Gravel

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out James Huang's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Gravel bikes help you spice up road rides with dirt roads, trails, and even a little singletrack. Here are our four favorite bikes from 2016.

Check out Anne-Marije Rook's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Appleman's custom bike is a fantastically complicated machine that brings riding back to its simplest form: Get on, pedal, go anywhere.

Exclusive to VeloClub Insiders, Neal Rogers writes the story behind the story of tracking down ex-World Champion Roland Green, speaking with ex-training partners and competitors, and how the feature came to fruition.

Roland Green dominated the mountain bike world in 2001 and 2002, winning two world titles, the World Cup series overall, and the NORBA series title. After injury and suspension, he retired following the 2005 season and disappeared, seemingly cutting all ties from the cycling world. We set out find out where he is today, and why he completely stepped away from the sport he loved.

Nestled in the rugged south-eastern corner of New South Wales, the Snowy Mountains is Australia’s highest mountain range and home to mainland Australia’s highest peak: Mount Kosciuszko. It’s 2,228 vertical metres from sea level to the Kosciuskzo summit, and roughly 220km by road from Australia’s east coast. In late October, three cyclists set out to tackle that journey over two days; to ride from sea to summit. Here’s how the trip unfolded.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out Neal Rogers's author page.

The Blue Norcoss EX is a dependable racer with an almost-excellent build

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Helmut Pucher's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out Justin Morris's author page.

Check out Wade Wallace's author page.

Clement’s PDX tubular tires are made for mixed-condition courses replete with wet and muddy features.

Foundry's Flyover is a unique 'cross race bike, built from titanium, offering confident handling, a solid parts spec, and respectably light weight.

For the deep, sloppy muck, Dugast’s Rhino cotton tubulars are the tires for you.

For a supple, smooth ride, Dugast Typhoon all-around ‘cross tubulars are hard to beat.

Specialized’s Terra tubulars look mean and aggressive with big, chunky knobs spaced far apart across the tire’s tread.

Specialized’s versatile Tracer tubulars work for a wide range of conditions. They roll quickly on smooth ground but tackle corners with plenty of grip.

The Grifo side knobs don’t offer much bite, so you’ll need greater skill when you hit loose corners or have to scamper down off-camber descents.

Vittoria’s Cross Evo XN tubulars were created for dry, non-technical ‘cross courses where speed, not traction, is the ultimate goal.

Challenge’s Chicane tubulars offer are a more versatile take on file tread ‘cross tires thanks to meaty side knobs.

Clement’s MXP tubulars tackle a wide range of conditions and variable surfaces.

The Clement LAS tubulars float over hard-pack or asphalt thanks to the smooth file tread down the center of the tire.

Dugast's Pipisquallo tires are made for very specific course conditions like Koksijde, Belgium’s sand dunes or Cross Vegas’s grassy circuit.

Hutchinson calls its Toro tubular a mud tire but the low, fast rolling tread makes it a better all-around option for mixed conditions.

Whether your ‘cross course is covered in muddy ruts or it just has a couple slick sections, Challenge has a tubular for you with the Limus and Baby Limus.

Jamis's Supernova Elite has a reasonable price tag and durable component package. It's great even when 'cross season has come and gone.

Cannondale's SuperX is aggressive yet stable and race-ready out of the box. It’s not the perfect cyclocross racing bike, but it’s darn close.

Check out Simone Giuliani's author page.

Check out Wade Trevean's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

In the latest instalment of our Roadtripping series, the crew from NorthSouth spend 12 days exploring Italy by bike. The Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany – they're all regions perfect for cycling, and more than a little picturesque to boot.

The new Crankbrothers Candy 7 pedals offer the simplicity and elegance of of the company's previous models with better durability and stability.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Peter Flax's author page.

Check out Jesse Carlsson's author page.

A aerodynamic gravel bike? Yep, 3T has announced the new Exploro, and if its claims hold up, it might make sense for some racers.

Check out Wade Wallace's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Andy van Bergen's author page.

Check out Simone Giuliani's author page.

Check out Andy van Bergen's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Jonathan Reece's author page.

Check out Helmut Pucher's author page.

The Kona Sutra is a go-anywhere explorer, capable of so much more than a spin around dirt roads or a pedal down your favorite gravel trail.

Salsa was one of the first companies to embrace gravel riding, and the Warbird only bolsters its dedication to this relatively new category.

Pivot has created a light, full-carbon, thru-axle dirt-road machine that could double as a cyclocross bike.

Cannondale intends to provide a versatile bike to riders who dabble in dirt, but don't expect Slate to be as speedy as a pure road bike.

Check out Alain Rumpf's author page.

'Cross racing has very specific demands — here are three pieces of apparel that meet those needs and can even do a bit more.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

A race bike at a fair price point, the Boone offers comfort, stiffness, and an excellent overall design, despite a few imperfections.

Felt's F1X is a great bike for the cyclocross race course, but it isn't quite as maneuverable as we'd like it to be.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Cannondale's SuperX Hi-Mod has a great frame design for 'cross racing, but a few of its kit choices left us scratching our heads.

Sick of seeing litter on your favorite trails? First, admit that you’re the problem. Then get help by watching this video.

Check out Wade Trevean's author page.

A pro-level racer with a mid-level price tag, the Crux Pro Race is as stiff as they come yet manages comfortable ride quality.

Check out Matt Wikstrom's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Andy van Bergen's author page.

Suspension seeps into new markets as riders are spotted riding Lefty forks on drop-bar bikes outside of competition.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out Anne-Marije Rook's author page.

Check out Matt De Neef's author page.

Check out Jessi Braverman's author page.