Hey folks, I’m looking to buy my first gravel bike. My experience is city biking with a hybrid dutch bike with road tires and recreational biking on some cheap mountain bikes. With this gravel bike I want to do more 50-150 km cycling in a day depending on the time I have available multi day touring when I’m feeling more adventurous. I expect to be riding probably once to twice a week depending on if I have time to do touring. I’m based out of Berlin so the terrain is rather flat and well paved, but I expect to go on a bit of dirt and sandy trails which is why I want to buy a gravel bike, also the flexibility is nice. I would say I’m moderately fit, go to the gym 3-4 times a week, boulder and bike to work and all throughout the city every day. I’m 178 cm (5′ 10″) and 70kg (155 lb). My price range is between 1200-1800 euros, I would definitely prefer new, but I’m not entirely opposed to second hand.
I spoke to some friends who do triathalons and they recommended I target something like this:
* Find the bike that is the most comfortable, that is the most important
* 50-52 teeth for the large gear in the front
* 32-34 teeth for the small gear in the back
* Get 2 chainrings in the front
* Cable braking is fine for my purposes, and probably preferred for the cost of repairability
* H1.5 geometry (for trek) is probably what I want, or something comparable
* I probably don’t want carbon fiber as it can wear out quickly
* Don’t get tubeless tires
* If I can get quick release on the tires
* Get drop handle bars
I went to a bike store and they recommended me these two
https://www.bike-mailorder.com/cannondale-topstone-2-midnight-blue
https://www.bike-mailorder.com/rondo-ruut-al2-gravelbike-black-black?number=R17010017.2
I tried the AL2 and it was definitely super comfortable, I’m just a little concerned about the aggressive posture for multi day touring and also it doesn’t really fit a lot of recommendations from my friends. The Topstone 2 definitely seems more fit to what I’m targetting, but the price of the AL2 right now is incredible. Can someone help me out or have alternative recommendations?
by Aulex