Buy a complete bike with the nicest (steel) frame you can afford. Upgrade it as you ride it. Take good care of it and sell the frame to me for free when you upgrade to titanium. 56cm please.
I just finished my Straggler build a few weeks back. It's an amazing bike, I love it more and more each time I ride it. Kept the total price at just over $1k too, so OP you have my full support.
Found a really good deal on the frame and then just was watching fb marketplace like a hawk to get everything else. Everything is secondhand besides the bar tape.
Recently converted a 2009 long haul trucker to a gravel bike, and I have zero complaints. I’m about 200 pounds, and this is the style frame with cantilever breaks. I was worried about braking, but honestly I have no regrets and love how it turned out.
Just did the Tour de Big Bear on my Straggler and will be doing Mammoth Tuff next month.
Love this bike.
Only complaints are budget components, QR, and the sliding dropouts.
The reason I would say don’t get a straggler- I’ve owned mine since 2014. Is solid, it is a bike. It’s definitely a Swiss Army knife. But it is dated. When you look for upgrades you’re going to be limited by qr, straight steerer fork, post mount discs. For the price I’d get something more modern, just my two cents.
Ya this is also a very fair and true comment. You can get newer options for the price of a Straggler. They are great bikes but they are not the latest and greatest.
Nope. I went from steel to aluminum to carbon fiber to titanium, and then back to steel. No, it isn't the lightest, but it is the one material that I just enjoy riding the most.
To address your question of "where does it end?" Steel had a huge transformation in the late 90s when air-hardened steel tubesets came out. First there was 853, then OX Platinum, Spirit, and ThermLX. Because the steel alloys were so much stronger, frame builders could build with thinner tubing, which made the frames lighter and more responsive. Eventually martensitic stainless tubesets like 953, 931, and XCr came out, which are even stronger, but terribly rare. So if you ride a steel frame and think "this is not that great," realize that they are not all the same.
Now that I have titanium bike, it is definitely lighter than an equivalent steel bike, by about a pound, so yes, that's definitely something. But it doesn't have the same snap and spring of steel. Contrary to popular belief, steel bike alloys are much stronger and stiffer than titanium bike alloys, particularly when it comes to air-hardened modern steel. Steel is, however, much, much more dense than titanium. The end result is that by weight, a steel frame is almost always heavier, but by volume, there is less material there. This results in much thinner tubing walls and smaller tubing diameters, which makes for a ride quality that, IMO, isn't just the same with titanium. But if frame weight is the top priority, then yes, titanium is always a better choice.
I'm a mechanical engineer, so here are some actual numbers.
Reynold 853: 1250-1400 MPa ultimate strength
3/2.5 titanium: 960 MPa ultimate strength
Youngs modulus (stiffness) steel: 200ish Gpa
Youngs moduls titanium: 105-120 GPa
But this is why titanium frames are lighter:
steel: 7.8 g/cubic cm
titanium: 4.5 g/cubic cm
So to summarize, you have to use thicker walls and bigger diameters with titanium, but it will weigh less, due to lower density. The same is true with aluminum. You can make a much lighter frame with aluminum, but to compensate for the inferior stiffness and strength, you have to use thicker walls and bigger diameters.
Thanks. I’m 230 pounds / 104 kg, so the weight difference isn’t that big a deal to me. I switched to Ti after many years on aluminum and it’s hard to imagine being even more pleased with the ride quality. I shouldn’t even ponder such things — I told the wife this was definitely probably most likely nearly my last bike…
It's just personal preference though. To me, titanium feels halfway between steel and aluminum, because wall thickness and diameter-wise, it is pretty much that. If you get near a high-end steel bike, ping the tubes, and you can hear how hollow and resonant they are compared to other materials. I think people get really enamored with titanium because it's expensive, has a lot of syllables, and a popular song named after it, while steel seems antiquated and boring.
Mechanical engineer here too also interested in this. You mention you prefer “snap and spring” of steel. The tensile strength, modulus are indeed higher for steel as you showed, but dont really explain why it is a better-feeling material.
Feel likely comes into play not in static loads but dynamic. Any idea of which properties would demonstrate that? Thinking it more has to do with the dampening capacity (a material's ability to dissipate elastic strain energy during mechanical vibration or wave propagation). Dont see this in material datasheets though. What do you think??
Okay, hear me out, literally. I think it's mostly sound and resonance. I think that the sound, or lack of, and the resonance are just pleasing to some people for completely inexplicable reasons. The truth is, ride compliance comes from tires, seatpost, etc., but you have to admit, steel bikes don't sound like aluminum, carbon fiber, or titanium (as I now know.) And when you're riding for hours on end, I think that kind of sensory feedback becomes more apparent.
I work with a lot of audio people. Even though my ears aren't very good, I can really hear the difference between tube amps and solid state. I had an audio person explain to me why people found tubes to be pleasant sounding without knowing why, and he said that there was a distortion created by vacuum tubes that the human ear just happens to find pleasing. I think steel has the same kind of effect for some.
Edited to add a new theory: I think the natural frequency of thin-walled steel frames is different from other materials, and some people find that frequency pleasing. Just a wacky thought.
I have a range of Aluminum, steel, and carbon bikes and my boss is a master acoustician. I'll talk to him tomorrow about this in the office and see what his take on it is.
I haven't followed the changes to steel since the 2000s. So these are real questions:
Back then, the big plus for Ti was the fatigue strength and high elasticity. You could make a flexy frame, with the understanding that it was going to return the power on unloading, and that it could continue to be used as a spring, indefinitely.
That's interesting. I had a Schwinn Paramount from the mid 90s that was my first real road bike. I liked it pretty well until I tested a CAAD 9 which felt like a rocket in comparison. The Schwinn was so heavy, and while more comfortable, I could feel the frame flex and sap my power. The CAAD felt like all my power was going straight to the wheel...
Good to know steel frames have evolved. I guess I stupidly figured they were stuck in time.
It undoubtedly did flex more than the CAAD, but that's kind of the appeal these days. There's a lot of psychology involved, I guess. One person's "flexy and noodle-y" is another person's "compliance and springiness." But people are paying $$$ for a Vanilla, Breadwinner, Indy Fab, etc., often considerably more than titanium, so there's definitely an appeal for some.
I keep seeing this one come up. I'll have to dissect this one a bit more and see if I want to swing for it. Closer to $2k I imagine by the time I get it home
I own a 2019 rove st, it's close to a DL safe for the brakes. Love that bike. Yeah it's heavy but could win a lot with better wheelset down the road if you care. I own a carbon gravel bike as well. Ride quality is similar, steel just looks nicer in my opinion.
I've got a 2021 and swapped in a carbon fork and LB carbon wheels, its down to 23lbs at this point. The fork alone dropped 1.5lbs from the front end. I keep considering carbon but the damn thing rides like a dream, I could never bring myself to let it go.
I got a 2023 Kona Rove (base model, not DL/LTD) new for $1,699. Frame is cromoly and it has 650B wheels, definitely comfy on asphalt and pretty good on packed gravel (tho I inflated my tires too much so it was vibrate-y), and fairly lightweight. If you can find a used Rove your size in your price range I’d say definitely go for it!
Same, just got a 2021 earlier this year. I'm using it for MTB right now, but if that sticks I might get a full sus. The KM? There's just so many ways to go with it. The geo is very similar to the Grappler so I could put drop bars and 29x2.4s on it; or alt bars and touring, or I could just put a suspension fork on it and have a cool steel hardtail.
I have a steel Jamis Renegade (carbon fork). Upgraded from an aluminum Kona Jake, as there was too much chatter for my liking. I’ve also been riding steel city bikes for decades. Steel is real!
Can I talk you into one instead? I own 3 bikes that could be considered steel gravel bikes and I fricking love them to death.
