Steel Gravel/CX/Touring suggestions
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Steel Gravel/CX/Touring suggestions
hello everyone. first post. Been out of the cycling game for over 5 years, just getting back into it. When I left off, I was using an aluminum Ridley X Bow to do everything. I was hitting easy-moderate single track, doing asphalt group rides, and even a few cx races.
So now that I'm back... Seems like the market has exploded with options. I want something I can throw slicks on and do asphalt group rides, or toss on knobbies and explore dirt/gravel roads. I live in northern Arizona so I get literally every kind of terrain imaginable. I have a 27.5 mid fat for the actual mtb trails, but this bike will be for everything else. I'm looking for steel because I like how it rides and I probably won't be racing. Component wise, lower mid spec is fine. Trying to stay under $2k
The top contenders right now are the 2021 Marin Nicasio 2 and Salsa Vaya 105. Also have the Kona Rove and Rove DL in mind.
Though not steel, the Diverge Comp E5 piques my interest as well, especially with that future shock.
Any input on these or other suggestions?
Unfortunately I live in the middle of nowhere, so test riding probably isn't an option. Finding shops with bikes I'm looking for in stock in my size is next to impossible.
So now that I'm back... Seems like the market has exploded with options. I want something I can throw slicks on and do asphalt group rides, or toss on knobbies and explore dirt/gravel roads. I live in northern Arizona so I get literally every kind of terrain imaginable. I have a 27.5 mid fat for the actual mtb trails, but this bike will be for everything else. I'm looking for steel because I like how it rides and I probably won't be racing. Component wise, lower mid spec is fine. Trying to stay under $2k
The top contenders right now are the 2021 Marin Nicasio 2 and Salsa Vaya 105. Also have the Kona Rove and Rove DL in mind.
Though not steel, the Diverge Comp E5 piques my interest as well, especially with that future shock.
Any input on these or other suggestions?
Unfortunately I live in the middle of nowhere, so test riding probably isn't an option. Finding shops with bikes I'm looking for in stock in my size is next to impossible.
#2
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,697 Times
in
2,518 Posts
As a framebuilder that only works in steel, I don't think I would pay extra for steel over aluminum if I were going to buy a production bike. And everyone charges more for steel nowadays.
#3
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
I can only vouch for the Kona Rove. I have a 2019 Rove ST that is the most comfy, go-anywhere bike I've ever owned. Currently running 650B x47 WTB Ventures, and it shreds here in dry SoCal--singletrack, fire roads, etc. Contemplating a 700c wheelset at some point for it with some kinda more road-ish tires, but it's fine on the road as-is. I just run higher tire pressure if I know I'll be on pavement a lot. I recommend the Rove ST highly.
#4
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
I'd skip the Vaya. When it was the only game intown it was fantastic, but there are so many good options all around it now that are more refined, lighter and less expensive. No one buys the Vaya anymore because it has been surpassed by just about everything and now it is stuck as just a compromise bike. The Jamis Rengade line of steel bike options has a lot of good choices from $1,200 - $2,000. They are well made and very reasonably priced. Can put on a rack and fenders, frame bags, or whatever you want to do. Great geometry and good ride quality. Lots of drivetrain options. Niner is too expensive for what it is. Rove seems nice but I have not ridden it personally. The Renegade is a killer option though and very reasonably priced. Should start seeing it in dealers in Dec or Jan fir 2021 models.
#5
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
I just got a Twin Six Standard Rando. I have not ridden it yet as the bottom bracket is in the mail on its way to my house, but it seems really nice. Guitar Ted wrote up a fantastic review of it. He also put a lot of miles on the previous version of the same frame and liked it so much that he bought the updated version. If you email them, they're pretty good at responding to questions about the build and geometry. I went back and forth about the size and ended up getting a 53cm for my 5'9" self.
Last edited by mack_turtle; 10-14-20 at 06:53 AM.
