I’ve got a 1993 Trek 720 that was great in college for getting me around town. The frame is ok, but big. In 1993 it cost about $350.
I now live in the country with paved state highways and gravel roads every mile. The hybrid 3x7 just isn’t doing it.
So, my local bike shops have different philosophies. One would like me to alter my set up. Get some drop bars, change my drive train, but use my existing frame. The other would love to sell me a gravel bike for about $1500. I honestly think I’d spend up to $3000 for additional features. Looking specifically at a Giant Revolt 1 or 2.
So a $350 investment when I had no means had gotten me through 30 years. Should I feel blessed and feel ok with moving on to a modern frame that I can feel a little more relaxed on, or do I stick with nostalgia and upgrade the components?
Is love to hear what you have to offer?
BTW, $1500-3000 isn’t really the issue, it not great this month, but it’s more the attachment.
I think you should see if you can demo some gravel bikes and see how they feel. There’s a lot of demos in the summer, hopefully if your LBS won’t lend you a bike you can go and ride one or a couple different ones for 30 minutes plus each.
That’ll get you a lot better feel for if you still feel like your old bike with some component upgrades would still suit you better.
I didn’t get any loaners, but was able to get a feel for several road, gravel cross bikes. Ended up on the lower end of the budget which was still a huge upgrade. Thanks for the advice
Congrats! Enjoy your new bike! :)
Its really up to how you ride, and what is comfortable to you. You dont have to get rid of your old bike to buy a new one. 1500-3k is way out of my range btw so my opinion is based on my experience. I got a 1993 Specialized Hardrock 22" (I have 32" inseam, it is large) out of the trash. I stripped it down to a 1x7, Brooks saddle, new bottom bracket, new front sprocket, lighter 26" wheels from my other bike, and 165mm cranks. Factory straight bars. 1.5" Slick tires. and eggbeater pedals. I commuted on this and delivered food on this, about 6 hours in the saddle a day. 30+ miles a day, with no issues. I just rode it from Orlando to New Smyrna Beach and back a few weekends ago. It does everything I need, is low maintenance and cost about 200$ to upgrade everything i wanted. It is still my daily driver. I cant imagine buying a new bike for that much and id still end up riding my frankenstein bike. just my opinion and experience.
i average 15mph on it.
I’m totally confused. If you want a gravel bike, get one.
Don’t try to covert an old hybrid bike into a gravel bike for long distances. It was never ever designed to do that.
That was the decision, and the correct one. Ended up with a Giant Revolt 2, and couldn’t be happier.
