Budget Gravel Bikes Under $1,000 For 2024

[@fennec13]

I started riding drop bars (for gravel and adventure riding) from having ridden a flat bar MTB since the 1990s - on a 2019 Poseidon X - I built up a frame from them with a Sora 2x9 drive train and some TRP, HYRD hydro cable brakes and it was great, I put about 3,500 miles on it before I wanted to upgrade, mostly for geo reasons. I can never recommend Poseidon enough.

[@TysRides]

They seem like a great option for someone trying to get into the sport without spending a bunch of money. And the frames can be upgraded as people ride more and wear stuff out. The Redwood just seems like a bad ass bike for $1k. And it seems like it's on sale often. Right now, it's $750!!! Such a cool bike for that price. I love the way it looks too.

[@matthews300]

Great video. I don't have thousands to spend on a bike and would like something that's decent that I can get in an hour or two ride on without breaking the bank. This certainly has helped point me in the right direction. Thank you.

[@TysRides]

Absolutely! You are welcome!

[@VictorElGreco]

I have an older (pre-Ambition) Poseidon X, discounted to $699 when I got it, after the Ambition had come out. Excellent value, crisp drivetrain, just a bit wonky proportions. Fun bike for *light* gravel riding.

[@TysRides]

That's awesome. I have a buddy who has the same bike. He got it when he first started riding but ended up getting really into cycling and riding a lot. Like 6-7,000 miles a year. Eventually he needed to replace the brakes and wheels but the bike has been very good for him.

[@agentaech]

Excellent video. Forwarding this to my brother in law who might be shopping in the near future.

[@joeschmoe1301]

Outstanding job detailing budget bikes!!!

[@TysRides]

Thanks man! 🙌

[@georgekrpan3181]

Mercier Kilo GX R20 on Bikesdirect, $999. Reynolds 520 steel frame and fork, Shimano GRX 2x10 and GRX hydraulic discs, 700x40 Maxxis Rambler tires, fits up to 700x50 tires.

[@TysRides]

Pretty damn good deal.

[@georgekrpan3181]

@@TysRides Cheers Ty!

[@tonycroft6353]

Good content I recently bought my first gravel bike the specialized diverge E5...pleased with it apart from squeaky discs..thanks for comparison. Crofty

[@TysRides]

No problem! Enjoy that new steed!

[@SamD2000]

Speaking of Polygon, they have a new kid on the block that's worth mentioning. 2024 Tambora G4. Released second week of January and currently at $799, it's the closest competition the Poseidon X can get. Btw, thanks for the great video!

[@TysRides]

I will have to check that bike out. And thanks for watching! Bikes online actually emailed me yesterday and asked about sending me a demo to review. I said I was interested, so hopefully I hear something back soon.

[@rubenmoralesforte2376]

Great survey video! I Would love to hear your thoughts on that Tambora G4. It looks incredibly beautiful and capable. I'm really curious about how it compares to the Ambition X. Those are my two options as of now.

[@TysRides]

@rubenmoralesforte2376 I appreciate it! I will have to give that bike a look and maybe include it in a future video.

[@TysRides]

@@rubenmoralesforte2376 I think that is a newer offering from them. Looks sweet!

[@pandatactical4530]

Great job Ty, lots of good deals out there right now!

[@smokeycanuck8058]

FYI sir some of the Journeyers forks (such as my 650b Sora) are a Waxwing carbon fork :).

[@TysRides]

@smokeycanuck8058 thank you, sir!

[@TheCloser1]

Thank you for pink bike, I hope it’s better than the scam ridden marketplace

[@richardvaughn168]

As someone with a Checkpoint SL5 that so far has required a new rim, a new brake caliper, a new shifter/brake control and a re-epoxy of a chain guard I fell like quality is not aligned with price. I wish I had this video prior to buying my first gravel bike!

[@TysRides]

Yea and that's the thing. Stuff wears out and needs replaced on any bike. Most of these frames are going to be heavy, but most ppl not looking to spend a fortune aren't going to care about weight. These will get ppl into the sport, and they can upgrade as they wear stuff out.

[@fifthcircle1]

I'll be getting my kid into gravel this coming year. Definitely going budget for his first drop bar, but looking for a quality frame that is upgradeable for the next few years. Outgrowing the frame in 2-3yrs, then hopefully ge still likes riding. 😆 I bought my wife the Salsa Journeyer flat bar (microshift). I'm not super impressed with it at the price point. Axles and brakes are pretty limiting.

[@TysRides]

For a kid, that Redwood would be a pretty cool bike. I kinda like the aluminum options simply because they are lighter than the cheaper steel options.

[@vicsophios5892]

I actually would have bought the Salsa after test riding it as the geometry felt perfect for me. It was the mechanical hydraulic brakes that didn’t do it for me. I ended up buying a Bombtrack Hook EXT which wouldn’t fit into the price range of this video

[@daltonramsey9585]

Marin dropped the price on the four corners for 2024. It’s now $999. I think the four corners is a nice adventure bike and it has more mounts for this year as well. I just sold my 2023 to fund a GT Grade purchase, but plan to pick up a new four corners eventually.

