Originally Posted by mack_turtle

question about gravel bikes:

I have a Pake C'mute steel cross/commuter that I built up as a mutt with random parts. it weighs a ton (at least it does to me, 150 pounds of skin and bones)! It has friction 2x9 shifting. I mostly use if for commuting to work but I also take it on long road rides and I would like to do some gravel grinders starting with the Texas Chainring Massacre in January. This bike can handle 40mm+ tires but I think it's overkill. I do not have the space or the budget for multiple bikes, so I need a true do-all bike that can handle the above duties. I have a mountain bike for true off-road riding.

I would like to get a more road-ish bike that can handle a rear rack for commuting, but will take some gravel-worthy tires for the occasional gravel race. I have been eyeing the Novara Verita and, as an REI employee, I can get a great deal on it. I can probably sell my C'Mute and get a Verita with that money. the Verita should be able to handle 28mm tires with the included fenders and I think I can get some 32mm knobbies in there without fenders. I am going to experiment with that today. the medium Verita has a 540mm ETT, 70.5° HA and a 73° SA. that's a slack HA! if 32mm knobbies fit in that frame and fork, would the geo of that bike be suitable for the occasional gravel race, or would the handling suck?