Joe Nocella, owner of 718 Cyclery in Brooklyn, would argue yes. Gravel bikes, he says, eliminate the need to own multiple rides just as high-end KitchenAid stand mixers combine the functions of pasta makers and dough mixers. “One bike can be used for commuting, riding fitness laps in the park, taking weekend trips to the beach, or for more serious ‘bikepacking’ adventures,” he said. Plus, to those in the know, the luxury versions of these bikes telegraph as much status on the road as multitasking mixers do on your (lightly veined, buffed, sealed marble) kitchen counter.

To let you assay an off-road trek through mud and sand as easily as a sprint down a paved road, gravel bikes combine a road bike’s dropped handlebar (to accommodate a more ergonomic rider position) with wider tire clearance. Here, our picks.

Midnight Special by Surly

For Budget Hard Liners

Want a bike that can hold up to being beat up and run down but won’t cost a small fortune? Snag this model from Surly, a gravel-bike specialist.

Surly bikes are known for their multitude of modular accessory mounts. The fender, front rack, rear rack and multiple water bottle holders are all designed to be switched in and out to suit your riding style and activity level. Their frames, meanwhile, are built to be compatible with most road and gravel bike components. You can buy just the frame ($685), and have a bike shop add all your favorite road-bike components, plus some wider, gravel tires for a more rugged setup. But be warned: Due to the frame’s more affordable chromoly-steel construction, such a franken-bike will end up heavier than pricier gravel bikes. ($2,099 for complete model at right, surlybikes.com)

The Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO by Specialized

For Speed Fiends

The biggest downside of most e-bikes? Their electric assist makes them significantly heavier than their nonmotorized counterparts, meaning you’ll have a much harder time carrying your ride upstairs or mounting it on a rack. And if the battery runs out mid-ride, you’re forced to pedal the extra pounds all the way home. Not so with the tongue-twisting Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO by Specialized. At 26.2 pounds, this bike’s carbon frame is several pounds lighter, and far sleeker, than rival bikes with similar features.

The Creo SL combines classic gravel features like beefy wheels and ergonomic geometry with an electric amplification that doubles your efforts up to 28 mph for faster, smoother rides. The battery can run up to 80 miles before needing a charge, but if you have a longer trip in mind, an optional range extender adds on an additional 40 miles of life. ($7,250, specialized.com)

Ronin Carbon by Alchemy

For Status Chasers

Capable, fast, and luxurious, the Ronin is the bike that will make all your friends jealous. These highly customizable bikes—considered the Porsche of the gravel bike world—are hand built in Denver, and made to order using ultralight carbon and titanium that’s strong enough to handle rugged roads. Pick your perfect frame geometry, drivetrain, shifting and breaking mechanisms, and cockpit components (handlebars, saddles and bar tape), then select a color or even a custom paint job. Alchemy controls every aspect of the manufacturing process, from forming and shaping the titanium tubes to welding the parts together. Though many customers fly out to the Alchemy shop to be fitted (and then fly out again to test ride the bike when it’s built), Alchemy accepts a professional fit from your local bike shop. With this level of customization, bikes can cost up to three times as much as other gravel bikes and take longer to produce. (from $7,499 for complete build, $4,499 for frame, alchemybicycles.com)

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