Category Archives: Just The Facts

bikepacking, DIY, exploration, Just The Facts, Uncategorized

A Budget Gravel/Adventure Bike

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Finally, a new post! We’ve been busy over at J&H Bags, not leaving as much time for adventures. Anyway, this entry will be about building a budget “gravel” bike, using the kids’ vernacular.

Despite the strong opinions about what you “need” to have a proper gravel grinder, you can build a capable ride out of almost anything. For example, this Trek Multitrack 750 I just built up. Instead of rambling on and on, I’ll just give you the breakdown, with an approximate cost per piece:

  • Trek Multitrack Frameset (included a seatpost clamp, fork, and other parts I didn’t use) – $50 on CL
  • Nashbar Carbon Fork – $99 on Amazon
  • Sun RhynoLite Rims laced to Formula hubs – $89 on clearance at VeloMine.com
  • Vuelta crank arms – $20 on eBay, a long time ago
  • Shimano BB – $20
  • Chainrings – Parts bin
  • MKS Sylvan touring pedals – $30
  • Shimano Deore MTB front derailleur – $35
  • Shimano Deore MTB 9spd rear derailleur -$25
  • Shimano Tiagra STI shifter/levers – $100
  • Evo Seat post – $13 on eBay
  • Tektro 926AL Mini V-brakes -$28 for a bikes’ worth on eBay
  • Bontrager 80mm stem – Parts bin
  • Selle Anatomica saddle – $159, and worth every penny
  • Ritchey 1″ threadless headset – $20
  • Assorted headset shims & spacers – $20
  • Deda bar tape – $14
  • 9 speed cassette & chain – $35
  • NOS Hite-Rite – $35

So, the total is about $792, give or take a few dollars. I built this bike up from scratch, meaning I got to choose all the parts, for the most part, and I was picky about a few things. Under $800 for a capable and fun to ride bike? Not bad at all. What’s that? Still too expensive? Gotcha. Here’s a few other options:

  • Trek Multitrack, Schwinn CrossCut, or other late 90’s- early 2000’s hybrid bike, complete – $90 – $150 on Craigslist
  • Drop bars, levers, cables, tape and bar end shifters – $30 – $100 scouring eBay or CL.
  • A decent saddle – $30 – $200 depending on your taste

TOTAL= $150 – $450

OR, let’s say you want a more rugged touring/singletrack/gravel bike, but still using road or dirt drop handlebars:

  • 80’s – 2000’s Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek Singletrack, Schwinn High Sierra or High Plains, etc… complete – $50 – $180
  • Drop bars, levers, cables, tape and bar end shifters – $30 – $100 scouring eBay or CL.
  • A decent saddle – $30 – $200 depending on your taste
  • Capable tires (Schwalbe Marathon, Fat Frank, etc..) – $45 – $75 for a set

TOTAL= $155 – $555

You get the idea. This is totally accessible, regardless of your budget.

-J

bikepacking, GPS, Just The Facts, Review

2016 Shore-Footed Tour – Just the Facts

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Here’s what I brought for the ride- for better or worse. YMMV.

Bike:

1984 Schwinn High Sierra (additional braze-ons for extra water bottles), with a Shutter Precision front hub connected to a portable battery pack that charged our phone and lights. Dirt Drops, Selle Anatomica saddle, 2×8 gearing, Soma Portuer rack and the heart of a champion.

Bags:

I used the J&H Bags Calzone frame bag and a prototype Roma Daypack, for when I needed to carry stuff off the bike. Now, to be completely transparent, I am half owner of J&H bags. So there you go, don’t say I didn’t tell you. That being said, they were awesome, worked perfectly, are the best bags I’ve ever owned, and reminded me how handsome I am and that I should ask that cheerleader to the prom because she’d say yeah sure. True Story.

My saddle bag was custom Swift Zeitgeist (not to criticize, but it didn’t compliment me once). And my stuff sacks were Sea to Summit.

Electronics:

My phone & charger, as well as a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 (my good camera was stolen, bummer) and a large backup battery. Also, some bike lights and a headlamp.

Clothes:

So here’s where things could’ve gone wrong. We were expecting warm-to-hot weather, so we brought shorts, t-shirts, light jerseys,etc. What actually happened was three 36 degree mornings in the Pine Barrens. Here is what I brought, because I always over-prepare:

  • 5 T-Shirts
  • 4 pairs of underwear
  • 2 pair padded cycling shorts (that I wore 95% of the time)
  • 1 short sleeve lightweight merino wool jersey (that I wore 99% of the time)
  • 1 complete merino wool baselayer, long sleeved shirt and full length pants (AKA, a total fucking lifesaver)
  • 1 long sleeve merino wool jersey
  • 2 pairs of cargo shorts (no, I don’t care that these are dad shorts; ride 200 miles in cutoff jean shorts and get back to me, hipster)
  • 4 pair of wool socks (that I doubled up on a morning or two)
  • 2 pair of gloves (in case 1 got wet)
  • 1 beanie
  • 1 cycling cap
  • 1 light rain jacket
  • 1 towel
  • a bunch of handkerchiefs
  • sunglasses

Kitchenware:

  • 1 pot for boiling water w/ lid
  • pour over coffee funnel w/ filters
  • esbit stove and 8 tabs
  • 1 silicone mat (2 would’ve been better)
  • titanium spork
  • 1 lighter
  • 3 Waterbottles (2 regular size, 1 large Nalgene)

Food:

There were stops along the way, so we knew we could carry a fairly light load in this department. This was mostly breakfast and road food. That being said, I still carried too much.

  • 1 box of instant oatmeal packets
  • 8 Kind bars
  • 1 large bar of chocolate
  • 1 small container of non-dairy creamer
  • 1 pound of ground coffee
  • 1 container of honey
  • 1 pack of beef jerky
  • 1 bag of cashews

Shelter:

  • 2 person tent, that I can fit my gear into. I’m actually looking to go a little smaller and lighter next time around
  •  3 season sleeping bag (again, looking to replace it, as it was a little too small to sleep in comfortably, not that warm and overly bulky)
  • Thermarest sleeping pad

Route GPS files (download these for your favorite GPS platform):

Shore-Footed Tour GPS