Taking the centre option of the road less travelled when it comes to bike design is nothing new.

Bikes sporting longer wheelbases and relaxed steering angles have been on the market for quite some time and flood the commuter market. So what are we looking at, the Emperor’s new clothes, perhaps?

When it comes to kitting out a gravel bike with components, it’s almost certainly taken care of by the road fraternity; double chainsets are generally of the compact variety (though sometimes smaller on some models). Shallow drop handlebars are a neat touch, enabling riders to get down onto the drops much easier.

Alongside disc brakes, wider tyres and frames that offer stability, comfort and plenty of room for rider manoeuvrability, gravel bikes have plenty to offer riders in search of a versatile machine for a variety of riding. Maybe the Emperor isn’t naked after all.