Best Entry-Level Gravel Bikes Under $2,000

There’s no debate; gravel cycling has exploded in the past several years, and there are no signs of it slowing down.

Gravel has gained traction for many good reasons. It’s the ideal mode of cycling for limitless all-road riding. Unpaved adventures are generally more scenic and safe, enabling you to ride and explore lesser trafficked areas.

Riding a drop-bar bike with bigger tires is also a lot of fun.

Today's gravel bike technology has evolved with demand, offering a broad spectrum of options on the market. Simply put, you don’t need to shell out $3K or $4K for a quality gravel bike.

Several entry-level gravel bikes deliver more than enough capability for competitive cyclists, let alone beginners.

Sure, you may have to compromise electronic shifting or forego a carbon frame, but many able-bodied gravel bikes pack a punch for under $2K. Here are our top picks.

What to Look for in a Gravel Bike?

Several key features can make or break your riding experience when shopping for a gravel bike under $2,000. Understanding these essential elements will help you make an informed decision and get the most value for your investment.

Versatility features: The best gravel bikes offer disc brakes, tubeless-ready wheels, and a geometry that's comfortable for long days in the saddle. These features make the bike equally capable on gravel roads, light trails, and paved surfaces.
Frame material: At the $2K price point, you'll primarily find aluminum frames offering an excellent balance of durability and comfort. Steel options are also available at this entry-level price point and provide exceptional strength and ride quality that are perfect for unpaved adventures.
Tire clearance: Look for bikes that accommodate at least 40mm tires, with many modern options offering clearance up to 45-50mm for 700c wheels. This flexibility allows you to tackle various terrain types and adapt your setup based on conditions.
Drivetrain options: Quality gravel-specific groupsets like Shimano GRX and Tiagra or SRAM Rival and Apex provide dialed shifting and braking performance in this price range. Both 1x and 2x setups are viable, with 1x offering simplicity and 2x providing wider gear range for varied terrain.
Mounting points: Ensure your bike includes multiple mounting points for water bottles, racks, and accessories to maximize versatility for everything from daily commuting to weekend bikepacking adventures.

There are a lot of nice-looking gravel bikes that are affordably priced. But if the bike’s groupset shifts like a Walmart special or its frame has limited tire clearance, we don’t want it.

Our Top Picks for Gravel Bikes Under $2,000

If you’re familiar with BikeExchange, you’ll know that you can find older models of higher-end bikes that provide the best bang for your buck. For instance, you can buy a 2023 Pinarello Granger right at $2k (an Italian carbon gravel bike that retails for $3,500.)

For more options like this, we’ve whittled down our top picks for the best gravel bikes under $2,000.

Cannondale Topstone 2

The Cannondale Topstone 2 combines a lightweight SmartForm C2 alloy frame with a full carbon fork, delivering an excellent balance of durability and comfort for gravel adventures. The sleek frame design incorporates internal cable routing and multiple mounting points for racks, fenders, and water bottles.

The bike features Shimano's gravel-specific GRX 400 10-speed groupset paired with an FSA Omega AGX+ sub-compact crankset (46/30T chainrings) and an 11-34T cassette. This drivetrain combination provides ample range for both steep climbs and fast descents, while hydraulic disc brakes ensure reliable stopping power in all conditions.

The Topstone 2 comes equipped with 37mm WTB Riddler TCS Light tires mounted on WTB ST i23 TCS tubeless-ready rims, though the frame can accommodate tires up to 45mm wide. Additional features include 16-degree flared handlebars for enhanced control and internal dropper post routing for future upgrades.

Check out this beautiful Cannondale Topstone 2 or upgrade to this Topstone Carbon 6.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon

The All-City Gorilla Monsoon combines a 612 Select chromoly steel frame and fork with ED coating for rust prevention, creating a robust platform ready for serious adventure riding. The frame features multiple mounting points for racks and fenders, three water bottle mounts, and internal routing for a dropper post. It’s a more-than-capable bikepacking bike if you are planning multi-day adventures in the future.

The bike comes equipped with SRAM Apex 1x11 drivetrain, featuring an FSA Comet crankset with 38T chainring paired to a wide-range 11-42T cassette for conquering varied terrain. The WTB ST i25 TCS tubeless-ready wheels are wrapped in WTB Riddler 27.5 x 2.4" tires, though the frame can also accommodate 700c x 42mm wheels for different riding styles.

The Gorilla Monsoon's geometry strikes an excellent balance between stability and agility, with a 71.5-degree head tube angle and bi-plane crown steel fork that delivers confident handling on technical terrain. Notable features include flat-mount disc brakes, thru-axles front and rear, and compatibility with Surly 8-Pack and 24-Pack racks for extended adventure riding.

We love this All-City Gorilla Monsoon, but this bike comes in other build options that are worth a look.

Kona Rove DL

The Kona Rove DL features a butted chromoly steel frame paired with a Kona Project Two chromoly disc fork, delivering a balanced ride quality that's both durable and comfortable. The classic steel construction offers natural vibration dampening while maintaining excellent power transfer for varied terrain.

