Many people want to get into cycling more seriously but aren’t quite sure yet whether they’d prefer to train on the road, explore forest roads, or simply pedal leisurely through nature. Maybe you’re looking to escape busy traffic, or perhaps you’re dreaming of fast group rides with friends.
The good news is: you don’t have to decide right away. Modern bikes are more versatile than ever. Here’s a guide to help you figure out whether a road bike, gravel bike, or allroad bike might be right for you—even if you’re still searching for your own riding style.
Road or Offroad – That’s the Key Question.
Before you dive into frame materials, gearing, or wheelsets, you should first ask yourself one fundamental question:
Do you want to ride mainly on public roads and be actively part of road traffic—or would you rather ride away from traffic on dirt paths, gravel roads, or forest trails? Because this will largely determine which type of bike is best for you.
Option 1: You Mainly Want to Ride on Asphalt
If that’s the case, a classic road bike or a sporty endurance road bike is often your best choice.
- Lightweight and fast – perfect if you love speed or want to cover longer distances.
- Efficient drivetrain and fast tires – letting you ride further with less effort.
- Great for group rides or sporty events.
But where there’s light, there’s also shadow:
- You’re mostly limited to paved roads.
- Road bikes can be less comfortable on rough roads or cobblestones.
- Often feature a sporty, stretched riding position, which can be tiring for beginners.
My tip: If you want a road bike but prefer a more relaxed riding position, check out so-called endurance models. They’re more comfortable and often have clearance for slightly wider tires. Typical examples include bikes like the Canyon Endurace or the Specialized Roubaix, which I also ride myself.
Option 2: You Prefer Riding Away from Traffic
If you love riding away from traffic—on dirt roads, gravel, forest trails, or simply enjoy the freedom of exploring new routes on a whim—a gravel bike is often the better choice.
- Wider tires mean more comfort and safety on rough surfaces.
- Sturdy frames, often with lots of mounts and eyelets for bags (perfect for bikepacking).
- Still decently fast on asphalt, especially if you use a second wheelset with slick tires.
Downside:
- On the road, gravel bikes are usually not quite as agile as road bikes. They’re often a bit heavier and have a longer wheelbase, making them slightly less nimble.
Option 3: You Want It All? Allroad Bikes Are the True All-Rounders
If you’re still unsure what you enjoy most—or you simply want one bike that can handle just about everything—definitely check out the new generation of allroad bikes. These bikes combine many advantages:
- Roll quickly on asphalt, depending on tire choice.
- Often have enough tire clearance for gravel trails.
- Usually more comfortable than classic road bikes.
- Perfect if you want to keep your options open for where your riding might take you.
Example: Modern endurance road bikes like the Canyon Endurace or the Specialized Roubaix can now accommodate tires up to 40 mm wide—a scenario that was unimaginable for road bikes just a few years ago. That means they’re absolutely capable of handling gravel paths. Allroad bikes are also a great choice for bikepacking.
Key Tech Topics – A Quick Overview
Drivetrain: Mechanical or Electronic?
- Mechanical (e.g. Shimano 105, SRAM DoubleTap) → more affordable, robust, easy to maintain.
- Electronic (e.g. Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS) → ultra-precise shifting, often wireless, but more expensive and dependent on battery power.
Gearing: 1x or 2x?
- 1x drivetrains (single chainring up front) → fewer parts, simple to operate, popular on gravel bikes.
- 2x drivetrains → wider gear range, especially useful on the road to keep gear jumps small.
How many gears do you need? For beginners, 11 or 12 gears on the rear cassette are usually plenty. More important is the gear range—meaning whether you’ll still be able to climb steep hills. The rule of thumb: the bigger the largest cog on your cassette, the easier the climbs will be!
Beware of Heavy Wheelsets
Many affordable complete bikes come with relatively heavy wheels. For example, the Canyon Endurace Allroad (which we discuss further down) comes with Alex Rims GX26P—solid but not exactly lightweight. You’ll particularly feel this when accelerating or climbing. If you’ve got the budget, upgrading wheels is the best bang-for-your-buck performance upgrade.
Geometry and Contact Points: Comfort is Key!
Many beginners buy bikes that are too big. The reason? People often think a bigger bike feels safer or more comfortable—but that’s a misconception! Getting the right size is crucial for long-term riding comfort. A bike fitter can help, or apps like MyVeloFit. Keep an eye on:
- Stack and Reach rather than just frame size (far more precise. A high stack and shorter reach yield a more relaxed road bike fit).
- Handlebar width: often too wide on stock bikes; narrower bars can be more comfortable depending on your shoulder width.
- Saddle: definitely try different saddles—everyone’s anatomy is unique, and this is one of the best upgrades you can make.
- Men’s vs. women’s bikes: women-specific models often have shorter top tubes, but not every woman necessarily needs one. Test rides are key.
Pedals, Brakes, Tires
- Road pedals → large clipless pedals for optimal power transfer but only usable on one side.
- Gravel → MTB pedals are double-sided, making clipping in and out easier, plus MTB shoes are better for walking.
- Brakes: these days, virtually all bikes come with disc brakes. They offer more stopping power, especially in wet conditions.
- Tires: my motto is “wider rather than narrower.” Modern road bikes roll fast and comfortably on 30 or even 32 mm tires. Allroad bikes often accommodate even wider rubber. Some tire manufacturers now offer 40 mm road tires!
My Conclusion: Get a Bike That Makes You Smile!
Especially if you’re still figuring out what you like, my advice is: choose the bike that’s the most comfortable—not necessarily the fastest. Gravel and allroad bikes give you the most freedom to explore different paths—and you can always fine-tune your setup later.
In the end, it’s not about having the lightest bike or the most gears—it’s about loving the feeling of riding your bike.
Appendix: An Example of a Versatile Entry-Level Bike – Canyon Endurace Allroad
If you’re looking for a very affordable entry-level bike that can handle both road rides and light gravel trails, check out the Canyon Endurace Allroad. You get a lot of bike for a relatively low price—perfect for anyone still figuring out where their cycling journey will take them. Here’s what the Canyon Endurace Allroad offers:
Relatively lightweight aluminum frame, weighing about 1.5 kg (frame only). Aluminum is stiff, durable, and very robust. While it’s not quite as comfortable or light as a quality carbon frame, it’s more than sufficient for getting started.
Carbon fork: stiffer and more precise than an aluminum fork—and it also adds comfort on rough roads or gravel.
Shimano CUES drivetrain—the new group from Shimano designed especially for allroad/fitness bikes. It offers solid gearing that can handle climbs without issue, with a small enough gear to tackle even steep hills without having to walk.
Wide tires for more comfort. Comes stock with 35 mm tires, but with clearance for up to 40 mm—allowing you to adapt the bike perfectly: narrower tires for asphalt, wider ones for gravel or forest paths.
Relaxed geometry. Size M fits riders up to around 185 cm tall, with a stack of 594 mm and a reach of 397 mm, offering a more upright riding position that avoids overstretching. The tall head tube helps keep you comfortable on long rides.
Versatile for multiple uses. Eyelets for fenders or racks—making it perfect for commuting or small touring adventures with bags.
A minor drawback: press-fit bottom bracket. Like most Canyon bikes, this model uses a press-fit rather than a threaded bottom bracket. It’s fine in general but can sometimes develop creaks if not installed perfectly and is a bit more effort to service than a classic BSA threaded bottom bracket.
My Conclusion on the Canyon Endurace Allroad:
An ideal bike for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to a single type of riding right away. It’s fast enough for road use, offers comfort on gravel, and is very reasonably priced.