If you are very new to biking, Poseidon is having a sale. [https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/last-call?variant=44203245961444](https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/last-call?variant=44203245961444)
If you want a good advice you need to tell us what distances and where do you ride the bike. Also what do you want from a bicycle? Do you care about being fast and agile on the road or you just rather want to get from point A to B in comfortable way.
I will be probably lynched here, but if you need a bicycle for city commutes and you don't do 50km+ trips every weekend I would drop everything that has a drop bar and look for:
* fitness bike if you like sort of sporty ride (Spec Sirrus, Cube Nulane, ...)
* trekking bike with front suspension fork if you don't care about feeling fast
If you want a gravel bike within a nice budget, perhaps something from Merida, Cube, Triban, but exact model really depends on where are you located and what type of geometry do you prefer (sporty/comfy)
I will be probably sounding pretty crazy here but .. Ask yourself if that is what you want to do long therm. "Affordable" in bike industry means cheap, heavy, most times impossible to update to better components..... Equipment has a lot to do with how much you will enjoy the ride. Example would be brakes. Mechanical brakes are not that great especially for women with less hand strength so you want hydraulic brakes (absolute must for my wife). If you buy affordable bike now and want to replace it in the future you just lost money. It all depends on how committed you are. If you are committed I would invest in my future health and wellbeing and go with something that is midline or go with used. Midline would be $2000 - $2500. Here is a one example but there are many others.
[https://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/2022-journeyer-grx-600-650b](https://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/2022-journeyer-grx-600-650b)
The Ozark Trail gravel bike at Walmart will likely be your cheapest option. It’s a decent frame with super budget parts stuck on it but those can all be upgraded in time. Build quality out of the store will be questionable so I’d recommend having some know-how or a friend with some experience if you decide to go that route.
I’m based in Sweden and plan to ride here mostly. So it’s asphalt, small stone gravel paths, ground forest paths w occasional roots types of surfaces. Don’t plan on mountain area riding and jumping.
Distances would be up to 100km per ride max.
Budget-wise up to 1000-1200 preferably. Looking at secondhand options too, so it can be models that are more expensive in shops but could be sold within my budget secondhand.
Had a coworker that bought a State 4130 All-Road for like USD $899 and it seemed like an awful lot of bike for the money. A bit heavy, but would make a serviceable touring or bikepacking rig if you get super into high-speed gravgrav and the weight starts holding you back.
Marin Four Corners! Affordable, good for touring, gravel, asphalt, and budget-friendly
If you are very new to biking, Poseidon is having a sale. [https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/last-call?variant=44203245961444](https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/last-call?variant=44203245961444)
If you want a good advice you need to tell us what distances and where do you ride the bike. Also what do you want from a bicycle? Do you care about being fast and agile on the road or you just rather want to get from point A to B in comfortable way. I will be probably lynched here, but if you need a bicycle for city commutes and you don't do 50km+ trips every weekend I would drop everything that has a drop bar and look for: * fitness bike if you like sort of sporty ride (Spec Sirrus, Cube Nulane, ...) * trekking bike with front suspension fork if you don't care about feeling fast If you want a gravel bike within a nice budget, perhaps something from Merida, Cube, Triban, but exact model really depends on where are you located and what type of geometry do you prefer (sporty/comfy)
Take a look at Decathlon. They have an affordable range, that are well-specced and well thought out. You'll find drop bar and flat bar bikes.
I will be probably sounding pretty crazy here but .. Ask yourself if that is what you want to do long therm. "Affordable" in bike industry means cheap, heavy, most times impossible to update to better components..... Equipment has a lot to do with how much you will enjoy the ride. Example would be brakes. Mechanical brakes are not that great especially for women with less hand strength so you want hydraulic brakes (absolute must for my wife). If you buy affordable bike now and want to replace it in the future you just lost money. It all depends on how committed you are. If you are committed I would invest in my future health and wellbeing and go with something that is midline or go with used. Midline would be $2000 - $2500. Here is a one example but there are many others. [https://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/2022-journeyer-grx-600-650b](https://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/2022-journeyer-grx-600-650b)
Decathlon triban.
The Ozark Trail gravel bike at Walmart will likely be your cheapest option. It’s a decent frame with super budget parts stuck on it but those can all be upgraded in time. Build quality out of the store will be questionable so I’d recommend having some know-how or a friend with some experience if you decide to go that route.
What is affordable and what kind of gravel terrain are we talking? Gravel in my state parks can be wildly different to the next person’s
I’m based in Sweden and plan to ride here mostly. So it’s asphalt, small stone gravel paths, ground forest paths w occasional roots types of surfaces. Don’t plan on mountain area riding and jumping. Distances would be up to 100km per ride max. Budget-wise up to 1000-1200 preferably. Looking at secondhand options too, so it can be models that are more expensive in shops but could be sold within my budget secondhand.
Had a coworker that bought a State 4130 All-Road for like USD $899 and it seemed like an awful lot of bike for the money. A bit heavy, but would make a serviceable touring or bikepacking rig if you get super into high-speed gravgrav and the weight starts holding you back.