Originally Posted by
Clint in KY
I bought a very used mountain bike - Trek 3700 - to ride the numerous gravel roads, and occasional trails in my area. I got it rideable but to really finish it will take about $100. That would be new cables, bars and stem, chain, and pedals.
Here’s my dilemma, with $50 in and $100 total I could have a competent bike, albeit a 3X7 - OR - for $225 a new bike from Bikesdirect that comes with a 1X7 drivetrain?
Opinions please, although I think I made up my mind, but would like other’s point of view.
Two main points:
- Old rigid mountain bikes are very suitable as gravel bikes. I like "butterfly" handlebars for the various positions they provide while retaining the original controls.
- None of the cheap Bikesdirect bikes are bargains - they tend to be uniformly nasty "bicycle shaped objects" that are not suitable for actual cycling.
Also don't make the mistake of thinking that narrow high pressure tyres are faster than wider softer tyres - a good quality supple wider tyre will improve ride quality without sapping power, while a hard narrow tyre will be tiring on any but the smoothest of surfaces.