Entry Level Gravel Bikes.

[Sweno]

Hi everybody,

I have only been riding on the road for a couple of years, mainly commuting. My work has changed location, and I am finding it hard to currently cycle to work as the road I need to ride on is too dangerous due to its narrowness and the high volume of trucks passing at 100kph.

But. I do have the option of riding a parallel route about 24km of graded dirt and gravel, mostly firm packed, and my brain has been mulling over if a gravel bike might be another option. The gravel road would kill my road bike, but I imagine that the gravel ones are a bit more robust.

Not being flash with cash, I would be looking at something from the very bottom of the market. The real bottom of the new market that is. Bikes like:

A. Pedal Raider Cyclocross.

B. Reid Original Gravel,

C. Reid Granite 1.0 Gravel,

D. Progear GR-150 Gravel, (don’t cringe), or

E. Build something myself out of an older steel framed bike.

Thoughts please.

[warthog1]

I would be off that road and onto the gravel quick smart too.
Safer and far more pleasant.

I had a quick look at those bikes.
They are pretty basic but would do the job.
I would go for one that has clearance for larger tyres. 40c minimum.
Larger tyres come in handy as the road gets rougher. Corrugations are better on larger tyres.

You might keep an eye out on FB marketplace or gumtree for a second hand goer too.

[MichaelB]

That Progear is not a bad deal, especially $369. Delivery to me in Radelaide is $65

Hmmmmm

Micro shift R8 research about to start

[owly]

If the surface is fairly packed and tame I'd consider looking around for an old cyclocross canti-brake bike.
One that takes a 33mm+.

[Calvin27]

Used market is your best friend. Not only can you get slightyl better specs for the price, but the bikes on your list go for peanuts used as well.

Personalyl I'd go the reid granite of that list, but seriously you can pick up unloved brands like GT grade with sora groupset for like $500.

The other idea is to just go flat bar which will get you a a much better speced bike compared to drop bar version.

[warthog1]

But then you are stuck with flat bars
Expensive to change due to the controls.

[MichaelB]

Used market is your best friend. Not only can you get slightyl better specs for the price, but the bikes on your list go for peanuts used as well.

Personalyl I'd go the reid granite of that list, but seriously you can pick up unloved brands like GT grade with sora groupset for like $500.

The other idea is to just go flat bar which will get you a a much better speced bike compared to drop bar version.

Been trying that for quite some time with SFA luck.

Typically they are (in order of wrongness) ;
- expensive
- wrong size
- hybrid bikes (crappy front suspension)
- just plain BSO's that are not well looked after

Hence looking at new, with Reid Granite Original (steel & $549) or 99bike Pedal Raider 2 (alloy & $599). Essentially, only differences are frame material, tyres and cassette size.

[Calvin27]

- expensive

Wait didn't you just splurge on a bowman!?

[MichaelB]

- expensive

Wait didn't you just splurge on a bowman!?

Would've if it had the eyelets for proper mudguards, but sadly it didn't ...