Flat Bar Gravel Bike Anyone?
11-20-15, 04:56 AM
#26
Senior Member
Here's a 2009 Kona Jake the Snake that I converted to something along the lines of what you're talking about. I bought the bike from a guy in Jersey this past spring for $500. Low mileage (one ~700 mile tour) and bone stock. He threw in a rack, bag, tubes, Lezyne hand pump, and some other sweet extras. Was a pretty good deal in my opinion. Anyway, ditched the knobbies for some 35mm Panaracer T-Servs, put on some Truvativ carbon riser bars, as well as some steel fenders from Velo Orange. It's my all weather commuter and it handles the bad street surfaces really well. Run 60psi in the back and 40psi in the front.
11-20-15, 05:45 AM
#27
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@bikemig that's one of best thing about those old steel MTBs. Most have tons of clearance for big fat tires.
The 950 is my gravel bike project; it rides great and the price was right at $125 for a made in the USA true temper double butted steel bike:
11-20-15, 09:27 AM
#28
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$900 for a steel bike with x5? No thanks.
11-20-15, 11:59 AM
#29
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What puts you off about a 9 speed drive train? You do have the option to upgrade to a 42T cog in the rear, which would effectively be the same as the low end of a triple crankset.
And I think they got the right idea to simplify the drivetrain to save weight and for increased reliability in riding off-road.
And I think they got the right idea to simplify the drivetrain to save weight and for increased reliability in riding off-road.
11-20-15, 12:30 PM
#30
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What puts you off about a 9 speed drive train? You do have the option to upgrade to a 42T cog in the rear, which would effectively be the same as the low end of a triple crankset.
And I think they got the right idea to simplify the drivetrain to save weight and for increased reliability in riding off-road.
And I think they got the right idea to simplify the drivetrain to save weight and for increased reliability in riding off-road.
Not that I disagree with the assertion that there's nothing wrong with 9-speed.
11-20-15, 12:42 PM
#31
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What puts you off about a 9 speed drive train? You do have the option to upgrade to a 42T cog in the rear, which would effectively be the same as the low end of a triple crankset.
And I think they got the right idea to simplify the drivetrain to save weight and for increased reliability in riding off-road.
And I think they got the right idea to simplify the drivetrain to save weight and for increased reliability in riding off-road.
The Weekender is touching the price of a 2015 DB Haanjo comp with mostly 5700 105, albeit it's not a flatbar bike. The Metro is though, is similarly equipped, and about $400 less.
My own bike has about $800 into it, with 105+, room for 44s, TRP X9s, and a sub 2000g wheelset. Also not a flatbar (tt w/ DA barends).
Last edited by jfowler85; 11-20-15 at 12:52 PM.
11-29-15, 11:42 AM
#33
Junior Member
I have friend who is mostly a MTB rider, though he does have a drop bar road bike and a bike for gravel rides. His gravel bike is a Specialized Sirrus Sport with a 2.0" front tire and a 38mm rear. (the most he could reasonably fit in each case)
We rode together this past weekend on a mostly hard packed gravel ride and he did very well. I've ridden with him before on a ride that involved gravel, pavement and a few miles of moderate singletrack. No problems with the bike at all. While I am far more comfortable with drop bars on that kind of ride, he is equally biased toward flat bars.
It really comes down to what you feel better with.
We rode together this past weekend on a mostly hard packed gravel ride and he did very well. I've ridden with him before on a ride that involved gravel, pavement and a few miles of moderate singletrack. No problems with the bike at all. While I am far more comfortable with drop bars on that kind of ride, he is equally biased toward flat bars.
It really comes down to what you feel better with.
11-29-15, 08:24 PM
#35
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I have a Specialized Sirrus Sport too and had ridden on gravel roads occasionally, did quite well but needs fatter tires. So far I have ridden over various flat bar and drop bar bikes in all road conditions and still favor flat bar. For me flat bar offers more natural hand position and more comfortable for my upper body, regardless how I adjust the seat/handle bar height and distance. Also I found it much easier reaching for the brakes.
Last edited by plaucc; 11-29-15 at 08:37 PM.
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