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You've just discovered what gravel was and now you want to get into the adventure of this new and growing cycling practice. For this, we offer you a small guide to know what equipment to choose to practice gravel safely and with the right outfit from head to toe.
The head
As with any other cycling discipline, in gravel, the first essential element of a cycling outfit is the choice of helmet. It's there to keep you safe in case of a fall and head impact.
Gravel being a hybrid practice, it's up to you to choose the model that suits you between mountain biking and road riding, with or without a visor. But if you're the kind of person who rides a lot on trails and paths, we still suggest you look more towards a Mountain Bike model that encompasses the head a bit more and can also protect in case of a side impact on a rock for example.
Some manufacturers now even offer dedicated gravel helmets, with a removable visor for some models.
The helmet visor is useful for protection from the sun, but also from branches. If your helmet lacks one, you can remedy this problem by inserting a cycling cap between it and your head that will allow you to raise or lower the visor during the ride depending on the sun exposure. In gravel, it can also be seen as a styling element to perfect your chic cycling look.
Don't forget the bike goggles as well to protect your eyes from various projections you may encounter along your ride (gravel, dust, branches, etc.).
The upper body
To dress the upper body, the essential element of a gravel cycling outfit is without question the bike jersey, which comes in short-sleeve or long-sleeve versions depending on the season. Be sure to choose a jersey with pockets to hold your cell phone, keys, and supplies during your ride.
Again, for the cycling jersey, it's up to you whether you choose a road or mountain bike jersey, depending on the equipment at your disposal if you already practice either discipline or depending on your personal preferences. Many brands have developed a range specifically dedicated to the practice of gravel where the comfort and the side everywhere prevail, in adequacy with the practice of this discipline.
No matter which type of jersey you turn to, it will need to be designed in a breathable material to allow you to wick away sweat and ride dry during your ride.
In order to improve the wicking of sweat, it is thus advisable to wear a technical undergarment under the jersey that is sleeveless, with short or long sleeves depending on the season.
When the temperatures cool down, and in order to be able to continue your favorite activity, you will need to equip yourself with a thermal jacket to put on over your jersey and undershirt to regulate your body temperature and keep your body dry.
For the mid-season, where weather conditions can be changeable or for windy days, it is also advisable to equip yourself with a windbreaker that, when not in use, can be folded into the pockets of your jersey.
Hands
Whether cycling on the road, mountain bike or gravel, you should think about protecting your hands by wearing gloves. Indeed, in case of a fall, the hands are very often in the first line. Depending on the season, we will choose short or long.
For the practice of gravel, with the vibrations on the trails (less well damped than in mountain biking since Gravel bikes do not have suspension), it is recommended to opt for well-padded gloves. So, apart from a range dedicated to this discipline, it will be better to turn to models designed for mountain biking equipped with foam or gel reinforcements on the palm of the hands for optimal absorption of shocks and vibrations and an anti-slip coating to avoid slipping on the handlebars.
The lower body
The shorts are one of the key pieces of a cyclist's perfect outfit, regardless of the discipline. Indeed, it is thanks to it that you will be able to ride comfortably without being in pain or suffering from saddle heat.
Rolling like a roadshort or wide like a Mountain bike short, with or without suspenders: it's up to you to choose the model that suits you best for gravel riding. Nevertheless, if you ride more on the trails where the vibrations will be more numerous, you will have to make sure to choose a shorts with a good cushioning, so with a more comfortable skin composed, for example, of gel inserts.
Depending on the season, the shorts come in three versions: short, long or corsair in order to allow you to ride all year round.
Finally, the shorts are adapted to everyone's morphology, which is why there are men's and women's models with distinct chamois leather.
The feet
The bike shoes are also among the essential elements that make up a gravel outfit.
Like road cycling, gravel is usually done with automatic pedals, but with SPD cleats that allow you to walk as opposed to three-point cleats meant for road cycling. Indeed, once you're going to be riding on paths and trails, you'll more often have to put your foot on the ground and therefore walk which is possible with mountain bike shoes and proves complicated, if not impossible, with shoes intended for road cycling equipped with three-point cleats.
For socks, road or mountain bike, it doesn't matter: just remember to look good by matching them with the rest of your outfit and make sure they're breathable to wick away sweat. But if you favor trails, it might be best to opt for high socks to protect you from the branches.
In the winter, you'll need thermal models to keep your feet warm.
Bike accessories
If, after exploring the area around your home, you get the urge to venture further afield and in particular to go on a multi-day trip with your new gravel, you'll need to think about getting saddlebags to take your stuff with you.
Depending on the length of your trip, you have several options:
- the saddlebags;
- the frame bags;
- the handlebar bags ;
- the luggage rack bags.
The first three have the advantage of being able to turn your gravel bike into a travel bike without the need for attachments like a luggage rack. Ideal for a short trip or traveling light in bikepacking mode. For long-distance travel, they could also be an excellent complement to panniers to be installed on a luggage rack.
As for the panniers to be fixed on a luggage rack, they are essential for a trip of several days or weeks.
Now that we've found out what gear to choose for gravel, how about finding out how to choose your gravel bike?
