Aluminium is still the most sensible frame material for a gravel bike that gets used hard. It is stiffer than steel, far cheaper to replace than carbon, and it does not care about stone chips or a bike rack. The Meihanda aluminium gravel platforms use 7005 and 6061 alloy frames, several of them paired with a carbon fork, and start at US$619.
At a glance
Bikes
Alloys
Fork
Price range
Aluminium gravel bikes
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Meihanda Knight06
Price range: $619.00 through $699.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Meihanda Phantom Flat Bar Gravel Road Bike
$918.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Meihanda Xtreme Phantom P10
$2,300.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
X-TREME Gravel Road Bike, UCI Certified Frame, 7005 Aluminum + Carbon Fiber, Shimano Groupset
- Meihanda Knight06 — US$619
- Meihanda Xtreme Phantom P10 — US$2300
- Meihanda Phantom Flat Bar Gravel Road Bike — US$918
- X-TREME Gravel Road Bike, UCI Certified Frame, 7005 Aluminum + Carbon Fiber, Shimano Groupset — US$1400
Why aluminium still makes sense on gravel
Gravel riding is hard on a frame in a way road riding is not: grit sprays the down tube, the bike gets loaded onto racks, and it falls over on surfaces that scratch rather than scuff. Aluminium handles that without the anxiety that comes with a carbon frame, and if the worst happens the replacement cost is a fraction of carbon.
The usual objection to aluminium is ride quality. In practice that is mostly about the fork and the tyres. A carbon fork gives you the vibration damping that matters most, because the front end is where your hands are. That is why the aluminium Meihanda gravel platforms are offered with carbon forks rather than alloy ones.
| Property | Aluminium frame | Carbon frame |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Impact damage | Dents rather than cracks | Can fail invisibly after impact |
| Repair | Straightforward | Specialist, sometimes uneconomic |
| Replacement cost | Low | High |
| Comfort | Depends mostly on fork and tyres | Inherently damps more vibration |
What to look for on an aluminium gravel frame
- The alloy grade — 7005 and 6061 are both well-established frame alloys
- Whether the fork is carbon or alloy, because that is where comfort is bought
- Internal cable routing, which keeps cables out of the grit thrown up by the front wheel
- Mounts for bottles, bags and racks if you intend to carry anything
One more point worth knowing: an aluminium frame shows damage. A dent tells you something happened. That transparency is a genuine advantage for a bike that gets used off-road rather than kept for best.
Frequently asked questions
Is aluminium too harsh for gravel?
No, provided the fork and tyres are chosen well. Most of the harshness riders attribute to aluminium actually comes from an alloy fork or over-inflated narrow tyres.
7005 or 6061 — does it matter?
Both are established frame alloys and the difference between them is smaller than the difference a good fork and good tyres will make. Geometry and component choice matter more.
Can I fit a carbon fork later?
If the frame was built for one. Tell us your model and we will confirm the steerer and axle standard before you buy a replacement.
Shipping and returns
- ✓ Ships in 2–5 business days. Standard tracked delivery 10–20 days; express (DHL / FedEx / UPS) 5–10 days.
- ✓ Returns handled by email. We send a return authorisation within 2 business days and approved refunds are paid in 5–10 business days.
Read the full policies: Shipping policy · Return & refund policy.
