Which type of bike is the right for these conditions? I want a bike that is fast on the road but can also go offroad. By offroad I mean mostly gravel and a little dirt but no mud or very little. Cyclocross bikes caught my interest but they seem expensive. Can I buy a road bike and change a few components to make it more suitable for offroad? About 100km is as far as I'll probably ever go. I'm not a cyclist but I am a runner. I'm worried that the gears are too big or how should I say it, I'm afraid I won't be able to go uphill with a road/cyclocross/gravel bike.
It sounds like what you want is a gravel or adventure bike.

There is not a distinct category, and different manufacturers use different names, but the basic attributes you are looking for are:


Road bike style frame, ISO 622 rims, drop bars
Clearance for up to about 40mm tires
Disc, linear pull (V) or cantilever brakes
Slacker steering geometry
More relaxed body position


There is a blurry line between this type of bike and a cyclocross bike. True cyclocross bikes have recently moved to 1x11 drivetrains. Unless you live in a very flat area you should opt for a bike with a double front chainring.

There are offerings from many manufacturers with aluminum and carbon fiber frames (and some steel) at a variety of prices. You can also look for a used bike.