First Gravel/Adventure Bike. Please help me decide.
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First Gravel/Adventure Bike. Please help me decide.
I am interested in getting into cycling/adventure/gravel and light touring and want to get a suitable bike, but have a limited budget and I think buying used would be the best route for me atm. I have two CL listings for contenders and hope the community can help me make an informed decision. I’m not able to provide links or post pictures, but I put as much info as I could.
Thanks in advance...
2013 Masi CX Comp. $550. The listing doesn’t provide a spec sheet, but comparing the pictures to the Masi catalog, the bike looks to be stock. From catalog: Chromoly frame, Shimano Sora components, 50/34 crank and 8spd 11-32t cassette, Weinmann XP27 wheels, Tektro CR510 cantis,
Surly XC. $1100. From listing: Deore 2x10. Shutter Precision genny hub on an Alex Adventurer wheel and hooked to Busch & Mueller lights. WTB Volt saddle. Race Face Chester pedals. Panaracer Pasela 38c tires. Handsome Mudbutler fenders. Ortlieb bar bag (I'm keeping the frame bag and feed bags in the pics). New cassette, chain, rear derailleur. Tubus front rack
Thanks in advance...
2013 Masi CX Comp. $550. The listing doesn’t provide a spec sheet, but comparing the pictures to the Masi catalog, the bike looks to be stock. From catalog: Chromoly frame, Shimano Sora components, 50/34 crank and 8spd 11-32t cassette, Weinmann XP27 wheels, Tektro CR510 cantis,
Surly XC. $1100. From listing: Deore 2x10. Shutter Precision genny hub on an Alex Adventurer wheel and hooked to Busch & Mueller lights. WTB Volt saddle. Race Face Chester pedals. Panaracer Pasela 38c tires. Handsome Mudbutler fenders. Ortlieb bar bag (I'm keeping the frame bag and feed bags in the pics). New cassette, chain, rear derailleur. Tubus front rack
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Well, age and condition matter - as maintenance can be expensive (unless you DIY).
For me the biggest things are fit, and what size tire I can put on there. what is the max size for those?
For me the biggest things are fit, and what size tire I can put on there. what is the max size for those?
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See if you can find a Cross Check to test ride. The fit isn't for everyone. I have one, and while I've ridden the heck out of it on all manner of surfaces, I'm waaaaay more comfortable riding any kind of gravel/dirt/rough stuff on a more relaxed geometry(like my other bike a Kona Rove). You might like the short head tube, somewhat aggressive position of the 'Check though.
Cross Checks are versatile--mine's been a singlespeed with riser bars, and a 1x with both flat bars and drops. The only downside is no disc brakes.
EDIT: my CC has Surly Knard 41s on it, and I think Surly says you can go up to 45(?) so that's also a feature--you can get decently big tires on there.
Cross Checks are versatile--mine's been a singlespeed with riser bars, and a 1x with both flat bars and drops. The only downside is no disc brakes.
EDIT: my CC has Surly Knard 41s on it, and I think Surly says you can go up to 45(?) so that's also a feature--you can get decently big tires on there.
Last edited by pbass; 05-20-19 at 05:33 PM.
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The Masi CX may be a pure competition bike. If so, it may have clearance for no bigger than 33c tires since that is the competition limit. The bottom bracket may also be quite high (so the chainrings clear barriers). The classic touring and modern gravel bikes have low BBs for stability. That said, my old Peter Mooney has a quite high BB and now wears 38c/35c tires so that BB is up there. It handled beautifully on the 5000' of vertical gravel descent I did this weekend.
Another avenue to consider - look at one of the earlier '89s Japanese (and American, etc, similar) sport bikes. Many were designed around 27" tires. Running 700c allows nice clearance. They usually come with fender eyes. A lot were built with nice tubing and make very good rides.
Ben
Another avenue to consider - look at one of the earlier '89s Japanese (and American, etc, similar) sport bikes. Many were designed around 27" tires. Running 700c allows nice clearance. They usually come with fender eyes. A lot were built with nice tubing and make very good rides.
Ben
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The Masi CX may be a pure competition bike. If so, it may have clearance for no bigger than 33c tires since that is the competition limit. The bottom bracket may also be quite high (so the chainrings clear barriers). The classic touring and modern gravel bikes have low BBs for stability. That said, my old Peter Mooney has a quite high BB and now wears 38c/35c tires so that BB is up there. It handled beautifully on the 5000' of vertical gravel descent I did this weekend.
Another avenue to consider - look at one of the earlier '89s Japanese (and American, etc, similar) sport bikes. Many were designed around 27" tires. Running 700c allows nice clearance. They usually come with fender eyes. A lot were built with nice tubing and make very good rides.
Ben
Another avenue to consider - look at one of the earlier '89s Japanese (and American, etc, similar) sport bikes. Many were designed around 27" tires. Running 700c allows nice clearance. They usually come with fender eyes. A lot were built with nice tubing and make very good rides.
Ben
I will look out for for a 27” vintage bike. I did come across a 1992 trek 930 drop conversion. Would that be a suitable contender?
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Check out the Cannondale Topstone Sora. https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...5-fb806888b5aa Much better choice for the money than the used Surly. Also Salsa Journeyman, various component choices. Buying from a shop will help you get correct fit if you aren't familiar with all that.
Last edited by shelbyfv; 05-20-19 at 06:11 PM.
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Check out the Cannondale Topstone Sora. https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...5-fb806888b5aa Much better choice for the money than the used Surly. Also Salsa Journeyman, various component choices. Buying from a shop will help you get correct fit if you aren't familiar with all that.
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Those cross bikes may be great for you. I love how agile a cross bike is. Personally I don't like the upright stable feel of a pure gravel only bike. But everyone is different.
I do think it is critical to know your reach and stack. More specifically - how long a top tube you need, and how much lower your bars are than the seat (if any).
Unless you have a handling characteristic you really like/hate - most of us will quickly adapt to how a new bike handles.
(if it doesn't fit right - that can be impossible to adapt to).
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Check out the Cannondale Topstone Sora. https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...5-fb806888b5aa Much better choice for the money than the used Surly. Also Salsa Journeyman, various component choices. Buying from a shop will help you get correct fit if you aren't familiar with all that.
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Rei adv 3.1
Steel frame, 650b, mechanical discs and bar end shifters? Currently $1100 during the anniversary sale. Should this be a contender?
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I'm admittedly a Kona fanboy, but if you're looking around that price point, take a look at the Roves: https://www.konaworld.com/platform_rove.cfm
Last edited by pbass; 05-22-19 at 07:47 PM.