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In October 2026, Velo concluded its gravel bike field test with a grueling 100‑kilometer (62‑mile) ride from Squamish to Whistler along British Columbia’s Sea to Sky corridor. The test pitted six markedly different bikes against a mixed-surface course of smooth “champagne” gravel, loose rocks, steep climbs, technical single‑track, and paved connectors, all ridden on control 50mm Schwalbe G‑One RX tires mounted to Easton EC90 ALX wheels to isolate bike performance.
The lineup spanned the category spectrum. Giant’s Revolt Advanced SL served as an all‑rounder, offering 53mm tire clearance at a tested 7.85kg. Factor’s Sarana prioritized ultra‑endurance with 56mm clearance but at 9.58kg. Argon 18’s Anti Matter leaned into aerodynamics, claiming 55mm clearance at 8.5kg. Obed’s GVR positioned itself as a progressive race bike with 56mm clearance at 9.12kg. Pivot’s Les SL Drop Bar brought mountain‑bike geometry and 29×2.4in tires, weighing 9.78kg with SRAM GX Eagle transmission. Salsa’s Fargo 32 Ti tested the impact of larger 60mm clearance and “32er” wheel size, coming in at 9.48kg with GX Eagle.
Three riders embodied distinct gravel philosophies. Mike Levy, a reformed mountain biker, brought a technical, rowdy approach favoring adventurous, off‑path terrain. Velo senior tech editor Josh Ross focused on efficiency and maximizing distance. Logan Jones‑Wilkins, who placed 18th at Unbound 200, chased raw speed and performance optimization. To assign bikes mid‑ride, the team settled on go‑kart racing—a nod to Josh’s street‑racing background—which gave him the right to choose which bikes Logan would ride, while Levy and Josh rotated through the remaining models.
The route was designed to stress‑test every bike’s limits, mixing loose fire‑road washboard, rocky single‑track, and sustained climbing and descending. After the mileage and head‑to‑head challenges, Levy, Josh, and Logan sat down to debate the future of gravel bikes. Central questions included whether bigger wheels improve capability, if suspension belongs on gravel, and whether the pursuit of speed sacrifices too much versatility. They also ranked which of the six bikes they’d personally take home.
Beyond the ride, Velo published in‑depth individual bike reviews and a podcast roundtable discussion, continuing the conversation on where gravel technology is headed. Sponsors woven, Schwalbe, and Easton supported the endeavor, and the test stood as a comprehensive, real‑world evaluation of today’s gravel landscape.
