14,779 participants, 132 questions, 292,195 minutes survey time!
Once again in 2024, the GRAN FONDO community has blown us away with its passion, providing the proverbial icing on the cake to an exciting season. Here’s an overview of what drives you, the trends you’re setting, and how you’re shaping the cycling world– or, in other words, the most exciting insights from our latest reader survey!
Trends come and go, new technologies emerge, but what truly moves you as the heart and soul of the drop-bar world? Thanks to the overwhelming participation in our survey, we now have the answers. A record-breaking 14,779 participants from 101 countries took the time to share their opinions, making this our most exciting reader survey to date. None of this would have been possible without you!
On average, you’ve spent 20 minutes answering up to 132 questions, adding up to a staggering 292,195 minutes-or an incredible 202.9 days of total survey time. That’s impressive! Your dedication proves that the GRAN FONDO community is more engaged and passionate than ever.
Shaping the drop-bar world together
Our annual reader survey is more than just a tradition – it’s the heart of our work. Your feedback helps us create a magazine that reflects your passion, and shapes the cycling industry around your needs and desires. With your insights, we can spot trends, understand challenges, and highlight the hottest topics.
The best part? Your voice makes a real impact! It’s not just us who benefit from your opinions – the entire industry listens. Manufacturers around the world use anonymised results to improve their products, meaning that you’re directly influencing the bikes of tomorrow.
A massive thank-you to all of you! The GRAN FONDO community doesn’t just make a difference – IT IS the difference.
By the way, across our entire publishing network – spanning all four magazines, ENDURO, E-MOUNTAINBIKE, GRAN FONDO, and DOWNTOWN – a staggering 45,739 participants took part in this year’s surveys. Incredible!
Now, let’s talk about you – the faces behind the GRAN FONDO community
This year, the average age of our participants is 45, with an impressive age range from 14 to 88 years. And who are the most common names among you? For men, Thomas leads the pack with 332 mentions, followed by Michael, Christian, Stefan, and Andreas. Among the women, Julia tops the list, closely followed by Andrea, Anna, Sandra, Claudia, and Katja.
We’re also thrilled to see a rise in female readership: women now make up 7.34% of our community. And while there’s still room for growth, it’s great to see the trend heading upwards!
Looking at your background, the average annual household net income is €90,445. A remarkable 78% of you hold a university degree, including 7% with a doctorate. Moreover, 22% work in senior management positions, with 7% on executive boards or in C-level roles.
On average, you’ve been riding road bikes or gravel bikes for 15 years. But we’re equally excited to welcome fresh faces: 11.65% of respondents don’t currently ride a road or gravel bike – welcome to the community! Whether you’re a seasoned roadie or a newbie, we’re stoked to have you with us!
Where are you from? A truly global community
From Bhutan to Kiribati, from Guinea to Panama – you’ve gone the distance to be part of this! Our readership now spans an impressive 101 countries. Whether you’re a gravel enthusiast riding through the jungle or a road cycling hero on remote island roads – we celebrate our diversity!
That said, the heart of our community remains firmly rooted in Europe, with 89% of you calling the Old continent home. Leading the pack: Germany at 59%, followed by our neighbours in Switzerland and Austria (each 6%). The UK is well represented at 4%, with strong showings from the Netherlands (2%), Italy (2%), and France (1%).
But hey, this wouldn’t be GRAN FONDO if the passion for cycling didn’t roll far beyond Europe! 6% of you are tuning in from the USA – big thanks for the support from across the pond! And let’s not forget Canada and Australia, both at 2%, proving that drop-bar bikes rule – whether you’re cruising dusty Outback tracks or endless North American highways.
A massive shout-out to all of you – you are the driving force behind this incredible community!
What do you get up to when you’re not riding bikes?
Sure, bikes are our greatest passion – but life off the saddle holds plenty of adventures, too.
One of your all-time favourites? Photography. And no wonder – with so many stunning landscapes rolling beneath your tires, capturing those epic moments is a must. Whether it’s a perfectly framed shot of your freshly cleaned bike, golden-hour snaps on a sunset ride, or spontaneous captures from an overnighter – for many of you, a camera is now an essential part of your kit. After all, is there anything better than sharing your passion through photos and inspiring others to ride?
Travelling is another love you all share – whether with or without a bike. From remote mountain passes to lonely gravel tracks and idyllic villages far off the beaten path, your sense of adventure knows no limits. And judging by the epic trips on your radar, there are plenty of routes we need to check out ourselves! So, if you’ve got a favourite ride or a hidden gem, share it with us! We’ve got some exciting tours in the pipeline – and of course, we’ll be hunting down the best roads and gravel highlights to share with you.
