Gravel Bikes

Steel frames offer excellent riding comfort, are extremely robust and easy to repair – a major advantage on long tours. They also ensure a smooth ride, which is particularly pleasant on unpaved roads.

Yes, steel is the preferred frame material for many bikepacking enthusiasts. Veloheld gravel bikes have numerous eyelets and attachment points for bags, bottle holders, luggage racks or mudguards – ideal for longer, self-sufficient tours.

A titanium frame is extremely durable, corrosion-free and lighter than steel. It offers a sporty, direct riding experience while remaining comfortable and requiring virtually no maintenance – perfect for anyone looking for a high-quality gravel bike that will last a lifetime.

Moderne Stahlrahmen sind mit hochwertigen Lackierungen oder Pulverbeschichtungen versehen, die zuverlässig vor Rost schützen. Mit etwas Pflege – vor allem nach Regenfahrten – bleibt der Rahmen dauerhaft in gutem Zustand.

A gravel bike is more versatile than a road bike or cyclocross bike. It combines the speed of a road bike with the off-road capabilities of a cyclocross bike: wider tyres, more comfortable geometry and mounting options for bags make it ideal for everyday use, touring and bikepacking – not just for racing. While a road bike is optimised for asphalt and a cyclocross bike is primarily built for short, athletic cross-country races, a gravel bike covers a much wider range of uses. It is the bike for anyone seeking freedom and adventure on any terrain.

A gravel bike with a steel frame is slightly heavier than one made of titanium or carbon, but it scores points for comfort, stability and durability. Modern CrMo steel frames are much lighter than their reputation suggests and weigh no more than about 0.5 kg more than a titanium frame. For everyday and gravel use, this extra weight is hardly noticeable – many riders appreciate the smooth and comfortable riding characteristics of steel.

Yes – you can get your veloheld gravel bike in your desired colour. In addition to our standard colours, we offer over 200 RAL colours and countless Prismatic Powders colours to choose from. The result is a bike that not only rides perfectly, but also suits your style – individual, unique and handmade in Dresden.

The ideal tyre pressure for gravel tyres is usually between 1.8 and 3.0 bar for tyre widths of 40–50 mm, depending on the rider’s weight and the surface. On gravel or unpaved paths, the pressure may be slightly lower to provide more comfort and grip. On tarmac, higher pressure rolls more efficiently.

With the tubeless system, you can reduce the pressure further without the risk of a puncture. It is best to start with around 2.3 bar and adjust it according to how it feels and the terrain.

Yes, we offer almost all bikes as gravel framesets for self-assembly, so you can build your own customised gravel bike. Of course, you can also order the frame in your desired colour.

MTB clipless pedals (e.g. SPD) or wide platform pedals are particularly suitable for gravel bikes, depending on how you ride. SPD pedals are ideal for sporty gravel riding, efficient pedalling and long tours because they click in and out reliably even in muddy conditions. Platform pedals, on the other hand, offer maximum freedom and are perfect for urban use, short rides and anyone who wants to ride without clipless pedals. Many gravel riders choose a combination pedal: one side clipless, one side platform. This gives you flexibility – whether for everyday use, touring or off-road adventures.

On a gravel bike, you can basically ride with single-speed (1x) or double-speed (2x) gears, as well as hub gears with belt drive. A 1×12 or 1×13 derailleur gear system is currently the most popular choice: lightweight, simple, quiet and ideal for mixed terrain. 2×12 gear systems offer particularly fine gear gradation for long tours and fast road passages. For low-maintenance everyday and bikepacking bikes, hub gears or Pinion gears are suitable – in combination with a Gates belt drive, they are virtually maintenance-free and extremely durable. Which gear system is right for you depends on whether you want to ride in a sporty, versatile or low-maintenance manner.