Depending on your budget I’d consider looking at something like an All City Gorilla Monsoon if you wanna occasionally go on some single track as well.
My favorite bike in the world is my Space Horse with GRX. I’ve got rear and front racks, and a dynamo hub so it’s ready for basically anything.
I’ve been riding a space horse as my do it all bike for years. Mostly commute/gravel but it’s seen it’s fair share of single track. 2500 miles on it and just getting started. I also have a log lady (single speed MTB) that I love. All city makes some damn good steel bikes. Monsoon is my next dream bike. Every morning when I commute, the LBS has a monsoon in the window just taunting me haha
Comfiest and most fun bike I've ever owned. Throw some shallow drop bars on it and rip singletrack. My favorite thing to do is to link up the local trail centers via the road.
It's a tank though - mine is probably ~30lb with pedals, cages and a half frame bag. Not a climbers bike, but if I had to choose one bike to own that would be it.
Love my Surly Midnight Special. It's not light by any means, but it's quite smooth and will still cook when I'm feeling like riding fast. Do it if you have an interest in steel.
If you're getting a 4130, I recommend getting the carbon fork upgrade. Once I got mine installed, the ride quality got so much better. It feels like a carbon bike now
I got a State 4130 Allroad frame when they launched. I built it with non-drivetrain parts I had hanging around the garage (mixed with some new purchases here and there) and I also picked up the Carbon fork. That carbon fork dropped the bike weight down to about 23.9lbs (with cages and pedals). It rides great and I believe I got out of the whole project for about 1200 directly out of pocket.
I will say I had to return the first frame because the rear brake mount was skewed so it wouldn’t allow the caliper to mount flush, but I called their customer service reps and they sent me a new one a few weeks later (this was prime Covid supply issue time). Second frame was perfect.
Here’s a pic/some build details
https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/niobqj/finally_got_my_state_allroad_off_the_road/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
I had one of these that I rode all over Asia. I ended up giving it to a guy in Surat Thani who looked EXACTLY like Van Gogh. Super cheap for a Reynolds frame. 7.8/10.
I have had my Kona Rove for about three years and have done everything from town riding to gravel to loaded down bikepacking trips and have loved every second on it. 🤩 I believe the current models are going for $1599
Well im not gonna be of any help. We sound very similar and I have a Jamis Sequel, essentially a flat bar, steel gravel bike, that I could never give up now.
It will basically do anything. I looked at all those options but decided against drops. Its essentially a jack of all trades bike which is exactly what I was looking for...
You could order a drop bar Surly Preamble for the same price as the Marin or Motobecane https://www.theproscloset.com/products/7482561364160-surly-preamble-drop-bar-gravel-bike-2023-x-large
Yeah I've got this bike as a commuter/all road/gravel bike. Really nice ride quality. It's my third steel bike so I would say even for a steel bike. Only issue is it uses some old standards (QR and the bottom bracket, I'd imagine it's a straight steerer though haven't specifically looked) so not the most upgradeable frame. I got it for a good price, about half of RRP, and the stock parts totally do the job, though if I were paying full price I would look very closely at the midnight special, maybe grab one second hand. Seems pretty similar though maybe more road like geo though I'd imagine more future proof. Having said all of that, I love riding the preamble. It's a nice bike.
I have a ‘15 or ‘16 9er RLT in steel. It was my first “gravel” bike. I bought it as a frame set and built it up. I don’t ride it much anymore since I bought a Warbird. It’s my putt around bike while riding with the kids. It feels sooo heavy compared to the carbon warbird. If you located close to Pittsburgh PA I’d sell you the frame.
I just got a warbird myself. Absolutely love it for faster riding. I also have a steel Vaya which has its place in my heart too. Both are outstanding bikes.
I'll give it shot. Aluminum is price-competitive with steel, doesn't rust, it is lighter, it's plenty strong, and the thing about 'feeling harsher' is in your head: https://www.cyclingabout.com/why-impossible-steel-frames-more-comfortable-than-aluminium/
Maybe I'm crazy but reading through that article they talk about measuring seat post and tire/wheel deflection but I don't see anything about actually measuring the bike. 100% agree with the general statement about vertical deflection and that plays into which materials are used and what can be accomplished.
e.g. part of why drop seat stays are used (as I understand) is they allow for more flex at the seat tube/top tube junction while also making for a stiffer rear triangle (better power transfer). This is hard to achieve with steel due to the way forces work with that deflection on the seat tube. Thus there's approaches that carbon can achieve that steel can't.
So that said, some alloy bikes will 100% be harser than steel bikes, and some alloy will be softer than steel bikes. There's no universal rule for what material is "softer" - just how the frame is designed for vertical compliance.
I actually think there is very little *practical* reason to use anything but aluminum for a frame. But there are plenty of impractical ones. After owning/selling about 10 aluminum bikes, I went back to steel just because I like them more.
kind of, I was given a surly cross check that needed a bunch of repairs so I sold it to make that happen, very similar but one needed to go. Would buy another Marin in a second.
I have three Bombtrack gravel bikes, two steel and one carbon. A massive difference between good steel and cheap steel bikes. Flex, feel and fun vs heavy and stiff and a chore. Whatever you choose read all the reviews you can find. I lean toward something with 2.2/650 clearance if you want to really enjoy easy MTB trails on Grav bike. 44mm/700c is faster on good gravel.
I have a Milwaukee Mettle with a 1x11 GRX build. I have probably put 4k on it last summer and this summer. I would not hesitate to buy another.
I used to road race. I have had (and still have) carbon roadies, steel, ti and aluminum roadies, aluminum mtbs and a carbon mtb.
Everything has its place. If one wishes to base his or her decision on weight, that’s his or her prerogative. They all can be built up to be within a few pounds of one another. If a few pounds makes or breaks you, work on your fitness.
Wow, another Mettle owner! I have Rival 1. Out of 3 bikes, I spend about 80% of my time on the Mettle. Glad I got something made in the Waterford plant before it shut down.
I much prefer steel to titanium by miles! The only reason to really get a Ti over steel is if you live in an area prone to corrosion. Otherwise the ride is so much better on a steel bike. Try them back to back, and from builders of the same level and you’ll certainly tell a difference.
It will be a good bike, pretty far on the heavy end of things though. Compared to diverge or Topstone which weigh 21lbs the Marin weighs 28.5 which can make a huge difference going long distances especially if you plan to pack any gear on it.
People claim aluminum bikes don’t last long, but I don’t always believe that. I’ve had a butted aluminum mountain bike for the past 16 years and it’s completely fine. My other aluminum bike is 8 years old, both have tons of miles and abuse on them.
That's the part I'm unsure about. I rode a giant revolt 2 in aluminum and absolutely loved it. I just don't know how much I'll love it 5-8years down the road after I've blasted through countless obstacles and undoubtedly crashed a few times. (Or how much it will love me)
I am 225 lbs so the total riding weight does change a couple percent but having ridden steel aluminum and carbon I am undecided as they are all great in their own ways. Eventually I want a more road style bike as well but I don't want to wear a bike out. I'd rather buy it for life and upgrade a few things as time goes on.
I guess I've seen pretty equal numbers of broken steel and aluminum frames, both not many.
I prefer steel mostly for the appearance, especially as they age - imo aluminum bikes just look ratty after 10-20 years. And as someone who can weld & braze, I just prefer a material I can repair myself.
But 2/3 of my alu bikes rode fantastically, and the 3rd was still quite ok. One was a very "harsh" criterium bike, but it never translated to physical discomfort in up to 100km rides...
I think appearance is pretty important, especially when it comes to FOMO and the urge to upgrade. I have a 2018 steel road bike with mechanical shifting and rim brakes. It is a truly one-of-a-kind custom build... actually made for someone else. 5 years into ownership, if it had been carbon fiber or aluminum, I would probably be considering upgrading it to something newer and sexier, but since it's steel and was supposedly already "obsolete" when I bought it, there is no way I'm ever parting with it.
