2008 Redline Conquest Team for gravel. Thoughts?
 

I'm just starting to get into gravel and am looking for a decent bike that won't break my budget. I've found a 2009 Redline Conquest Team for a great price, but I'm not familiar with the brand's reputation. I'm still a bit of a newb cyclist, so I'm not hip to all the insider info. When I first started riding, I was lucky enough to pick up a used Specialized Roubaix Elite for an incredible deal, and I rode it for a few years. Then my riding buddy moved and everyone here got into gravel, so I stopped riding and sold it. Now with some new fitness goals set for the year and with the idea of doing LR100 in 2018, I want to pick up a decent bike again. I'd love to buy a Salsa Warbird or Specialized Diverge from one of my local shops, but I just can't afford to drop that kind of cash on a new bike.

Anyway, I'd love any insights on this particular model and Redline's reputation as well.

Thanks!


*edit - after further research, the bike is a 2008, not 2009 if that makes any difference.

Redline is a respected brand in the cyclocross world. Here's a review of that bike

Redline Conquest Team cyclo-crosser review - BikeRadar USA

Thanks for the info!

I've been able to dig up some more reviews, and it appears to be pretty highly thought of. I also found out that a local Cat 2 racer uses one of these as his cross bike, so it looks like I found myself a great option.

Thanks for the help!

I flogged a used Redline Conquest for years. It was a fine cross bike. My very old one had a bottom bracket that was a bit high for gravel, but not a problem. Those came down a bit as fashions and courses changed over the years. That'd be the only question about this bike and even then, not a deal killer.

i currently ride a redline conquest. it's set up for single speed. i ride it for cross/gravel/road...what ever i feel like riding.
last sunday, i road it in a 100k gravel race. not one problem with the bike...the rider, well, that's a different story.

remember, it's not the bike it's the engine that drives the bike. you make it fast.

Thanks for the input/feedback, everyone. I ended up picking it up, and now am in the process of gathering together shoes, pedals, etc. I'm excited to start riding again.

The bike has been ridden pretty hard, so I'll take it to my LBS to have it checked out/tuned up. I'll take it around the local gravel routes for a month or so to make sure it fits me well, and if I decide it's a keeper, I've already found a local place who can powder coat pretty cheap.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/...28469bc4_c.jpg