Test: Focus's first gravel bike is immediately impressive. The bikepacking specialist's well-made frame is particularly appealing. Off-road on a road bike? That's the starting point of the Focus brand, which was once founded by cyclo-cross world champion Mike Kluge and was primarily present in cross-country sports for years. Focus has now also embraced the e-bike boom... read more
Test: The Rover is a true "double-handed" bike that excels on both asphalt and off-road with fantastic handling characteristics. Also available custom-made, the exotic frame transforms into a beautiful, highly individual bike. The Prague-based company became an absolute insider tip soon after its founding in 2010. At that time, the "look" of cycling was changing... read more
Test: BH delivers a sporty, well-equipped carbon bike whose geometry seems perfect for long tours or races with minimal luggage. For the long-established manufacturer from the Basque Country, gravel and cross bikes are clearly separate segments, sharing only the components. Both segments feature... read more
Test: The Colorado-based off-road specialists' gravel bike appeals to riders looking for long tours with luggage. But the Niner RLT9 RDO is also well-suited for sporty use. The US-based Niner brand is dedicated entirely to off-road riding. It started in 2004 with 29-inch single-speed MTBs, but bikes with drop handlebars were soon added to the range... read more
Test: The Merida Silex 7000 impresses with its low weight and affordable price. Its character seems more suited to touring, especially since the manufacturer offers a set of bags – but it's certainly not unsporty. Gravel bikes are also on the rise at Merida. There are a total of seven Silex model variants; the once impressive cyclocross fleet has been... read more