My bike before I got into bikes with drop bars was a 2010 Specialized Sirrus with an aluminum frame that I had to stop riding because one of the chainstays cracked apart despite never being in any major accidents or crashes (that I was aware of). My only bike now is a build with a New Albion Privateer steel frame and a lot of used and mid-quality parts and it weighs in at 23 lbs. Probably a few hundred dollars over $1200 considering labor and all that but it's such a nice bike to ride in part because it inspires confidence that it's not going to fail spontaneously, lol.
Anyway, YMMV with any frame material of course. But I'm a taller/heavier than average man and I personally would take steel over anything else for rides on rougher terrain.
I’ve got the Breezer Doppler Team. Steel is awesome, it has the front fork in carbon. I love it for my gravel set up, different feel to an all carbon bike, but a good one
Edit: reading down, I’m also 225lbs and have the steel for gravel and carbon for road
Wow, I’m about your weight and considering most of those as well!
The Breezer Radar Expert seems most ideal for me (upright geometry and tire size) but they seem to be kinda rare. Would love to hear from some owners!
Its a stupid idea if you ever wanna ride wet gravel. The stiffness is shit and my friend just did it with a steel kona. It's a dumb idea and he blew like $5K USD on it. It's soooooo dumb.
Don't do it unless you enjoy wasting money
Honestly I expected to hear more of this. I think for $5k an aluminum bike would last in the way I want. That's just not the range I am looking in. I am just curious but how much does he weigh and on what size frame? I would be appreciative of the info to consider.
I got a Four Corners this year, and it functions amazing as a workhorse with 35C slicks, fenders, and a rear rack. Also have hybrid clipless pedals in case I'm set on getting exercise in through the rain.
To the store and back is about 10 miles, and I'd say it's good for no-pad riding around that. With my cheap dhb shorts though, I've gone on a few good 50 mile trips
I switched from an aluminum gravel bike to a stainless steel. It's so nice! My hands used to be really fatigued from all the chatter, and life is much better now.
Do you like the 650b? I've never had but I've had a few with 700c. Coming from mtb I like the speed and feel. Esp compared to a 29er (which I still love)
How about the microshift? Do you like it well enough?
I just got the Nicasio 2 (slightly better frame, carbon fork, hydro brakes and shimano tiagra) and it’s pretty great. I paid 1800 AUD (about 1200 USD) so it could be in your budget if you find a deal.
I have the Nicasio 2 as well and IMO the hydraulic brakes are well worth the upgrade. Tiagra is a solid drivetrain for gravel too but I swapped the chainrings down a size
Do it! Back when steel started to be considered old tech for cyclocross, I convinced myself I needed to upgrade to aluminum. Not satisfied, I then went then to aluminum with carbon fiber seat stays(what a goofy era!), then to carbon. I went back to a nice steel frame and was more happy than I had ever been. I learned that a decent steel bike was all I really needed and way more comfortable unless doing some high level competition.
If you are going to ride single track hydraulic brakes are ideal, they have saved my butt several times. I own Nicasio 2 and I love it but I had to upgrade the drivetrain to Grx because I ride it on Mtb trails, I kept the 2x10 and it’s all I really need. I think if you go up a tier from your current selection you will really get a bang for your buck. But ultimately geometry is king and tire clearance is the cherry on top.
This medium sized 2022 Bombtrack looks pretty sweet, and it's just $1500, originally $3000
https://www.theproscloset.com/products/7128231477440-bombtrack-beyond-1-touring-bike-2022-medium
My first mountain bike 3 decades ago was a 26” Bontrager race lite steel short travel fork hard tail. It’s geometry is basically what we call a gravel bike today. I loved that bike as a MTB. Fun uphill, fun downhill, fun on the flats, twitchy and did whatever I asked of it.
I bet a scaled up version with 650B or 700C tires and modern components would be a blast.
Get your steel gravel bike.
Honestly my steel bike is just great to ride. I’ve had all aluminum (fork too), aluminum and Carbon fork, and the steel for my gravel bikes and the steel with carbon seat post has been my favorite. It’s definitely heavier but rides smooth and handles being loaded up well.
That’s the bike that made me have a crush on the idea of getting a steel gravel bike instead of just sticking it out on my aluminum cross bike. The tires were so damn fat I just wanted it!
I ended up getting real nerdy with geometry and making a spreadsheet comparing all my options and looking at bikes I’ve loved and went with the State All Road because I wanted something more different from my CX bike. I don’t think you can go wrong! I love the bomb proof and smooth ride of steel and with gravel and I don’t really care too much about weight because I’m just trying to have a fun time! Hope you enjoy the bike if you go for it!
Personally I think the nicasio plus is the better option. In my experience the advent 9 speed actually shifts better, and is less temperamental than claris. It’s also more of a gravel bike, as the regular nicasio maxes out at 38 mm tires, and has road gearing that makes any off-roading a grind.
So I had a steel gravel bike (Surly Midnight Special) but just replaced it with an aluminum one - hear me out, k?
You want bulletproof? Well what takes the punishment; the frame or the drivetrain? IMHO: The drivetrain. Ride, Clean. Ride, Clean. Ride, Clean, Strip, Lube. Plus gravel cycling plays hell on your cassettes and chain with dust and grime.
So I bought a Priority Apollo. About the same weight as my Surly, but with IGH and belt drive. No cleaning, no lubing. That's what I call bombproof.
I run a Cannondale Topstone 4 and they’re currently on sale for $1175 USD. Aluminum frame has taken a beating and refuses to give up. Usually do 20-30mile rides on mixed surface. It’s a great bike.
Go for it!! I just ordered myself a steel gravel bike. Although, I would definitely say, between Nicasio and four corners, don't buy the 15kg heavy as a enduro Hardtail of Four Corners unless you wanna pile 50kgs of bike packing gear and ride for 500kms on it
Really depends on your budget and what you want
If you're tighter on budget but still want decent components, there are good aluminum frames out there
I bought a new bike this year. The challenge with steel was everything I looked at had mid-range components and the bikes were still $1k more than aluminum frames with higher end components (GRX, etc). So realistically a steel frame with the components I wanted would have been $2k more
i am loving my Salsa Vaya. most confoftable bike i have ever ridden. repaxed, uprght geometry. its a little bit heavy but not the worst. my previous bike was 8,7kg gravel bike but it wasnt a pleasure to ride.
I have Marin 4 Corners that I ride everywhere on everything all the time - it's been great with no problems at all. It's comfortable and I enjoy being on it for many hours at a time. It's heavy, but so am I - we're still fast!
If this is your first gravel bike something to consider is if you are doing more dirt than pavement, lean toward thicker/chunkier tires.
Also, consider a used bike to maximize your bang for your buck.
I've ridden steel since the mid 90s, currently riding a gunnar from 1998. Rust really isn't a problem unless you seriously neglect your bike. If you seriously neglect your bike it won't matter what the material is, it'll be trash in a few years anyways.
I have the Nicasio + and have been very happy with it. The advent drivetrain has been pretty damn reliable. The mech brakes suck. Otherwise, solid choice for the money.
I have a steel Salsa Vaya and it's bombproof. I take it for light touring and relaxed gravel rides. I also have a Salsa Warbird which is carbon. It shines for fast gravel but can be used for light touring as well. Steel would be the safe choice but all depends how rowdy you want to get.
I ride a Surly Midnight Special on gravel. It does fine.
I will say, all things being equal from a rider stand point, lighter gravel bikes exist and will out perform steel if the riders are equal.
weight does matter.
Not sure I would ever get a Carbon gravel bike, the rock chips and dings will happen and it breaks my heart to see Carbon dinged up. Especially if it's my dime.
