Gossip
Which early gravel innovation are you most glad the industry adopted?
Chapter 1
The birth of the gravel category
Chapter 2
The technology of comfort and control
Chapter 3
Global gravel culture and epic adventures
Chapter 4
Why gravel bikes became the ultimate "one bike"
YOUR GOAL
Master of The rise of gravel bikes
Ch 1 · The birth of the gravel category
sonia See how the Warbird's flexible frame absorbed vibrations, launching the fat tire revolution.
nic Cyclocross racing provided the initial blueprint for riding drop-bar bikes on mud and grass.
Fun Fact
Gravel origins: The first official production gravel bike, the Salsa Warbird, was released in 2012 specifically to handle the rough gravel roads of the American Midwest.
Glossary
gravel bike (noun)
A drop-bar bicycle designed for riding on both paved and unpaved surfaces, typically featuring wide tire clearance. In 2012, Salsa Cycles launched the Warbird as the industry's first purpose-built model of this type.
A drop-bar bicycle designed for riding on both paved and unpaved surfaces, typically featuring wide tire clearance. In 2012, Salsa Cycles launched the Warbird as the industry's first purpose-built model of this type.
Quiz
What is the primary physical drawback of riding a traditional road bike on loose gravel?
nic Mid-2000s endurance races on rugged US gravel roads demanded a completely new kind of bicycle.
Quiz
Where did the famous Unbound Gravel race, which popularized gravel cycling, originate in 2006?