What Is the Best 2022 Gravel Bike? | Specialized Crux, Wilier Rave & Trek Checkpoint Reviewed

This video features product placement for Freewheel. There really is a gravel bike for everyone in 2022. But of all the loosely-defined categories, the gravel race bike market expanded most significantly in 2021.
Our Deputy Editor and all-round gravel nerd, Jack Luke, has put three key race-ready gravel bikes head-to-head to find out which you should spend your money on.
The Trek Checkpoint is, without doubt, the most bikepacking-friendly of the bunch. It bristles with mounts for anything you could want to fit to a bike - triple-boss bikepacking bags, mudguards, extra bottles, pannier racks and top tube bento boxes are all invited to the accessory party.
The Specialized Crux is designed to be an uncompromising light race bike that can accommodate truly chunky tyres. As such, the brand claims it is the lightest gravel race bike in the world but there is a price tag to match.
While the Wilier Rave is more road-like in design and ride character, with comparatively limited tyre clearances to match. Unlike the other two bikes, you can buy the Rave set up for road riding.
Which of these bikes is your favourite? What type of gravel rider are you? Let us know in the comments section.
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[@bennetthasty7886]

With sooo many good $2k-$4k bike options out there I cannot imagine I’d ever drop more than $6k on a bike & I’m happy with that

[@theflightsimulationexperie6894]

Don’t think I’ll ever drop more than 4K at this point. I was an owner of a 10k pinarello dogma f12 with campy components all around with bora ultra wheels. Was it a dream bike? Absolutely, but looking back was it worth 10k? At the moment it was but after the honey moon period is over, no it’s not. In fact, I don’t think any bike should cost that much.

[@yourstruly2337]

I got my Checkpoint SLR 7 eTap about a month ago. Wouldnt change it for anything. I absolutely love it

[@stevebrown7281]

I own a S-Works Crux I have raced CX on it all season with 33mm tyres I will race it on gravel next year with 45mm tyres I could stick 30mm road tyres on it and it would still climb and descend as well as any road bike on the market I know this because I own several expensive road bikes and have owned a lot more the Crux is the bike that can do it all very well it’s an absolute weapon 3 great bikes in 1 🥰

[@molybdnum]

I'd like to see a review of the Crux vs the 4 other top-shelf bikes you could buy for the money. Or better yet, a review of what the Crux would cost fresh out of the assembly line without the 600% markup it gets when they put the S-Works decals on.

[@SJ-tk4ri]

The Trek Checkpoint IsoSpeed technology is fitted solely to the seat-tube on the 2022 model, not the headset/steerer tube.

[@mister_ray]

Trek no longer makes any bike with front ISO Speed. I picked up a 2020 Trek Boone for gravel riding. I wanted the front and rear iso speed.

[@AllanPhillips]

That's because, contrary to what Jack said, the front iso speed doesn't actually make a difference.

[@nikpavlovic2770]

@@AllanPhillips it really does on a rough hardpack surface

[@AllanPhillips]

@@nikpavlovic2770 If that's true then why have they ditched it?

[@vincentwieser]

Nope i work as a bike mechanic the 2022 checkpoint sl and slr models have front and rear iso speed i have taken apart and serviced both systems

[@allantimm2003]

Just bought the S-Works Crux and I must say it is an absolute pleasure to ride and is gobsmackingly impressive on gravel .....this has to be my favourite bike to ride and I have a Tarmac SL7 and an Epic 8 MTB ....

[@DEXVD]

Great topic (love bike comparisons) but also just stoked to see another Jack video. Has gotta be one of the most well spoken, charismatic personalities on KZbin, cycling or otherwise.

[@bikeradar]

Stop - I'll blush x

[@Andy_ATB]

I like them all, but as someone who has had quite a few Treks, I'd pick the Checkpoint.

[@reruddock]

I had a 2019 Checkpoint ALR 4 and loved it. It did not have an iso-speed coupling system. And in all honesty, you do not need to have such a gimmicky, complicated, proprietary thing. Try a Redshift ShockStop seat post and you will never, EVER want to ride a bike without one. The same goes for the ShockStop stem.

