Quick take
Choosing a road gravel bike often comes down to a few big forks: frame material, drivetrain, brake setup, and whether you want a new build or a used/demo bike. In this group, the listed prices range from $1,085.65 for a new Bombtrack Tension 2 to $3,599.00 for a 2023 Cervelo Aspero demo bike. In between sit a 2018 Felt F4X at $1,500.00 and a 2023 Bianchi Arcadex demo at $2,499.00. Your decision will likely hinge on how much carbon you want, how simple you like your drivetrain, and how much frame size matters.
Listed-price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Bombtrack Tension 2 Gravel Bike 700C Aluminum Frame & Carbon Fork, Rival 1 | USD 1,085.65 | |
| 2018 Felt F4X 55cm 700C Gravel Bike 11-Speed Hydraulic | USD 1,500.00 | |
| Demo Bianchi Arcadex, Carbon Fiber Gravel Bike - 2023, Small | USD 2,499.00 | |
| Demo Cervelo Aspero, Carbon Fiber Gravel Bike - 2023, 54cm | USD 3,599.00 |
Decision matrix
| Product | Frame | Drivetrain | Brakes | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Felt F4X 55cm | Carbon | 11-speed | Hydraulic disc | Used |
| Bombtrack Tension 2 700C | Aluminum frame, carbon fork | SRAM Rival 1, 1x11 | Hydraulic disc | New |
| Demo Cervelo Aspero 54cm | Carbon fiber | Shimano GRX, 2x10 | Hydraulic disc | Used (demo) |
| Demo Bianchi Arcadex Small | Carbon fiber | Shimano GRX, 1x11 | Hydraulic disc | Used (demo) |
Product notes
2018 Felt F4X 55cm 700C Gravel Bike 11-Speed Hydraulic
At $1,500.00, this used Felt F4X sits in the middle of the price range. It's a 55cm carbon gravel bike with an 11-speed hydraulic setup, and the build includes a SRAM RED crankset with an integrated power meter, SRAM Force shifting, and Vittoria 45mm tires. That makes it an interesting choice if you want a performance-oriented used bike with a power meter already on the crankset. The main limitation is size: it's listed at 55cm, so it's aimed at a specific fit range. Also, because it's a used bike, the condition reflects that it's not brand new.
Bombtrack Tension 2 Gravel Bike 700C Aluminum Frame & Carbon Fork, Rival 1
The Bombtrack Tension 2 is the lowest-priced bike here at USD 1,085.65 and the only new build in the group. It pairs a 6061-T6 double-butted aluminum frame with a full carbon fork, and the build uses SRAM Rival 1 hydraulic disc brakes, a 40T narrow-wide chainring, and an 11-36 cassette. Hunt 4 Season wheels and 120 TPI tubeless-ready tires round out the package. If you want a new bike with a straightforward 1x drivetrain and fender/rack mounts, this is the one to weigh. The trade-off is that the frame material is aluminum rather than carbon, and the drivetrain is a 1x setup rather than a 2x group.
Demo Cervelo Aspero, Carbon Fiber Gravel Bike - 2023, 54cm
At $3,599.00, the Cervelo Aspero is the highest-priced option in this comparison. This 2023 demo bike has a carbon fiber frame and fork, a Shimano GRX 2x10 drivetrain with a 46/30 crankset, and hydraulic disc brakes. The listed size is 54cm, which roughly suits 5'6" to 5'10" riders, and the whole build weighs about 21 lbs. It's also a used/demo unit, so you're weighing a 2023 carbon build against the new Bombtrack or the older Felt. The main limitation is the price tag-it's the biggest outlay here-and the 2x10 drivetrain may feel less simple than a 1x gravel setup.
Demo Bianchi Arcadex, Carbon Fiber Gravel Bike - 2023, Small
The Bianchi Arcadex sits between the Felt and the Cervelo at $2,499.00. It's another 2023 carbon demo bike, with a full carbon fork, Shimano GRX RX810 1x11 drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a compact 40t chainring paired with an 11-42 cassette. The listed size is Small, which fits riders around 5'4" to 5'8", and the build weight is about 20 lbs 14 oz. If you want a lightweight carbon gravel bike with a simple one-by drivetrain and a moderate price, this is a strong contender. The trade-off is that it's a demo bike in used condition, and the 1x drivetrain may have less gear range than a 2x setup on fast road sections.
Final recommendation by use case
- If you want the lowest listed price and a new build: the Bombtrack Tension 2 is the straightforward pick.
- If you want a carbon demo bike with a 2x drivetrain: the Cervelo Aspero gives you a Shimano GRX 2x10 setup in 54cm.
- If you want a lighter carbon demo with a simple 1x drivetrain and a lower listed price than the Cervelo: the Bianchi Arcadex is the intermediate option.
- If you want a used carbon bike with an integrated power meter and a mid-range price: the 2018 Felt F4X stands out for that specific need.
