While I don't really have a bike recommendation, I do recommend picking a bike that has clearance for wider tires. Wider tires mean lower tire pressure, more comfort, and lower rolling resistance.
I have a Diamondback Haanjo 4 and a Poseidon Redwood. Upgrading the Haanjo from the stock 38mm tires to some 45mm Panaracers made the bike feel so much better. On the Poseidon I swapped to a 700c wheel set and put on some WTB Venture 50mm tires. Both bikes are super comfortable now.
I'm shopping mainly for steel frame bikes. Here are a few I'm considering:
Quicker, more aero gravel ish bikes: Soma Double Cross Surly Midnight Special Basi le Montreal
More all terrain, more upright geo, kind of ATB bikes: Soma Wolverine All City Gorilla Monsoon (brand is shutting down) Basi Hog's Back
Others I often see recommended and discussed: Surly cross check Kona Jake Salsa Marakesh (touring) Canyon brand in general
If your priority is to do some amateur races, im sorry if none of these suggestions really help you. As others have suggested, think about the tire size you want to run and make that clearance a priority.
I ride a Ragley Trig which I would recommend if the company hadn't been shuttered. It has been a good year since I was looking at bikes and can't remember anything else I was looking at to offer as options.
However I do have a tyre recommendation in the Panaracer Gravel King. There are a couple of versions but I run the 650b x 48c Gravel King Slicks for all on road duty. They are a great, fast rolling but larger volume tyre for that additional comfort and make for a great training tyre sacrificing a little speed for that extra comfort. There is also one or possibly 2 other versions of the Gravel King that have more tread for more off road capability and based on my experience with the slicks (approx 500km so far) they are definitely worth having a look at.
Intriguing! Thanks for the tip; I'll be sure to look into them!
I also recommend the Panaracer GravelKing tires. They feel awesome on most surfaces and still keep traction on single track sections.
Your Transeo can already go on dirt roads. Perhaps with a different set of tires. Going road or gravel generally means going drop bars and you have to be okay with that. Personally I'm not. Some people do swap drop bars for handlebars but then you'd get what you already have. Personally I'd likely upgrade the Transeo. I'd change the tires, brakes and if I'm feeling generous - the drivetrain. If I experience any issues with wheels going out of true, then I'd replace the wheels too.
I'm actually stoked looking for a bike with drop bars! Lol. A friend let me ride around on their bike for a bit and I became a fan of them.
I did consider just switching out the components on the bike, but I'm concerned adding drop bars wouldn't match the geometry of the bike. From what I've seen online, adding drop bars is an iffy thing to do?
Could be, depends. You can measure things and see. I did the opposite conversion years ago - drops to handlebars on a Jamis road bike. Worked fine in that case.
Another thing to consider is your back. I don't know how "aero" you sit on your current but many drop bar bikes have more athletic position than can give you back pain. There are options to raise the bars but they're not amazing. If you already have the shrimp racing position, then you should be fine.
If I'm doubt get your friend's bike for a longer ride and see how it is.
I'm loving my Cannondale Topstone 2 (aluminum frame). It's got carbon forks and 37mm tires. Grx components. Super comfy, great on both streets and dirt. About 2k USD, unless you find a sale.
Sweet! Thank you for the recommendation!
A while back I sold a 97 Honda civic I’d been working on and got a Kona Rove DL. My first “adult” bike.
It has been an excellent bike. I use it for exercise, urban exploration, and I got a burly bee trailer so I can take my kids to park with it. It’s an all around excellent bike.
When I couldn't find any Trek Domane's, Canyon endurance, and Giant bikes in stock this past July, I went with a Decathlon Triban RC520 Gravel and couldn't be happier.
On sale for $1200 Canadian (down from $1800), so way cheaper than the Domane, but it comes with a mix of Shimano 105 components and TRP hybrid hydraulic brakes. I'm honestly relieved that I didn't have to spend $2600+ for something with lower-tier Shimano components.
I got it mid-July and have over 1500 km on it already... and it's not even my main bike. Most of my rides on it have been 100 km+ with several 200 km+ rides mixed in there.
I did swap the tires for some very affordable Continental Ultra Sport III, and no complaints there (although, they are NOT tubeless ready). The RC520 Gravel's stock wheels and tires are tubeless ready, if that matters.
Oooo I didn't even think about looking at Decathlon bikes. Noted; I'll take a peak!
All their bikes (and bike accessories) are a tremendous value. Good luck with your search!
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