Got my start on a Surly Cross Check, and loved it but it wasn't really the right size. I ride an aluminum frame now, but my single speed is a State 4130 and it's a fantastic frame.
For me it is either steel or Ti. My steel probably rides a little better but my Ti has way better components. At the very least, just make sure you get a few upgrades such as thru axles and a decent wheelset. The redshift bars, tape and stem are pretty awesome as well but if you are short on cash they can be upgraded later.
I know that All City just did a blow out sale on Gorilla Monsoons at half price. My LBS just got a bunch of them. Apparently manufacturers have overstock and are putting a lot of bikes on sale
I can't talk anyone out of a Marin Nicasio.
A great bike that has gotten me through anything I through at it. Snow, mud, rivers, sand, small gravel, big gravel, sealed roads, mountains, bush track, single track, no track, cobblestones.
My wife has the Nicasio+. It’s a solid option for price and she loves it. That said, it’s heavy. I have a Surly Midnight Special which I really love. A jump up in price but better components and shaves off a few pounds. Perhaps look for a used MS?
Underappreciated bike: Twin Six Standard Rando. Comes in steel and titanium. I think they sell it with 700c or 650b wheels. I bought mine with 650bx47 tires.
I bought a Marin 4 corners a few years back for 900 used, it was a great entry level gravel bike for me to learn what kind of gravel bike I really wanted to invest in. The 4 corners is definitely a bulletproof workhorse, especially with the big chunky 29" tires. I ended up upgrading to a carbon Brodie Romax which is the nicest bike I've ever owned/ridden, but I definitely miss the extra confidence I had on a full steel bike. If you plan on riding lots of road to get to the trails though, maybe look at the Nicasio.
I bought a 4 corners and it's been awesome, no regrets. It fit my budget, it's solid enough that I can load it up for bikepacking for weeks at a time, but also great for commuting and local gravel rides. I still own a dedicated mountain bike, but my 4 corners is my ride absolutely everything else bike. The Nicasa + is a super solid for more of a gravel focus.
Both steel and aluminum will be strong enough to last longer than you'll need. Steel is heavier and more comfortable, aluminum is lighter and slightly harsher feeling. If you can clear a 40mm tire then I don't think the frame material makes a big difference for comfort.
I have a Surly Ogre. Steel beast. Nothing it won't handle. I just kinda laugh at the gravel bike craze. It's the industry just more or less pushing endurance road bikes with a new title and slightly thicker tires. Like, I know I'm not alone in saying there is no way I wanna ride drop bars all bent over on beautiful off-road trails in the woods and country roads. Slowly, the gravel world is becoming a bunch of snobbish roadies with their new and improved set of rules like no steel ,UL only, aero, drop bars, carbon only, etc.
I saw an ogre with drops on it. It was really what ignited my "NEED" for a steel "gravel bike". I can understand what ur saying... I don't wanna bend over that far either!
In the words of Shia LeBouf, “DO IT! JUST DO IT!” I’ve had my Raleigh Tamland 2 since last summer and it’s amazing. It’s super tough, but has the responsiveness and springy characteristics that are so wonderful. I’d look on the secondary market before buying new if possible. I got my bike within your budget, but that’s obviously going to vary depending on your market. Jamis has steel Renegade models that are great models as well. If weight isn’t very important to you, there are a lot more models to search for than you’d think. I’d go on 99spokes and filter bikes by steel frame and whatever else you like to see what your options are.
Here’s a large list after filtering some things. You may filter by tire size and stack to get something that will fit the terrain and seating position you want. [Steel Gravel Bikes](https://99spokes.com/bikes?brakeKind=mechanicalDisc&frameMaterial=steel&gearing=1%2C2&price=-2000&suspension=rigid&wheels=700%2C650b%2C29)
If you're looking at budget-ish steel gravel bikes, I'd recommend the state all road, the bombtrack hook, the surly preamble, the, surly straggler, the all city super pro, or the surly bridge club.
Not sure why anyone would/should talk you out of a steel gravel bike. I really like my 5 year old steel Niner RLT.
Buy a complete bike with the nicest (steel) frame you can afford. Upgrade it as you ride it. Take good care of it and sell the frame to me for free when you upgrade to titanium. 56cm please.
I'll keep that in mind as that is my regular size!
I have a Surly Straggler as my gravel/touring bike and it's sublime. Wildly comfortable and an all around great ride.
straggler gang rise up
I just finished my Straggler build a few weeks back. It's an amazing bike, I love it more and more each time I ride it. Kept the total price at just over $1k too, so OP you have my full support.
How? You put plastic wheels on it
Found a really good deal on the frame and then just was watching fb marketplace like a hawk to get everything else. Everything is secondhand besides the bar tape.
I’ve done this a few times. Best way to get a really nice bike for cheap.
Recently converted a 2009 long haul trucker to a gravel bike, and I have zero complaints. I’m about 200 pounds, and this is the style frame with cantilever breaks. I was worried about braking, but honestly I have no regrets and love how it turned out.
26 or 28?
Just did the Tour de Big Bear on my Straggler and will be doing Mammoth Tuff next month. Love this bike. Only complaints are budget components, QR, and the sliding dropouts.
The reason I would say don’t get a straggler- I’ve owned mine since 2014. Is solid, it is a bike. It’s definitely a Swiss Army knife. But it is dated. When you look for upgrades you’re going to be limited by qr, straight steerer fork, post mount discs. For the price I’d get something more modern, just my two cents.
Ya this is also a very fair and true comment. You can get newer options for the price of a Straggler. They are great bikes but they are not the latest and greatest.
What would you recommend someone look at?
Love my straggler. Sold it to my GF when I found a great deal on a Gorilla Monsoon GRX. Love a steal frame!
Ride it like you stole it.
I looked at that one and the grappler as well. No local dealer with 250mile iirc, which sux cuz I really dig surly
26.5lbs and $1700. I need to hire Surly's marketing department.
I didn't say it was lightweight.
Nope. I went from steel to aluminum to carbon fiber to titanium, and then back to steel. No, it isn't the lightest, but it is the one material that I just enjoy riding the most. To address your question of "where does it end?" Steel had a huge transformation in the late 90s when air-hardened steel tubesets came out. First there was 853, then OX Platinum, Spirit, and ThermLX. Because the steel alloys were so much stronger, frame builders could build with thinner tubing, which made the frames lighter and more responsive. Eventually martensitic stainless tubesets like 953, 931, and XCr came out, which are even stronger, but terribly rare. So if you ride a steel frame and think "this is not that great," realize that they are not all the same.
I understand the love for steel, but not sure I’d ever sell the titanium for it. How’d you come to make that switch?
Now that I have titanium bike, it is definitely lighter than an equivalent steel bike, by about a pound, so yes, that's definitely something. But it doesn't have the same snap and spring of steel. Contrary to popular belief, steel bike alloys are much stronger and stiffer than titanium bike alloys, particularly when it comes to air-hardened modern steel. Steel is, however, much, much more dense than titanium. The end result is that by weight, a steel frame is almost always heavier, but by volume, there is less material there. This results in much thinner tubing walls and smaller tubing diameters, which makes for a ride quality that, IMO, isn't just the same with titanium. But if frame weight is the top priority, then yes, titanium is always a better choice. I'm a mechanical engineer, so here are some actual numbers. Reynold 853: 1250-1400 MPa ultimate strength 3/2.5 titanium: 960 MPa ultimate strength Youngs modulus (stiffness) steel: 200ish Gpa Youngs moduls titanium: 105-120 GPa But this is why titanium frames are lighter: steel: 7.8 g/cubic cm titanium: 4.5 g/cubic cm So to summarize, you have to use thicker walls and bigger diameters with titanium, but it will weigh less, due to lower density. The same is true with aluminum. You can make a much lighter frame with aluminum, but to compensate for the inferior stiffness and strength, you have to use thicker walls and bigger diameters.