Then there’s your passion for vanlife and camping – because what’s better than unwinding under a starlit sky after a day of climbing cols and carving switchbacks? If you’re on the hunt for the perfect setup, don’t miss our rooftop tent group test – guaranteed inspiration for your next gravel overnighter!
And of course, your passions don’t stop there. Coffee lovers, we see you! And you’ll be pleased to know that our sister magazine, DOWNTOWN, has some fantastic coffee specials lined up – perfect for your pre-ride rituals and post-ride brews.
The bottom line? You’re explorers, both on and off the bike. From cars and motorcycles to gadgets and photography, your interests are as varied as the routes you ride. That’s what makes this community so vibrant and inspiring.
And one thing’s for sure: the best stories and tips are still to come – whether from our next big adventures or your very own travel reports. We can’t wait to hear them!
Now for the exciting part – a peek inside your bike garage
Time to lift the curtain – or should we say drop the bib shorts? What’s hiding in your garage? On average, each of you owns 3.5 bikes. And then there’s that one legend who took the N+1 joke (“The ideal number of bikes is always one more than you currently have”) a little too seriously – with a whopping 38 bikes to their name. Honestly? We totally get it 😉.
Let’s dive into the real highlight of our survey: your bikes! The clear winner? Gravel bikes, leading the pack with a staggering 61.3%. It’s official – the gravel boom shows no signs of slowing down, and these adventure-ready machines dominate your collections.
Mountain bikes come in second, with a solid 42.2%, proving that they’re still an all-time favourite despite the gravel craze. And if trail shredding and flat bars are your thing, our sister magazine ENDURO has you covered.
Among the drop-bar category, race bikes take the runner-up spot at 36.2%, which makes them the go-to choice for those chasing speed and pushing their limits on tarmac. Hot on their heels are endurance bikes, claiming third place at 28.5%, loved for their comfort and stamina on long-distance rides.
And that’s just a glimpse – we know there’s plenty more tucked away in your sheds and garages. From dream builds to trusted steeds, every bike has a story – and we can’t wait to see yours!
Which bike do you ride the most?
With such a diverse collection of bikes in your garages, it’s clear that your passion for cycling runs deep – and so do your preferences. But when it comes to your go-to ride, there’s a clear favourite: gravel bikes lead the way, with a solid 37.1% of you choosing them as your number one. It’s easy to see why – whether you’re tackling remote gravel tracks, dusty farm lanes, or winding mountain passes, gravel bikes are the ultimate all-rounders for adventure and long-distance fun.
Coming in second are race bikes, at 21.2%. Built for speed and performance, they’re your top choice when it’s time to push your watts, whether you’re chasing PRs on race day or smashing out a quick post-work ride.
Not far behind, at 14.8%, are endurance bikes – the perfect companions for those epic days in the saddle, when comfort and staying power are key. And let’s not forget classic analogue mountain bikes, which still hold a place in your collections, making up 6% of your most-ridden bikes. For those of you who can’t resist the trails and crave some flat-bar action, our sister magazine ENDURO is packed with inspiration.
No matter your ride of choice, one thing’s for sure – your passion for cycling knows no limits!
Your regular loop – tracked!
On average, you covered 5,507 km last year. Respect! Most of your rides were between 50 and 100 km. Plus, 67% of you ventured beyond the tarmac onto gravel roads, and 24% even hit the trails for some proper off-road action.
To avoid getting lost, 57% of you rely on a GPS bike computer, 12% use a sports-watch with GPS, and 10% track their rides with a smartphone. Only 7% of you still ride “under the radar,” skipping tracking altogether.
That’s a whole lot of data! But what do you do with it?
The most popular app for analysing your rides is Komoot, closely followed by Strava. In fact, 90% of those who track their rides use one of these two apps. The remaining 10% turn to Runtastic, Garmin Connect, or MapMyRide.
Your favourite brands
It’s not just about which bikes you ride – it’s about who you ride with. And this year, there have been some exciting shifts!
At the top, though, it’s business as usual: Canyon holds onto the number one spot with a commanding 13.8%, even extending their lead. Hot on their heels, Specialized remains a firm favourite, securing second place with 9.4%. The real headline this year? ROSE breaks into the top three for the first time, claiming third place with 8.5%! Just behind, it’s neck and neck: CUBE takes 5.3%, with Cannondale close at 5.2%. You’re certainly not holding back when it comes to your passion – on average, you’ve spent € 4,089 on your current bike.
And looking ahead? Things get even more exciting. You’re ready to invest nearly € 700 more in your next dream machine. Translation: better components, lighter frames, and even more speed. Your standards are rising – and so is your drive to build the perfect setup.
