Having a dedicated gravel bike is seen as a luxury. This has led to the belief that gravel bikes are costlier than other types of bikes and out of reach for most cyclists. Many young cycling enthusiasts, who do not know the ins and outs of the cycling world, have been led to believe that they can’t afford a good gravel bike, even if their budget goes up to $2000. Over the last few years, I’ve met multiple people who outrightly dismiss the claim that one can buy a good gravel bike in that range. However, all of these assertions are wrong.

With the entry of hundreds of new cycle makers in the market, the competition has increased. With the increase in competition, some great gravel bikes have been launched in the $2000 price segment. Let’s look at the ten best gravel bikes one can buy under $2000.

OUR Top Pick

KOOTU Carbon Gravel Bike

• It is a drop-bar bike.
• It comes with a lightweight carbon frame, which is a uniquely strong and lightweight bike.
• It has air suspension forks and hydraulic disc brakes.
• Being a premium product, it guarantees great value for money.
• It comes in three different sizes — size S for riders between 5′ & 5’4″, size M for riders between 5’5″ & 5’9″ and size L for riders between 6′ & 6’5″.

• Frame size: 15 inch/ 17 inch/ 19 inch
• Fork: Air fork 26/2; 5/29
• Handlebar: aluminum
• Rim: 26/27.5/29 *32H*14G
• Hub: 14G*32H*M9*100*108, with quick release warning
• Tires: Continental RACE KING 26/ 27.5/29

Given that the bike was designed as a gravel bike from the get-go, it is a perfect option for those looking at buying a designated steel gravel bike. Unlike many other gravel bike options in the market, it has not been adapted from a road or mountain bike.

Summary

KOOTU is a premium and well-recognized name in the world of mountain biking apart from normal bikes. Over the last few decades, the company has become one of the most successful adventure bike makers around the world. The bike, designed from scratch as a dedicated gravel bike, is perhaps the best offering in the market in this segment. The best part is that it is available everywhere, so you don’t have to worry about that part. Apart from that, the KOOTU gravel bike is built for rough, long adventures and all-weather routes, which makes it very adaptable.

SAVA R11 Carbon Fiber Gravel

• The bike has a carbon fibre frame for carbon bikes.
• It comes in four different sizes — 47cm/51cm/54cm/56cm.
• It has a curved handlebar which allows multiple hand positions.
• The manufacturer provides a two-year limited warranty.

• Wheel Size: 700c wheels
• Handlebar: Alloy wheels, Width 420*31.8mm
• Headset:6*41.8-52*39.8mm
• Shift lever: SHIMANO ST-3000
• Brakes: AR18, 140mm brake disc
• Freewheel: 9 speeds, 11-32t
• Cranksets: 50/34T*170mm crank leg
• Chain: KMC 110L

The R11 from SAVA has been a sensation in the market since it was launched a few years ago. The company recently said in a press note that the sales of the bike have skyrocketed in Asia and Europe, where millions of R11s have been sold. Its immense success has proved that the bike is a great package. Buigeners have been very enthusiastic about this bike in our conversation with the manufacturer and dozens of owners.

Summary

SAVA’s R11 carbon fiber gravel bike, as its name suggests, is one of the most technically sound gravel bikes present in the entire bike market. SAVA has put in a large amount of patented research on carbon fibers for the frame of the bike to build frame material with carbon fiber. The result is a gravel bike that has been one of the best sellers in the gravel bikes category for a few years consistently. The best features, identified by those who use it regularly, include easy maintenance, beginners friendly, lightweight and tough. The trust associated with the name SAVA adds to its attractiveness.

Tommaso Sterrata

• The bike comes with a compact frame geometry, which allows users to transport it in their cars when they are on treks away from cities.
• As mentioned earlier, it offers a wide range of gears, which makes it a good bike for both professional cyclists and young beginners.
• Its Tommaso TC-30D rims offer great rugged durability.
• Buyers can return a bike in 14 days if they are not satisfied with its performance.

• Fork: Tommaso HCT Carbon Fiber Fork in XS, S, M, L, XL
• Handlebar: Tommaso TRS Ultralight Sport Series
• Handlebar Reach: 80mm
• Saddle: WTB Volt – Tommaso Logo
• Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4700 (2-spd)
• Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 4700 – 12-32t (10spd)

Durability, reliability, capability and optimization — very few brands can beat Tommaso on these parameters. You’d need these qualities if you’re looking for a bike that can provide a powerful yet comfortable ride in rough and undulating terrain. Can you ask for anything more?

