Velo’s Gravel Field Test continues with our first set of challenges.
Updated December 3, 2025 12:08PM
Welcome back to the Velo Fall Field Testpresented by Visit Maine! We spent two weeks riding the latest all-around gravel bikes costing $6,000 or less on the coast of Vacationland. In this series, we’re picking our favorite bike for 2026.
In the previous episode, Alvin, Hannah, and Will started with seven bikes. After taking them all on a first impressions loop, the testers eliminated the State Titanium All-Road to bring us to six total remaining. This time around, we have our first set of challenges in store for the bikes: climbing and descending. We also have someone go over the bars — and curiously, it’s not the person doing the descending challenge.
The 6 gravel bikes remaining on test
Table of Contents
We started with seven bikes costing under $6,000, and after eliminating the State, six remain in contention to be crowned our favorite all-around gravel bike for 2026.
Cannondale Topstone Carbon
Canyon Grizl
Specialized Diverge
Orb Terra
Giant Revolt
Pinarello Grevil F
The first challenges: climbing and descending
We have a ways to go to crown our favorite bike for 2026, and to get us there, we’re going to have to keep testing. Alvin will be doing the climbing test, tackling an approximately three-minute long climb while holding a constant power across the six bikes to see just how fast each one can handle a variable climb on a winding road with several gradient changes throughout. Will the actually fastest bike match up with the perceived fastest in his head?
Then, Hannah gets to take on the, shall we say, more fun challenge, putting each bike through its paces on a double track gravel road descent, filled with plenty of chunky spots to keep things interesting. How confidence inspiring will each bike be, and how will that impact timing? You’ll just have to watch and see.
Like last time, to eliminate as many variables on ride quality as possible, we used control wheels and tires from Easton and Schwalbe run at the same tire pressure.
Support for the Field Test also came from Feedback Sports for tools and stands, Giordana for apparel, and Leatt for helmets and shoes.
What’s to come in our Fall Gravel Bike Field Test
We have four episodes total for you, as well as individual reviews of each bike. Next time, in episode three, we have another set of challenges, and we’re injecting a bit of science into the mix with an aero efficiency test. Then we follow it up with an underbiking challenge. How well do these bikes handle being out of their element? You’ll have to tune in to see.
And on the final episode of the series, we’re taking the remaining bikes on an adventure ride and then crowning our favorite. Each of the bikes on test is one of the best in its category, so narrowing it down to just one favorite was no easy task.
We will also have individual reviews of each bike going in-depth on what we liked and didn’t enjoy so much about each one, providing a nuanced view of each model and why each one might be for you, even if it wasn’t crowned our favorite.
Catch up on Episode 1
Thank you to our sponsors!
Velo’s Fall Field Test was made possible by Visit Maine.
Additional support came from Leatt for helmets and shoes, Jordan for riding apparel, Feedback Sports for tools, Easton for wheels, and Schwalbe for tires.
The team that made Velo Field Test possible
The Velo Fall Field Test was a team effort. A big thank you to the whole crew!
Video team: Logan Patrick Nelson, Satchel CronkMax Barron
Video editor: Logan Patrick Nelson
Bike shop support: Maine Sport Outfitters
Routes, locations, and other logistical help: Visit Maine
On the ground support: Caroline Lustgarten, Liam Ereneta, Brian Park
Testers: Alvin Holbrook, Hannah Gross
Host: Will Tracy
