Having the Right Tool for the Job: the Difference between Road, All-Road, and Gravel Bikes

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail." - Abraham Maslow

With the advent of disc brakes and ever-increasing tire widths across all types of bikes, it is more tempting than ever to search for one bike to do everything. There are many bikes that promise to be all things for all riders, with the ability to fit a huge range of tire and wheel sizes. "Quiver killer" bikes can be a great concept, but there is also something inherently satisfying in having the perfect tool for the job—or the perfectly focused bike for the sort of riding you intend to do.

With that in mind, No. 22 offers a range of bikes that cover the spectrum from performance road to all-road, to gravel and adventure. Let's delve into the subtleties that distinguish these categories and how you can choose the model that's the best fit for your particular riding.

Performance Road Bikes: Crisp, Sharp Responsiveness

Performance road bikes are engineered for speed and efficiency. The geometry is aggressive, with a shorter wheelbase and a steeper head tube angle. This design translates to a bike that's responsive and quick to accelerate, ideal for racing and spirited road riding. The ride quality is firm, offering direct feedback from the road, while we leverage titanium's natural resilience to keep things comfortable over long efforts. Tire clearance is narrower, and handling is generally optimized for 28mm-30mm tires that keep rolling resistance and weight to a minimum.

All-Road Bikes: The Versatile Adventurers

All-road bikes strike a balance between performance and comfort. They feature a more relaxed geometry with a longer wheelbase and a slacker head tube angle, providing stability and comfort over varied terrain. The ride quality is smoother, absorbing vibrations and bumps, making them suitable for long-distance endeavors. Tire clearance is more generous, accommodating up to 35mm tires in a model such as the Great Divide Disc, allowing for versatility in tire choice to match the road conditions.

Gravel Bikes: The Rugged Explorers

Gravel bikes are the rugged siblings in the our lineup, built to handle a mix of surfaces from smooth tarmac to gravel races of all types. The geometry is tailored for control and comfort, with an even longer wheelbase and a more relaxed head tube angle than the all-road bikes. The ride quality is compliant, designed to cushion the rider from the jolts of uneven surfaces. Tire clearance is the most liberal, with models in our Drifter lineup fitting tires up to 50mm, providing the grip and confidence needed for off-road adventures.

At No. 22 we understand that the nuances in bike geometry, ride quality, and tire clearance are pivotal in crafting a ride that meets the exacting standards of experienced cyclists. Whether you're carving canyon roads at high speed on a performance road bike, embarking on an epic tour with an all-road bike, or conquering the unbeaten path on a gravel bike, we have the perfect companion for your cycling journey. Explore our collection and experience the difference our thoughtful design and attention to detail make.