Race gravel bikes 2027: eight models compared, tyres and prices

The 2027 race gravel bike has a recognisable shape: ever wider tyres, electronic 1x13 drivetrains, aero front ends and a frame compartment. To see how the models line up we put together the data published by Tour Magazin on eight bikes. These are manufacturer claims and European list prices, indicative as of 17 October 2026: they can change by size, market and build, and they are not our measurements.

Tyres: from 42 to 58 mm

The most visible trend is tyre room. The Canyon Grail goes to 57 mm (we cover it in a dedicated article), the Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0 rises from 42 to 58 mm, the Colnago G5-X reaches 53 mm. The Look G85 Cezal RS claims 50 mm at the rear and 57 at the front, the Van Rysel RCR-G and the Ducati GraviaX R 50 mm (the Ducati drops to 45 with a double chainring), the Megamo Silk 47 mm rear and 52 front. The article notes that more room lets you adapt to the terrain without always fitting the widest tyre. For non-racers the real benefit is comfort: a wide tyre at low pressure absorbs more, and the rest comes after.

Aero and 1x13

Canyon, Ridley, Look, Van Rysel and Colnago use aero front ends, often with integrated cockpits. Nearly all run 13-speed SRAM XPLR AXS with a single chainring and a 10-46 cassette; exceptions are the Megamo Silk 04 (1x12, 10-52), the Silk 05 (GRX Di2 2x12) and the Thok Grow Pro (SRAM Force AXS 1x12, 10-52). The Ducati frame also takes a double chainring. 1x simplifies but removes gears: if your rides include hard climbs and fast stretches, check with the gear ratio calculator that your lowest and highest gears are enough.

Here is the reported data for the main builds. Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0: Rival XPLR 5,499, Force XPLR 6,999, Red XPLR 11,699 euros, frameset 4,499. Look G85 Cezal RS: Force 6,990 euros (8.3 kg), Red 8,999 (7.9 kg), frameset 3,290; the frame is claimed at about 1,000 g in size M. Van Rysel RCR-G: Rival 3,199 (8.6 kg), Force 4,199 (8.2 kg), Red 6,599 (7.8 kg), with a claimed 885 g unpainted frame. Colnago G5-X: Rival 4,900, Force 5,750, Red 9,200. Ducati GraviaX R: 5,990 euros, 8.2 kg. Thok Grow Pro 4,990 euros (Comp 3,990, FR 2,990). The Megamo Silk has no price yet, with a claimed 940 g SLR frame. For the Canyon Grail, Tour Magazin lists 2,499 to 6,999 euros, while other sources put the top version at 8,000.

How to read the table

On paper the most interesting price-to-weight ratio is the Van Rysel (7.8 kg at 6,599 euros with SRAM Red XPLR), followed by the Look. That does not make it the best: a brand with a service network nearby, the right size and a test ride are worth more than 300 g. Frameset-only options (Ridley, Look) are for people who know what they want to fit. And remember that many of these weights are without pedals, in size M, and claimed: your real bike will weigh a little more.

Who it suits

A race gravel bike makes sense if you take part in races or long, fast rides on mixed surfaces. If you are starting out or want a touring bike, you do not need a 7.8 kg machine: start from how to choose between road, gravel and MTB and how to start gravel riding. The market is struggling, list prices are high and discounts frequent: in 2025 Italian sales fell 4 percent according to ANCMA, so waiting a season and considering a 2026 model can save hundreds of euros.