[@Hintonbro.]

Hated the ‘tipping forward’ feeling of the Shockstop stem. Spesh Future shock stays level - no tilt. Diverge. That’s what you want.

[@billz410]

@@Hintonbro. Overpriced crap. Redshift stem/seatpost is what you want.

[@fisharefriends598]

So budget friendly bikes then.

[@AussieInJapan]

Love to see Salsa gravel bikes getting some showtime. Love the look of Checkpoint.

[@warrenowens5753]

I love my Checkpoint SL6. I did upgrade to the Aeolus Pro 3V wheels.

[@garyeanes4747]

I have the exact same setup and absolutely LOVE it.

[@atassisamer]

Great review! What is your opinion regarding the Checkpoint ALR 5 ? Would you rank it as favorably ?

[@alexg8957]

I have it since a couple of months. Incredibly machine

[@johanmaclassen1779]

I think comparing these 3 bikes is rediculus, the crux is a full bread race cx bike, an in top specs (no wonder it's light and responsive), the trek is a "low" en (i love it by the way) gravelbike designed for touring and gravel-fun, the willier is something else, if you should make comparison chose either highhend mid-range or low-end bikes with same usehtag, a comparison to the crux should be a Bonne or checkpoint SLR (if we talk trek), while the diverge would be a better comparison to the checkpoint SL. But key is the equipment and intended use should be a like in class no Rival Vs Red that's not fair to any of them.

[@hardmtnbiker]

How about the gravel bikes that have all the latest advancements. XPLR, Fox, Lauf, dropper post rear suspension or integrated frame dampening. The bikes that blur the lines with a hybrid bike or a XC bike.

[@chrisgravel7157]

Trek did well with the Checkpoint update for most riders, but the previous version was like a cross between the current bike and a race bike especially in the short wheelbase setting. I have one and was considering the Rave or Aspero but really with upgrading the wheels, bars and a few bits its as fast and much, much more comfortable than either.

[@Simte]

Windspace and other Chinese brands are pushing the envelope in terms of price and quality.

[@8paolo96]

yeah, but after really really looking at the winspace new gravel bike the geometry is not that gret. On the larger sizes the stack goes up really fast while the reach remains somewhat similar, ending up with a short but tall L size frame. I was really close to buy one, but the this geometry did not convince me

[@Simte]

@@8paolo96 I agree, people should always research the product they might. I hope they innovate and improve further, their road line of products is quite excellent. And at the end of the day, some of these companies are putting in more effort than mass produced frames from overpriced companies.

[@Mosely2007]

I have 3 gravel bikes. All metal. SPEC. DIVERGE, Salsa Vaya and Trek Crockett.i don't have good luck with carbon anything. Many broken frames and wheels. I never want t o hear the sounď of cracking carbon again. Steel rides better over bad roads in Michigan . To each their own. Ride em if you got em!

[@khairulashab]

review the Scott Addict Gravel with the rest!

[@neelsahay3585]

The “best gravel bike” is the one that doesn’t cost as much as a liter bike and doesn’t shred a bottom bracket every 1000km. Somehow... SOMEHOW... that is a tall order.

[@stefanstrauss-aigner3221]

There is NO (!) bike that can justify a price over 10K. Thats just a test of companies to see how desperatly people want to throw money at a brand.

[@n22pdf]

Love my Diverge :)

[@KPong1337]

9:03 I BMC whatcha did there ;)

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

Looked at a dozen gravel bikes, and own a 3T Exploro , Cutthroat, and Topstone , and ended up with new Supersix EVo SE which would probably would be the sweet spot for most people in price and performance compared to these.

[@8paolo96]

shouldn't it be really similar to the crux? they're both coming / being used as CX bikes

[@donjohnson487]

I’m sorry but the only gravel bike in the video are the Trek, the two others are just road bike with bigger tires. Gravel riding are being able to go bike packing one day while enjoying a day one the gravel roads with your friends the next day.

[@andypaul999]

Gravel riding is also smashing along gravel roads at high speed and destroying the climbs. In that respect the Crux ticks the boxes.

