Overlap of genre
 

Hello,

I currently have a carbon cx bike and an aluminum hardtail that I also set up rigid from time to time. Recently, the cx broke and it has been an issue getting parts. I am toting the idea of selling it. I am thinking at replacing with a steel build. But with the hardtail, that I sometimes run rigid, I am having a problem justifying it. I see a lot of overlap. I had the cx bike due to racing CX in the past and no longer. I do not plan on racing gravel and only participate in events with the intention for riding. For what it is worth I have a carbon road bike as that is my first love. My question: talk me in to buying a steel gravel frameset or out of buying one.

Thanks!

I'm guessing you are single?

nay nay we both share the love of riding.

None of us know your financial circumstances or your riding mix. If cost is no object, then sure, get another bike even if it is mostly going to sit unused. If you're trying to justify it on a "value" basis, I'm not hearing that you really need a bike for that specific type of ride when your MTB seems to fill the bill when locked out. That said, we also don't know anything about the MTB and how well suited it is for the "CX role." You are the only one who knows these things.

Fair point on the budget. I am just cheap when it comes to these things. The Checkpoint ALR 5 looks good at 2k. But, I am having issues justifying that when the HT with a rigid fork basically meets the reqs. In the original you would of noticed I am no longer racing cx.

You answered your own question here.

These sorts of vague "make a personal decision for me (who you know nothing about)" questions are rarely a good idea. If you can't justify the purchase, other people won't be able to do that work for you.

Ok,

1) you love bikes
2) you know the rule is N+1
I should not have to go farther, but

Gravel bike is a very practical solution overall, depending on which one you pick you can handle roads, gravel, trails, bike packing, commutting
In full disclosure....I really like steel (I don't hate aluminum or carbon, but like steel)
Good steel frames are smooth, ride well, look good, are durable

not sure what your budget is but here are a bunch of steel gravel that cover a range of looks and features some are complete bikes and some are frames

https://surlybikes.com/bikes/straggler
https://www.somafab.com/archives/pro...ble-cross-disc
https://www.blackcatbicycles.com/molino
https://sklarbikes.com/collections/b...supersomething
https://blackmtncycles.com/product-c.../monstercross/

you know you want one....just go for it

of course another option is custom
this is not a "gravel bike" but does fit 32mm tires and I do take it on some gravel (and because there are not enough pics of bike in the general thread)
Dave Kirk custom (look into what he call a Montana Road bike)

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3a5a8cbe8e.jpg

Would you eat your favorite food exclusively?
Bikes are amazingly tolerant and don't get jealous if you have more than one.

So you raced a carbon cross bike and are riding a carbon road bike, but for gravel a frankenbike or an aluminum gravel bike, is fine.

Not my decision, but if budget is really not an issue, buy a bike that fits in the same category and your old cx and road bike. You already know what your cross and mtb lack. For someone who used to race, I find it hard to believe that there isn't any pull to put the hammer down at times.

The funny thing about life is you never know where it will take you. If it is not a burden, settling for a bike because you are cheap may just end up just being a $2k expense if you decide to upgrade. The problem is whether that upgrade is an all day adventure bike, or a front of the pack gravel bike.

John

If you're riding mostly or exclusively dirt miles then the HT is probably fine. If you are doing significant road miles in addition to some dirt on your routes then the gravel bike makes sense.

Get a titanium gravel bike like say a Salsa Fargo Ti or Chumba Yaupon Ti or Moots Routt ESC (or similar) and you can fit MTB tires with drop bars. Or you can go real crazy and get a Bearclaw Tomak which is a drop bar titanium fat bike or the more reasonable Beaux Jaxon which is a plus sized drop bar bike.

I don't think a hardtail front suspension MTB overlaps with a gravel bike very much at all.
With the MTB, you've got this VERY un-aerodynamic riding position and tires with big fat knobbies.
With the road bike, you've got something light and aero, but cannot really handle any offroad; even on crushed gravel, it's going to want to sink in.

By adding a steel gravel bike, you get:

• A different frame material with a different feel
• Something more rugged than the road bike that can handle any kind of unpaved road, unless it's an absolute mudhole.
• Most of the aerodynamic riding posture of the road bike with different hand positioning options
• Something that can carry some luggage on the frame
• Something that you won't feel like you have to wear cycling kit to ride
• A perfect commuter
• Tires that soak up shocks
• A lower bottom bracket than your old CX for a more comfortable ride

I was looking hard at the Surly Straggler to get the steel angle and the beautiful lugged fork, but decided to throw in two more complimentary features on my road bike: belt drive and IGH. (Priority Apollo 11) In retrospect, I'm not sure I made the right choice, as the lower pedaling efficiency is more of a penalty than I'd bargained for. (I'm only a few rides in, though)

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eae6c7afd7.jpg

Something you might also consider to compliment the road & MTB is an eBike. There are all different styles. Maybe an urban commuter like the Aventon Level.2.

I love mine:
https://ebikesforum.com/threads/aven...w-thread.3764/

Just like kitchen knives:
(1) The best (prep) chefs can almost always make do with just a single "go to" knife; but
(2) Having a handful of different knives make most jobs easier and more enjoyable; and
(3) No one really "needs" a knife from each and every single sub-specialty, due to the overlap between them.

Also keep your knives sharp and clean. (or keep your bikes tuned and clean)

I sometimes fillet with a boning knife, and sometimes bone with a fillet knife, and my fav all around chef knife is actually a bread knife. I once loined a tuna with a box cutter.