kuroba

Hey guys!
The title says it all. I want to upgrade from my current bike and I've been looking for a few weeks now for Gravel Grinders, as an all around bike, but it's been really hard to find one in a small size. The whole sizing thing is confusing, specially since there's quite a variation from brand to brand AND I don't get to try any of the bikes before committing to buy (CX and gravel aren't yet a big thing and most models are special order, specially for XS size).

I'm 5' even (1,52mts) with a 29" (73cms) inseam, short arms. I'd like the most relaxed/upright position (I've never used drop bars before).

So far these are my available options:
Kona Jake size 49,5
Specialized Diverge size 50

A local store says they can special order a Cannondale CAADX size 48 or a Liv Giant Invite XS, but so far they haven't given me a quote or an ETA as it'd be a really really special order since neither of these models are currently carried by local distributors and would have to be directly ordered.

I'm leaning towards the Liv Invite, even though it comes with Claris components (if anything I can upgrade later) because it seems like the most relaxed geometry and has the secondary brake levels.

Thoughts? D:

TimothyH

I'm looking at a CAADX myself and will buy from REI. Coop members get 10% back and they allow returns for up to 1 year.

I just checked and the smallest size on the website is 51 however.

jtbadge

Definitely not a serious CX race machine, but makes a killer gravel grinder. Frames go down to a 46cm ST/52cm ETT. Stock build includes a Tiagra groupset. #teamspacehorse

kuroba

But it's not available outside of the US. Besides, importing a whole bike would cost me an arm and a leg D:

Dave Cutter

There was a guy here last week that posted a request about a 2016 Gravity Avenue D (a bikes direct mail order bike). Looking over it's specs my 1st thought was it would make a nice gravel grinder. It has nice sized tires and disc brakes. It's not much of an investment ($400) and components wouldn't cost much to replace if the cycling conditions hurried there wear. The also come in SMALL sizes.

bikemig 

Smaller wheels are the way to go, how about the 650b surly straggler?

Straggler 650b | Bikes | Surly Bikes

Barrettscv 

+1

Not only does this bike come in a 38cm size, the frame will take a wide range of tires. Using a lightweight 650b X 38mm tires will provide a fast and smooth ride.

Tim_Iowa

+1

To ride gravel, you'll want wide-ish tires (most folks prefer 32-40 mm). 700c (ERTRO 622 mm) wheels with 40 mm tires are VERY tall, so it's difficult to create a very small frame with good geometry with clearance for such large wheels.

650b (aka 27.5, ERTRO 584 mm) or 26" (ERTRO 559 mm) is the way to go for smaller riders. The Surly Straggler and Cannondale Slate are the only mass-market road/gravel-oriented bikes I know of that offer 650b tires (not including 27.5" mountain bikes). Anyone know of others?

There are lots of options with 26" or 650b wheels if you want to build up from a frame, but that doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

The Straggler comes in black, pink sparkle (last year), or mint green (this year).

jtbadge

Where are you located? If you can't get an All-City, you probably can't get a Surly, either.

Also, https://allcitycycles.com/dealers/international , https://surlybikes.com/dealers

kuroba

I'm in Chile I've seen a couple Surly Straggler frames being sold in a local Cyclocross FB group, but I think those were directly imported (and size 54 and up).

Also, I had never heard of 650b wheels. Interesting.

Thanks guys for the advice

Currently I'm waiting for the Kona Jake and a Specialized Diverge A1 to hit my local stores to test, but if neither fit I guess I'm stuck with my current bike until something my size comes along.

jtbadge

Hard to go wrong with a Jake. The 2016s look really nice, and the Tiagra 4700 is a definite upgrade.

bikemig 

See if you can't find a 26 inch road bike. That's really the best choice esp. in Latin America. Tough finding 650b tires. Surly makes the long haul trucker in 26 inch wheel. Long Haul Trucker | Bikes | Surly Bikes

The trucker comes in a 42 cm.

Also the soma saga; in smaller sizes they use 26 inch wheels. They make a 44cm frame.

In any case, I think 26 inch wheel is your best bet given your intended use, location, and height. A 26 inch wheel road bike is fun.

If you want to save money, see if you can't find a vintage mtb and then have a shop convert it to drops.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...nversions.html

Buena suerte

fietsbob

Terry Symmetry have gone to smaller wheels (both ends)..
"Panaracer Pasela 24" x 1"; Terry Tellus 650c x 25c; Panaracer Pasela 700c x 25c"

https://www.terrybicycles.com/Bikes_2

NormanF

Get a Cannondale Hooligan.

With 406 wheels and upright riding position, it could be your ideal gravel road bike.

FrozenK

Can't tell if sarcastic or insane.

Anyway, @kuroba if you haven't heard of 650B before they are probably not a good option for you. Sourcing replacement tires and tubes locally would be difficult.

The Kona Jake is a nice bike that would be great as a gravel bike and it sounds like you can test ride it. If that doesn't work, or you don't like the drop bars, a regular mountainbike with skinny tires would be another option I would consider.

09box

My vote is for the Jake..