Buying a gravel bike during covid-19
 

Several months ago I asked the forum if I would be helped by replacing my heavy mountain bike for a gravel bike, considering the type of biking that I do. The unanimous answer was YES. After a lot of internet research I selected a Salsa Journeyman, it was even recommended to me by someone on the forum. So now I go to buy one and there are absolutely none available anywhere, I even called Salsa themselves and they said they don't expect shipping any out until the fall of 2021. In the process of looking for one I speak to many bike shops and they all say the lower end gravel bikes are all sold out. So I'm looking for a recommendation on a low end gravel bike (under $1500), that would be great to ride on a flat surfaced dirt path (C&O Canal) for as long as 60 miles a trip and of course it has to be available for me to purchase anytime before it starts to warm back up in March.. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Hold on, one of my local bike shops just called me and said they may have a line on a Salsa Journeyman.

I would suggest you talk with all the shops you called to see whats in stock in your size and price range.

Two shops in my metro that ive been to in recent weeks have Trek Checkpoint and Felt Broam bikes in stock. One has a few dozen Checkpoints- the AL3 and AL4 models are around your range. And the other has a handful of Felt Broam 60(and 40, i think) bikes in stock that are under your price max. So if those are available in tiny Iowa, maybe they are available in the DC/Baltimore/Harrisburg region.
But really, it may mean you need to call a bunch of shops and ask or buy online.
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/gravel-...nfarbe=SR%2FBK this is close to your budget and if the expected dates are accurate, should be available soon.

Yes I just bought one, I'm sorry for the thread. If I knew how to erase it, I would, but you can just ignore it.

Wow.

Congrats to you on snagging one now. Hope you enjoy your new bike!

I think my lbs only has hybrids, high-end mountain bikes and some gravel bikes. Have to go upstairs tomorrow and look.

Dang, well that was quote the 180 in a short time! Good to hear you were successful.

Glad to hear you snagged one. If you know anyone else in need of a gravel bike our shop is in Pittsburgh about two hours from you. We sell specialize in just gravel bikes and have about 50 on the floor right now across 7 brands. The Jamis Renegade and Giant Revolt would be great options in your price range. We do not expect to see our Journeymans until next summer however.

What bike did you wind up with?

There is a huge shortage and we have had folks come to our shop for a gravel bike from Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia in just the past few weeks. Over the summer we had folks drive up from Kentucky, and New York. A guy from Canada wanted to come down but could not get across the border due to COVID-19.

Well I definitely believe you because I talked to 8 different shops in Maryland and it seemed like none of them had anything in a gravel bike under $2500, and I'm just not that serious about it yet to spend that kind of money.

I found my first choice in a low end gravel bike, a Salsa Journeyman 650, size Medium. A shop in Minnesota had one and was willing to ship it to me. I never got to try one out like I wanted to, but after reading countless reviews and peoples lists of best gravel bikes, I feel confident I got a good one.

Yeah you'll like it. Salsa has been in the gravel game for a long time, they have things figured out.

Congratulations on finding a bike. I've been planning on getting a gravel bike, but selection is scarce, especially in my under $2K price range. I took my mountain bike in yesterday for service and asked about the supply. The owner said he doesn't even have date projections and has a standing order of ship when anything becomes available.

The Journeyman is a good solid entry level bike to see if you like gravel and you should enjoy it. And there are a lot of great choices between $1K and $2K as upgrades if you decide to move up a notch later. Steps of a couple hundred bucks in this price range buy you a lot more bike for the incremental spend. When you get much above $2K you have to jump big dollar amounts to get smaller improvements in the bike...