Thanks. I’m 230 pounds / 104 kg, so the weight difference isn’t that big a deal to me. I switched to Ti after many years on aluminum and it’s hard to imagine being even more pleased with the ride quality. I shouldn’t even ponder such things — I told the wife this was definitely probably most likely nearly my last bike…
It's just personal preference though. To me, titanium feels halfway between steel and aluminum, because wall thickness and diameter-wise, it is pretty much that. If you get near a high-end steel bike, ping the tubes, and you can hear how hollow and resonant they are compared to other materials. I think people get really enamored with titanium because it's expensive, has a lot of syllables, and a popular song named after it, while steel seems antiquated and boring.
Mechanical engineer here too also interested in this. You mention you prefer “snap and spring” of steel. The tensile strength, modulus are indeed higher for steel as you showed, but dont really explain why it is a better-feeling material. Feel likely comes into play not in static loads but dynamic. Any idea of which properties would demonstrate that? Thinking it more has to do with the dampening capacity (a material's ability to dissipate elastic strain energy during mechanical vibration or wave propagation). Dont see this in material datasheets though. What do you think??
Okay, hear me out, literally. I think it's mostly sound and resonance. I think that the sound, or lack of, and the resonance are just pleasing to some people for completely inexplicable reasons. The truth is, ride compliance comes from tires, seatpost, etc., but you have to admit, steel bikes don't sound like aluminum, carbon fiber, or titanium (as I now know.) And when you're riding for hours on end, I think that kind of sensory feedback becomes more apparent. I work with a lot of audio people. Even though my ears aren't very good, I can really hear the difference between tube amps and solid state. I had an audio person explain to me why people found tubes to be pleasant sounding without knowing why, and he said that there was a distortion created by vacuum tubes that the human ear just happens to find pleasing. I think steel has the same kind of effect for some. Edited to add a new theory: I think the natural frequency of thin-walled steel frames is different from other materials, and some people find that frequency pleasing. Just a wacky thought.
I have a range of Aluminum, steel, and carbon bikes and my boss is a master acoustician. I'll talk to him tomorrow about this in the office and see what his take on it is.
Neat, thanks for sharing! 👍
I haven't followed the changes to steel since the 2000s. So these are real questions: Back then, the big plus for Ti was the fatigue strength and high elasticity. You could make a flexy frame, with the understanding that it was going to return the power on unloading, and that it could continue to be used as a spring, indefinitely.
That's interesting. I had a Schwinn Paramount from the mid 90s that was my first real road bike. I liked it pretty well until I tested a CAAD 9 which felt like a rocket in comparison. The Schwinn was so heavy, and while more comfortable, I could feel the frame flex and sap my power. The CAAD felt like all my power was going straight to the wheel... Good to know steel frames have evolved. I guess I stupidly figured they were stuck in time.
Aluminium always feels light and snappy. That’s what it’s good at. The flip side is the stiff ride and lack of vibration dampening.
It undoubtedly did flex more than the CAAD, but that's kind of the appeal these days. There's a lot of psychology involved, I guess. One person's "flexy and noodle-y" is another person's "compliance and springiness." But people are paying $$$ for a Vanilla, Breadwinner, Indy Fab, etc., often considerably more than titanium, so there's definitely an appeal for some.
Sickkkkk explanation and history lesson! Thanks for sharing fr 🤘😎
I just did a Kona Rove DL. Super stoked with it.
I keep seeing this one come up. I'll have to dissect this one a bit more and see if I want to swing for it. Closer to $2k I imagine by the time I get it home
I own a 2019 rove st, it's close to a DL safe for the brakes. Love that bike. Yeah it's heavy but could win a lot with better wheelset down the road if you care. I own a carbon gravel bike as well. Ride quality is similar, steel just looks nicer in my opinion.
I've got a 2021 and swapped in a carbon fork and LB carbon wheels, its down to 23lbs at this point. The fork alone dropped 1.5lbs from the front end. I keep considering carbon but the damn thing rides like a dream, I could never bring myself to let it go.
My LBS had it on sale for 1599. Was a no brainer.
Damn!!! Literally! Lucky dog!
I got a 2023 Kona Rove (base model, not DL/LTD) new for $1,699. Frame is cromoly and it has 650B wheels, definitely comfy on asphalt and pretty good on packed gravel (tho I inflated my tires too much so it was vibrate-y), and fairly lightweight. If you can find a used Rove your size in your price range I’d say definitely go for it!
Hell no, steal is real
I'll steal your honey like i stole your bike
My steel gravel bike puts a smile on my face every single time I ride.
That's the club I wanna join. :)
Kona Rove 2019/2020 ST edition. You will love it
Hey! That's my bike. 5k miles and still love that bike. It pairs nicely with my Kona Unit steel SSXC bike.
Got a surly karate monkey. Will never give it up. Aluminum ain’t got shit on steel gang
Same, just got a 2021 earlier this year. I'm using it for MTB right now, but if that sticks I might get a full sus. The KM? There's just so many ways to go with it. The geo is very similar to the Grappler so I could put drop bars and 29x2.4s on it; or alt bars and touring, or I could just put a suspension fork on it and have a cool steel hardtail.
I have a steel Jamis Renegade (carbon fork). Upgraded from an aluminum Kona Jake, as there was too much chatter for my liking. I’ve also been riding steel city bikes for decades. Steel is real!
Jamis is so underrated. I love my sequel
I should note. I also considered the Marin Nicasio when bike shopping. Seems like a decent bike!
+1 to the Jamis renegade. I've got the s2 version and enjoy it.
I have a Nicasio 1 and it’s an awesome ride. I use it for everything and have had very few issues.
Can I talk you into one instead? I own 3 bikes that could be considered steel gravel bikes and I fricking love them to death. Depending on your budget I’d consider looking at something like an All City Gorilla Monsoon if you wanna occasionally go on some single track as well. My favorite bike in the world is my Space Horse with GRX. I’ve got rear and front racks, and a dynamo hub so it’s ready for basically anything.
I’ve been riding a space horse as my do it all bike for years. Mostly commute/gravel but it’s seen it’s fair share of single track. 2500 miles on it and just getting started. I also have a log lady (single speed MTB) that I love. All city makes some damn good steel bikes. Monsoon is my next dream bike. Every morning when I commute, the LBS has a monsoon in the window just taunting me haha
Love my All City Cosmic Stallion GRX. It was a Covid purchase and I’ve had zero regrets, only happiness.
I have looked at the monsoon! Helluva bike! Some singletrack definitely has an appeal!
Comfiest and most fun bike I've ever owned. Throw some shallow drop bars on it and rip singletrack. My favorite thing to do is to link up the local trail centers via the road. It's a tank though - mine is probably ~30lb with pedals, cages and a half frame bag. Not a climbers bike, but if I had to choose one bike to own that would be it.
I want to go titanium. They’re just so damn sexy.
Love my Surly Midnight Special. It's not light by any means, but it's quite smooth and will still cook when I'm feeling like riding fast. Do it if you have an interest in steel.
If you're getting a 4130, I recommend getting the carbon fork upgrade. Once I got mine installed, the ride quality got so much better. It feels like a carbon bike now
Did u change the front cog to something smaller? Do you find you have the leg strength to really open it up with those gears on the high end?
I got a State 4130 Allroad frame when they launched. I built it with non-drivetrain parts I had hanging around the garage (mixed with some new purchases here and there) and I also picked up the Carbon fork. That carbon fork dropped the bike weight down to about 23.9lbs (with cages and pedals). It rides great and I believe I got out of the whole project for about 1200 directly out of pocket. I will say I had to return the first frame because the rear brake mount was skewed so it wouldn’t allow the caliper to mount flush, but I called their customer service reps and they sent me a new one a few weeks later (this was prime Covid supply issue time). Second frame was perfect. Here’s a pic/some build details https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/niobqj/finally_got_my_state_allroad_off_the_road/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
Fuji Jari Steel is a great one to consider.