Summary

Tommaso’s Sterrata is a very popular choice in the gravel bike category, both among beginners and professionals. It is liked because of five reasons: powerful performance and speed, rugged and all-terrain capabilities, a wide range of gears, versatility and an optimised fit. There are very few bikes in the market that provide all of these qualities at the same time.

Royce Union Gravel Bike

• The bike’s maker has projected it as one of the most comfortable gravel bikes in the given price range in the market.
• It is designed for good performance over a variety of terrain.
• It has an easy, four-step assembly process.
• It has a light aluminum frame.

• Aluminum frame
• SHIMANO Nexus 3-speed internal drivetrain
• ZOOM front suspension fork
• Ergonomic saddle
• Rear rack

If you’re someone who can’t afford multiple bikes and is looking for one that can be used on both rough roads and gravel roads, this is the perfect product for you. With some basic changes that one can perform at home, the bike can be transformed into a very competent road bike for urban paved roads. While many may think that the versatility of this bike may negatively affect its performance in rough and undulating terrain, that is not true.

Summary

Royce Union, although a relatively lesser-known brand in the world of bikes, has made a name for itself in the gravel bikes category over the last few years by consistency in production quality and innovations in its designs. The company today produces some of the most versatile gravel bikes. It has earned good reviews from users on various online stores. Most of those who have used gravel bikes built by Royce Union have given it positive reviews.

Vilano Gravel Bike

• The bike comes with a hand-built butted HardTail frame.
• It has mechanical disc brakes for improved safety.
• It has double-wall alloy rims.
• It comes with an integrated shifter or brake lever.

• Fork: 29er Suspension Fork Alloy
• Crank: Alloy Triple 42/34/24
• Brakes: Mechanical Disc
• Wheels: Double Wall Alloy 32H
• Seatpost: Alloy w/ clamp 30.9 300mm
• Handlebar: Alloy 31.8 680mm
• Chain: KMC z72

If you’re looking for a gravel bike that has proved its metal in real-world conditions, including the toughest gravel racing tracks in North America, this is the bike you should be looking at. It has proven its performance and cemented a place in the list of the best budget gravel bikes. The bike is designed to be a perfect companion in rough terrain.

Summary

It will not be an exaggeration to say that Vilano specialises in adventure bikes or bikes used in rough terrain. It has built up a large portfolio of impressive adventure bikes over the years, which includes at least half a dozen gravel bikes. Despite it being a relatively new name in the market, professional bikers have praised Vilano on record for the performance of its bikes.

Mongoose Argus 26 Sports

• It comes with a Tectonic T2 aluminium frame that gives improved strength.
• Hydraulic disc brakes for better safety.
• It has a clean look due to internal cable routing.
• A 10-speed Shimano Deore derailleur makes adapting to the terrain easier.
• Provides improved stability on the sand.

• Frame: Aluminum with internal cable routing
• Crank: Prowheel Charm 28T
• Shifters: Shimano SL-610 10
• Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M6000
• Front Hub: Xposure aluminium ball bearing
• Rear Hub: Tektro HD-M290
• Stem: Xposure 3D forged aluminium threadless 60 mm 6° 35 mm clamp
• Grips: Xposure Kraton semi-ergo

The frame of the bike is designed to be a perfect companion for everything from long-distance touring to multi-day back-country bike-packing tours. It is capable of running both 700c and 650b wheel sizes. As they say, it is a bike equivalent of a transformer. Many professional gravel bikers use this frame for their dream build.

Summary

Mongoose has been making gravel bikes since before they became mainstream. It has steadily created a market for itself in the very competitive gravel bike category with its competitive pricing and incredible built quality. It packs its bike with features that not only make it comfortable but also provide a riding experience that none other bikes can match. It’s no wonder that many professional cyclists have won races using their bikes.

State Bicycle Company Black Label 6061

• It is a race-ready machine for gravel tracks.
• It comes with a rugged 6061 aluminium frame with a light bike weight with a carbon fiber fork.
• Easy back and forth switching between 700c/650b.
• Easy customization is available.
• The bike’s alloy fork helps the rider keep the steering pinpoint precise.
• Five-year limited warranty.