[@mister_ray]

I prefer a CX bike for gravel riding. In my case a 2020 Trek Boone with Shimano GRX 810.

[@jonathanzappala]

Same for me, 2020 trek Crockett with di2. At home on road gravel and cx with different wheels.

[@Andy_ATB]

Which is what the Crux is; it's Specialized's CX bike, but now marketed as a 'gravel' bike.

[@jonathanzappala]

@@Andy_ATB they changed the geo on the new one, not that gravel is practically different geo though. Specialized claimed few people want cx specific bikes anymore.

[@Ey_up]

I just ordered a Rivendell Atlantis.

[@bikeradar]

Living your best #supplelyfe

[@rockylim735]

Interested in how a 2022 giant revolt advanced pro would fare againts these 3 bikes

[@ilanpi]

Nice review, except for the Bontrager components. You did a video on this on October 24, 2018!

[@ericwais119]

The best gravel bike of 2022? I had no idea there were only 3 to choose from..... Glad the experts at bike radar can pose that question with such a small sample size.

[@CarbonRider1]

1) Can we please stop reviewing stock gravel tires on gravel bikes? This is a pretty much useless since gravel tires vary region, season and the type of trails you ride. 2) Many reviewer have mentioned that the Crux is a bit harsh on the front end, and this is true, but it’s mostly due to the Roval Terra Handlebar, it’s too stiff and creates a harsh ride. I swapped mine out for a Easton carbon bar, and it was a whole different ride. 3) Everybody reviews the high end Swork Crux, but the non-Swork version is only 100g lighter, the ride is the same and uses the same fork.

[@jeremysweeten2792]

Spot on review of the Crux! You don’t need to buy the S-Works for all the benefits of that bike.

[@CarbonRider1]

@@jeremysweeten2792 totally. I bought the non-sworks version and built it up to 15lbs for gravel with a big 50t Eagle cassette, and it is a bit lighter for CX. Amazing bike.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for the commment. I would have liked to have reviewed a cheaper version of the Crux but, unfortunately, this was the only bike Specialized could/would send us through for review. I sort of agree re stock tyres, but it's important we review bikes as they come to us as many consumers, particularly those at are new to the sport* won't think of replacing tyres off the bat. *(Not that newcomers will be buying as £12k bike mind you!) Cheers again, Jack

[@CarbonRider1]

@@bikeradar the problem with reviewing tires is that it is relative. The Pathfinder tires don't work very well on your UK gravel and it is muddy often from what I understand. Here in the US, it also depends. If you live on the California coast or the mid-west US, those tires are fine in many cases. I ride a lot of single track and in the Sierra Mountains, and they don't work as well, I need something with a bit more tread, but if I venture west towards Sacramento, they are perfect. I would love to see a review on the lower spec Crux, just change out those bars if you can because honestly, they kind of suck.

[@mrazamking786]

Nice video

[@bxf1_]

I'd like to see the Cannondale supersix evo se tested.

[@seanrequiredfieldcannotbel1362]

I wish you would stay away from the Specialized and Trek bikes. They are the two biggest players in the game and don't need anymore advertising. There are soooo many other bikes you could give a ride. So many more accessible bikes. Ribble, Lauf, Rodeo Labs, there's a new Obed gravel bike, there's Ritte, there's Niner, there's Santa Cruz, there's the Pivot Vault, there's Rose, there's Cube, there's the really cheap-o State and Poseidon. We can't forget bikes from Scarab, Mason, Fairlight, Stelbel, and Standert. Ride interesting bikes for once, not the ones we already see everyone and their mamma riding.

[@nathancouse3596]

How tall are you by any chance? Looking to get the checkpoint in either a 54 or 66 but fall right in between both sizes

[@schaeff6476]

Can't help but notice the Willier J bars wrap tape from top to end of drops! Is this how it came or did you tape it up this way. You rebels.

[@samd6405]

At 785mm saddle height, do you think a size 58 crux would have been a better choice?

[@Leo-gt1bx]

Is everything 1x these days?

