Best Gravel Bikes under £1000: 6 Cheap Picks in UK 🇬🇧

In recent years, the popularity of gravel bikes has surged within the UK cycling scene. What once began as a niche pursuit has now firmly established itself as a mainstream choice for riders.

Cyclists have increasingly recognized the appeal and versatility of gravel bikes, appreciating the enjoyment they bring to their rides. However, the burning question remains: Can you acquire a quality gravel bike for less than £1000?

Leveraging our extensive expertise within the cycling industry, we’ve scoured the depths of the internet to compile a selection of gravel bikes that not only meet your performance expectations but also keep your wallet intact.

Best Budget Gravel Bikes

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How Much Do Gravel Bikes Cost?

Most gravel bikes these days typically cost over £1000. If your budget for a gravel bike falls below four figures, your options may be more limited.

Considering that gravel bikes are simply another category of bicycles, you might expect to find them available at various price points. However, in our experience, this isn’t often the case.

What can we attribute this to? Well, it could be argued that gravel bikes are primarily designed and intended for avid and regular cyclists rather than occasional riders.

Nonetheless, it’s regrettable because the design of gravel bikes makes them an excellent choice for someone new to cycling. They may not have the same sporty feel as a road bike, but they can handle long rides on smooth roads with ease. They also lack the complexity of a mountain bike with suspension, yet they are still capable of handling light off-road terrain.

With a bit of research, you can find a budget-friendly gravel bike that will serve you well on your bike rides or commutes.

Can You Find Gravel Bikes under £1000?

While the selection of sub-£1000 gravel bikes isn’t vast, it’s reassuring to know that affordable options do exist. Admittedly, within this price range, you won’t find the crème de la crème or the featherweight champions of the gravel bike world. Nevertheless, they should deliver commendable performance for the majority of riders.

Gravel bikes priced below £1000 commonly feature aluminum frames, employ mechanical rather than hydraulic disc brakes, and sport drop handlebars.

To keep costs below the four-figure threshold, manufacturers often economize on crucial components such as gears, brakes, and tires. In some cases, they may opt for less expensive alternatives, eschewing well-established and pricier component brands.

Can You Get Gravel Bikes under £500?

The realm of sub-£500 gravel bikes is relatively sparse, but it’s not entirely devoid of options for the budget-conscious buyer.

However, when faced with a £500 budget for a new ride, we would strongly lean towards investing in a high-quality hybrid bike. While a hybrid may not offer the same adrenaline-charged experience as a gravel bike, its versatility nearly rivals that of a gravel bike. Furthermore, with a broader array of choices in this price range, we contend that you are more likely to discover a superior bicycle that aligns with your budget.

As with any bicycle purchase, it’s prudent to weigh the advantages and drawbacks before taking the plunge.

What’s the Cheapest Gravel Bike (UK)?

The cheapest gravel bike available in the UK can vary depending on the brand, model, and current promotions or discounts.

The most affordable gravel bike on our list is the Triban Women’s Gravel Bike GRVL 120. At the time of publishing it came in at £599.99.

To find the current cheapest gravel bike in the UK, check with various bicycle retailers, both online and local bike shops. Prices and availability can change over time, and new models are constantly released.

Also be on the lookout for sales, promotions, or clearance deals, as these can sometimes offer significant savings on gravel bikes.

Additionally, consider checking classified ads or online marketplaces for used gravel bikes, as you might find affordable options there as well.

Best Gravel Bikes under £1000

1. Ribble CGR AL – Sport

• £999

Prices are approximate

• Frame Material: Alloy
• Weight: 10.5kg (23lb)
• Gears: 20-speed 
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Max Load: 120kg (264lb)

• Lights: Optional
• Fenders: Optional
• Pannier Rack: Optional

In the UK, Ribble are known to provide all types of bikes at decent prices. Although this version of the CGR has been around a fair while now, it’s still one of our favourites.

Just sneaking under the £1000 mark, this bike is available in two colours and six frame sizes. Ribble allows you to customise pretty much every part of the bike before you place your order – pretty sweet!

If you plan to ride more off-road than on, then maybe swerve this bike. The tyres and gearing are more suited to tarmac and hardpacked surfaces.

Pros

• Can be customised before being ordered
• Specification represents good value for money
• 35mm tyres as standard

Cons

• Tyres aren’t suited to off-road riding
• Gearing spec is setup for faster road riding

BUY HERE

2. Boardman ADV 8.6

• £825

Prices are approximate

• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Weight: 10.5g (23.14lb)
• Gears: 18-speed 
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Max Load: Not Stated

• Lights: ❌
• Fenders: ❌
• Pannier Rack: ❌

Boardman is another stalwart of the British cycling scene and their range of bikes has long been a go-to, especially in the sub-£1000 category.

The ADV 8.6 is the brand’s lowest-priced gravel bike, but don’t let that put you off. Ride it out of the box and there aren’t many things that will let it down. Sensible 18-speed gears and 38c tyres combine to perform on different rides and different surfaces.

