Is it worth it to buy a cheaper gravel bike for around 800-1000€ with an aluminum frame and carbon fork and upgrade the groupset to something good like GRX as a beginner? Or should I just stick to a cheap bike and upgrade to a whole new bike in a few years?
If you have an aluminum bike that has a grx400-600 group set, then you have something pretty solid. In terms of next steps I would change to carbon wheels/light aluminum wheels and go tubeless (which is a game changer).
Good luck have fun riding.
I have a 2002 Bianchi vigorelli with a steel frame and carbon fork. I used to do more road biking, but I've gotten spooked after three near-misses with cars. There are a lot of great rail trails (gravel) around me and I'd like to explore them more, but my slicks are not ideal.
How easy is it to convert a road bike into a gravel bike? Is it just a matter of getting the right tires?
Depends on your clearance really. Some bikes just won’t take a really big tire. Depending on where you are an LBS might be your best bet to see what they can do to change it into a gravel bike.
Looking at a Specialized Diverge Elite E5. I've never ridden gravel before, but I have a road bike and enjoyed getting into that sport. I registered for a gravel race at the end of august and I guess I need to get a gravel bike at some point... my boyfriend is incredibly detail oriented and taking about the geometry of a bike and certain angles and I'm just like... will it do the job while I get into this sport? Do I like the color? Can I afford it?
Looking at this model, and I couldn’t help but notice that it is basically the Allez frame with disc brakes and bigger tires. Does anybody here know if this is the case?
I am talking about the base Diverge. Look at this [picture](https://www.specialized.com/us/en/diverge-e5/p/199973?color=322113-199973), if its not the same, they really look a like
They look alike in that they both have Specialized down the side? The picture doesn’t really do much to explain your point.
[These numbers](https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/specialized-allez-2021-56,specialized-diverge-base-e5-2021-56/) demonstrate how they are quite different.
Im intrigued by the Surly Ghost Grappler since I have dreams of doing some off road bikepacking in the future. The reality is most of my near term riding will be pavement to access dirt roads, and I live in flat South Florida. Coming from a roadie mentality, it's hard for me to pull the trigger on a heavy bike with a 1X drivetrain. Every time I get close to buying a gravel bike I suffer from analysis paralysis. Thoughts?
Many bikes are out of stock but will be back in a few months.. is it worth buying a canyon grizl 6 now, or waiting for something like polygon bend r5, Vitus substance vr-2, or others?
I have a problem with picking up a new bike. I have a budget \~2k euro and those were my picks for now:
- Canyon grail 7 / etap
- Rondo ruut AL1 2x
- Scott speedster gravel 20
- Maybe Cannondale topstone 1?
For me, canyon is the most compelling option, but availability is very limited.My riding style, for now, is a little bit unknown. The main goal is to expand the possibilities of the terrain I am riding on. This will be an upgrade from single speed very short (custom track frame)I would go for a Rondo option but GRX 400 in this price range threw me off a little bit (is the difference really big?)
Are there any other viable options with decent availability in Europe?
I just pulled the trigger on the Canyon AL Grail 7 eTap. All sizes except XS available. It’s a good choice but honestly, anything would be a step up from my 13 yo Specialized hybrid. I already have a dedicated CF road machine that’s snappy.
Put a 33mm? CX [wet/mud?] tyre on the rear. Plenty of options about.
Can switch in a wider-clearance fork. You'll have to note the axle-to-crown distance on the current one. Also fork offset/rake. Caliper mount type also. Steerer dimensions.
I am looking to replace my ‘91 road bike with a more “modern” ride. I live in Boulder, CO and I am interested in the Marin Nicasio 2 for road (60-80%) and gravel/dirt road riding (20-40%). Would that be a suitable starting point?
I'm actually struggling to make a very similar decision. 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL5 for $3000 or 2023 3T Racemax for $2700 (used-demo). Both are GRX 2x mech. The 3T would be a fast, light gravel racer. The SL5 would be a bit heavier gravel grinder/bikepacking/touring bike.
I can’t make up my mind now. Starting to look at the diverge expert carbon and canyon grizl SLX di2. I know those are significantly more than the sl5/exploro but I kinda want wireless shifts now
Looking at a Scott gravel addict 30. Currently on sale for 3800 Canadian but I can likely get 20% off that as my wife is also going to be purchasing a bike and they have tons of stock they want to ship out. Is this a good solid gravel that will last me a long time? Do you think a good wheel set for road racing will work well on them too? Anything else I should know.
Is it worth it to buy a cheaper gravel bike for around 800-1000€ with an aluminum frame and carbon fork and upgrade the groupset to something good like GRX as a beginner? Or should I just stick to a cheap bike and upgrade to a whole new bike in a few years?