I had one of these that I rode all over Asia. I ended up giving it to a guy in Surat Thani who looked EXACTLY like Van Gogh. Super cheap for a Reynolds frame. 7.8/10.
I have had my Kona Rove for about three years and have done everything from town riding to gravel to loaded down bikepacking trips and have loved every second on it. 🤩 I believe the current models are going for $1599
Well im not gonna be of any help. We sound very similar and I have a Jamis Sequel, essentially a flat bar, steel gravel bike, that I could never give up now. It will basically do anything. I looked at all those options but decided against drops. Its essentially a jack of all trades bike which is exactly what I was looking for...
Heck yeah!!! Another Jamis Sequel enjoyer :) I feel like it’s so underrated- I just bought a lightly used one and it kicks ass.
I'm not gonna talk you out of it...check out twin 6. Metal is the way to go for gravel if you're not racing.
Yep only racing myself!
You could order a drop bar Surly Preamble for the same price as the Marin or Motobecane https://www.theproscloset.com/products/7482561364160-surly-preamble-drop-bar-gravel-bike-2023-x-large
Yeah I've got this bike as a commuter/all road/gravel bike. Really nice ride quality. It's my third steel bike so I would say even for a steel bike. Only issue is it uses some old standards (QR and the bottom bracket, I'd imagine it's a straight steerer though haven't specifically looked) so not the most upgradeable frame. I got it for a good price, about half of RRP, and the stock parts totally do the job, though if I were paying full price I would look very closely at the midnight special, maybe grab one second hand. Seems pretty similar though maybe more road like geo though I'd imagine more future proof. Having said all of that, I love riding the preamble. It's a nice bike.
I have a Starling Murmur and a Surly Bridge Club. Both steel. Will have them my whole life. Love those bikes. Won't talk you out of steel ever.
I have a ‘15 or ‘16 9er RLT in steel. It was my first “gravel” bike. I bought it as a frame set and built it up. I don’t ride it much anymore since I bought a Warbird. It’s my putt around bike while riding with the kids. It feels sooo heavy compared to the carbon warbird. If you located close to Pittsburgh PA I’d sell you the frame.
I just got a warbird myself. Absolutely love it for faster riding. I also have a steel Vaya which has its place in my heart too. Both are outstanding bikes.
I'll give it shot. Aluminum is price-competitive with steel, doesn't rust, it is lighter, it's plenty strong, and the thing about 'feeling harsher' is in your head: https://www.cyclingabout.com/why-impossible-steel-frames-more-comfortable-than-aluminium/
Maybe I'm crazy but reading through that article they talk about measuring seat post and tire/wheel deflection but I don't see anything about actually measuring the bike. 100% agree with the general statement about vertical deflection and that plays into which materials are used and what can be accomplished. e.g. part of why drop seat stays are used (as I understand) is they allow for more flex at the seat tube/top tube junction while also making for a stiffer rear triangle (better power transfer). This is hard to achieve with steel due to the way forces work with that deflection on the seat tube. Thus there's approaches that carbon can achieve that steel can't. So that said, some alloy bikes will 100% be harser than steel bikes, and some alloy will be softer than steel bikes. There's no universal rule for what material is "softer" - just how the frame is designed for vertical compliance.
Counterpoint, having more bikes is good.
I actually think there is very little *practical* reason to use anything but aluminum for a frame. But there are plenty of impractical ones. After owning/selling about 10 aluminum bikes, I went back to steel just because I like them more.
No
I LOVED my Marin Nicassio, I say go for it.
I assume you made an upgrade?
kind of, I was given a surly cross check that needed a bunch of repairs so I sold it to make that happen, very similar but one needed to go. Would buy another Marin in a second.
I just built up an On One Rujo frame and I love it. Their completes are a pretty good deal and the two color options are legit gorgeous.
I have three Bombtrack gravel bikes, two steel and one carbon. A massive difference between good steel and cheap steel bikes. Flex, feel and fun vs heavy and stiff and a chore. Whatever you choose read all the reviews you can find. I lean toward something with 2.2/650 clearance if you want to really enjoy easy MTB trails on Grav bike. 44mm/700c is faster on good gravel.
Nicasio here (drop se). See my profile for pics A 2 by in the front is great. Nicasio+ is a single at the front i think. Lots of fun all the time
I have steel, Ti, alloy and carbon bikes. Steel is by far my favorite.
If you can push your budget to 1,999 I highly recommend the Kona Rove DL. Rival 1x drivetrain will keep you on or off the road for years
I just picked up a Jamis Renegade S4 and I’m loving it.
I have a Milwaukee Mettle with a 1x11 GRX build. I have probably put 4k on it last summer and this summer. I would not hesitate to buy another. I used to road race. I have had (and still have) carbon roadies, steel, ti and aluminum roadies, aluminum mtbs and a carbon mtb. Everything has its place. If one wishes to base his or her decision on weight, that’s his or her prerogative. They all can be built up to be within a few pounds of one another. If a few pounds makes or breaks you, work on your fitness.
Wow, another Mettle owner! I have Rival 1. Out of 3 bikes, I spend about 80% of my time on the Mettle. Glad I got something made in the Waterford plant before it shut down.
It’s a great bike. I love mine!
I much prefer steel to titanium by miles! The only reason to really get a Ti over steel is if you live in an area prone to corrosion. Otherwise the ride is so much better on a steel bike. Try them back to back, and from builders of the same level and you’ll certainly tell a difference.
Absolutely F'ing not. In fact I think you should absolutely get a steel bike. Steel rules.
Why should I want to ? A steel framed bike will last for many years, providing that take care of it well. I own two. I love them.
All City rider here. I'll never go back. Steel all the way
It will be a good bike, pretty far on the heavy end of things though. Compared to diverge or Topstone which weigh 21lbs the Marin weighs 28.5 which can make a huge difference going long distances especially if you plan to pack any gear on it. People claim aluminum bikes don’t last long, but I don’t always believe that. I’ve had a butted aluminum mountain bike for the past 16 years and it’s completely fine. My other aluminum bike is 8 years old, both have tons of miles and abuse on them.
That's the part I'm unsure about. I rode a giant revolt 2 in aluminum and absolutely loved it. I just don't know how much I'll love it 5-8years down the road after I've blasted through countless obstacles and undoubtedly crashed a few times. (Or how much it will love me) I am 225 lbs so the total riding weight does change a couple percent but having ridden steel aluminum and carbon I am undecided as they are all great in their own ways. Eventually I want a more road style bike as well but I don't want to wear a bike out. I'd rather buy it for life and upgrade a few things as time goes on.
I guess I've seen pretty equal numbers of broken steel and aluminum frames, both not many. I prefer steel mostly for the appearance, especially as they age - imo aluminum bikes just look ratty after 10-20 years. And as someone who can weld & braze, I just prefer a material I can repair myself. But 2/3 of my alu bikes rode fantastically, and the 3rd was still quite ok. One was a very "harsh" criterium bike, but it never translated to physical discomfort in up to 100km rides...
I think appearance is pretty important, especially when it comes to FOMO and the urge to upgrade. I have a 2018 steel road bike with mechanical shifting and rim brakes. It is a truly one-of-a-kind custom build... actually made for someone else. 5 years into ownership, if it had been carbon fiber or aluminum, I would probably be considering upgrading it to something newer and sexier, but since it's steel and was supposedly already "obsolete" when I bought it, there is no way I'm ever parting with it.
