bruddah

I'm trying to buy (no conversion) a bike that is light like a road bike with brifters in a drop bar setup and can handle conservative off road riding with wider tires for more stability(≥32mm). I know cross/gravel bikes are the obvious answer but they don't meet my budget ($300) and rarely available on CL classifieds.

I initially tried looking for older/vintage road bikes with canti brakes as they have lots of clearance for wide tires, but now realize that only newish models have brifters.

So I'm hoping to find some road bike (with brifters) that isn't necessarily advertised to be compatible wider tires, but can just barely fit. Appreciate any insight on makes/models you guys know about.

Thanks in advance

WhyFi

Not to be mean, but if you're going to be looking to fill that laundry list with that budget, I'd start putting away an extra $20 or $30 per week while you look. My bet is that you'll have enough for something new, like a Jamis Renegade Exile ($800 MSRP) long before you're fortunate enough to stumble across something used for 300 bucks.

bruddah

I like the Jamis lineup, but I'm still going to stick to my budget. It's not really a laundry list, most modernish (00's era) road bikes have brifters in a drop bar setup.

You really think there are no modernish road bikes that snugly fit 32mm tires in a stock configuration? I live in a big city with lots of road bikes posted in my price range, surely must be some road bikes that just barely fit 32mm.

gsa103

Any used cyclo-cross bike in your budget.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bid/5845001880.html

And no most road bikes won't fit 32mm's. The dual-pivot caliper brakes barely fit 28mm, and the frames are designed around similar clearances. You need something designed for either discs or cantilever brakes, hence you need a cross bike.

There are a few new bikes that can barely take 32's. For example, the previous generation Trek Domane, with direct mount brakes (or disc brakes).

bruddah

Yeah, it's just tough to find any used cross models in my area. I'm just south of you in LA, but there lots of road bikes instead.

Seems absurd that if someone wanted to do some light off roading comfortably, they'd need to buy a whole new setup. I've seen long arm caliper brakes that seemed to have lots of clearance, what do you think about those?

wheelreason

Ribble 7005 CR1 - Alloy Cyclocross - Ribble Cycles

rms13

You can't find a used cross bike in LA? I live in LA and I see them all time on CL. Cycling is pretty big around here

bruddah

At $300≥? No. But I've only been looking for 2 wks or so. What search terms other then cyclocross/cross should I be using?

gsa103

The problem is that most frames won't be designed for the increased clearances. Looking at my road bike (2013 Infinito, endurance frame), the frame has exactly the same clearance as the brakes.

You need a frame which was intentionally designed to offer more clearance than standard dual-pivot calipers, and so probably didn't come with dual pivots.

You should be searching for bikes <$500 or less. Remember, it's craigslist, you can likely snag a $400 listing for $350.

jamesdak 

Just keep looking, shouldn't take too long for a cross bike to show it that fits what you are saying. I picked up this 2003 Kona Jake the Snake a few years back within the budget you are talking about. The bike was mint and needed nothing.



Or look for a vintage road bike that someone has updated. If it's an old 27" wheel frame then dropping to 700c will give you lots of room for fat tires.

I bought this cheap, it's a 1985 Orbea with a lot of parts swapped on it. This is it with a GP4000s II 700 x 28c tire on a narrow rim that measures 29.27mm. Look how much room is still there. Finding something like this might be an option, just something else to consider.

chip1

I have a modern steel bike with long reach calipers that fit 32mm, but $300 is a pretty low budget. I would monitor CL constantly; the better the deal quicker people tend to jump on it.

Also regarding the clearance picture above, make sure to consider the clearance from the seat tube as well. I have a bike which its rear brake looks like it can clear 28mm, but the space between the seat tube makes it incompatible.

PepeM

I have mounted 28mm tires on my Trek 1.2 and there is still plenty of room. I am pretty sure 32s would fit, but don't blame me if it turns out they don't.

bruddah

Yeah, good advice. Originally didn't want to "low ball" people, but throwing out offers maybe isn't so bad.

bruddah

How long did you wait to land that kona? Nice find.

Is it true there are seasons where used cross bikes are more readily available as people are done with competitions? If so, what time is that normally?

jamesdak 

Yeah, I should have been more clear. There's still a least a inch and a half clearance from the seat tube and the chains ray bridge. The around half of that from the side of each tire to each chsinstay. A ton of room.

jamesdak 

I'm always watching the local ads. When the Kona showed up I contacted the seller right away and then took leave from work to make the hour drive to get it. You just have to be ready to jump on the deals when they show up.

WhyFi

Yup. You want a good deal on CL, you have to be fast and you still have to be lucky (while still being just a wee bit cautious so that you don't get burned or mugged). I always recommend setting up an RSS feed with alerts - you need to be the first to respond if the seller is one of those wacky types that holds stuff for potential buyers and you need to be ready to meet with cash in hand immediately if the seller isn't one of the wacky types that holds stuff for potential buyers.

Seattle Forrest

A year ago my bike was totaled in a crash. When I was recovered enough I had to buy a new one and looked for something cheap but acceptable. I had a real hard time finding anything, so I can sympathize with you.

I think Craigslist has become ... most people aren't listing things for the price they want to get, they're expecting to be low balled and asking more than they want so they'll have room to come down and still be happy.

Sy Reene

Have you tried ebay?
eg.
Volagi Viaje Xl Size 55cm Gravel Endurance Road Bike

jamesdak 

Check directly with the company too. The owner was hit recently and they are shutting down. They are local to me and despite what their website says, they are cleaning out everything.

bruddah

This one? 2012 1.2 H2 (Compact) - Bike Archive - Trek Bicycle

Can you take a pic showing how much room you have? One has popped up locally, maybe I'll try negotiating.

bruddah

I've looked at the completed listing and most auctions with shipping included far surpass my budget. Classifieds are my only hope.

PepeM

Mine is a 2016, but I am guessing they're the same. No 28s mounted on it right now unfortunately, I have a 23 on the back and a 25 in the front. Here's a (probably not very helpful) pic of the front:



The fenders are supposed to be 30mm wide and I can measure ~6mm of clearance on each side of the fork. Plenty of clearance to the crown. It does come equipped with long reach brakes. As I said before, I would be surprised if 32s don't fit, but I cannot guarantee it.

PepeM

I really need to clean my bike.

PepeM

Just checked quickly and a 32mm tire (Panaracer Urban Max) fits in the front easily. Don't have time to check the rear and unfortunately the clearance doesn't look as good back there. Can't get a good measurement but I think I have ~4mm clearance between the tire and the chainstay on each side. That's for a 23mm tire.