Paul Groenewald Posted March 17, 2022 Share Hi there. I've been looking into getting a gravel bike recently. I've cycled on and off for most of my life and am looking to get a gravel bike which is decent off the bat and can be upgraded as I move along on my journey. It will be used for some races and definitely some adventures. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne pudding Mol Posted March 17, 2022 Share 10 hours ago, Paul Groenewald said: Hi there. I've been looking into getting a gravel bike recently. I've cycled on and off for most of my life and am looking to get a gravel bike which is decent off the bat and can be upgraded as I move along on my journey. It will be used for some races and definitely some adventures. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Paul. Very broad question with an unknown budget there are so many good ones out there but my recommendation would be for one that takes nice wide tyres - these eat up bumps and make for a comfy ride. Comrade J, capediver and Sepia 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100Tours Posted March 18, 2022 Share For me, on gravel Stick with 2x drivetrains (lots of gears means you can fine tune your effort on flattish roads) Make sure it can take a 45mm wide tyre for SA roads 160mm disc brakes Aluminium wheels are preferred Road shoes are fine (or whatever you have now) Get a slightly flared bar in your normal width NC_lurker and Sepia 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudii Posted March 18, 2022 Share 54 minutes ago, 100Tours said: For me, on gravel Stick with 2x drivetrains (lots of gears means you can fine tune your effort on flattish roads) Make sure it can take a 45mm wide tyre for SA roads 160mm disc brakes Aluminium wheels are preferred Road shoes are fine (or whatever you have now) Get a slightly flared bar in your normal width And hydraulic brakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted March 18, 2022 Share 3T Exploro Race. Buy a second set of wheels and you have one bike for road and gravel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebob Posted March 18, 2022 Share Think you will be limited more by what is actually available to buy. The Specialized Diverge and Giant Revolt are two great options. Decent tyre clearance on both models with a wide variety of models and specs theoretically available. Personally I'm on a Revolt that I upgraded with some 40mm carbon wheels, 38c Panaracers and a clutch derailleur. Done everything from 947 to Modderfontein trails on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted March 18, 2022 Share 9 minutes ago, thebob said: Think you will be limited more by what is actually available to buy. The Specialized Diverge and Giant Revolt are two great options. Decent tyre clearance on both models with a wide variety of models and specs theoretically available. Personally I'm on a Revolt that I upgraded with some 40mm carbon wheels, 38c Panaracers and a clutch derailleur. Done everything from 947 to Modderfontein trails on it The Revolt is a great bang for buck bike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted March 18, 2022 Share 21 hours ago, Paul Groenewald said: Hi there. I've been looking into getting a gravel bike recently. I've cycled on and off for most of my life and am looking to get a gravel bike which is decent off the bat and can be upgraded as I move along on my journey. It will be used for some races and definitely some adventures. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Paul. Like thebob says, your decision will ultimately be made by what's actually available vs. your budget at the time. Stock of bikes and parts is very low around the world. This is very frustrating when all the marketing engines are at full speed, but not much is actually available. If you didn't buy a full bike, you could get a frame and piece it together if you werent in a rush. But you would still be facing the same challenges re. stock. If you were resourceful, you could do some shopping around overseas. Canyon has that Grizl for example. What sort of budget are you looking at ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebob Posted March 18, 2022 Share Just to make you lus: TheDogShow, DJuice and splat 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIPEOUT 1000 Posted March 18, 2022 Share I really enjoy my Litespeed Gravel, it's just a solid go anywhere, do anything bike and the bigger volume tires really do make a difference to the ride quality. I also agree with the prior comment about 2 x. No amount of marketing can undo the empirical evidence, cross chaining is just a waste of energy and having 2 rings at the front does make a difference when your riding on the road or gravel. Edited March 18, 2022 by WIPEOUT 1000 splat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcza Posted March 18, 2022 Share Fully agree on 2 x. When riding the big passes or long gravel stretches in the Karoo you need all the gears. Sid the Sloth and ChrisF 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid the Sloth Posted March 18, 2022 Share Buy mine! ACE Cycles 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbz Posted March 18, 2022 Share I have 2x Parlee Chebacco builds coming in. A high end dream frameset, zipp allu components, ritchey allu wheels and Rival AXS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne pudding Mol Posted March 18, 2022 Share I have never ridden this and thought “wish I had 2 x” Sid the Sloth 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid the Sloth Posted March 18, 2022 Share 1 hour ago, Wayne pudding Mol said: I have never ridden this and thought “wish I had 2 x” Agreed. The simplicity of 1x on the gravel bike is fantastic and the 1w you lose by cross chaining you can save by not having a 200g ish of front derailleur and extra chainring. Wayne pudding Mol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid the Sloth Posted March 18, 2022 Share I may be biased but the Storck Grix looks really nice, I have been eyeing it in the shop and can't wait to take one out. The clearance with 650b is INSANE, more than I think you would need unless touring, and 700c is not bad at all either Wayne pudding Mol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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