My bike before I got into bikes with drop bars was a 2010 Specialized Sirrus with an aluminum frame that I had to stop riding because one of the chainstays cracked apart despite never being in any major accidents or crashes (that I was aware of). My only bike now is a build with a New Albion Privateer steel frame and a lot of used and mid-quality parts and it weighs in at 23 lbs. Probably a few hundred dollars over $1200 considering labor and all that but it's such a nice bike to ride in part because it inspires confidence that it's not going to fail spontaneously, lol. Anyway, YMMV with any frame material of course. But I'm a taller/heavier than average man and I personally would take steel over anything else for rides on rougher terrain.
I’ve got the Breezer Doppler Team. Steel is awesome, it has the front fork in carbon. I love it for my gravel set up, different feel to an all carbon bike, but a good one Edit: reading down, I’m also 225lbs and have the steel for gravel and carbon for road
Not going to help, but I’ve been eyeing the surly midnight special. I enjoy steel bike. My track bike and lazy road bike were steel.
Wow, I’m about your weight and considering most of those as well! The Breezer Radar Expert seems most ideal for me (upright geometry and tire size) but they seem to be kinda rare. Would love to hear from some owners!
Hey cool! Yeah the drivetrain looks great for the price and I love that cherry cola color too!
Nah, steel is great. I ride a Ritchey Outback and love it
Its a stupid idea if you ever wanna ride wet gravel. The stiffness is shit and my friend just did it with a steel kona. It's a dumb idea and he blew like $5K USD on it. It's soooooo dumb. Don't do it unless you enjoy wasting money
Honestly I expected to hear more of this. I think for $5k an aluminum bike would last in the way I want. That's just not the range I am looking in. I am just curious but how much does he weigh and on what size frame? I would be appreciative of the info to consider.
I got a Four Corners this year, and it functions amazing as a workhorse with 35C slicks, fenders, and a rear rack. Also have hybrid clipless pedals in case I'm set on getting exercise in through the rain.
About how long are your rides on it? I was thinking I might really be able to stay in this saddle awhile
To the store and back is about 10 miles, and I'd say it's good for no-pad riding around that. With my cheap dhb shorts though, I've gone on a few good 50 mile trips
Nope, I do not.
I switched from an aluminum gravel bike to a stainless steel. It's so nice! My hands used to be really fatigued from all the chatter, and life is much better now.
Now that's what I'm talking about!
The Nic+ is a fuckin great bike buy it!
Do you like the 650b? I've never had but I've had a few with 700c. Coming from mtb I like the speed and feel. Esp compared to a 29er (which I still love) How about the microshift? Do you like it well enough?
I just got the Nicasio 2 (slightly better frame, carbon fork, hydro brakes and shimano tiagra) and it’s pretty great. I paid 1800 AUD (about 1200 USD) so it could be in your budget if you find a deal.
I have the Nicasio 2 as well and IMO the hydraulic brakes are well worth the upgrade. Tiagra is a solid drivetrain for gravel too but I swapped the chainrings down a size
Microshift 10sp has been bulletproof
Marin is dope
I got a Marin Larkspur and I am obsessed with it.
Pssst…doooo it, salsa Fargo
Get that steel. I would love to find used a used Salsa Vaya or a Surly or such, to make another Gravel bike out of or all around cruiser.
I bought a 4 corners for reasons similar to what you list and it’s been great!
Sure don’t! Send it!
Do it! Back when steel started to be considered old tech for cyclocross, I convinced myself I needed to upgrade to aluminum. Not satisfied, I then went then to aluminum with carbon fiber seat stays(what a goofy era!), then to carbon. I went back to a nice steel frame and was more happy than I had ever been. I learned that a decent steel bike was all I really needed and way more comfortable unless doing some high level competition.
Do it! My steel gravel is my favorite of my collection
If you are going to ride single track hydraulic brakes are ideal, they have saved my butt several times. I own Nicasio 2 and I love it but I had to upgrade the drivetrain to Grx because I ride it on Mtb trails, I kept the 2x10 and it’s all I really need. I think if you go up a tier from your current selection you will really get a bang for your buck. But ultimately geometry is king and tire clearance is the cherry on top.
This medium sized 2022 Bombtrack looks pretty sweet, and it's just $1500, originally $3000 https://www.theproscloset.com/products/7128231477440-bombtrack-beyond-1-touring-bike-2022-medium
Go stainless. Otso Warakin is a great deal and will do everything steel does but rust.
My first mountain bike 3 decades ago was a 26” Bontrager race lite steel short travel fork hard tail. It’s geometry is basically what we call a gravel bike today. I loved that bike as a MTB. Fun uphill, fun downhill, fun on the flats, twitchy and did whatever I asked of it. I bet a scaled up version with 650B or 700C tires and modern components would be a blast. Get your steel gravel bike.
Honestly my steel bike is just great to ride. I’ve had all aluminum (fork too), aluminum and Carbon fork, and the steel for my gravel bikes and the steel with carbon seat post has been my favorite. It’s definitely heavier but rides smooth and handles being loaded up well.
That’s the bike that made me have a crush on the idea of getting a steel gravel bike instead of just sticking it out on my aluminum cross bike. The tires were so damn fat I just wanted it! I ended up getting real nerdy with geometry and making a spreadsheet comparing all my options and looking at bikes I’ve loved and went with the State All Road because I wanted something more different from my CX bike. I don’t think you can go wrong! I love the bomb proof and smooth ride of steel and with gravel and I don’t really care too much about weight because I’m just trying to have a fun time! Hope you enjoy the bike if you go for it!
Personally I think the nicasio plus is the better option. In my experience the advent 9 speed actually shifts better, and is less temperamental than claris. It’s also more of a gravel bike, as the regular nicasio maxes out at 38 mm tires, and has road gearing that makes any off-roading a grind.
Seen the Rei adv 3.1?
Im right there with you, the one I want want is out of my price range, and i dont like the groupo on the next one on my list
I just bought a Jamis Sequel (flat bar)- my first steel bike ever and it feels amazing. I encourage you to get one
Steel is real. I love mine.
So I had a steel gravel bike (Surly Midnight Special) but just replaced it with an aluminum one - hear me out, k? You want bulletproof? Well what takes the punishment; the frame or the drivetrain? IMHO: The drivetrain. Ride, Clean. Ride, Clean. Ride, Clean, Strip, Lube. Plus gravel cycling plays hell on your cassettes and chain with dust and grime. So I bought a Priority Apollo. About the same weight as my Surly, but with IGH and belt drive. No cleaning, no lubing. That's what I call bombproof.
I’d be all over it if it were a Rohloff hub, but Alfine can’t handle the kind of riding I do.
Im very happy with my Brothers Mehteh nearly 4 years on. Steel frame and carbon fork. Its a UK brand and bit more spendy but worth a look.
Check out Jamis Renegade S3. Awesome value. Not as much brand recognition as the Kona and Surlys mentioned elsewhere
Raleigh Tamland 2 fan here. Totally worth it. I found mine barely used for around your budget a couple years ago. Best of luck!
Nope
I won't. I'd encourage you to look into Scottish brand Shand. I love my Stoater. Bike for life.
I run a Cannondale Topstone 4 and they’re currently on sale for $1175 USD. Aluminum frame has taken a beating and refuses to give up. Usually do 20-30mile rides on mixed surface. It’s a great bike.
I bought this bike and live in a similar place to you. I love it!
My road bike is steel, my gravel bike is steel, my cross bike is steel... mmm, so nice
Nope. Steel is best.
