Best gravel bike for $800-$1000

[Duende]

Have a friend in need. Any advice would greatly be appreciated! Do I need to tell him to spend just a little more??

[MattTuck]

How about just the best bike that can fit 35mm tires? Or is there a specific need for other 'gravel' functionality?

[joosttx]

a real friend would just sell him their bike.

[jtbadge]

The new Salsa Journeyman looks great. Drops or flats, 650b or 700c, Sora or Claris.

$899-1099.

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/journe...eyman_sora_700



(photo via)

[weisan]

won't use the word "best", it's a controversial word but for that price range, I would recommend something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/i/401517664137?chn=ps

If you look at past history, a nice used one has consistently transacted around $1k. So, if this is not the right size, just be patient, another one will come along soon enough.

[Duende]

Originally Posted by joosttx

a real friend would just sell him their bike.

Touché! 🤪

[mhespenheide]

Yah, "gravel" is just too wide a category. First, do you live in a dry environment where you can get away without discs? Second, how wide of tires do your local roads/trails/conditions benefit from?

I mean, on one end, a used LeMond Poprad or All-City Mr. Pink might be the ticket, while on the other end, you might just want to throw a set of drop bars on a rigid mountain bike...

But yes, a discounted Haanjo would be a good starter candidate.


Edit: Assuming you're in SF, I'd go with discs and 40mm tires or thereabouts, which is more closely aligned with the industry's current "gravel" bikes. So for that case, my point above is kind of moot.

[GOTHBROOKS]

im trying to sell a 61cm canti crux for around that price. clearance for 45c.

[Tandem Rider]

Used. Save some $ for tires, chain, cassette, cables etc.

[cachagua]

I bought one of those New Albion frames from VeloMine for my brother.

And I might offer them my nephew for another one. No, seriously -- brand-new, nicely built, $250 shipped to me, and if I were charging my brother retail for all the parts I'm giving him, I think he'd still come out under a grand.

There seem to be a few left in various sizes, and it's not uncommon to see close-outs and inventory liquidation like this. If you've got a garage full of spare parts and you can adapt disparate thises and thats to each other, it's a good way to go.

I should photograph this thing and post it here before I give it to him. It's actually going to end up pretty respectable.

[FlashUNC]

Giant makes a gravel adventure bike for that price that's a ton of bike for the money.

[R3awak3n]

that blue salsa up there is a pretty good bike.


I say used as well. You can get much more for your money. There are salsas, all cities, ect for under $1000 that made good bikes.

[AngryScientist]

This is what i tell casual acquaintances who ask about getting a bike:

Go to REI.

Their new line of CO-OP bikes is actually pretty sweet. They also carry DiamondBack as an alternative and have frequent sales and closeouts.

The good part is all of the bikes come with some after sales service built in, so when the bike is in need of adjustment they can take care of it. of course they have you covered with decent quality and price helmets, shoes, pedals, stuff like that too.

just a thought if your pal is just getting into it.

[Davist]

I'd recommend used as well. I just sold my Scott gravel 10 (105 with ultegra rd) on feebay for $900, about 2 years old, good bike. I'm going to a more "lighter" duty (30mm max) dirt road / all road style bike, there was too much tonnage for the way I ride (really a winter bike, with 2 gravel days/fondos a year) to keep it.

[Duende]

Copy that! Thanks tor the advice. Craigslist here I come!