wheel strength.
For those looking for a more affordable option, Pushbikes stocks several different Pushbikes gravel bikes NZ models for less than $1000. The Cube Nuroad Pro is an excellent example, with an aluminium frame and a mid-range Apex 1 groupset with mechanical disc brakes. This gravel bike can also take a complete set of mudguards and comes equipped with 700c x 38 Hutchinson Overide tyres.