@jesserinyu will be hosting a bike camping talk at UBB in West Philadelphia on February 3rd.
Register for the event here.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Budget Gravel/Adventure Bike
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
Under Your Nose
There is a lot of writing about adventures in far away places, using only the finest of bicycles and camping equipment.
This is not that kind of writing.
Currently, I live in North Philadelphia. Philly has many virtues, one being some noteworthy and well used mountain bike trails. However, this isn’t about that either. This particular article, much like this blog, is about finding the hidden treasures and carving out something from the routine, easily forgotten or taken for granted.
Off Richmond Street, is a small network of singletrack that is really nothing special, though its paths hide some truly great concrete ruins (e.g. fertile graffiti grounds), as well as a wharf. Mostly, the locals and a few homeless are the only ones to take advantage of this, and honestly, the on-going construction probably makes it seem inaccessible to the casual observer. It’s a pretty fun little ride. How many MTB trails do you get to see street artists at work, as well as a place to get some sun near the water?
The equipment I used for this short adventure: The Gravity Deadeye 3” fatbike, converted to a 1×8 configuration (more on how to do that, and a review later). The photos for this entry were shot with a Samsung NX100. The reason I mention all of this is… none of this equipment is unattainably expensive. In fact, one could have a substantial adventure using little more than this and that’s the point. Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” I think there is true nobility in that idea. This blog, while it will certainly review items and offer “how to” articles, will hold to one philosophy over all others: Run what you brung.
Totally Bike, Much Awesome 