Hello fellow bike packers!
i recently did a bikepacking trip with a surly road bike and it was fine but i think i’d like to have a gravel bike for my next trup and there are so many! does anyone have a suggestion of bike i could try? im 163cm tall, i could pay 3000 euros max, i do tours with a lot of ups and downs (so i‘d like more than the 8 speeds that i have right now), i have a dog on the back rack, so it should hold at least 12kg easily on the back rack.
i would be very grateful for anything you have to give.
also, has anyone tried the primos dame? it is really affordable, so i’m wondering if it is any good. https://primoscycles.com/products/dame-bicycle?srsltid=AfmBOoriVMY-3IVD4uQ3ybpDJLYBYTUtjOZDEyEoDuPxt8MpqVqfeq6o
byyyye
by excenial
5 Comments
Liv Devote!
I am 166cm and have tried a lot of “unisex” bikes in S, XS or even XXS and even if the frame size felt okay height-wise something felt off regarding the reach or overall position. I tried Cube, Canyon, Orbea, Merida… they all felt okay but not quite right.
Then I tried a Liv which is the woman version of Giant and it was perfect.
I bought the Liv Devote 1 and I love it
Liv is a good option and they catter a lot ot smaller sizes.
Primos Dame is awesome! Very likely the best bang for your buck. They do have an upgrade option with a carbon fork that will make things a bit smoother too but depending on how much gravel you are riding might be the wrong choice too…
You can also check Rose bikes (Backroad) and Canyon (Grizl), they offer bikes in very small sizes and are pretty great.
You will probably want the bike to use the small wheels, 650b (27,5 inch) to cater to your size. At least that’s definitely true for people smaller than 160 cm.
Hi, the Primos Dame has been receiving raving reviews. If I was on the market for a gravel it would definitely be on top of my list, but I haven’t tried it, so I can’t speak from experience. I would like to second another comment suggesting 27.5″ wheels, I’m 5’10 and have chosen to go with 27.5 wheels for my MTB (my gravel, which is a transformed touring bike form 2011 has 28″ wheels). But for someone below 170cm I would definitely recommend going with 27.5″ as it makes for a bike easier to handle.
The decathlon Triban 520 grvl was designed in Flanders’s by women for women. My partner has it and loves it. It has Shimano 105 and a carbon fork. Loads of attachment points and hydraulic disc brakes.