Ready to hit the open road and explore stunning outback or coastal trails? A gravel touring bike is your ticket to adventure, blending the speed of a road bike with the toughness needed for off-road tracks.
Whether you’re planning a weekend bikepacking trip or a cross-country journey, this guide will help you pick the perfect gravel bike and set it up for epic adventures.
What Makes a Gravel Bike Tour-Ready?
Gravel touring bikes combine the sleek efficiency of a road bike with the resilience of a mountain bike, designed to handle everything from dusty tracks to sealed paths.
You’ll often see flared drop bars (typically between 6° to 20°) for added control and comfort, especially handy on uneven fire trails.
Key features include:
- Tyres: Wide 700c or 650b tyres (up to 40 mm) for traction on gravel, sand, or mud.
- Frame Materials: Lightweight yet durable options like carbon fibre, aluminium, or steel.
- Mounts: Multiple attachment points for racks, panniers, and water bottles, essential for multi-day trips.
Brands like Polygon, popular across Australia, offer models like the Bend Series, which balance performance and practicality for local conditions.
Key Elements for a Tour-Ready Gravel Bike
But if you’re planning to tackle some serious kilometres—like riding from Sydney to Adelaide—there are a few key factors you’ll want to get spot on:
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Geometry Built for Distance
A gravel touring bike needs a frame designed for long-distance comfort and control. Look for:
- A longer wheelbase (105–115 cm) to keep you stable when loaded with gear.
- Extended chainstays (41–45 cm) for better weight distribution on rough tracks.
- A taller head tube (13–20 cm) for a more upright riding position, reducing strain on long rides through the outback.
This geometry ensures you stay comfortable and in control over any mix of surfaces in our wide land.
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Frame Materials: Durability Meets Comfort
Choose a frame material that suits your riding style:
- Aluminium: Lightweight and affordable, ideal for budget-conscious adventurers.
- Carbon Fibre: Offers a smooth ride with excellent vibration damping, great for rough tracks like the Gibb River Road.
- Steel: Tough and reliable, perfect for long-distance tours across remote regions.
- Hybrid Frames: Combine materials for a balance of weight, strength, and comfort.
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Gearing: Tackle Any Terrain
Australia’s diverse landscapes demand versatile gearing. A triple chainring setup up front paired with a wide-ranging cassette (e.g., 11–36 teeth) gives you the flexibility to power up hills, speed down descents, or cruise on flat roads.
SRAM Rival 1, featured on models like the Polygon Bend R9X, offers wireless shifting for seamless performance, perfect for rugged Aussie trails.
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Mounting Points: Your Gear-Carrying Capability
For multi-day trips, you’ll need space for panniers, water bottles, and fenders. Look for bikes with multiple mounting points to evenly distribute weight, ensuring stability on long hauls.
These mounts are vital for distributing weight evenly with panniers or bikepacking luggage, significantly enhancing stability and allowing you to carry all necessary supplies for multi-day explorations.
Polygon’s Innovation in Gravel Touring
Choosing the right gravel bike means carefully considering its geometry for stability, gearing for diverse terrains, frame material for the desired ride feel and weight, and mounting options for your essential gear.
For instance, the Polygon Bend Series gravel bike is frequently recommended because it intelligently integrates these elements.
Models like the Bend R9X and V9X even feature advanced systems such as SRAM Rival 1 wireless shifting for exceptionally smooth gear changes, making light work of any inclines or flats.
The Bend V9X also introduces fork suspension, a genuine game-changer for tackling more gnarly off-road sections and significantly enhancing comfort on those truly long-haul adventures.
Embark on Your Next Gravel Adventure
So, get your gear sorted, plan your route, and prepare to experience Australia’s incredible landscapes like never before. Whether it’s a quick overnighter or an epic cross-country traverse, your gravel touring bike is your ticket to freedom. Happy gravel touring!
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