What about your next bike?
Ready for a new ride? It seems many of you are! A solid 26.5% are planning to treat themselves to a fresh drop-bar bike within the next twelve months. Another 19.7% are still on the fence about hitting the road, while 5.7% are eyeing something different – flat bars and suspension, anyone?
Now, let’s talk about where you’ll be buying. Your loyalty to local bike shops is clear: 58% of you plan to order your dream machine from a trusted dealer. It’s hard to beat expert advice, a friendly chat about the latest components, and maybe a quick espresso on the side.
Still, online shopping remains a strong contender – 24% prefer the simplicity of ordering their new bike with just a few clicks. And then there are the true tinkerers: 7% plan to build their new pride and joy from scratch. Hats off to all our home-mechanics!
When it comes to brands, ROSE, Canyon, and Specialized are high on your wish lists. For you, the spec sheet matters most, closely followed by precise handling and the right frame geometry. And let’s be honest – looks matter too! In fact, you rank design above comfort, weight, or even price. Surprisingly, some factors take a back seat: Aerodynamics, brand image, craftsmanship, and even sustainability are less of a priority. As for frame materials, there’s a clear winner: carbon reigns supreme, chosen by 74% of our readers. Aluminium trails behind at 11%, while steel (5%) and titanium (4%) remain niche picks for true nerds.
You’ve also got a firm idea about components: An electronic Shimano 2×11 groupset tops your wish list, closely followed by SRAM’s electronic 2×12. The trend is clear – high-tech is the name of the game!
But which bike type will win your heart? Gravel bikes lead the pack, topping 59% of your wish lists, with race bikes (21%) and endurance bikes (14%) following behind.
And e-road bikes? Still a niche choice at just 2%. What’s holding you back?
What’s your take on e-road and e-gravel bikes?
E-road and e-gravel bikes divide opinions – and that’s perfectly fine! While 42% of you are clear that drop-bar bikes with motors simply aren’t your thing, 10% take it even further: for them, motors have no place on this type of bike.
But there’s another side to the story: 22% of the community show a genuine interest in e-road and e-gravel bikes, while another 13% are at least open to forming an opinion in the future.
Those already riding e-road or e-gravel bikes know exactly why they love them. It’s not about turning every ride into a gentle cruise – it’s about having a helping hand on steep climbs during long, mountainous tours. The motor also unlocks new possibilities, letting you expand your range and tackle longer routes without fearing that brutal final ramp.
Another big plus? Bridging the fitness gap with stronger riders – because, in the end, it’s all about sharing the ride together.
Inspiration and buying advice for your next bike
What guides your decision when buying a new bike? Simple – we do! A huge 65% of you say that GRAN FONDO is your most important source when it comes to choosing your next ride. Honestly, we’re blown away – and truly honoured. It’s a clear sign of how much you trust our tests, recommendations, and expert analyses. And why wouldn’t you? There’s nothing better than relying on solid reviews from a magazine that shares your passion.
Of course, test rides and advice from friends also play a crucial role. Let’s face it – nothing beats taking a bike for a spin yourself or hearing an honest opinion from a mate who knows what really matters. Some of the best buying decisions are made around a campfire or after a post-ride beer with your riding buddies!
And what doesn’t sway you? Social media and sponsored riders. Glossy Instagram posts and pro endorsements? They barely register on your radar when it’s time to choose your next bike.
Want to dive even deeper into the world of GRAN FONDO? Our free, interactive app is just what you need! Three times a year, you’ll get a fresh issue packed with the best group tests, inspiring stories, and smart buying advice – all available on the app before it hits the website. And it seems you love it: with an average rating of 4.7 stars, you’ve told us we’re on the right track. Whether you’re reading on your smartphone, tablet, or MacBook, the app works perfectly offline – ideal for long train journeys and relaxed evenings. So, if you haven’t tried the app yet – download it, check it out, and immerse yourself in the world of drop-bar bikes!
The lucky winner of our reader survey
Of course, there was a lucky winner in our big prize draw! Ilker is the proud new owner of a ROSE BACKROAD FF GRX RX825 Di2 – an absolute dream bike for fast-paced gravel action. Huge congratulations to Ilker – we wish him many unforgettable kilometres on his new rocket!
For everyone who missed out this time – don’t be disappointed! Another chance is just around the corner. You’ll soon be able to take part in our next reader survey for another shot at winning an awesome bike. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop. You’ll be the first to hear about new surveys and other fantastic giveaways.
Stay tuned – it’s worth it!
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Words: Jan Richter Photos: Julian Lemme
