The road bike category has seen numerous innovations over the past decade. These innovations have led to the emergence of new bike categories. Among them, the gravel bike category has undoubtedly become the most popular.
This huge popularity comes mainly from the fact that the gravel category is the category that just makes sense. Sitting somewhere between a performance road bike and a cyclocross bike, a gravel bike offers the perfect balance between performance and user-friendliness. Sometimes these “in-between” categories end up being the worst of both worlds, but gravel has delivered on its promise of a bike that is both fast and ultra-stable.
A bike built for our roads
People say gravel sits somewhere between a performance road bike and a cyclocross bike because the exact definition of a gravel bike varies greatly from one manufacturer to another. In the end, it comes down to bias. Some lean more toward performance, while others lean toward stability.
And you feel that stability from the very first pedal stroke. Thanks to a longer wheelbase and shorter stems, the sense of stability is very forgiving on roads that are less than perfect. Wider tires also contribute to that stable feel. While performance road bikes generally use 25 mm tires, gravel bikes typically run tires from 32 mm to 40 mm.
A Devinci Hatchet for every taste
Devinci was among the first wave of manufacturers to seriously dive into gravel bikes. Called the Devinci Hatchet, Devinci’s gravel line launched in 2016 with three models and now offers a total of nine models this year. So you certainly won’t be short on options! Unisex and women’s versions are also available.
To pick the right Hatchet, you’ll need to make two major decisions. First, in terms of materials, Devinci offers five builds with an aluminum frame. Devinci’s R03 frame is made from 6061‑series aluminum, providing all the stiffness you need for confident acceleration without beating you up. A carbon version is also available if you’re looking for a no‑compromise ride. Internal cable routing from front to back gives the Hatchet a particularly sleek look. The carbon version goes even further with its slender seatstays and top tube, underscoring the comfortable yet responsive character Devinci wanted for its gravel line.
You can take a look at the Devinci Hatchet here
Devinci Hatchet Sora
Devinci Hatchet Tiagra
Devinci Hatchet 105
Devinci Hatchet Apex 11s
Devinci Hatchet Claris
Devinci Hatchet Carbon 105
Devinci Hatchet Carbon Apex 11s
Devinci Hatchet Carbon GRX
The return of the Prohibition at Garneau
Another Quebec manufacturer that jumped headfirst into gravel is Garneau with its Garibaldi series. To meet the needs of a wide range of riders, the company offers 6 different models with either aluminum or carbon frames. A special variation of the Garibaldi called the Prohibition uses 650x47c tires instead of the 700x32c found on the standard Garibaldi lineup. The use of smaller wheels combined with wider tires creates an impression of rock-solid stability.
The Garneau Garibaldi series starts at $1,149 for an aluminum version with Shimano Claris drivetrain. The version shown below is the Garibaldi AL Prohibition and is offered at $2,649.
