Getting rid of my MTB in favor of a cyclocross or gravel bike. Advice?
03-18-20, 01:09 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Getting rid of my MTB in favor of a cyclocross or gravel bike. Advice?
right now i am working with a tight budget. thinking < $1000 all-in. this has me perusing both CL and FB Marketplace as well as some of the cheaper retailers.
it's led to me to a few affordable options that i would appreciate feedback on:
Marin Nicasio
Marin Gestalt
thoughts on the above and/or any other models to look at? should i keep hoping a used gem pops up?
thanks!
it's led to me to a few affordable options that i would appreciate feedback on:
Marin Nicasio
Marin Gestalt
thoughts on the above and/or any other models to look at? should i keep hoping a used gem pops up?
thanks!
03-18-20, 02:11 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eastern Iowa
Posts: 631
Bikes: 2014 Trek Allant drop bar conversion, modified Schwinn MTN commuter, 2015 Trek 520, Soma ES, Salsa Journeyman, 1980 Trek 414
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 355 Times
in
166 Posts
Salsa Journeyman has been a great bike. Comes in at the top end of your budget. Surprisingly nice ride quality, versatile setup, and decent parts buildup. Upgrade things as needed, but I've got about 6000 miles on mine, which is being used as a rain/winter commuter and gravel bike, and have only upgraded the crankset (personal preference) to GRX, and the disc calipers just this last week, as the rear made it through two winters of slop before giving up the ghost. If you're looking at brand new bike options, the Journeyman has been a good value and durable bike, in my opinion.
Last edited by SalsaShark; 03-18-20 at 02:16 PM.
Likes For SalsaShark:
03-18-20, 02:32 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
thanks. i forgot to add the Journeyman to my list. it's definitely on there. think the list is shaping up as such:
Marin Nicasio
Kona Rove
Salsa Journeyman
Marin Nicasio
Kona Rove
Salsa Journeyman
03-18-20, 02:37 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Central Io-way
Posts: 2,673
Bikes: LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1221 Post(s)
Liked 628 Times
in
472 Posts
Had a buddy snag a Trek checkpoint alr4 for about $1100 last spring. I think he may have gotten lucky, I haven't really seen much used "gravel" bikes.
03-18-20, 02:51 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
... I haven't really seen much used "gravel" bikes.
03-19-20, 04:15 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,186
Bikes: 2016 Surly Cross Check, 2019 Kona Rove ST
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 313 Times
in
211 Posts
If you can conjur up a few more $, the Kona Rove ST is hard to beat - you might find a sale.
I also rented a Rove NRB while on a trip last year, and it was very nice, same super comfy fit, playful ride - I'm just a steel guy and prefer 1x.
I got rid of my mountain bike too. I ride my Rove ST like a mountain bike (and a road bike, and . . . . ).
I also rented a Rove NRB while on a trip last year, and it was very nice, same super comfy fit, playful ride - I'm just a steel guy and prefer 1x.
I got rid of my mountain bike too. I ride my Rove ST like a mountain bike (and a road bike, and . . . . ).
03-19-20, 05:47 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,468
Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 339 Times
in
229 Posts
Jamis Renegade A1 is another that will leave you with some change in your pocket after tax, and is a great choice to look at side by side with the Salsa Journeyman.
03-23-20, 06:16 PM
#9
Senior Member
Why do you want to change your MTB for a gravel bike, I have both but found very little advantage of the gravel bike over the MTB which is probably a better all rounder.
Likes For Witterings:
03-26-20, 07:25 AM
#10
Junior Member
What MTB do you currently have? Chances are you might be able to get it to act more like a "gravel" bike with a few small changes, such as tires. Personally, I like the older mountain bikes, which can be very good at many things, depending on components and some thought. Good luck!
Likes For Wissahickon2:
