If you’re looking for the lightest gravel bikes, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve analysed hundreds of gravel bikes from all over the internet and ranked the lightest models by their weight.
Importantly, these are not custom one-off bicycles that use obscure components. They are all stock gravel bike models you might find in a bicycle shop near you!
How Did These Become The Lightest Gravel Bikes?
Bike manufacturers use different methods to hit their weight targets.
Some start with an ultralight carbon frameset, while others fit obnoxiously light carbon wheels and components. That said, it’s likely a combination of weight savings that will get your bike model on the lightest gravel bikes list.
The frameset weight is one way we can understand how a bike manufacturer went about hitting their weight targets. That’s the combined frame and fork weight usually without small parts like bearings and bolts. When you start with a light frameset, you get a big head start on the components.
The lightest gravel frameset amongst bikes on this list is 1,125 grams and the heaviest is 1,625 grams. When we average out all frameset weights on this list we arrive at 1,396 grams, which typically breaks down to under 1000 grams for the frame and a bit over 400 grams for the fork.
The wheelset weight is another important data point as they are often a bike’s heaviest component. That means they usually have the most weight to lose!
All wheelsets on this list are made from carbon fibre, and the rim depths vary. In some cases, bike manufacturers have traded off some weight for better aerodynamics to create the fastest bikes possible.
Even amongst lightweight gravel bikes on this list, there is over 400 grams of variation between wheelsets. The lightest wheels are just 1230 grams and the heaviest are 1643 grams. When we tally everything up, we find that the average wheels tip the scales at 1425 grams.
Why Bike Weight Is Not About Speed
If you’ve been reading CYCLINGABOUT for a while, you’ll know that bike weight is not that important in terms of speed. This is because a one or two-kilogram weight saving is actually a tiny reduction from your overall total body+bike+gear+water weight.
Spending big money to save one kilogram will not make you as fast as you think. When I run a computer simulation, shaving one kilogram off a bike only saves around one minute on a hilly 4+ hour ride, although it can be as much as two minutes if you’re a lighter and less powerful rider.
The biggest advantage of a lightweight gravel bike is the way it feels underneath you. The bikes listed below offer the sensation of quick acceleration and will feel highly responsive to your pedal inputs. They will undoubtedly encourage you to put the hammer down at any moment.
Weight Corrections
I’ve made a weight correction to the following bikes to level out the playing field.
I’ve deducted weight from bikes with heavier tyres and added weight to bikes using lighter tyres. This is to ensure that bikes that come with wider and/or more durable tyres do not incur a significant weight penalty.
The average tyre weight across all bikes on this list is 480 grams, which is a reasonable weight for a 45mm gravel race tyre. Any tyre above this weight I’ve subtracted from the bike weight, and any tyre below this weight has been added to the bike.
For example: If a bike comes with 580-gram tyres, I’ve made a weight reduction of 200 grams (as there are two tyres) to standardise the bike weights. And if the bike comes with 380 grams tyres, I’ve simply added 200 grams to a bike’s weight. You’ll find the stock tyre weights listed below.
Right, it’s time to inspect the lightest gravel bikes in the world!
Scott Addict Gravel RC (7.92kg or 17.5lbs)
- Frameset weight: 930+395 grams – 96 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1490 grams – 65 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 485 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45 mm
- Price: US $9,999
The heaviest-lightest gravel bike is the Scott Addict Gravel RC!
This top-of-the-line model features one of the lighter framesets and builds up into a very capable gravel race bike. Tour Magazin has tested the lateral frame stiffness to be higher than many bikes here, which will make it feel extra responsive underneath you.
In addition, the fork legs will flex back and forth over bumps more than typical, providing additional ride comfort for your hands and upper body.
There has been no expense has been spared on the components here. A SRAM Red AXS drivetrain and Syncros carbon components help to keep the bike under the 8kg (18lbs) mark.
The Addict RC is only one of two gravel bikes on this list with a 2X drivetrain. This allows for closer steps between each gear, making the bike extra suitable for road bike use if you were to fit some narrow slick tyres.
Factor Ostro Gravel (7.90kg or 17.4lbs)
- Frameset weight: 899+425 grams – 97 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1632 grams – 207 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 480 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45 mm
- Price: €9799
The Factor Ostro Gravel has more aerodynamic features than your typical gravel bike.
