I want to buy my first Fancy Bike
-- and don't know where to start
why gravel
- stable + balanced geometry
- not too roady, not too city
- wide tires
- more comfort + traction, confidence riding
- mounts for bags and cages
- top tube: put your phone
- back rack: supermarket, touring
- front rack: bikepacking
trek guide: https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/gravel-bike-buyers-guide/#marquee_GravelGuide23_GravelBikes
- things to focus on
- disc brakes, hydraulic is better
- drop vs handlebars
- things to not focus on
- pedals: clip vs normal
- road bikes, specially “too” light
- mountain bikes, not the best “only bike to have” unless you’re clear it’s the only thing you’ll be doing
- carbon
FAQ:
- Carbon vs Alu? Go with Alu
- Which pedals? Clipless? No clip, normal
- How many speeds? 10-11 ideally
- Two rings at front? useful for competitions, not necessary
bikes to look at:
- topstone: https://www.cannondale.com/en-ca/bikes/road/gravel/topstone-alloy
- grizl: https://www.canyon.com/en-ca/gravel-bikes/adventure/grizl/al/
- norco: https://www.norco.com/bikes/road/gravel/
- surly: https://surlybikes.com/bikes/straggler
commuter highlight:
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trek district: https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/district/
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helmet: mips