Gravel/Bikepack nerds enter...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sethschmautz

Starting to flirt with the idea of selling the road bike and the fat bike and buying a gravel bike with a second set of (road) wheels. I'm guessing my budget may end up around $2000. Where should I begin looking? I don't need new, but not opposed if there is good value out there right now.

Seth

---

A sleeper bike to check out is the Diamondback Haanjo Carbon series. I've beat the shit out of a 2017 Carbon Trail, I think over 13k miles on it, with regular weighted commute loads on the frame, its holding strong. I found the parts spec to be a notch higher than competitive offerings at the time. Potential downside... doesnt have as much tire clearance as the newer geometries. If you can stretch your budget to $3k I see stock at diamondback.com for the highest end model (ultegra, decent wheels, etc). They can probably be found used as well.

Thanks all. Was also perusing the Canyon website and it looks like their Al bike is right at about $2000.

Consider a steel frame as you should be able find a Kona, Salsa, or Surly in that price range.

the Cannondale Topstone brings value as does the Salsa Journeyman, Giant Revolt, and Spesh Sequoia.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sethschmautz

Thanks all. Was also perusing the Canyon website and it looks like their Al bike is right at about $2000.

---

I don't know anyone who owns one, but the reviews I've read are super positive on that bike

Any recommendations for a saddle bag in the 0.75 liter range? I broke the zipper on mine. Thinking a roll closure would be more durable. Also would prefer non Velcro attachment to the rails. Does such a bag exist?

if you don't mind a bit more volume (3L) this might work.
https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...eat-bags/Shrew
they compress down nice though

That little ortleib deal?

https://www.ortlieb.com/micro-two+F9672

https://www.ortlieb.com/saddle-bag-two+F9411

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Peruvian

Consider a steel frame as you should be able find a Kona, Salsa, or Surly in that price range.

the Cannondale Topstone brings value as does the Salsa Journeyman, Giant Revolt, and Spesh Sequoia.

---

Steel has really grown on me. I honestly don't think I will ever ride aluminum bikes ever again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

Steel has really grown on me. I honestly don't think I will ever ride aluminum bikes ever again.

---

Do tell. My bikes have always been aluminum because I’m a cheapskate. Is the difference really that noticeable?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flyoverland Captive

Do tell. My bikes have always been aluminum because I’m a cheapskate. Is the difference really that noticeable?

---

I was really hesitant at first. My last 4 bikes were Alu > Alu > Carbon > Carbon. Really loved the efficiency of a stiffer bike and thought the whole steel is real was a load of crap, but I have been riding this steel gravel bike for about a month now and every time I ride it I love it more than the last ride. Sure, I am not gonna win races on it most likely, but for touring and gravel riding it makes alot of sense because it really is a comfortable ride which has some give, but not noodly or sluggish feeling like I expected.

Thinking back the alu bikes I had were just downright harsh for the most part compared to a steel bike.

Thanks; good to know. My biggest beef with alu is vibration; drives me nuts. In your experience, Steel vs carbon? Yeah, I know, so subjective, but every data point helps.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flyoverland Captive

Thanks; good to know. My biggest beef with alu is vibration; drives me nuts. In your experience, Steel vs carbon? Yeah, I know, so subjective, but every data point helps.

---

My road bike (which not sits with dust on it since getting this steel gravel bike) and current MTB are both carbon so this was the first steel bike I had been on in like 10 years. The only place I miss the carbon is when getting out of the saddle on a punchy climb and wanting to just hammer up. You lose that efficiency/stiffness with the steel, but unless you are racing you don't need that stiffness 90% of the time anyway, especially if cruising/touring/bikepacking.

That said, I have never ridden any of the modern carbon gravel/cross rigs and still pine over them. Sure, if I had like 6k to blow I would jump on a Topstone or something, but if you want to spend less I would always go steel over alu. That's just me.

A standard full carbon bike vs a standard full steel bike? They will not ride similar at all. Carbon is pounds lighter and much stiffer. Add a carbon fork to the steel bike and things change but only a little.

I'm a huge fan of steel but comparing the two is like looking at bikes 30 years apart.

This could turn into a very open ended discussion about so many nuances on so many things especially what you plan to do with the bike.

Just go ride a steel bike like a Surly and then a carbon bike like a Giant/trek whatever. In 5 minutes all your questions will be answered. Then you open up your wallet.