Plus when the time comes, the tubeless-ready wheels can be utilised and a handlebar can be easily slung aboard thanks to the flared handlebars.

Pros

• Tubeless-ready wheels
• The sensible gearing ratio is good for first-time riders
• A flared handlebar is a good touch at this price

Cons

• Humdrum colour
• Only four frame sizes

BUY HERE

3. Triban GRVL 120 Women’s

• £599

Prices are approximate

• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Weight: 10.9kg (24lb)
• Gears: 10-speed 
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Max Load: 110kg (242lb)

• Lights: ❌
• Fenders: ❌
• Pannier Rack: ❌

The best women’s specific gravel bike under £1000, goes to this option from Triban – the in-house brand from sports megastore, Decathlon.

We can’t over-egg what a steal this bike is. The comfortable riding position teamed with the simple-to-operate 1×10 gearing makes it ideal as a first gravel bike.

OK, some of the components might not be the most robust, or longest lasting, but if you ride occasionally or just at the weekend, you probably won’t notice.

Pros

• Sensational value for money
• Four frame sizes
• Comfortable, welcoming ride
• Tubeless compatible wheels and tyres

Cons

• Gear cabling prevents seamless use of handlebar bag
• Components might not last the test of time

BUY HERE

4. Cube Nuroad

• £999

Prices are approximate

• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Weight: 11kg (24.25lb)
• Gears: 16-speed 
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Max Load: 115kg (253lb)

• Lights: ❌
• Fenders: ❌
• Pannier Rack: ❌

Nuroad is Cube’s gravel bike model name and their lowest price option is this bike.

With a specific gravel frame geometry, the Nuroad blends road and mountain bikes to make something fun, yet comfortable to ride.

With neat internal cabling, hidden ports for mudguards and a pannier rack this bike certainly looks the business.

Pros

• From a trusted big brand
• Quality 40mm tyres
• Clearance for 45mm tyres

Cons

• Weighty for the price
• We’re not a huge fan of the gearing setup
• Just one frame colour

BUY HERE

5. Vitus Substance V-2

• £900

Prices are approximate

• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Weight: 11kg (25.25lb)
• Gears: 18-speed 
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Max Load: Not Stated

• Lights: ❌
• Fenders: ❌
• Pannier Rack: ❌

The most “off-road” gravel bike on our list, the Vitus Substance is more about sitting back and enjoying the ride, than getting places fast.

The Substance would be an ideal partner on a bikepacking trip. The 2×9 Shimano gearing has low enough gears to cope with steep hills or when fully loaded and the flared handlebar design promotes comfort even during long rides.

Completing the Substance is a whole host of bottle cage mounts – although it would be nice to see some on the fork too!

Pros

• Impressive run of frame sizes (6)
• Compatible with 650b wheels and 1x drivetrains
• Proper knobbly 40c tyres

Cons

• Heavier than some
• Mechanical disc brakes might not perform well off road
• No fork bottle mounts

BUY HERE

6. Marin Nicasio+

• £965

Prices are approximate

• Frame Material: Steel
• Weight: 13.1kg (28.8lb)
• Gears: 7-speed 
• Wheel Size: XX”
• Max Load: 150kg (330xlb)

• Lights: ❌
• Fenders: ❌
• Pannier Rack: ❌

The last bike on our list is the Marin Nicasio+. It differs from all the others on our list as it is made from steel, rather than aluminium. Steel is heavier than alloy, but it does deliver a unique and plus ride – plus it’s super hardwearing.

The 1x gearing is simple to operate and the Nicasio+ also has the widest tyres of any bike on our list. At 47mm wide they deliver a carpet-like ride on tarmac.

Although the external gear and brake cabling are less neat, it does make changing a cable super easy, even for a home mechanic with basic tools.

Pros

• Plush steel ride
• Eye-popping frame colours
• External cable routing makes maintenance easier

Cons

• Heavy
• Mechanical disc brakes not hydraulic

BUY HERE

Budget Gravel Bike Brands in UK

Historically this £1000 pricepoint was uber competitive due to the popular government backed cycle to work scheme. Most employers only allowed employees to buy a bike up to the value of £1000. These days most employers have removed this limit and along with inflationary pressure in the UK, it’s hard to find many gravel bikes below £1000.

A quick peruse of our favourite online retailers show there aren’t a huge number of gravel bikes sold below £1000. Whilst there’s the odd one or two at retailers like Sigma Sports, these are often reduced or in the sale.

Although it didn’t make it onto our list, the Triban gravel bike, is worth a look – it’s essentially the same as the GRVL 120 we included on our list.

At the time of writing, Marin are perhaps the biggest brand with a range of gravel bikes under £1000. Kona is another brand which is also worth a look. Their Rove AL 650 is one of, if not the only gravel below £1000 which is sold with the more off-road friendly 650b wheel size.

If you can stretch your budget a tad, then have a look at Sonder, the brand of outdoor kit experts Alpkit.