I have recently borrowed a MTB (Carrera Venegance) since the gyms were closed, and want to buy my own bike. I seem to ride roads, and some rougher paths. A road bike there is not suitable on these paths, but a MTB is slow on the road. I also miss drop bars. What should I be looking for? I think it is a "gravel" type bike, Any recommendations, how much should i be paying for decent "budget" bike? or am I better to find a second hand MTB and mod wheels / handlebars etc?
Think I looking for a "gravel" bike,. How much to pay? which all rounder / buy or mod second hand MTB
- Thread starter jase_31
- Start date
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figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
It depends on your aptitude and attitude. I made myself a gravel bike out of an old MTB more to give me something to do - it turned out well and now I have a functioning gravel bike, but I wasn't specifically needing one.
You could probably adapt a road/touring bike more easily, depending on what you feel you need (eg disc brakes?).
Or you can pick up a dedicated gravel bike either new or second-hand. Decathlon's Triban range get some good reviews, Planet-X are always pushing out cheap frames and bikes - it also depends who is open and delivering.
From your description it looks like a gravel type bike would fit the bill, and since having made mine it has become my go-to, do-it-all bike.
You could probably adapt a road/touring bike more easily, depending on what you feel you need (eg disc brakes?).
Or you can pick up a dedicated gravel bike either new or second-hand. Decathlon's Triban range get some good reviews, Planet-X are always pushing out cheap frames and bikes - it also depends who is open and delivering.
From your description it looks like a gravel type bike would fit the bill, and since having made mine it has become my go-to, do-it-all bike.
I quite mechanically minded, so dont mind a bit of a project. I never thought about going from converting a road bike to gravel, but it is something worth looking at. Ive found a guide at
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1CCH0LrVlo
Has anyone done this? If I go down this road looking like starting with a road bike, rather than MTB and using 28 -32 tyres.
My budget is flexible - as Im pretty new to this I dont want to spend too much, but enough to get something decent that I am not looking to change/upgrade straight away, my budget is therefore guided by recommendation here.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1CCH0LrVlo
Has anyone done this? If I go down this road looking like starting with a road bike, rather than MTB and using 28 -32 tyres.
My budget is flexible - as Im pretty new to this I dont want to spend too much, but enough to get something decent that I am not looking to change/upgrade straight away, my budget is therefore guided by recommendation here.
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Decalthon Tribans are interesting. Im in no rush to buy, as I have a borowed bike at the moment. Any idea what gearing I should be looking at. For instance the Tribans start with a single chainring, and 7 speed cassette?
There are all kinds of names for these useful doitall style bikes: cyclo cross, cx, gravel, adventure, touring. They may differ in details such as gear ratios, tyre clearance, fittings for rack, mudguards and bottles.
Personally I think that any bike not used for racing should come with a useful set of threaded eyelet fittings, you don't have to use them but they turn a playbike into something much more useful and versatile. Rear disk fittings on the chainstay play well with luggage racks but seatstay disk fittings interfere.
Personally I think that any bike not used for racing should come with a useful set of threaded eyelet fittings, you don't have to use them but they turn a playbike into something much more useful and versatile. Rear disk fittings on the chainstay play well with luggage racks but seatstay disk fittings interfere.
vickster
Legendary Member
Something like this would do what you need (i have the 2014 Team as my main utility bike With 32mm tyres)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/293501535139
that needs some tlc but there are plenty around for under £500
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/293501535139
that needs some tlc but there are plenty around for under £500
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Take a look at Planet X bikes for their CX frames, or even Merlin Cycles - I spotted a bargain on their a few weeks back. Problem with many road bikes, even old ones, is the tyre clearance isn't great - both my road bikes will take 23mm tyres only.
You might also think of picking up a 90's MTB - rigid forks. Drop some slightly narrower tyres and you've got a good gravel bike. My 90's bike is running 2.4" tyres for comfort !
You might also think of picking up a 90's MTB - rigid forks. Drop some slightly narrower tyres and you've got a good gravel bike. My 90's bike is running 2.4" tyres for comfort !
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
That's a bargain.
vickster
Legendary Member
It’s got a broken shifter and saddle but otherwise
matticus
Guru
That range has a great reputation, and I truly love Decathlon!
Gearing? Well, it's so personal - fitness and usage are everything. NORMALLY I say that single-chainrng is hugely limiting - but my 1x8 has been great for a flat commute with a few miles on dry bridleways (I'm happy to walk if I have to!). So it can be a bit suck-it-and-see.
(The big pro for something basic like 1x7 is the cheap running costs and reliability.)
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
Any bike is a gravel bike. Ask anyone over 50 and they will tell you. All these new labels, gravel bike, CX bike etc. They are just things we knocked together when we were kids. Stick big tyres on something and you are good to go. The more rat bike the better. 😁
Randomnerd
Bimbleur
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Surly road bikes can sometimes be had. I made a road x crosser from one and it performs very well. With the right tyres and gearing, most road bikes can be labelled ”Gravel”.
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
A rigid 90s MTB with canti brakes would be a simple conversion. All you'd need to swap would be bars, brake levers, gear shifter(s) and tyres.
Or a road bike with clearance for 32mm+ tyres even easier (or go old school 27 x 1 1/4").
I'd not recommend 1x7 gearing if you want to take the bike off road up steep, possibly muddy hills, you'll run out of climbing gears if you've used a suitable chain ring for road riding even with a 11-28 freewheel/cassette. 9 speed 11-36 might work better, but still only if you like pushing a tough gear (I really don't, too lazy!).
Or a road bike with clearance for 32mm+ tyres even easier (or go old school 27 x 1 1/4").
I'd not recommend 1x7 gearing if you want to take the bike off road up steep, possibly muddy hills, you'll run out of climbing gears if you've used a suitable chain ring for road riding even with a 11-28 freewheel/cassette. 9 speed 11-36 might work better, but still only if you like pushing a tough gear (I really don't, too lazy!).
