First let me tell you some back round on myself. I have been cycling since 2017 where I started with mountain biking on a diamond back hardtail. I loved being out on the trails in nature with friends and exploring and testing new skills. My friends all moved out of state and I continued to ride for a short time after but lost interest due to time constraints with personal life and work. I picked up my first road bike in 2019 a giant contend for $600 and have been riding that for a while. I quickly released how dangerous it was to ride the streets where I live (Miami, fl for context). The roads are not cyclist friendly and the drivers hate us out here so I bought a smart trainer and loved the rides on that for the time being. Zwift has been huge in my training and building strength but I miss the outdoors and nature. I need to mitigate the risk of maintain biking so I figured gravel would be next best so it’s so versatile in the sense I could ride trails and roads. I’m looking to spend $1500 or less and want a decent bike that’ll last me some time. Any suggestions from the 4 shown in the photos? Any other suggestions for anything under that budget? I want smooth shifting for sure since the last two bikes I’ve had the shifting is super clunky and not smooth whatsoever. lol
by mountainrye
10 Comments
Those four are pretty similar and all good picks for the money. The Diverge has better factory gearing but the Topstone is probably the best frame and overall component set.
Checkout Vitus aswell, They have very nicely priced bikes with thru-axle and hollowtech style bottom brackets
Just ordered my wife a flat bar ambition but it hasn’t arrived yet… will let you know when we get it how it checks out
I’ll speak on my experience buying the poseidon. It’s got weird things to keep the cost down: advent x(decent groupset) mechanical, quick release axles, worthless wheelset, square taper bottom bracket, terrible mechanical brakes.
Look at my profile to see the things I changed, but I’ve put more money into upgrades than I originally bought the bike for. I’m not regretting my decision because I’ve been able to build my own bike and learn some mechanic skills.
If you get the poseidon. You will want to get better wheels, better brakes, thru axle conversion. And eventually a hydro grouoset.
The ones with the Shimano shifters are going to be smoother shifting action than the ones with the Microshift shifters. I’m not familiar with what the trails are like down there, if they’re more sand you might want something with 650b wheels for more float, for example the Poseidon Redwood instead of the X. If you’re into the steel vibe, another one might be the Surly Preamble. And a Poseidon competitor is the State steel and alloy all-road bikes.
Diverge or Topstone. Flip a coin
If you can stretch your budget to accommodate the cheapest bike that comes with hydro 2×10 GRX or Tiagra you won’t regret it.
The ambition has been fantastic for me. I did do the compression-less brake housings because the stock brakes are downright dangerous. Other than that I’ve put a lot of miles on it with nothing but chain maintenance.
I ride it on pavement a lot and it also does well some light single track. Love it.
Personally, I think the microshift shifters are ugly and I dislike side exit cables especially if there may be handlebar bags in the future. I’d go with the diverge or the revolt (or save a little longer and find something with hydraulic disc)
I really love my Topstone. The 4 is a great deal.