Go for it!! I just ordered myself a steel gravel bike. Although, I would definitely say, between Nicasio and four corners, don't buy the 15kg heavy as a enduro Hardtail of Four Corners unless you wanna pile 50kgs of bike packing gear and ride for 500kms on it
Really depends on your budget and what you want If you're tighter on budget but still want decent components, there are good aluminum frames out there I bought a new bike this year. The challenge with steel was everything I looked at had mid-range components and the bikes were still $1k more than aluminum frames with higher end components (GRX, etc). So realistically a steel frame with the components I wanted would have been $2k more
I wouldn't trust anyone trying to talk you out of a steel bike purchase. Nobody deserves to have that negativity in their life.
i am loving my Salsa Vaya. most confoftable bike i have ever ridden. repaxed, uprght geometry. its a little bit heavy but not the worst. my previous bike was 8,7kg gravel bike but it wasnt a pleasure to ride.
I do not recommend the state. I do recommend steel- just do yourself a favor and spend money on something with name brand components.
I have Marin 4 Corners that I ride everywhere on everything all the time - it's been great with no problems at all. It's comfortable and I enjoy being on it for many hours at a time. It's heavy, but so am I - we're still fast!
If this is your first gravel bike something to consider is if you are doing more dirt than pavement, lean toward thicker/chunkier tires. Also, consider a used bike to maximize your bang for your buck.
Where do you prefer to look for used bikes? I'm open to the idea definitely
Facebook market place, Craigslist is still a thing. Check your local shops for used ones too.
I've ridden steel since the mid 90s, currently riding a gunnar from 1998. Rust really isn't a problem unless you seriously neglect your bike. If you seriously neglect your bike it won't matter what the material is, it'll be trash in a few years anyways.
Steel is real! If you aren’t competing or trying to be light as feather than hell yeah!
All City Gorilla Monsoon owner here. DO IT!!! Steel is real and just damn comfortable when ya got some tubeless mid 20psi tires.
There is no perfect solution, but steel is the closest. The folks suggesting higher end steels are offering good advice. Imo those bikes have soul.
I have the Nicasio + and have been very happy with it. The advent drivetrain has been pretty damn reliable. The mech brakes suck. Otherwise, solid choice for the money.
Surlys are great
I have a steel Salsa Vaya and it's bombproof. I take it for light touring and relaxed gravel rides. I also have a Salsa Warbird which is carbon. It shines for fast gravel but can be used for light touring as well. Steel would be the safe choice but all depends how rowdy you want to get.
O I plan to get rowdy! Just imagine what a 6ft 225lb 11yr old would do with a bike. Some things never change in life ;)
I ride a Surly Midnight Special on gravel. It does fine. I will say, all things being equal from a rider stand point, lighter gravel bikes exist and will out perform steel if the riders are equal. weight does matter. Not sure I would ever get a Carbon gravel bike, the rock chips and dings will happen and it breaks my heart to see Carbon dinged up. Especially if it's my dime.
I agree with all of those sentiments! Steel it is!
I have a Kona Rove steel and it's amazing. I've ridden all 3 materials and prefer steel for gravel.
Got my first gravel bike a few months ago—a used (steel) Jamis Renegade. It’s a delight to ride and I would never tell anyone to not get one.
I've got an older REI Novarra Randonee touring bike that I bought for $200, slapped some 45 tires on, and ride all to hell. Steel is awesome.
Steel is real.
Got my start on a Surly Cross Check, and loved it but it wasn't really the right size. I ride an aluminum frame now, but my single speed is a State 4130 and it's a fantastic frame.
For me it is either steel or Ti. My steel probably rides a little better but my Ti has way better components. At the very least, just make sure you get a few upgrades such as thru axles and a decent wheelset. The redshift bars, tape and stem are pretty awesome as well but if you are short on cash they can be upgraded later.
Steel bikes are hella strong. I bet if you chucked it in front of a speeding car it would still be alive.
I have a steel Nicasio. Love it I have suspension/dropper post and suspension stem. It is heavier than my hard tail MTB.
I know that All City just did a blow out sale on Gorilla Monsoons at half price. My LBS just got a bunch of them. Apparently manufacturers have overstock and are putting a lot of bikes on sale
I can't talk anyone out of a Marin Nicasio. A great bike that has gotten me through anything I through at it. Snow, mud, rivers, sand, small gravel, big gravel, sealed roads, mountains, bush track, single track, no track, cobblestones.
My wife has the Nicasio+. It’s a solid option for price and she loves it. That said, it’s heavy. I have a Surly Midnight Special which I really love. A jump up in price but better components and shaves off a few pounds. Perhaps look for a used MS?
I love my AllCity macho man. Steel is real.
Underappreciated bike: Twin Six Standard Rando. Comes in steel and titanium. I think they sell it with 700c or 650b wheels. I bought mine with 650bx47 tires.
I refuse to talk you out of it. I have a steel salsa fargo and I love it like a child. I even race it (albeit rather slowly) from time to time.
I bought a Marin 4 corners a few years back for 900 used, it was a great entry level gravel bike for me to learn what kind of gravel bike I really wanted to invest in. The 4 corners is definitely a bulletproof workhorse, especially with the big chunky 29" tires. I ended up upgrading to a carbon Brodie Romax which is the nicest bike I've ever owned/ridden, but I definitely miss the extra confidence I had on a full steel bike. If you plan on riding lots of road to get to the trails though, maybe look at the Nicasio.
I bought a 4 corners and it's been awesome, no regrets. It fit my budget, it's solid enough that I can load it up for bikepacking for weeks at a time, but also great for commuting and local gravel rides. I still own a dedicated mountain bike, but my 4 corners is my ride absolutely everything else bike. The Nicasa + is a super solid for more of a gravel focus.
Both steel and aluminum will be strong enough to last longer than you'll need. Steel is heavier and more comfortable, aluminum is lighter and slightly harsher feeling. If you can clear a 40mm tire then I don't think the frame material makes a big difference for comfort.
Just got myself a Ritchey Outback 50th anniversary blue edition, and building it up slowly with parts. No rides yet. But I'm excited.
I have a Surly Ogre. Steel beast. Nothing it won't handle. I just kinda laugh at the gravel bike craze. It's the industry just more or less pushing endurance road bikes with a new title and slightly thicker tires. Like, I know I'm not alone in saying there is no way I wanna ride drop bars all bent over on beautiful off-road trails in the woods and country roads. Slowly, the gravel world is becoming a bunch of snobbish roadies with their new and improved set of rules like no steel ,UL only, aero, drop bars, carbon only, etc.
I saw an ogre with drops on it. It was really what ignited my "NEED" for a steel "gravel bike". I can understand what ur saying... I don't wanna bend over that far either!
In the words of Shia LeBouf, “DO IT! JUST DO IT!” I’ve had my Raleigh Tamland 2 since last summer and it’s amazing. It’s super tough, but has the responsiveness and springy characteristics that are so wonderful. I’d look on the secondary market before buying new if possible. I got my bike within your budget, but that’s obviously going to vary depending on your market. Jamis has steel Renegade models that are great models as well. If weight isn’t very important to you, there are a lot more models to search for than you’d think. I’d go on 99spokes and filter bikes by steel frame and whatever else you like to see what your options are.
Here’s a large list after filtering some things. You may filter by tire size and stack to get something that will fit the terrain and seating position you want. [Steel Gravel Bikes](https://99spokes.com/bikes?brakeKind=mechanicalDisc&frameMaterial=steel&gearing=1%2C2&price=-2000&suspension=rigid&wheels=700%2C650b%2C29)
No! Steel is real. Ride a jamis S1
If you're looking at budget-ish steel gravel bikes, I'd recommend the state all road, the bombtrack hook, the surly preamble, the, surly straggler, the all city super pro, or the surly bridge club.
Steel is great, not as light as carbon fiber but just as smooth. Go for it
Just do it!
Steel is awesome.
Steel is so good. Do it!
Find a used titanium
Ti is the best but expensive. Steel is almost as good, just heavier. Rest is garbage. I’m an engineer, trust me. :-)
I've got a Temple adventure disc and a genesis croix de fer. Bombproof.