Or just get an aluminum bike which is the best of the two materials. Cheap, stiff, light, doesn't rust, but isn't fixable if it breaks.

Didn’t mean to start a debate, just looking for more data points. My roadie and gravel bikes are both alu, I haven’t ridden anything else. Except for five minutes on my friend’s top of the line Madone (she’s rich), which was so buttery smooth I started to question my choices in life.

No debates needed. Ride a steel bike, a carbon bike, and your aluminum bike. It is all subjective. Buy one of each then you have your own data points. All bikes have their own unique ride quality.

My Madone cost $500 btw. It makes me feel rich.

Hah, she spent $20k on hers (including the amazing wheel set). By far the nicest bike I will ever ride. So fucking far out of my league.

I just got a 2019 Emonda SLR with Dura Ace Di2 and Bontrager carbon wheels for way less than you'd think, considering it retailed for over $10k. There are deals to be had.

The Emonda is a rocket, for sure. I love it for climbing and spirited rides, but when I'm going out for 6+ hours or riding casually with the GF, I pick the steel Seven Axiom. It's just so smooth and quiet. The last race bike I had was a CAAD10 (Al), which I got because I didn't want to risk crashing a carbon one.

For gravel, if not racing, I think you'll be happy with a steel bike. The wheels and tires will make a huge difference too, and you'll have more money for those of the frame is cheaper.

Sent from my LG-US998 using TGR Forums mobile app

I didn’t mean to start a major debate but thought with a $2k budget, there are options.

One “upgrade” I will never go without on a gravel bike is hydro disc brakes. They provide so much confidence when on steep pitches or off road that it’s well worth the money.

Yup, no hydros and I wouldn't want to ride the dirt sidewalk

Flyover, look on Pinkbike classifieds. Quite a few steel bikes on there at good prices. As others said make sure to have disc braks (hydraulic ones) and a decently modern 1x or 1x 11speed drivetrain.

Everything else is easy to upgrade later.

I have some carbon 29/700c hoops coming for my steel bike that I am fucking super stoked on. I got lucky and paid $1300 for basically a new Ragley Trig a couple months ago.

Have a Ti gravel/all-road frame for sale if anyone's looking for one:
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2793742/

Max tire clearance of 700x40 is a bit of a bummer, but could be a hot deal for someone. Speaking of which, I'm not sure how to price it, so open to offers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamal

That little ortleib deal?

https://www.ortlieb.com/micro-two+F9672

https://www.ortlieb.com/saddle-bag-two+F9411

---

these are great little bags in my experience... I quickly got over my reluctance to add the dock to my seat on two bikes, after I experienced how awesome it was to click and swap the bag from bike to bike when needed (I carry my tools, tube, etc in there). The rollover style sooooo much better than zipper. And, when you park at a brewery or whatever, click! bag comes with you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamal

That little ortleib deal?

https://www.ortlieb.com/micro-two+F9672

https://www.ortlieb.com/saddle-bag-two+F9411

---

Thanks that looks like just what I was looking for.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

Flyover, look on Pinkbike classifieds. Quite a few steel bikes on there at good prices. As others said make sure to have disc braks (hydraulic ones) and a decently modern 1x or 1x 11speed drivetrain.

Everything else is easy to upgrade later.

I have some carbon 29/700c hoops coming for my steel bike that I am fucking super stoked on. I got lucky and paid $1300 for basically a new Ragley Trig a couple months ago.

---

Hey WG, question for you.... how heavy is your steel gravel bike? Do you notice the extra weight of the steel on longer rides at all?

I'm looking at a Van Dessel WTF to buy locally, but it weighs around 24-25 lbs. I'm not going to be riding race-pace or anything, I really just want something for the dirt roads around Boulder where I can put in longer rides (30-40 miles) on something that's built for it, vs riding on my full-suspension 29er.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smmokan

Hey WG, question for you.... how heavy is your steel gravel bike? Do you notice the extra weight of the steel on longer rides at all?

I'm looking at a Van Dessel WTF to buy locally, but it weighs around 24-25 lbs. I'm not going to be riding race-pace or anything, I really just want something for the dirt roads around Boulder where I can put in longer rides (30-40 miles) on something that's built for it, vs riding on my full-suspension 29er.