#6
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 7,490 Times
in
4,189 Posts
if you want to build your own, there are some options thatll get you a really good bike for around $2000
frame and fork-
Twin 6 Rando with thru axle and headset for $750 https://www.twinsix.com/collections/bikes-bits
Black Mountain MCD with thru axle and headset for $870 https://blackmtncycles.com/frames/mcd-frames/
Ribble CGR 725 with thru axle and headset for $868 https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-725-frameset/
groupset-
Shimano 105 for $735 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...et-119887.html
wheels-
Fulcrum 4 for $340 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/f...et-106659.html
DT Swiss 1800 Spline 25 for $352 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/d...0c-181087.html
cockpit that is equal to or better than anything stock-
various saddle- $40
various bar tape- $20
various bars- $50
stem- Kalloy Uno 7 off ebay thats lighter than most anything else and quality- $25
various seatpost- $35
housing- $15
tires-
Panaracer Gravel King SK 43 for $40 per tire
This is basically $2100 total and you get a 105 hydraulic drivetrain and better components overall than stock. The crankset could be sold as new on ebay and instead used an FSA adventure crank thats 46/30 for easier gearing. It does require buying online and searching around, but it doesnt mean you need to hunt for deals(though thats OK). And you could obviously buy cheaper than listed for savings(merlin has a lot of wheels for example).
Or just buy this and call it good.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-725/ $1412 or $1846 depending on which level you buy.
frame and fork-
Twin 6 Rando with thru axle and headset for $750 https://www.twinsix.com/collections/bikes-bits
Black Mountain MCD with thru axle and headset for $870 https://blackmtncycles.com/frames/mcd-frames/
Ribble CGR 725 with thru axle and headset for $868 https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-725-frameset/
groupset-
Shimano 105 for $735 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...et-119887.html
wheels-
Fulcrum 4 for $340 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/f...et-106659.html
DT Swiss 1800 Spline 25 for $352 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/d...0c-181087.html
cockpit that is equal to or better than anything stock-
various saddle- $40
various bar tape- $20
various bars- $50
stem- Kalloy Uno 7 off ebay thats lighter than most anything else and quality- $25
various seatpost- $35
housing- $15
tires-
Panaracer Gravel King SK 43 for $40 per tire
This is basically $2100 total and you get a 105 hydraulic drivetrain and better components overall than stock. The crankset could be sold as new on ebay and instead used an FSA adventure crank thats 46/30 for easier gearing. It does require buying online and searching around, but it doesnt mean you need to hunt for deals(though thats OK). And you could obviously buy cheaper than listed for savings(merlin has a lot of wheels for example).
Or just buy this and call it good.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-725/ $1412 or $1846 depending on which level you buy.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: upstate NY
Posts: 161
Bikes: Jamis renegade, surly big dummy, giant talon 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
22 Posts
I'd drop a vote for the steel jamis renegade. I've done weekend rides, toured/bikepacked,commuted and hauled my kids. Only recommendation would be to opt for the current model with real word gearing for what your going to be doing. First summer I ended up swapping out cassette and crankset.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times
in
488 Posts
Right now, I'd go for a Jamis Renegade for a full bike, or a Soma Double Cross Disc for a frame build. Love the purple
#10
Senior Member
There is some good advice and suggestions here but I wanted to add a couple of more for your consideration.
Not sure when this will be back in stock, but the State Bicycle Co 4130 steel allroad is a great deal for the money. $800 for complete bike in 700c or 650b and you can add both wheelsets for an extra $350. Look at it here.
The second bike I would look at for your budget is the Surly Straggler. It checks all your boxes and has big tire clearance for $1600. Any bike shop that orders from QBP can order these (Just like Salsa.) Surly Straggler
Thanks!
Not sure when this will be back in stock, but the State Bicycle Co 4130 steel allroad is a great deal for the money. $800 for complete bike in 700c or 650b and you can add both wheelsets for an extra $350. Look at it here.
The second bike I would look at for your budget is the Surly Straggler. It checks all your boxes and has big tire clearance for $1600. Any bike shop that orders from QBP can order these (Just like Salsa.) Surly Straggler
Thanks!
#11
Full Member
Kona Rove LTD, Jamis Renegade S1, and Soma Wolverine (A-type) are all reasonably priced frames / framesets I would be looking at. I would say with any of those, they are going to be marginal at best for CX though depending on how serious you are about it.
#12
Member
Right now, I'd go for a Jamis Renegade for a full bike, or a Soma Double Cross Disc for a frame build. Love the purple