• Frame: 6061 Aluminum with Thru-Axle Dropouts
• FORK: Carbon Fiber “Monster Fork”
• Wheel Sets: Tubeless Compatible 700c/650b
• Handlebars: State Bicycle Company All-Road 1 Bars
• Brakes: State Bicycle Company all-road 1 flat-mount disc

If you need to go as fast as possible off-road or participate in gravel racing, then you need to consider buying this bike. Its strong frame puts most other gravel bikes to shame. Its strength doesn’t increase its weight, so the bike can easily be transported. It is built strong enough to take all the punishment that a rough, undulating track can impose.

Summary

When it comes to high-performance off-road bikes, State Bicycle Company has to be on the list. It offers some of the most versatile off-road bikes, including at least a dozen types of gravel bikes. The Black Label 6061 stands out for its versatility. While almost all gravel bikes can be converted into road bikes with some basic changes, nothing can be more flexible than the 6061 from the State Bicycle Company.

Schwinn Sporterra Gravel Bike

• It comes with a 700c triple butted frame for improved stability.
• It is available in five different sizes and allows a great degree of customization.
• The bike comes with a wide range of accessories to make your trips easy.
• Rated highly by both beginners and professional cyclists.
• Three-year limited warranty.

The high-end build makes this bike a force to be reckoned with and puts it above most other gravel bikes in the given price segment. When it comes to built quality, the bike sets the standards in the given price segment. It is an all-purpose adventure crusher capable of taking a beating from the terrain without falling.

Summary

If you look at the start line of any international gravel biking event, you will find out a number of bikers from North America, Europe, India and Australia using bikes from Schwinn. Having made a place for itself in the market, this brand is very popular in these parts of the world. It is perhaps the best brand when it comes to getting the most bang for its buck.

Mongoose Salvo Comp

• It is a full rocker-like suspension MTB used by hundreds of professionals around the world both for their daily use in practice as well as races.
• It is both stiff and lightweight without compromising on the strength of the metal used for the construction of the bike.
• It has internal cable routing.
• It comes with a replaceable hanger and adaptable dropouts.

• Frame: Tectonic T2 aluminium
• Crank: SRAM SX Powerspline, aluminium, 30T
• Chain: SRAM SX 12spd
• Rims: WTB ST-i29
• Hub: Shimano HB-MT400B
• Shifters: SRAM SX Eagle
• Cog: SRAM, 12-speed
• Derailleur: SX Eagle

It comes with Free Floating Technology. Do you need more reasons to buy it?

Summary

Yes, there’s one more Mongoose bike on the list. It is also very different from the Mongoose bike that was featured in this list earlier. We’ve included this one because of a very unique technology, which was originally made for mountain bikes but is now revolutionizing the gravel bike industry around the world, especially in North America, Europe, Australia and India. We’re talking about the Free Floating Technology™ suspension which comes with SR Suntour® XCM 100 mm travel fork and X-Fusion 02 Pro RXL shock. This hardware, coupled with the Free Floating Technology developed by the experts at Mongoose, makes the gravel driving experience completely effortless. The users of this bike have rated it highly on comfort and safety, and all of it is mostly due to this new technology.

DiamondBack Haanjo 3

• It offers a great balance of comfort and durability.
• Endurance Geometry technology ensures the rider remains in the most aerodynamically sound yet comfortable position at all times.
• It has a gravel disc alloy fork with an alloy frame.
• Comes with a butted and framed aluminium frame.

• Cranks: FSA Omega Adventure
• Derailleur: Shimano Sora FD-R3000
• Shifters: Shimano Sora ST-R3000
• Cog-set: Shimano HG400
• Chain: KMC Z9, 9 Speed
• HUB: 28h Aluminum Quick Release, Cassette
• Spokes: 14g Stainless Steel
• Rims: Diamondback Equation
• Tires: WTB Riddler Comp

You can take the bike on the toughest single track or the roughest wilderness trail. In rough terrain, the bike gives you a super relaxed head angle to ensure a comfortable ride. The tough aluminium frame of the bicycle is made to take the knocks without showing any signs of damage. Given the very vibrant ecosystem of products that DiamondBack has created, you can upgrade or customise the bike according to your needs and taste. It doesn’t limit you in any way.

Summary

DiamondBack needs no introduction as it is one of the most reputed bike manufacturers. Its Haanjo series of bikes have been around for a decade now and has become one of the first choices of those who are looking for performance, style and comfort in one package. It has been consistently rated the best when it comes to performance and comfort. In style, it is setting the market standard with every new product. No other bicycle manufacturer has balanced the three elements in its products better than DiamondBack.