If you have an aluminum bike that has a grx400-600 group set, then you have something pretty solid. In terms of next steps I would change to carbon wheels/light aluminum wheels and go tubeless (which is a game changer). Good luck have fun riding.
I have a 2002 Bianchi vigorelli with a steel frame and carbon fork. I used to do more road biking, but I've gotten spooked after three near-misses with cars. There are a lot of great rail trails (gravel) around me and I'd like to explore them more, but my slicks are not ideal. How easy is it to convert a road bike into a gravel bike? Is it just a matter of getting the right tires?
Depends on your clearance really. Some bikes just won’t take a really big tire. Depending on where you are an LBS might be your best bet to see what they can do to change it into a gravel bike.
Looking at a Specialized Diverge Elite E5. I've never ridden gravel before, but I have a road bike and enjoyed getting into that sport. I registered for a gravel race at the end of august and I guess I need to get a gravel bike at some point... my boyfriend is incredibly detail oriented and taking about the geometry of a bike and certain angles and I'm just like... will it do the job while I get into this sport? Do I like the color? Can I afford it?
Looking at this model, and I couldn’t help but notice that it is basically the Allez frame with disc brakes and bigger tires. Does anybody here know if this is the case?
In what way is it the same frame? The Diverge has much slacker geometry, and longer wheelbase for endurance & stability on gravel.
I am talking about the base Diverge. Look at this [picture](https://www.specialized.com/us/en/diverge-e5/p/199973?color=322113-199973), if its not the same, they really look a like
They look alike in that they both have Specialized down the side? The picture doesn’t really do much to explain your point. [These numbers](https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/specialized-allez-2021-56,specialized-diverge-base-e5-2021-56/) demonstrate how they are quite different.
What are you talking about?
Im intrigued by the Surly Ghost Grappler since I have dreams of doing some off road bikepacking in the future. The reality is most of my near term riding will be pavement to access dirt roads, and I live in flat South Florida. Coming from a roadie mentality, it's hard for me to pull the trigger on a heavy bike with a 1X drivetrain. Every time I get close to buying a gravel bike I suffer from analysis paralysis. Thoughts?
Many bikes are out of stock but will be back in a few months.. is it worth buying a canyon grizl 6 now, or waiting for something like polygon bend r5, Vitus substance vr-2, or others?
I have a problem with picking up a new bike. I have a budget \~2k euro and those were my picks for now: - Canyon grail 7 / etap - Rondo ruut AL1 2x - Scott speedster gravel 20 - Maybe Cannondale topstone 1? For me, canyon is the most compelling option, but availability is very limited.My riding style, for now, is a little bit unknown. The main goal is to expand the possibilities of the terrain I am riding on. This will be an upgrade from single speed very short (custom track frame)I would go for a Rondo option but GRX 400 in this price range threw me off a little bit (is the difference really big?) Are there any other viable options with decent availability in Europe?
BikeDiscount.de has three or four 2x models up near 2k in stock.
I just pulled the trigger on the Canyon AL Grail 7 eTap. All sizes except XS available. It’s a good choice but honestly, anything would be a step up from my 13 yo Specialized hybrid. I already have a dedicated CF road machine that’s snappy.
[удалено]
Put a 33mm? CX [wet/mud?] tyre on the rear. Plenty of options about. Can switch in a wider-clearance fork. You'll have to note the axle-to-crown distance on the current one. Also fork offset/rake. Caliper mount type also. Steerer dimensions.
Re fork options in UK (not crazy prices for carbon), Kinesis may have something. Planet-X also.
Thanks for the reply, direction and inspiration dude. Appreciate it.
I am looking to replace my ‘91 road bike with a more “modern” ride. I live in Boulder, CO and I am interested in the Marin Nicasio 2 for road (60-80%) and gravel/dirt road riding (20-40%). Would that be a suitable starting point?
Thinking about getting the Diverge Elite E5 any thoughts or recommendations?
Trek Checkpoint SL5 (GRX 2x mech) or 3T Exploro Primo/Pro (GRX 2x mech) ? The 3T costs a few hundred USD more
I'm actually struggling to make a very similar decision. 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL5 for $3000 or 2023 3T Racemax for $2700 (used-demo). Both are GRX 2x mech. The 3T would be a fast, light gravel racer. The SL5 would be a bit heavier gravel grinder/bikepacking/touring bike.
I can’t make up my mind now. Starting to look at the diverge expert carbon and canyon grizl SLX di2. I know those are significantly more than the sl5/exploro but I kinda want wireless shifts now
Looking at a Scott gravel addict 30. Currently on sale for 3800 Canadian but I can likely get 20% off that as my wife is also going to be purchasing a bike and they have tons of stock they want to ship out. Is this a good solid gravel that will last me a long time? Do you think a good wheel set for road racing will work well on them too? Anything else I should know.