---

Yeah in an ideal world I would have a $5-7k Ti or carbon machine that would be a lot lighter and stiffer than my steel bike, but what I have now is super enjoyable and definitely WAY easier to pedal around than even a locked out plastic 29er. I think it's somewhat heavy at around 25ish pounds and I have lighter carbon 700c wheels coming in the mail which I bet will shave a pound off compared to the 650b on alu hoops I have now.

My "trail" bike is a coil sprung hog on basically small dirtbike tires so pedaling the rigid steel gravel bike feels easy by comparison for the most part.

my Sutra LTD is a tank but still is fine for 30-40 miles ride.

Yeah, I did 100 miles last monday and by mile 80 it was still enjoyable, but I was thinking how easy it would have felt on a legit carbon bike that was 5 pounds lighter. I still have a hard time just cruising. I kinda wanna mash the pedals everywhere I go, and steel isn't necessarily the frame material for that.

30-40 mile gravel cruises it is perfect though.

Salsa Warbird sounds like the bike.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slowroastin

Salsa Warbird sounds like the bike.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

---

If I had any patience I would have waited another month and bought a used Warbird for sure. I was just losing my mind in April with MTB trails too wet and tons of gravel nearby that I bought the first decent gravel bike I could afford.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sethschmautz

Thanks all. Was also perusing the Canyon website and it looks like their Al bike is right at about $2000.

---

And they sometimes have decent deals in the "outlet" part of their website too.

I recently jumped on the gravel train. Really has made boring roads and trails fun and nice to get off the asphalt vs road bike etc. I decided I
To take the bike down a jump line...not so much fun ha. Much better for building endurance etc

Attachment 332213

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

Yeah, I did 100 miles last monday and by mile 80 it was still enjoyable, but I was thinking how easy it would have felt on a legit carbon bike that was 5 pounds lighter. I still have a hard time just cruising. I kinda wanna mash the pedals everywhere I go, and steel isn't necessarily the frame material for that.

30-40 mile gravel cruises it is perfect though.

---

Picked up a like-new used Van Dessel WTF yesterday, and put in a quick 30 miles this afternoon. I have to say, it was the smoothest gravel/road bike I've ridden, and made the 30 miles go by super fast. I'm looking forward to the occasional gravel exploration ride when I don't feel like braving the singletrack crowds on future weekends.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by roverdoc

I recently jumped on the gravel train. Really has made boring roads and trails fun and nice to get off the asphalt vs road bike etc. I decided I
To take the bike down a jump line...not so much fun ha. Much better for building endurance etc

Attachment 332213

---

Chamois Hagar? You like it?

It is fantastic on the descents. I think they pushed the head angle too far in my opinion and that is coming from someone who has always preferred slacker than average trail bikes. The ability to actuate the dropper with the mechanical left shifter mechanism is pretty slick and found myself using it constantly on my ride yesterday. All in all very happy with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kathleenturneroverdrive

Chamois Hagar? You like it?

---

That’s awesome to hear! If I had rougher trails around me it’d be very high on my list

I have quite a few miles on the Chamois. The only time I notice the length of the front end is out of the saddle climbing on pavement. It does “swim” oh so slightly. Other than that it dominates everywhere in my opinion. Silky and quick on the road, alarmingly fast on gravel and very capable on single track.

thanks for the Chamois Hagar write ups. very curious about that one, but I fear its a bit too aggressive for me for a do it all commuter/road/gravel/light trail slayer with two wheelsets...

I've never used a freeze dried meal, what are your favorites? I've heard the concerns about excessive salt, but I'm ok with that as a replacement on a long tour. I have one on hand, the Good-To-Go Thai Curry.

Found a local/Missoula company that makes some, this Chipotle Beef Burrito Bowl sounds awesome, back from tortillas and make tacos. https://pinnaclefoods.co/product/chi...tro-lime-rice/

Replaced my older (canti) SuperX with this new one last week. New to me are hydro brakes and tubeless. I think the fork rake is a little shallower on this version of the frame too. Tracks really nicely despite it being a full on cross frame. I came from road, so wasn't really interested in gravel frame geometry. Group is from an Ultegra Topstone (not Di2). Will be upgrading the wheels at some point. Also still need to cut the stem. Super fun.

Attachment 332294

Didn't know where else to post this. Holy shit. ::::throws bikes in dumpster:::::

https://www.strava.com/activities/3642227868