As far as gravel bikes go, the State 4130 All-Road isn’t fancy. It isn’t lightweight, and it’s never going to win any races. If the US Army were to issue gravel bikes to their soldiers, their bikes would surely look and function exactly like the $999 model I’ve been testing. The 4130 All-Road is utilitarian to its core, a no-nonsense gravel bike for those who just want to ride and don’t want to spend a lot of money on a second or third bike, at least not right away.
Reviewer profile height: 190cm (6’3″) weight: 75kg (165lb) testing zone: Southeast, USA
Like a lot of mountain bikers, I dabble in gravel on days when the trails are wet, for fitness, and occasionally for a change of scenery. After just a few test rides, it’s clear the State 4130 All-Road spec checks all those boxes for this mountain biker. The steel frame delivers a comfortable ride feel and is ready for whatever comes next, whether it’s singletrack surfing, bikepacking, or exploring the back roads.
State 4130 All-Road specs
- Weight: 27.2lb (12.34kg) as tested, size large, without pedals
- Frame: 4130 chromoly steel, partial internal cable routing, dropper-post ready, UDH compatible
- Three water bottle mounts plus fork and frame mounts for fenders, packs, and accessories
- Tire clearance: up to 27.5×2.4″ or 700x55c
- Price: $999
- Buy from State Bicycle Co.
It’s not all road; singletrack is a definite possibility
Calling this gravel bike All-Road is a little confusing, and it also does the bike a disservice. Yes, it’s capable enough to ride all kinds of roads, from smooth tarmac to ancient doubletrack forest service roads. In its stock configuration, I found the All-Road is down for smooth, dry singletrack riding, too, and even rowdier stuff with the right modifications. The stock Vittoria Terreno Zero tires are basically slicks with just a hint of tread on the sidewalls, so I wasn’t surprised to find they spin out on dirty, rolling trails and roll quietly on the road.
Upgrading the State All-Road to a proper all-surface bike wouldn’t take much. I’d throw a set of knobbier tires like the Terravail Rutland or WTB Raddler on first to improve cornering and traction.
But the key upgrade, at least to me as a mountain biker, would be adding a dropper post. The frame already has the cable routing for one, and though State offers a number of upgrades and add-ons for the All-Road, you’ll need to pick up a dropper post elsewhere. The 125mm PNW Rainier would be my choice.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. This is an “all-road” bike, after all, and clearly a versatile one at that. That versatility goes the other way as well, and the 4130 All-Road is a fine bike for riding paved roads. Among the mountain bikers I know who ride on the road sometimes, most have traded in their road bikes for gravel bikes, even if it means a slightly less efficient bike.
Pedal efficiency
I put in way more miles testing the State All-Road on paved surfaces than dirt or gravel, and though it’s heavier and draggier than the more expensive gravel bikes I’ve tested, it’s obviously more efficient than any hardtail for road riding. The stock one-by gearing, with a 40t chainring and 12-speed, 11-42t cassette, offers a nice range for most situations. If you’re worried about getting dropped on flat-out pedal sections on a group ride or steep mountain climbs, State offers upgrade options like an 11-50t cassette or a full SRAM AXS XPLR groupset.
Drivetrain
The entire stock drivetrain is State-branded as far as I can tell, from the shifters to the crankset to the derailleur. Buyers will be stoked to see shorter crank lengths offered with smaller frame sizes, with 165s on sizes extra-small and small frames, 170s on mediums, and 175s on the size-large frame (tested). The shifting works well enough, though there’s a notable delay compared to the Shimano and SRAM drivetrains I’m used to. The cranks don’t spin as freely as I would like, though it’s not clear what could be adding the resistance.
I noticed some squeaking from the threaded bottom-bracket area on one of my test rides, so I checked the crank and bottom bracket for any obvious problems. The crank bolts felt a little under torqued, and I probably ended up over tightening them, which could be adding to the pedal resistance. It’s also possible things will loosen up as I break the drivetrain in. The upshot is the squeaking and creaking seem to have disappeared.
Mechanical hydraulic brakes come stock
The State 4130 All-Road bike comes stock with State-branded mechanical hydraulic disc brakes, an upgrade from the purely mechanical brakes offered previously. If you’re not familiar, this type of brake is cable-actuated, making for easy installation and maintenance, with an integrated hydraulic caliper and lever arm at the wheel-end. The State mechanical hydros don’t feel any more powerful than the mechanical disc brakes I’m used to, with both delivering adequate stopping power for most situations.