The bike comes equipped with a SRAM Rival 1x11 drivetrain featuring a SRAM Apex crankset with 40T X-Sync chainring and an 11-42T cassette, providing ample range for both steep climbs and fast descents. The TRP HDC711C mechanical/hydraulic hybrid brakes offer reliable stopping power with the convenience of hydraulic performance.

The Rove DL rolls on WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 tubeless-ready wheels wrapped in capable 650b x 47c Maxxis Rambler EXO tires, perfect for mixed-terrain adventures. Notable features include internal cable routing, multiple mounting points for racks and fenders, and a geometry that balances stability with agile handling for both loaded touring and spirited gravel riding.

Check the availability of the Kona Rove DL or explore other build options.

Giant Revolt 2

The Giant Revolt 2 features a lightweight ALUXX-grade aluminum frame paired with an Advanced-Grade composite fork, creating a capable platform for mixed-surface adventures. The frame includes an innovative flip-chip dropout system that allows riders to adjust the wheelbase and tire clearance to match their riding style.

The bike comes equipped with a Shimano Sora 2x9 drivetrain, featuring FSA Vero Pro cranks with 32/48T chainrings and an 11-34T cassette for versatile gearing across varied terrain. Mechanical disc brakes and the Giant S-X2 disc wheelset provide reliable stopping power and durability for off-road excursions.

While the bike comes stock with tubeless-ready 38mm Giant CrossCut AT 2 tires, the frame can accommodate tires up to 53mm wide in the long flip chip position. Notable features include the D-Fuse seatpost system for added compliance, internal cable routing, and multiple mounting points for accessories.

This Giant Revolt 2 is a great beginner option. But if you have more to spend, this Revolt Advanced 2 provides a serious upgrade for a better groupset and a lightweight carbon frame.

Felt BROAM 40 Tiagra

The Felt BROAM 40 features a durable aluminum frame paired with a carbon fork, offering a versatile platform that excels at everything from daily commuting to weekend adventures. The bike's geometry allows for multiple handlebar height positions, enabling riders to dial in their preferred setup from sporty to upright touring positions.

The drivetrain consists of Shimano GRX components in a 2x10 configuration, providing an exceptionally wide gear range that's especially useful when the bike is loaded with camping gear. The bike's reliable hydraulic disc brakes deliver confident stopping power while maintaining excellent value for the price point.

The BROAM 40 truly shines in its touring and bikepacking capabilities, featuring mounting points for rear panniers, front and rear fenders, lowrider front racks, and up to four water bottle cages. The frame can accommodate wider tires for mixed-terrain adventures, while the comfortable riding position makes it ideal for both gravel excursions and poorly paved roads.

Take a closer look at this Felt BROAM 40 Tiagra build.

Specialized Diverge E5 Elite

The Specialized Diverge E5 Elite pairs a premium E5 aluminum frame with a full carbon FACT fork, creating a responsive and confidence-inspiring platform for mixed-terrain adventures. The frame features internal cable routing, flat-mount disc brakes, and multiple rack mounts for enhanced versatility.

Shimano's GRX 400 groupset handles shifting duties with a 2x10-speed drivetrain, combining 46/30T chainrings with an 11-36T cassette for ample range across varied terrain. The bike rolls on Axis Elite alloy wheels with 35mm Specialized RoadSport tires, while the frame offers clearance for up to 47mm tires with 700c wheels or 2.1-inch with 650b wheels.

The bike's progressive geometry includes a slacker head tube and longer offset fork for stability in rough conditions while maintaining nimble handling on smoother surfaces. Additional features include hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless-ready wheels, and thoughtful touches like top tube mounts for extended adventure riding.

Scope out this Specialized Diverge E5 Elite

Salsa Journeyer

The Salsa Journeyer features a thoughtfully designed aluminum frame paired with a Waxwing carbon fork, creating a versatile platform that excels across multiple riding disciplines. The frame includes numerous mounting points for racks, fenders, and accessories, plus Three-Pack mounts on the fork legs for additional storage options.

The Journeyer is available in several build configurations to suit different riding styles and budgets. The premium GRX 600 build features Shimano's gravel-specific groupset with 700c wheels for speed and efficiency, while the SRAM Apex 1 650b version offers a simplified 1x11 drivetrain (40T chainring, 11-42T cassette) paired with smaller diameter wheels and higher volume tires for enhanced comfort and control.

Both frame variants can accommodate either 700c tires up to 50mm wide or 650b tires up to 2.2", allowing riders to customize their setup based on terrain preferences. The bike's geometry strikes an excellent balance between stability and agility, making it equally capable as a daily commuter, weekend gravel grinder, or loaded touring bike.

Shown above is the Journeyer GRX 600 650B, which is a solid gravel bike under $2,000. Or explore all Journeyer build options available at BikeExchange.

Flexibility to Spend More?

As we mentioned above, at BikeExchange, you can buy a brand new but older gravel bike (2022-2024 model) at a fraction of the price of retail. If your budget allows for a bit more to spend, then we highly recommend these gravel bikes (which far exceed “entry-level” standards).

As always, if you have questions about purchasing your next gravel bike, don’t hesitate to get in touch.