tomminator855

I am in the market for new bike i've never owned a gravel bike before , would you guys suggest to buy a ready to go bike or built it your self ? i have budget for 1200$ . please help ..

Cornchips

I'm in a similar situation to you in that I'm eying off my first gravel bike.

I've got my eye on the Giant Gravel Revolt 2 which starts at around $1000 USD and works 'straight out of the box' as most Giant cycles do.

tomminator855

that's what i am looking at it's high on my watch list ,i don't want to spent big money yet

Nyah

I don't know much about Gravel Bikes as a genre (if that is what it is), but the newest bicycle I have, 2020 Kona Sutra, has been working well on the gravel roads that I encounter, as I explore the roads around my new residence. The 2019 models are still around in shops for sale within your budget and, once the 2021 starts hitting stores, the 2020 model should fit your budget. I believe that all three of these model years are pretty much the same, other than color changes, with the exception that the 2020 model has a chainwheel guard.

jack pot 

if you just want to ride the rocks and enjoy the weather get yourself a SS ... you can rock & gravel all day for under $1K > i have a REDLINE "MONO" COG with a 2 spd rear hub so i guess it's really not a MONOcog. also take a look at SSs like ALL CITY & SURLEY . Go USED if you can.

DorkDisk

Giant has a proprietary seatpost so I personally would pass on that. I like Jamis; the Renegade S4 is Al, and the Expat LTD is steel.\

As for availability, I don't know...

Speedway2

I'm with DorkDisk.....you gotta take a good look at Jamis for their offerings.
My LBS is a Jamis Dealer and had it not been closed due to the beer virus I probably would own a Gravel bike.....

Pop N Wood

I bought a Rayleigh Tamland gravel bike a couple of years ago for $799.99 direct to my door from their corporate discount site. Smoking deal, they had it at that price for all of one day. think they are all over $1800 now.

Steve B.

Cannondale Topstone Sora. Lists at $1250.

Good luck finding one. Good luck finding anything.

fietsbob

You have to say what brands you have in your favorite local bike shop... I Don't Know that..

Its a Hot Market sector , but in the current situation, get what you are lucky to find in the Shops , today...

You might have to pay in advance so it wont be sold as soon as it's out of the carton..



Back to I got an 'X' and I like it.. touts..






...

Chris!

As previously mentioned jamis renegade is a great ride. I have a renegade expat and love it. I would suggest steel for general gravel. While I do think other materials have their place, carbon will most likely be out of your price range and I have an aluminum giant mountain bike that rides fine just not as nice as steel.

mstateglfr 

At that budget, for sure buy a complete bike. It would take a lot of scrounging and work to build a gravel bike with new components for $1200. The frameset alone will be $500-850 for something entry level. Wheels will be $200-400. Etc etc.
Below are some options to consider that are outside the standard big 3.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribbl...himano-tiagra/
$1050

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegades4.html
$1350

https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/20-gestalt
$870

https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/20-gestalt-1
$1150

https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2021-nicasio
$760

walnutz

I can’t say enough good things about the REI COOP ADV3.1. It’s right at your budget.
I love the thing and it has replaced my road bike and mountain bike. Obviously it’s great on gravel too.

Pop N Wood

Oooh, no joke. Looks like exactly what the OP is looking for.

They have them in stock and even have 15% off. throw another 10% on there for the member discount. Will save you enough money to buy something to replace the bar end shifters.

walnutz

You had me until “replace the bar end shifters “
I have no problem with them, but they seem to be one of those things that people either love or hate.

Pop N Wood

Bar end shifters are practically a religion with some people. I don't like big loops of cables out where my front rack should be. I would move them to the down tubes first, or get some thumbies.

I do like the CO-OP bikes. At one point I convinced myself I HAD to have one of their ADV 4.2 bikes. Big burly bad boy, matte finish, huge gears, solid racks, high end components and fat tires. Total zombie Apocalypse bike, But then I realized how much I dislike riding in conditions that need those fat tires and that was that.

Still think that is an amazing bike for the price. i could take this woman out into the wilderness. Pretty sure she could kick my behind though

walnutz

Oh for sure, I drool over the 4.2 even though I have no use for it lol.

As for the cable routing, I route it under the bar tape, no problem:

Symox

My buddy just got one from Specialized. Sorry don't know the model but it has an aluminum frame and 105 group. He loves it and I was impressed.

DeadGrandpa

How much does it weighs? I know, I know, I used to have an REI Novara Safari. Very comfortable until I found myself pedaling up a long hill. Weight is weight. A cheap steel frame is heavy. I wouldn't say not to buy one, but know that you will be lusting after lighter bikes in six months to a year. I was lucky and my Safari got crushed when I got rear ended on the way home from a ride. Insurance paid for the car and the bike (keep your receipts), and I bought a carbon adventure (now called gravel) bike. Six pounds lighter is six pounds better, even if you can't mount a rack. Bikepacking bags. Racks unnecessary. Buy what you can afford.

Chris!

Like I said I ride a renegade but my wife has a COOP ADV 3.2. Its an sweet ride she really loves it. As for bar ends the pull ratios on STI shifters is not the same as newer shimano mountian bike derailleurs. So to get the gearing needed for a touring bike you need bar ends or a wolf tooth tan pan to correct this. Plus I'm sure it's a great way for companies to cut cost on a build. I have bar ends on a surly I've had for the about 13 years still going strong.

walnutz

Weight is listed on the website. The bike it replaced for me was lighter and I don’t miss it at all. I can’t leave my house without riding hills and I still don’t miss it.
As for buying what one can afford, the bike is literally right at his budget...
smh

Pop N Wood

About $1200 worth.

DeadGrandpa

Both of you are right, of course. I looked at the specs but was distracted. What I meant to say is that I've bought an REI brand bike and it was a heck of a deal. This one looks great and I agree with you.

Pop N Wood

REI's ADV 2.3 is an aluminum frame gravel bike with full Shimano GRX build for $2100. That looks like a well equipped bike. Only slightly weird thing is the dropper seat post on a drop bar gravel bike. Also wish it had more rack eyelets (barnacles) on it.