Buyers can choose to order the All-Road with either 700c or 650b wheels. Naturally, the 650b version comes with wider tires and 25mm rims versus the 23mm rims on the 700c wheelset. I’ve been testing a 700c build, and I have zero complaints about the wheelset other than the fact that it’s heavy. But that’s to be expected at this price point. State says the hub offers better engagement than previous iterations, and when coasting, it produces a loud, buzzy sound that’ll be familiar to mountain bikers, though maybe not their roadie kin.
The State All-Road frame fits well and rides great
The State All-Road bike is offered in four sizes, with seat tube lengths ranging from 43cm to 55cm. I’m 6’3″ tall, and according to the size chart, I’m well within the height range for a size large. Still, I was a little worried it would be too small since my normal gravel bike size is 58cm.
I was able to get the saddle just high enough without dipping below minimum insertion for the included seat post. The 385mm reach is shorter than the average gravel bike, resulting in a slightly more relaxed, upright pedal position. On the flip side, the flared drop bars allow the rider to get into a more aggressive posture for fast cornering and steep handling.
The State 4130 All-Road geometry is pretty close to the Salsa Vaya, with long, 450mm chainstays and a 71.5° head tube angle on sizes medium and large. As I learned about gravel bike geometry last year, smaller gravel frame sizes often feature a slacker head tube angle to reduce front wheel toe overlap, and the State 4130 is no exception, with a 70.5° on the extra small frames.
The long chainstays and steepish head tube angle make for a stable and efficient climber. It’s a comfortable bike for putting in a lot of miles, and seems especially well suited for bikepacking. With all the mounting options built into the frame, the State 4130 All-Road has the potential to haul a ton of gear.
Steel has the feel, just watch out for rust
Steel gravel bike frames weigh more than aluminum and carbon versions, though many riders prefer the ride feel. My personal “gravel” bike has a steel frame, and the State 4130 feels similarly smooth and faintly damped on the road. It also reminds me of the $2,500 steel Jamis Renegade gravel bike I tested two years ago, though the State’s geometry has a more relaxed and stable feel. On rougher surfaces, it’s harder to tell exactly what’s going on; in these situations, tire size and tire pressure contribute more to the feel of the bike.
Keep in mind that steel bike frames can and do rust eventually. State notes that though the “Raw Phosphate” finish will protect the frame to a large degree, there’s no warranty against rust damage.
“Our raw steel bike frame, finished with a matte clear coat, showcases the beauty of steel in its purest form. Over time, this raw finish will naturally develop rust / patina. While our phosphate treatment and clear coat slow down rusting, maintaining your bike is essential to preserve its look. Please be informed that the warranty doesn’t cover rust, and thorough maintenance is recommended for longevity.”
I love the look of the Raw Phosphate finish. It reminds me of an ammo case shot full of bullet holes. State also offers this bike in a tan or purple frame color.
What should you upgrade?
The State 4130 All-Road is unequivocally an entry-level gravel bike, though it stands out as one of the few entry-level bikes that’s actually worth upgrading down the road.
The bike comes with tire tubes installed, and for an extra $49.99, you can get everything set up tubeless. The Vittoria tires on my build are tubeless-ready, so really, you’re just getting tubeless tape pre-installed on the rims. You could tape them yourself, but after buying the tape and spending the time and frustration, IMO you’re better off just paying the fifty bucks. I actually managed to get the front wheel on my test bike to hold air without tubes with just the stock rim tape, but for peace of mind, I’ll go with a proper tubeless tape job.
With tubeless tires, the All-Road loses a bit of weight, and more importantly, it’ll be less flat prone, and you can run lower tire pressures for improved handling off-road.
Long term, I’d add a dropper post as mentioned, and pick up a set of racks and mounts for hauling gear around town and on bikepacking trips. State offers a $300 carbon fork upgrade to save weight, and even a $350 suspension fork that promises much more capable off-road comfort and performance. You can also choose a flat bar build, but at that point, it’s basically a hardtail IMO.
For such a utilitarian and simple bike, the 4130 All-Road is somewhat future-proof thanks to its UDH-compatible derailleur. Not that you would put a wireless electronic drivetrain on this bike… but you could.
Pros and cons of the State 4130 All-Road bike
Pros
- Great entry-level spec for the price and easily upgradeable
- Comfortable geometry
- Adaptable for riding road, gravel, and singletrack. Bikepacking, too.
Cons
- Heavy and not very competitive if you want to race
- Stock drivetrain doesn’t perform as well as those from Shimano and SRAM
- Steel frame requires more maintenance than aluminum or carbon
Bottom line
If you don’t need a fancy gravel bike, the $999 State 4130 All-Road bike is an excellent option. And even if you do need a fancy drop-bar bike for riding singletrack or bikepacking, the All-Road makes upgrading easy.
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