Since the launch of our gravel dedicated range of bikes, an oft asked question is 'what is the difference between the CGR and Gravel bikes?'. If you find yourself torn between the two, our in-depth guide should provide the necessary answers to help you decide whether a CGR or Gravel bike suits your riding style and needs best.
What's the bike's intended use?
Or, more specifically, what sort of terrain do you expect to ride on? Will your rides mainly feature paved or unpaved surfaces? The terrain you expect to encounter most regularly should be the definitive factor in deciding whether a CGR or Gravel bike best suits your needs. In this blog, we explore the key differences between the two different bike types. Read on for the full lowdown on CGR vs Gravel.
Let's talk geometry
The first, and perhaps most definitive, difference between the CGR and Gravel bikes is the geometry*. A CGR frame features a road-focused endurance geometry that places the rider in a more relaxed, upright riding position. This all-rounder geometry provides long-distance comfort over varied terrain, keeping you fresh for longer.
*Excludes the Gravel SL, which shares the same gravel racing geometry as the CGR SL.
**Above Image: **A side-by-side comparison of the CGR and Gravel titanium frames highlights the long and low geometry gravel geometry vs the more upright 'endurance' geometry of the CGR.
Gravel bikes are designed specifically for off-road riding and racing. The gravel-optimised geometry offers a long and low riding position, offering a more planted feel when tackling the most challenging terrain. The long top tube combines with a short head tube and handlebar stem to deliver a stable ride with more direct and responsive steering. This provides the agility to navigate trail hazards like tree roots, carve through corners with surgical precision, and navigate technical descents with confidence.
RIBBLE CGR
Versatility Guaranteed
The CGR family of bikes has often been described as the "Swiss" army knife of bikes, which gives some indication of the level of versatility this platform offers. CGR bikes fall under the 'one-bike-to-do-it-all category, a jack of all trades rather than a master of one. They are designed to excel across a variety of terrains and in mixed weather conditions. Yet despite their multi-terrain prowess, CGR bikes are still plenty fast enough to keep pace on rapid road rides or when dropping the hammer whilst out with the chain gang.
Luggage
Discreet frame mounts enable a rear-mounted pannier rack to be fitted for luggage-carrying duties. Perfect for stowing your essentials for a casual day trip or a change of clothes, laptop, lunch for the daily commute. The CGR 725 Steel model pictured also features an additional top-tube mount, allowing a bolt-on top-tube bag to be fitted.
Bottle Cage Mounts
In traditional fashion, each CGR is equipped with two bottle cage mounts on the seat and down tubes.
Handlebars
As standard, each CGR is equipped with road-specific drop handlebars that are ergonomically shaped to provide all-day comfort. With further options available in the configrator, you can choose flared bars for ultimate off-road control, upgrade to carbon to save weight, and even opt for a fully integrated carbon handlebar & stem combination for a fully cable-free look (CGR SL only).
Gearing
Road double-chainring systems offer a closer gear progression with fewer gaps between shifts. In essence, this means that when shifting between gears, your pedalling rhythm remains more consistent in comparison to a 1x (single chainring) system. Road-optimised gearing improves efficiency when riding on the flat, climbing, and descending. Alternatively, there's also the option to spec a 1x system with gravel-specific ergonomics and optimised gear ratios.
700c or 650b Wheels
The larger the wheel diamater, the better the rolling efficiency offered. This proves particularly beneficial when riding on paved surfaces, where big wheels roll faster and maintain speed better than a smaller-diameter wheel. If taken off-road, they will actually roll over obstacles better than a 650b wheel, thanks in no small part to their larger wheel diameter. However, they lack the smaller diameter wheels' agility and vibration-cushioning characteristics. Tyre widths up to 45mm can be accommodated with 700c wheels and 50mm with 650b.
GRAVEL
BORN TO SHRED
A gravel bike is a specialist vehicle engineered for one sole purpose: to maximise off-road performance and enhance rider enjoyment while tackling the most challenging terrain imaginable. They deliver a fast, light, and agile ride, exploding into life when tearing up singletrack or navigating techy descents at adrenaline-pumping speeds.
Luggage
Each model in the gravel range is equipped with numerous luggage mounting options, transforming them into the ultimate adventure bike packers. At the rear, there are mounts for a rear pannier rack (excludes Gravel AL). Upfront, mounts on the fork allow oversized cages to be fitted, enabling rollable luggage items, such as ground mats, sleeping bags, etc., to be carried. Combined with handlebar bags and under-saddle seat packs, the Gravel range can accommodate a vast amount of luggage, ensuring you never need to leave home without those bikepacking essentials.
Bottle Cages
Whether you intend to grind some gravel or embark upon the bikepacking trip of a lifetime, staying hydrated is essential. Our gravel bikes (except the electric AL e) are fully equipped with no less than four bottle cage mounts. These are situated on the seat tube, down tube, underneath the down tube, and on the top tube.
Handlebars
Developed specifically for the gravel range, an alloy riser handlebar features gravel-specific ergonomics for enhanced comfort and control over even the most boulder-strewn of surfaces. Flared drops provide a wider, more stable stance for improved handling at speed, while the riser shape provides more room for a bar bag. The Gravel SL carbon model also offers compatibility with the new gravel-optimized iteration of the LEVEL 5 carbon integrated handlebar system for fully cable-free aesthetics.
700c or 650b Wheels
Our gravel frames are designed to accept 700c or 650b wheels. Once the premier choice for all gravel bikes, the 650b wheel diameter is rapidly falling out of favour in gravel racing circles, with larger-diameter 700c wheels now proving the most popular choice. Their improved rollover and rolling resistance make them faster than the smaller 650b wheel/tyre combination. However, the latter still holds a significant advantage in terms of ride-cushioning and agility.
Gearing
For a bike range dedicated to gravel, there were some standout choices when it came to the drivetrain. Groupset manufacturers Shimano and Campagnolo have developed all-new, gravel-specific gear systems. SRAM, a pioneer in producing 1x systems, has been producing high-quality 1x groupsets for several years. Their latest gravel-optimized groupsets offer enhanced ergonomics, rugged reliability, and tailored gearing. With no front mech to worry about and a clutch on the rear mech, unshipping the chain on bumpy terrain is a thing of the past.
Differences at a glance
In the table below is a simplified comparison of our recommended usage for each bike type, in addition to what component options are available for each within BikeBuilder.
In summary
So, to summarize, the bottom line of whether to choose a CGR or Gravel comes down to where you ride. Furthermore, how you wish to ride. If you require a bike that performs like a road bike on the tarmac with the versatility to add some off-road adventure into your rides, then the CGR is the clear winner.
On the other hand, if you require an incredibly fast and agile gravel grinder for off-road fun and shenanigans, then a Gravel bike is the one for you. They are designed to be ridden faster, smoother, and explore the most extreme of terrain. The Gravel series' mammoth luggage capacity also makes it supremely suited to epic bikepacking expeditions into the unknown.
Our Gravel range comes in a choice of four different frame materials. But which frame material is right for you? And what key differences do these materials offer when buying a bike? Read it here.
Read our caring for your e-bike battery guide for our top tips on how you can maximise the batteries efficiency throughout its lifespan.