The deeper and more truncated head tube profile, tight integration between the fork crown and frame, dropped seat stays, aero seatpost, and rear wheel cutout will undoubtedly make for a quick gravel race bike in the wind.
But despite all these aero features, the Ostro Gravel is the 6th lightest frameset of this list.
That said, the Factor also has the lowest frame stiffness of any bike here (according to Tour Magazin lab testing). It’s over 20% less stiff at the head tube and bottom bracket than competing products. This will not be a big deal for lighter and less powerful riders, but for heavier riders who can put more power through the frame – it might be a dealbreaker.
The Ostro Gravel has a solid race build. It’s equipped with a SRAM Force AXS wireless drivetrain, SRAM brakes and some fast-rolling Good Year tyres. While the wheels on this bike are surprisingly heavy for their depth, hopefully, this translates to high overall strength and durability.
Vitus Venon EVO-GR (7.88kg or 17.4lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1000+450 grams – 54 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1545 grams – 120 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 490 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45 mm
- Price: £4,299
The Vitus Venon EVO-GR is a lightweight gravel bike that offers a raft of aero features. This will make it one of the faster bikes on a gravel race course.
While it doesn’t have the lightest frameset or wheelset, it’s a great overall package that undercuts plenty of rivals on price when you consider the high-grade specification (SRAM Force AXS plus plenty of carbon components!).
One thing to note is that it has a lower torsional frame stiffness than most gravel bikes here, in fact, it has similar stiffness values to the Factor Ostro Gravel. Again, this will be fine for lighter and less powerful riders but might not be appropriate for heavier and more powerful riders.
Allied Echo Red AXS (7.85kg or 17.3lbs)
- Frameset weight: 950+380 grams – 66 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1355 grams – 70 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 453 grams
- Tyre clearance: 40 mm
- Price: US $11,355
The Allied Echo is billed as a two-in-one road and gravel bike.
The magic of it is the integrated flip chips at the fork and rear dropouts, which not only change the wheelbase length but also the bottom bracket drop – important when you’re changing the overall wheel+tyre diameter.
When the flip chips are in the “road mode” position, the wheelbase length and BB drop is reduced, making for a more compact layout that gives the bike a more responsive and agile feel. When the flip chips are in the “gravel mode” position, the wheelbase length is extended, making the bike more stable and forgiving on gravel.
Some of the pros of the bike include its quick and easy geometry conversion, excellent stiffness, and notable ride quality. Some of the cons of the bike include its compromised gravel mode geometry, narrow maximum tyre width, quirky stem design, and slack seat tube angle in the smaller frame sizes. It also uses gear ratios better suited to the road rather than the gravel.
Overall, the Allied Echo is a very capable bike that is suitable for a wide range of riders. It is a great option for those who are looking for a single bike that will ride well on both gravel and tarmac surfaces.
Mondraker Arid Carbon RR SL (7.81kg or 17.2lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1250+435 grams – 289 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1642 grams – 217 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 525 grams
- Tyre clearance: 50 mm
- Price: €9499
Lauf Seigla Ultimate (7.69kg or 17lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1030+435 grams – 69 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1400 grams – 25 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 632 grams
- Tyre clearance: 57 mm or 2.25″
- Price: US $6,290
The Lauf Seigla is the lightest gravel bike with the ability to fit 2.25″ wide mountain bike tyres, which will allow it to handle the roughest gravel roads. The frame has also been designed in a way that allows it to flex vertically, smoothing out bumpy terrain.
This is the first bike we’ve seen without fully integrated cables, and this makes bike maintenance easier and allows you to change the handlebar and stem dimensions with ease.
The Seigla Ultimate is equipped with some lightweight carbon wheels that will make the bike feel fast and agile, and a tough SRAM Red XPLR wireless groupset. Given the Red XPLR groupset retails for around US $4000, this makes the Seigla one of the best-value lightweight gravel bikes!
I’ve made a correction of over 300 grams to this bike as the Lauf comes standard with some wider-than-average tyres with good puncture production. Expect it to weigh under 7.7kg with some gravel race tyres.
Rose Backroad FF Red XPLR (7.67kg or 16.9lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1020+420 grams – 44 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1550 grams – 125 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 445 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45mm
- Price: €6999
Specialized Crux Pro (7.67kg or 16.9lbs)
- Frameset weight: 825+400 grams – 171 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1408 grams – 17 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 480 grams
- Tyre clearance: 47 mm
- Price: US $7500
The Specialized Crux Pro starts with a sizeable headstart over other gravel bikes, as the frameset is just 1225 grams. This makes it the second-lightest gravel frameset here.
The Crux Pro is a rather traditional gravel bike that will best suit those who ride in a non-competitive sense. There are no fully integrated cables, aero frame sections, or one-piece bar/stems to be found. This not only saves weight, but makes bike maintenance easier, and allows you to dial in your bike fit.
The Crux is equipped with lighter-than-average wheels that will spin up quickly, and one of my favourite components is the Roval Terra Carbon seatpost that flexes vertically with ease and will smooth out the bumpiest gravel roads.
The Specialized Crux Pro is finished with a SRAM Force wireless groupset and fast-rolling Specialized Pathfinder tyres.
Ridley ASTR RS (7.62kg or 16.8lbs)
- Frameset weight: 891+420 grams – 85 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1643 grams – 218 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 575 grams
- Tyre clearance: 52 mm or 2.1″
- Price: €11,699
Ridley makes one thing clear: the ASTR RS is a thoroughbred gravel race bike aiming for the podium. The frameset, integrated bar-stem, and wheels are all aero-optimised to create the fastest gravel bike possible.
In fact, the ASTR RS has the deepest and heaviest wheels of any bike on this list. While the DT Swiss wheels are over 200 grams heavier than average, the time savings at 35km/h (22mph) will undoubtedly make up for the minor weight penalty.
This bike has notably wide tyre clearance for a gravel bike (52 mm or 2.1″), allowing you to fit the appropriate tyres required to handle rougher courses.
The new Forza NIMBUS Pro one-piece handlebar and stem measures 360 mm wide at the hoods (to keep your frontal area smaller) but becomes significantly wider in the drops thanks to a generous flare. This should give you ample control over technical descents.
Trek Checkmate SLR 9 (7.61kg or 16.8lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1223+415 grams – 242 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1355 grams – 70 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 450 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45 mm
- Price: US $12,000
The Checkmate SLR 9 is a newer, lighter and faster gravel race bike from Trek.
It’s clearly aero-optimised with its large tube profiles, reasonably deep carbon wheels, and one-piece Aero RSL bar/stem (identical to that found on their road race bike, the Madone). The bars are 30mm narrower at the hoods than the drops, which will put your body in a more aerodynamically efficient ride position.
The Checkmate uses what Trek calls its new ‘Gravel Race’ geometry, offering a lower and shorter-reach position than the outgoing Checkpoint SLR. That said, it’s not as low as many bikes on this list.
A top-tier SRAM Red XLPR gravel groupset and moderately deep Bontrager carbon wheels assist in keeping this bike as light and fast as possible.
The Checkmate also employs Trek’s IsoSpeed technology, a decoupler at the intersection between the top tube and the seat tube that assists the saddle/post in smoothing imperfections on the road or trail.
Canyon Grail CFR XPLR (7.55kg or 16.6lbs)
Frameset weight: 1030+372 grams – 7 grams heavier than average
Wheelset weight: 1452 grams – 27 grams heavier than average
Tyre weight: 455 grams
Tyre clearance: 45 mm
Price: €8,499
Schmolke Gravel Infinity (7.55kg or 16.6lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1100+460 grams – 164 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1375 grams – 50 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 457 grams
- Tyre clearance: 40 mm
- Price: €8250
Schmolke are carbon manufacturing specialists from Germany who are best known for their ultra-lightweight bike components. But Schmolke doesn’t just make carbon handlebars and seatposts in their Lake Constance factory – they make framesets too!
When compared to the competition, the Schmolke framesets are not anywhere near as lightweight. But their ultralight components more than make up the difference, helping this bike to sit amongst the top 10 lightest gravel bikes available.
This gravel bike is a bit more traditional than most, with its external cable routing, two-piece bar and stem setup and mechanical drivetrain. The Gravel Infinity uses Campagnolos Ekar 13-speed drivetrain, which yields a gear range of 470% – wider than most on this list here.
The cost is kept quite reasonable for a made-in-Europe bike thanks to their direct-to-consumer business model.
Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT (7.49kg or 16.5lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1150+415 grams – 169 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1230 grams – 195 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 485 grams
- Tyre clearance: 50 mm
- Price: €5999
The Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT is a great bike for gravel racing, and with 50mm tyre clearance, it’s also a good option for anyone who wants an efficient bike that can handle a variety of terrain.
The frame is made using Cube’s C:62 carbon fibre layup, which is reinforced with nanoparticles to make it stronger, lighter, and more durable. Tour Magazin lab testing suggests it’s one of the stiffest and most responsive framesets on this list, and the fork tests as one of the more comfortable models available.
The Nuroad is also among the cheapest here, in fact, the SRAM Red XPLR drivetrain, brakes and shifters retail for €4,465 by itself. When you factor in the frameset and wheels (which are the lightest here btw), I’m not sure how Cube make any money on this bike!
Overall, the Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT is a very well-equipped bike that offers the highest value for money on this list. It’s light, efficient, and versatile, and should be perfect for gravel racing or simply exploring the countryside.
Superior XR 9.9 GR LTD (7.47kg or 16.5lbs)
- Frameset weight: 827+420 grams – 149 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1567 grams – 142 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 445 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45 mm
- Price: €7500
Superior is a Czech brand that offers very high-performance bikes for a reasonable price… well, relative to others here. Superior starts with the third lightest frameset, and goes on to build the fifth lightest gravel bike.
The impressive part is that it has been equipped with one of the most aerodynamic wheelsets featured on this list. If it were to use the same wheelset as the Cube Nuroad, the bike would slot into second place!
You can find aero features throughout the frameset and cockpit, and there is no expense spared on the components – notably the DT Swiss wheels and SRAM Red XPLR drivetrain.
BMC Kaius 01 One (7.40kg or 16.3lbs)
- Frameset weight: 910+400 grams – 86 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1355 grams – 70 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 480 grams
- Tyre clearance: 44 mm
- Price: US $12,000
The BMC Kaius is the lightest gravel bike I could find with fully integrated cables.
The Kaius 01 features the fourth lightest frameset (despite having one of the stiffest frames according to Tour Magazin testing) and has been equipped with the fourth lightest wheels too.
This frame has clearly been given the aero treatment with larger truncated frame tubes, dropped seat stays, and a cutout on the lower seat tube to shield the rear wheel. The handlebar also has a small frontal area and aerodynamic shape to save further watts.
A top-tier SRAM Red XPLR 1X drivetrain completes this speedy gravel bike.
Parapera Anemos Masterpiece (7.2kg or 15.9lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1175+450 grams – 229 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1485 grams – 60 grams heavier than average
- Tyre weight: 480 grams
- Tyre clearance: 45 mm
- Price: €5999
The Parapera Anemos is the third lightest gravel bike on this list, despite having a heavier-than-average frameset… and wheelset! This means it’s the components where Parapera has really focussed on their weight savings.
At 150 grams, the Schmolke Carbon handlebar is one of the lightest of its kind. As is the 95-gram Selle Italia saddle, and 95-gram Schmolke Carbon seatpost. It’s all these small things that really keep the weight of this bike in check.
The cables are routed externally for quick accessibility during maintenance and a small reduction in frame weight. The classic handlebar/stem setup also offers maximum customizability in terms of length and width.
The Anemos Masterpiece uses Campagnolo’s Ekar drivetrain. This 1X system consists of a chainring with 40 teeth and a cassette with 13 sprockets from 9 to 42 teeth. With a gear range of just under 470%, all speed ranges are largely covered, and even steeper climbs are easy to tackle thanks to the reduction in first gear.
The carbon wheels from Campagnolo are a solid choice. While they are not the lightest, with an inner rim width of 25mm, they are perfectly suited to the 40mm Schwalbe G-One R tyres.
Gunsha SLX Gravel 3.1 (7.15kg or 15.8lbs)
- Frameset weight: 1050+460 grams – 114 grams heavier than average
- Wheelset weight: 1272 grams – 153 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 370 grams
- Tyre clearance: 44 mm
- Price: €5455
You probably haven’t heard of Gunsha before, but this German bike shop and online store stocks a bunch of ultralight wheels and components, as well as complete bikes.
The frameset is heavier than average, so Gunsha has equipped this bike with the third lightest gravel wheels here and has made significant weight savings on components like the brake rotors, handlebar, stem, seatpost and saddle.
Gunsha has also fitted some super light 370 gram tyres to this bike. This would have made it the equal lightest bike if I hadn’t added a weight correction to even the playing field.
While their Shimano GRX drivetrain isn’t as fancy as most, this helps to keep the cost down. In fact, you’re looking at the second-lightest gravel bike with one of the lowest costs here. That’s quite impressive.
S-Works Crux SRAM RED XPLR (6.93kg or 15.3lbs)
- Frameset weight: 725+400 grams – 271 grams lighter than average
- Wheelset weight: 1250 grams – 175 grams lighter than average
- Tyre weight: 480 grams
- Tyre clearance: 47 mm
- Price: US $12,000
The S-Works Crux holds the title for the lightest gravel frameset, and it’s been paired with one of the lightest wheelsets too. It’s no wonder it’s the lightest gravel bike here.
The Crux frameset is around 20% lighter than average, which is a seriously impressive margin to hold over the competition. It’s even more impressive considering that Tour Magazin has measured the frame stiffness and found it to be 30% stiffer than the Factor and Vitus at the head tube.
You can expect the Crux to climb like a dream, float over bumpy terrain, and accelerate faster than any gravel bike before it.
What I like about this bike is that it puts function before everything else. There are no fully integrated cables, aero frame sections, or one-piece handlebar and stem. This undoubtedly makes it a slower bike than the gravel racing competition (eg. Ridley ASTR RS) but it’s also lighter, easier to work on, and easier to perfect the handlebar width and stem length for a rider’s needs.
With top-of-the-line components and even a special carbon layup – this bike is expensive. If you’d like a more wallet-friendly version with similar DNA, check out the Specialized Crux Pro. It’s still in the top-10 lightest gravel bikes but some US $5000 cheaper.
It’s worth noting the S-Works Crux framesets also custom build into even lighter gravel bikes. Take some inspiration from this 5.64 kg (12 lbs) Twisted Wheels build HERE.
Summary
| Bike Weight | Frameset Weight | Wheelset Weight | |
| S-Works Crux RED XPLR | 6.93 kg (1st) | 1125 g (1st) | 1250 g (2nd) |
| Gunsha SLX Gravel 3.1 | 7.15 kg (2nd) | 1510 g (13th) | 1272 g (3rd) |
| Parapera Anemos Masterpiece | 7.20 kg (3rd) | 1625 g (16th) | 1485 g (11th) |
| BMC Kaius 01 One | 7.40 kg (4th) | 1310 g (4th) | 1355 g (4th) |
| Superior XR 9.9 GR LTD | 7.47 kg (5th) | 1227 g (3rd) | 1567 g (15th) |
| Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT | 7.49 kg (6th) | 1565 g (15th) | 1230 g (1st) |
| Schmolke Gravel Infinity | 7.55 kg (7th) | 1560 g (14th) | 1375 g (7th) |
| Canyon Grail CFR | 7.55 kg (7th) | 1405 g (9th) | 1452 g (10th) |
| Trek Checkmate SLR 9 | 7.61 kg (9th) | 1638 g (17th) | 1355 g (4th) |
| Ridley ASTR RS | 7.62 kg (10th) | 1311 g (5th) | 1643 g (18th) |
| Specialized Crux Pro | 7.67kg (11th) | 1225 g (2nd) | 1411 g (9th) |
| Rose Backroad FF | 7.67kg (12th) | 1440 g (10th) | 1550 g (14th) |
| Lauf Seigla Ultimate | 7.69 kg (13th) | 1465 g (12th) | 1400 g (8th) |
| Mondraker Arid Carbon | 7.81kg (14th) | 1685 g (18th) | 1642 g (17th) |
| Allied Echo Red AXS | 7.85 kg (15th) | 1330 g (8th) | 1355 g (4th) |
| Vitus Venon EVO-GR | 7.88 kg (16th) | 1450 g (11th) | 1545 g (13th) |
| Factor Ostro Gravel | 7.90 kg (17th) | 1324 g (6th) | 1632 g (16th) |
| Scott Addict Gravel RC | 7.92 kg (18th) | 1325 g (7th) | 1490 g (12th) |
