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#VeloFieldTest #GravelBikeFuture #2027GravelTest #SquamishTesting #ClimbDescendEfficiency #GiantRevolt #MeansFactor #Argon18AntiMatter #ObedGVR #PivotLesSL #SalsaFargo32Ti #GravelChallenges #TechRiders #BikeInnovation #GravelAdventure
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Published October 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Velo’s 2027 Gravel Bike Field Test explores the evolving landscape of gravel cycling through a rigorous, real-world evaluation of six distinct modern gravel bikes in Squamish, British Columbia. This episode two installment focuses on subjecting the bikes and riders to three specific performance challenges—climbing, descending, and efficiency—to determine how each machine handles the extreme conditions that define contemporary gravel riding, moving beyond initial impressions to assess limits and capabilities.
The test encompasses three distinct challenges designed to push both equipment and riders. In the climbing challenge, Logan Jones-Wilkins evaluates how each bike performs on an off-road ascent featuring rocks and roots, with timed runs measuring efficiency and handling on technical terrain. Levy takes on the descending challenge, navigating a demanding technical singletrack that pushes gravel bikes toward mountain bike territory, leveraging his 20+ years of mountain biking expertise to assess stability, control, and confidence at speed. Josh Ross tackles the efficiency test, riding each bike on a washboard gravel road while maintaining a steady 200-watt power output to measure which machine minimizes energy loss over long distances, reflecting his personal focus on endurance and endurance-oriented riding.
Six bicycles represent divergent interpretations of the gravel bike concept, each chosen for its progressive approach to the category. The Giant Revolt Advanced SL positions itself as an all-rounder suitable for both racing and adventure, featuring SRAM Red XPLR components, a claimed 53mm tire clearance, and a tested medium size weight of 7.85kg (17.3lbs). The Means Factor is framed as an ultra-endurance machine, built around the Factor Sarana frame with SRAM Force XPLR, claiming 56mm tire clearance and weighing 9.58kg (21.12lbs) in medium. The Argon 18 Anti Matter takes an aero approach to gravel, pairing its frame with SRAM Red XPLR, claiming 55mm tire clearance, and testing at 8.5kg (18.74lbs) for medium. The Obed GVR is described as a progressive race bike, using SRAM Red XPLR, claiming 56mm tire clearance, and weighing 9.12kg (20.1lbs) in medium. The Pivot Les SL Drop Bar represents the drop-bar mountain bike concept, equipped with SRAM GX Eagle Transmission 12-speed, claiming clearance for 29 x 2.4″ tires, and weighing 9.78kg (21.56lbs) in medium. Finally, the Salsa Fargo 32 Ti explores the impact of larger wheels, featuring SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, claiming 60mm tire clearance, and testing at 9.48kg (20.9lbs) for medium.
The test riders embody three distinct philosophies within gravel cycling, ensuring varied perspectives. Mike Levy, a reformed mountain biker turned drop-bar enthusiast, brings technical, rowdy off-road experience and a preference for adventurous, chunky terrain far from paved roads. Josh Ross, Velo’s Senior Tech Editor, focuses on long-distance efficiency, routinely completing century rides and seeking equipment that maximizes endurance performance across Pacific Northwest gravel roads and beyond, driven by pushing personal boundaries. Logan Jones-Wilkins, also a Velo Tech Editor, combines racing pedigree—having finished 18th overall at Unbound 200—with a desire for high-performance gear that also enables exploration into unknown territory, balancing speed with adventure.
Squamish, British Columbia, serves as the ideal testing ground due to its exceptional terrain diversity, providing the “outdoor playground” necessary to stress-test bikes across the full spectrum of gravel conditions. The location offers a mix of champagne gravel roads, loamy dirt trails, and slightly technical rocky single track, incorporating both climbing and descending elements for each surface type. This variety allows the test to authentically represent the wide range of conditions encompassed by the term “gravel riding,” from smooth fire roads to challenging singletrack, ensuring evaluations reflect real-world versatility rather than idealized scenarios.
To isolate bike performance as the primary variable, the test employed control measures: all bikes were fitted with identical 50mm Schwalbe G-One RX tires mounted to Easton EC90 ALX wheels, run at consistent tire pressure. This standardization eliminated tire and wheel differences as confounding factors, allowing direct comparison of frame geometry, suspension characteristics (where applicable), drivetrain efficiency, and overall ride quality under the test conditions.
The field test is a collaborative effort supported by sponsors and a dedicated production team. Woven provided kits and helmets, Schwalbe supplied the control tires, and Easton contributed the EC90 ALX wheels for consistent wheel sets. The video team included Logan Patrick Nelson, Max Barron, and Stefan Licko, with Stefan Licko handling video editing. Bike shop support came from local providers, while Will Tracy and Brian Park managed lunch wrangling, Kei truck driving, and chauffeuring. Josh Ross and Logan Jones-Wilkins served as the primary testers alongside host Mike Levy, whose leadership and technical expertise guided the evaluation process. The team convened after each day of shooting to review findings and experiences.
This episode two deep dive follows an initial first impressions loop (episode one) that covered varied terrain and precedes a final episode three featuring a big ride around Squamish to synthesize insights about the future direction of gravel bikes. By systematically evaluating how each bike—from pure endurance machines to aero-focused models and drop-bar mountain bike adaptations—handles specific, extreme demands, Velo aims to move beyond subjective preference and identify which design approaches genuinely excel under the diverse, challenging realities of modern gravel riding, ultimately informing the conversation about where the category is headed. The test acknowledges that the future of gravel may not be a single ideal bike but rather a spectrum of purpose-built machines catering to different rider priorities, from pure speed and efficiency to maximal adventure capability and technical descending prowess. (998 words)