[@mrazamking786]

Vare nice video

[@timdixo]

Rave is out immediately…the integrated aero cockpit makes no rational sense for lower speed gravel riding. Crux would be superb…at half the price. Checkpoint for the win here…by default.

[@robertwalkerdine1178]

Three bikes that are typical of the bike industry these days. Overpriced, race specific and totally unrelatable to the normal cyclists. Gravel is popular because it got away from "everyone pretending they're a pro racer" not all this 💩

[@High_Octane]

well said sir

[@caperider1160]

Agree 100% plus 1% more

[@coachzarou]

Το the point 🙏🏽

[@kristopherplummer]

Probably unpopular point: they've reviewed the top- or near-to-top end specs of some high-end bikes. If you want accessible and gritty, probably don't rely on a "best of," review.🤷

[@BennyOcean]

What bike would you say is the best representation of a gravel bike then?

[@bikeradar]

Which gravel bikes should have been included in this test? Leave your thoughts below!

[@PetjeWinner]

Ridley Kanzo fast, Pinarello Grevil and last but not least; Cervélo Aspero

[@fossaert83]

3t, time, look, Genesis, Kona, Ridley, moose, the list is endless.

[@robertwalkerdine1178]

Something under 3k???? You know like normal price range

[@Alex-md6bu]

The actual trek gravel race bike? I see this is a checkpoint sl you have reveiwed. the SLR frame is the gravel race bike from trek that looses some of its versatility in favour of performance, you've basically reveiwed an endurance bike as part of a race bike test....

[@rickbeckner9906]

In addition to those noted below, the Giant Revolt is versatile, fast, and a much better value for money than these bikes. The Argon 18 Dark Matter also is a great fast gravel bike.

[@fossaert83]

Please choose different Bikes, relevant bikes or brands, so sick of sworks or trek bikes.

[@bernardo9202]

And all so different from eachother, if this a test on frames all other components should be as standart as possible

[@andypaul999]

It feels like these were the bikes they had for review, rather than the bikes they wanted to review.

[@bikeradar]

@@andypaul999 You're pretty much spot on. While we, of course, focus our efforts on reviewing the most popular bikes (which typically are those from large brands), getting a hold of review bikes these days is... challenging. If you'd like to see reviews from a broader range of brands, check out our full back catalog of gravel bike reviews on BikeRadar.com: www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/gravel-bikes/

[@emilioc700]

The 2022 Checkpoint does not have front ISO. Nor did the previous version.

[@jonathanzappala]

Idk why you guys across the pond think gravel bike means ride it on mtb trails. Probably why all these people say it’s a 90’s mountain bike. How about… gravel country roads.

[@caperider1160]

For me, definitely not one of these 3 bikes

[@jaimedebrum8557]

Isn’t the crux a cyclocross bike? Specialized Gravel bike is the Diverge

[@bikeradar]

The Crux re-launched last year as a gravel bike. You can see our full coverage here! www.bikeradar.com/news/new-specialized-crux/

[@WhoCares-wo2oc]

I like how you put a SL 6 checkpoint against a S-works and talk weight. 🙄

[@High_Octane]

$16,000 for that crux here in canada. get bent.

[@jeremysweeten2792]

Crux (at almost any build spec, not just S-Works) is just an amazing bike for all kinds of riding. Checkpoint is fine, too, but that Crux just hums

[@dionisiuskusuma1462]

Will you people use metric measurements? You know, like the rest of the world?

[@JogBird]

i dont know why you would want to race through that type of landscape scenary, why so serious

[@genelegend]

the correct answer is the 2021 specialized diverge comp carbon in ice blue

[@vipanpuri5073]

Money not grow on the tree my friend

[@tomas7403]

Even if I was rich I wouldn't pay a half of that money (11.000 pounds), for not feeling stupid.

[@jayswavely6371]

Gravel is used to reach singletrack

[@galenkehler]

None of the above: Cookie cutter geometry, boring. I'll design my own.

[@stevekelly6544]

Check out the brand new Felt Breed Carbon! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHzOdaitaaqrbbc