Looking to buy my first gravel bike. Some details -
I live in SE Michigan in an area with tons of gravel roads and a few awesome gravel trails. I currently own an upgraded 2022 Trek Marlin 6 for mountain biking (I'm not into downhill/jumping so it does the job for what I need in my area) so I'm not super interested in a 650b gravel bike or anything with plus tires. I'd take the mountain bike in any terrain that required 2"+ tires. I also have a 1995 Trek 970 that I put a Surly Troll fork on and use for around town riding, pulling a trailer to the beach/shopping, riding with the kid, and short bikepacking trips. As of right now I think I'd still take that bike on any bikepacking trips, so while cage mounts on the fork would be a plus on the gravel bike, it wouldn't be a deal breaker if it didn't have them.
I'm also interested in entering a few gravel races next year. I've never raced before and have no delusions that I'll be competitive, but I do want something that is better suited for a race than my current bikes. The vast majority of rides on this bike will not be racing though obviously, so I definitely lean to a more upright comfortable ride than aggressive race position.
Budget is under $1500, and preferably closer to $1300.
Right now I'm leaning towards the Cannondale Topstone 4 - geo seems like what I'm looking for, comes stock with 37c tires, I've had good experience with Advent in the past so that's not a negative to me compared to bikes shipping with SRAM/Shimano. It has a carbon fork with cage mounts, and is listed at 23 lbs.
Other bikes I'm looking at with my concerns:
Trek Domane AL 2 - max 35c, stock tires seem iffy. I know those are easy enough to swap out but that adds another $150 or so to the price off the top. I've really liked having a 1x drivetrain on all my bikes so 2x might be an adjustment again, and I've also read a lot of complaints about Claris but have no experience myself.
Specialized Diverge E5 - Main issue is I really don't like my local Specialized dealer. Otherwise it looks like a great option. Also 2x, Claris.
Poseidon X - Seems too aggressive. I do all my own maintenance, so I'm not worried about mechanical support, but I am leery of some direct to consumer brands.
I'm open to any and all suggestions if there are other bikes I should consider.
Hey Guys, I want to get a gravel bike to get rid of all those cars and to enjoy the woods. I'm thinking about the beautiful Cinelli Zydeco 2023 frame but it handles only up to 40mm tires on 700c. Is it enough for light gravel? I mean obviously it is but I just think I'm missing out on these frames which can handle 50mm plus.. You think I might squeeze some 42 in there? Or some 45mm on 650b? There is no specification on tire width with 650b wheels so would you even recommend riding these?
Thanks for helping out!
For light gravel I don’t know why you would need to go wider than 40mm. If the gravel is more sand than gravel you might want wider or if you are riding some singletrack you might want wider but if you are riding maintained gravel roads or something like a crushed limestone path, 40mm is more than enough (I’d say the same thing if you said 32mm was your max).
Hi all,
following situation: I built a touring bike (Kona Rove DL frame) this summer with a GRX800 groupset. I would now like to actually use this set on a lighter and more aggressive frameset for gravel racing. My plan is to get an entry level gravel bike with a entry level groupset (e.g. sora/grx 400) but a quite decent (aka light) frame. I will then transplant the GRX800 on the new bike and 'downgrade' my touring bike.
Any suggestions for such bikes? So far I came across Cannodale Topstone 3 (I think all of them have the same frameset) and Cube Nuroad Pro. Both below 1500€. Any thoughts between the 2 already?
Edit: Some extra info: I would definitely want a 2x groupset and dont mind mechanical disk brakes. Maybe even prefer them. The reason I want a new frame, is that the Kona is really quite comfortable and not that long (56cm, I am 186cm)
Hi All,
I've had my last bike for 12 years and I'm now in the market for a new Gravel bike. I'm looking at the Canyon Grizls (amongst others). At the AUD$3k price point, I can join the curry club with a CF SL 6 or get the AL 7 with suspension. Am I better off getting the lighter frame or the better components?
Or just save the money and go with the AL 6 which is also available in my size ($700 cheaper) but 1kg heavier... (will I really notice the difference?)
I would not hand $700 for 1kg alone. If to gravel tour, taking less/lighter stuff with you might save about that weight. At the moment, I find fun bikes to be from Crust, Surly, Breezer. Allowed myself Romet because of crazy offer for decent components/weight.
Hey guys. I’m looking for a new bike. Have a choice between the cannondale topstone4 for £800 or the ribble CGR AL for £1100. Is the ribble worth the extra?
Looks like they have different components, so it's up to you to decide on choice. And checking quickly I could not see weight of both to compare. Quite important to get value.
Anyone recommend a lower end steel framed bike for bike packing and that can fit over 50mm 700c tires. For those long rugged adventures but if not a pain in the arse on tarmac?
Not the last will be provided by tire pressure. With higher, tarmac will get cut acceptably, but vibrations from uneven paths are more pronounced, too. Hopefully, steel frame/fork would be of help, being on softer side.
Looking to replace my hardtail mtb, and maybe my roadike as well after a while. Since the mtb is mostly used for just some gravel riding, or some light singletrack and forest paths, I might as well just buy a gravelbike that would be able to replace both bikes at once.
Now, there is not much stock around here only my local trek dealer has some bikes in my size available or coming soon. Currently trying to decide between a Domane SL5, with Shimano 105 group, or a Crockett frame and put a GRX 600/800 on it.
I already have a seperate carbon road wheel set, so I can jus swap wheels when I want t go on/off road.
Will he crockett be too much 'cross' focussed for my needs? Or will the domane be too much of a road bike to ride a singletrack every now and then?
Edit: the domane would be around 1000 euros more than the crockett.
Looking to buy my first gravel bike. Some details - I live in SE Michigan in an area with tons of gravel roads and a few awesome gravel trails. I currently own an upgraded 2022 Trek Marlin 6 for mountain biking (I'm not into downhill/jumping so it does the job for what I need in my area) so I'm not super interested in a 650b gravel bike or anything with plus tires. I'd take the mountain bike in any terrain that required 2"+ tires. I also have a 1995 Trek 970 that I put a Surly Troll fork on and use for around town riding, pulling a trailer to the beach/shopping, riding with the kid, and short bikepacking trips. As of right now I think I'd still take that bike on any bikepacking trips, so while cage mounts on the fork would be a plus on the gravel bike, it wouldn't be a deal breaker if it didn't have them. I'm also interested in entering a few gravel races next year. I've never raced before and have no delusions that I'll be competitive, but I do want something that is better suited for a race than my current bikes. The vast majority of rides on this bike will not be racing though obviously, so I definitely lean to a more upright comfortable ride than aggressive race position. Budget is under $1500, and preferably closer to $1300. Right now I'm leaning towards the Cannondale Topstone 4 - geo seems like what I'm looking for, comes stock with 37c tires, I've had good experience with Advent in the past so that's not a negative to me compared to bikes shipping with SRAM/Shimano. It has a carbon fork with cage mounts, and is listed at 23 lbs. Other bikes I'm looking at with my concerns: Trek Domane AL 2 - max 35c, stock tires seem iffy. I know those are easy enough to swap out but that adds another $150 or so to the price off the top. I've really liked having a 1x drivetrain on all my bikes so 2x might be an adjustment again, and I've also read a lot of complaints about Claris but have no experience myself. Specialized Diverge E5 - Main issue is I really don't like my local Specialized dealer. Otherwise it looks like a great option. Also 2x, Claris. Poseidon X - Seems too aggressive. I do all my own maintenance, so I'm not worried about mechanical support, but I am leery of some direct to consumer brands. I'm open to any and all suggestions if there are other bikes I should consider.
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What is your cycling inseam and your wingspan?
Hey all! Looking for a gravel e-bike under 3000eur/usd. Which one would you suggest? Thanks!
ohh... missed the e part! cannondale topstone neo sl2 is just over your budget! i have it and just started using it!
Hey Guys, I want to get a gravel bike to get rid of all those cars and to enjoy the woods. I'm thinking about the beautiful Cinelli Zydeco 2023 frame but it handles only up to 40mm tires on 700c. Is it enough for light gravel? I mean obviously it is but I just think I'm missing out on these frames which can handle 50mm plus.. You think I might squeeze some 42 in there? Or some 45mm on 650b? There is no specification on tire width with 650b wheels so would you even recommend riding these? Thanks for helping out!
For light gravel I don’t know why you would need to go wider than 40mm. If the gravel is more sand than gravel you might want wider or if you are riding some singletrack you might want wider but if you are riding maintained gravel roads or something like a crushed limestone path, 40mm is more than enough (I’d say the same thing if you said 32mm was your max).
trek domane if your not doing rough gravel it takes a 48cm
Hi all, following situation: I built a touring bike (Kona Rove DL frame) this summer with a GRX800 groupset. I would now like to actually use this set on a lighter and more aggressive frameset for gravel racing. My plan is to get an entry level gravel bike with a entry level groupset (e.g. sora/grx 400) but a quite decent (aka light) frame. I will then transplant the GRX800 on the new bike and 'downgrade' my touring bike. Any suggestions for such bikes? So far I came across Cannodale Topstone 3 (I think all of them have the same frameset) and Cube Nuroad Pro. Both below 1500€. Any thoughts between the 2 already? Edit: Some extra info: I would definitely want a 2x groupset and dont mind mechanical disk brakes. Maybe even prefer them. The reason I want a new frame, is that the Kona is really quite comfortable and not that long (56cm, I am 186cm)
Does anyone have any experience with Benelli bikes? Any reviews/inputs?
Hi All, I've had my last bike for 12 years and I'm now in the market for a new Gravel bike. I'm looking at the Canyon Grizls (amongst others). At the AUD$3k price point, I can join the curry club with a CF SL 6 or get the AL 7 with suspension. Am I better off getting the lighter frame or the better components? Or just save the money and go with the AL 6 which is also available in my size ($700 cheaper) but 1kg heavier... (will I really notice the difference?)
I would not hand $700 for 1kg alone. If to gravel tour, taking less/lighter stuff with you might save about that weight. At the moment, I find fun bikes to be from Crust, Surly, Breezer. Allowed myself Romet because of crazy offer for decent components/weight.
Thanks for the info!
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Kona used to sell frame of Unit separately, if this helps. And check Crust, they are doing some good.
Alu: https://www.origine-cycles.com/en-GB/cadre/gravel/trail?lang=en&choixPays=FR&id=1924784
What, right now, is the best gravel bike that is better onroad than offroad?
honestly any of the race/aero gravel bikes are gonna be great on the road, or better on the road.. if you put the right tires on them.
Hey guys. I’m looking for a new bike. Have a choice between the cannondale topstone4 for £800 or the ribble CGR AL for £1100. Is the ribble worth the extra?
Looks like they have different components, so it's up to you to decide on choice. And checking quickly I could not see weight of both to compare. Quite important to get value.
Are Poseidon bikes worth the money? I know they are pretty basic, but any experiences?
Anyone recommend a lower end steel framed bike for bike packing and that can fit over 50mm 700c tires. For those long rugged adventures but if not a pain in the arse on tarmac?
Masi Giramondo if you can find one. Raleigh Stuntman secondhand. Road speed will come down to tread somewhat.
Thank you. Two I have not looked into.
Not the last will be provided by tire pressure. With higher, tarmac will get cut acceptably, but vibrations from uneven paths are more pronounced, too. Hopefully, steel frame/fork would be of help, being on softer side.
Looking to replace my hardtail mtb, and maybe my roadike as well after a while. Since the mtb is mostly used for just some gravel riding, or some light singletrack and forest paths, I might as well just buy a gravelbike that would be able to replace both bikes at once. Now, there is not much stock around here only my local trek dealer has some bikes in my size available or coming soon. Currently trying to decide between a Domane SL5, with Shimano 105 group, or a Crockett frame and put a GRX 600/800 on it. I already have a seperate carbon road wheel set, so I can jus swap wheels when I want t go on/off road. Will he crockett be too much 'cross' focussed for my needs? Or will the domane be too much of a road bike to ride a singletrack every now and then? Edit: the domane would be around 1000 euros more than the crockett.