Preferred Vintage Carbon Gravel Bike?
10-08-23, 01:47 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Preferred Vintage Carbon Gravel Bike?
2-5-year-old Carbon Gravel Bike for Roads, too?
Can you recommend a gravel bike (2 - 5 years old) that is also good for climbing hills on roads? I have a Cannondale Lefty '29er (2014), but I want something lighter, with front suspension, at the least. Weight and comfort are important to me as I'm an older (67) recreational rider who explores the roads in the Berkeley, California hills but now wants to ride on gravel. I'm also open to Titanium. The new bikes in this category look amazing, but I can't afford $3,000 and up, so I prefer to spend $2,000-$3,000 for a used bike that is preferred over what I could buy new.
Can you recommend a gravel bike (2 - 5 years old) that is also good for climbing hills on roads? I have a Cannondale Lefty '29er (2014), but I want something lighter, with front suspension, at the least. Weight and comfort are important to me as I'm an older (67) recreational rider who explores the roads in the Berkeley, California hills but now wants to ride on gravel. I'm also open to Titanium. The new bikes in this category look amazing, but I can't afford $3,000 and up, so I prefer to spend $2,000-$3,000 for a used bike that is preferred over what I could buy new.
Last edited by alankittner; 10-09-23 at 07:44 AM.
10-08-23, 05:09 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for sending this. Great discount --- I need to learn more about Lynskey and this bike in particular. I will check on-line for reviews. Really appreciate your response.
10-08-23, 09:55 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,098
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1400 Post(s)
Liked 1,885 Times
in
1,084 Posts
vintage gravel bike ... ‘vintage’ ?
if you desire front suspension the field is then significantly limited
of course front and rear suspension even more so
if you desire front suspension the field is then significantly limited
of course front and rear suspension even more so
Last edited by t2p; 10-08-23 at 09:59 PM.
10-08-23, 09:57 PM
#5
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: 10965 Post(s)
Liked 7,491 Times
in
4,189 Posts
I am unaware of any vintage carbon gravel bikes.
At oldest, you could find one from 10 years ago, so hardly vintage.
Instead of people suggesting various brands/models, just look on ebay and maybe proscloset for gravel bikes in your size.
Register on pinkbike and look there too.
I could list off a dozen suggestions, but who knows if you can even find on in your size and price range
At oldest, you could find one from 10 years ago, so hardly vintage.
Instead of people suggesting various brands/models, just look on ebay and maybe proscloset for gravel bikes in your size.
Register on pinkbike and look there too.
I could list off a dozen suggestions, but who knows if you can even find on in your size and price range
10-08-23, 10:13 PM
#6
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,594
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 862 Times
in
490 Posts
It sounds to me like you're looking for a 10 year old carbon fiber cross country hardtail mountain bike, with a suspension fork.
Swap 45mm tires onto it and a 38t chainring and you're golden.
If you want to run drop bars, it becomes a big balyhoo and probably isn't worth it.
You can certainly find a carbon cyclocross bike from a few years back, but it won't have suspension, or geometry to support suspension if you wanted an aftermarket fork.
Swap 45mm tires onto it and a 38t chainring and you're golden.
If you want to run drop bars, it becomes a big balyhoo and probably isn't worth it.
You can certainly find a carbon cyclocross bike from a few years back, but it won't have suspension, or geometry to support suspension if you wanted an aftermarket fork.
10-08-23, 10:21 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,737
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 643 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times
in
551 Posts
I'm guessing you mean used but not necessarily vintage, which typically would mean older bikes; like ones made before there was such a thing as a gravel bike.
Not sure what kind of surfaces your planning to ride but most gravel bikes don't have front suspension, which is going to add a lot of weight, which you probably don't want for the hills or road riding. If I were you, I think I would see if I could test ride some new gravel bikes to get an idea of what you want and then start looking at used bikes. In your budget, you should be able to find a lot of options on Craigslist and FB marketplace.
Canyon also has some attractively priced gravel bikes that offer a lot for the money and they've been discounting recently. Have no experience with them personally but have heard positive feedback.
Not sure what kind of surfaces your planning to ride but most gravel bikes don't have front suspension, which is going to add a lot of weight, which you probably don't want for the hills or road riding. If I were you, I think I would see if I could test ride some new gravel bikes to get an idea of what you want and then start looking at used bikes. In your budget, you should be able to find a lot of options on Craigslist and FB marketplace.
Canyon also has some attractively priced gravel bikes that offer a lot for the money and they've been discounting recently. Have no experience with them personally but have heard positive feedback.
10-09-23, 08:53 AM
#9
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: 10965 Post(s)
Liked 7,491 Times
in
4,189 Posts
Again though, its pretty pointless for people to suggest specific brand/model because who knows if you can find one in your size and price range.
Its better to just go on ebay and search for gravel bikes in your size. Or go on pinkbike. Even TPC, though they are goofy expensive sometimes.
To be clear, very few gravel bikes have front suspension. Like very very few. Only in the last year have a couple brands released a model with a gravel suspension fork. Other brands offer suspension thru elastomer in the stem to flex, movement in the seatpost, etc.
Anyways, this is new and only $2000. Front suspension even- https://www.canyon.com/en-us/gravel-...farbe=R075_P05
And this is $2300, carbon frame, and has suspension due to the handlebar design- https://www.canyon.com/en-us/gravel-...nfarbe=YE%2FBK
10-09-23, 10:38 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,098
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1400 Post(s)
Liked 1,885 Times
in
1,084 Posts
a few bikes come to mind
as mentioned in a previous post - Canyon Grizl 7 with RockShox front suspension
Cannondale Topstone gravel bike is available with a front suspension fork (Lefty Oliver) and also available with rear suspension ... sorta/kinda - ‘kingpin’ rear suspension
Cannondale also produced the Slate for a few years with a front suspension fork (Lefty Oliver) - my Slate is pictured above in top picture ... (please note: Slate was an early ‘all roads’ bike that is limited to 42mm max tire size in the rear)
Lauf offers a gravel bike with a unique front suspension fork - pictured in middle and bottom pictures
might be able to find these bikes used in your price range
Last edited by t2p; 10-09-23 at 10:46 PM.
10-10-23, 10:53 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,930
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1820 Post(s)
Liked 1,696 Times
in
976 Posts
I own a Canyon Grizl without suspension. It has room for 700 x 50 tires, but mine came equipped with 700 x 45 tires. On anything short of rocky single track, suspension isn't needed
10-10-23, 12:08 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 646
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 185 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
31 Posts
Or Buy any bike and add Redshift Stem/Seatpost
2-5-year-old Carbon Gravel Bike for Roads, too?
Can you recommend a gravel bike (2 - 5 years old) that is also good for climbing hills on roads? I have a Cannondale Lefty '29er (2014), but I want something lighter, with front suspension, at the least. Weight and comfort are important to me as I'm an older (67) recreational rider who explores the roads in the Berkeley, California hills but now wants to ride on gravel. I'm also open to Titanium. The new bikes in this category look amazing, but I can't afford $3,000 and up, so I prefer to spend $2,000-$3,000 for a used bike that is preferred over what I could buy new.
Can you recommend a gravel bike (2 - 5 years old) that is also good for climbing hills on roads? I have a Cannondale Lefty '29er (2014), but I want something lighter, with front suspension, at the least. Weight and comfort are important to me as I'm an older (67) recreational rider who explores the roads in the Berkeley, California hills but now wants to ride on gravel. I'm also open to Titanium. The new bikes in this category look amazing, but I can't afford $3,000 and up, so I prefer to spend $2,000-$3,000 for a used bike that is preferred over what I could buy new.