[@TysRides]

Heck yea. Marin makes some cool bikes and they always seem reasonably priced.

[@daltonramsey9585]

@@TysRides my four corners served me well over the year I had it. I wish the drivetrain was different but it’s a great value. I think the TRP Spyres are awesome when setup correctly. I had them on my Raleigh Willard 3 as well. I have a larkspur too and I used to have a 2018 pine mountain with the rigid fork and a 2023 pine mountain. My 2023 pine mountain had some flaws from the factory and I think QC could be a bit tighter but I love steel frames and they offer some cool ones at decent price points.

[@drqazlop]

It's interesting to see bike prices being reduced. Poseidon also reduced their prices since this video was made just 3 months ago. It's really great for those of us on lower budgets who still wanna get out there :)

[@daltonramsey9585]

@@drqazlop agreed!

[@hendrikmintarno]

I use both Marin Nicasio and Polygon Bend R2 for different feel (Steel vs Al). Prefer the Bend R2 for more relaxed riding position

[@drqazlop]

Pretty interesting to see the Redwood regular price has been reduced to 850, with some colourways on clearance for less! I wonder if they're soon coming out with a new model

[@tevemullins8156]

Keep crushing it Ty!! Merry Christmas bro!!

[@TysRides]

Merry Christmas dude!

[@veganskillz]

Killer video brother 💪🏼💪🏼

[@TysRides]

🙌

[@Jamarkus_Delvonte]

Fun fact: many bicycles cost more than motorcycles.

[@iBike2Live]

Sad, sad, sad… 😢 but oh, so true!

[@Nak520]

@@wm9346no shit Sherlock

[@georgevavoulis4758]

Especially BROMPTON folding bicycle in Toronto Canada 🇨🇦 as much as use Vespa scooter

[@PRH123]

hmm, some bicycles at the top end cost more than the cheapest motorcycles

[@jusrelax159]

Cost more than my car....😢😢😢😮😮😮

[@drill_fiend1097]

What do you think is the most affordable gravel bike with fully hydraulic brake? So far, only ones I've seen are GT's offerings, Nukeproof Digger and Nicasio 2.

[@TysRides]

I'd have to do a bit of research, but there are some good options out there. Check out the recent video of value bikes I put out. There are some good options on there if I remember correctly.

[@laillosidgar]

polygon path x5, polygon bend r5 or bend r7, marin lombard 2 , marin gestalt 2.5, united gavriil, giant revolt 3. It's what cheapest bike (around $1000-$1500) with hydraulic disc brifter that available in my country (Indonesia) where polygon, marin, gt and some low -mid end shimano component was manufactured.

[@drill_fiend1097]

@@laillosidgar Lombard 2 sounds interesting and seems like aluminum alternative to Nicasio 2. But I can't find it anywhere in the US.

[@laillosidgar]

@@drill_fiend1097 if you more interested in all road style like nicasio/lombard, maybe check the polygon path x5 (but it's more relaxed geo than nicasio)

[@NZHarrySingh]

Great vid, thank you!

[@TysRides]

I appreciate it!

[@merlinrubyyoda]

Thanks for your video, good information.

[@TysRides]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@bennetthasty7886]

Great picks ❤

[@charlesmorschauser5258]

Aluminum forks have got to be a brutal ride

[@daviddenoncourt757]

My Kona Dew Plus with 47cc tires is quite forgiving even with an aluminium fork, might upgrade one day.

[@Mentalgraveltrip]

Kona rove st should be on the list

[@TysRides]

No doubt about that! I actually own a Rove st. I was trying to include some bikes I didn't mention in my previous budget gravel bike videos. I included the rove on a previous video.

[@Dremansworld]

Cheap bikes are more durable. I never had to replace cassettes until I bought more expensive lighter bikes.

[@TysRides]

Might be something to that, but I don't believe things like derailleurs and wheels are more durable on cheaper bikes.

[@JesseRSands]

My wife wants a bike for riding around the neighborhood with the kids and maybe a Beginner Trail a couple times a year. Should she get a entry level Gravel Bike or Entry level Mountain Bike? (I’m looking for something 1 level better than Walmart and Academy bikes) thanks!

[@TysRides]

Good question. If she is looking for something just to kick around the neighborhood and ride some light trails, you may just consider a hardtail mountain bike. Entry level hardtails are a bit more affordable than entry level gravel bikes too. Now, if she thinks she is going to want to do some road riding at a decent pace and she has goals of fitness, but still wants to ride some gravel or mellow dirt paths, a gravel bike might be the ticket. It's really all about what her goals are.

[@JesseRSands]

Thank you, that will help our decision process!

[@todd92371]

I'm hearing great things about the 250 dollar Ozark Trail gravel bike (green) at Walmart. I usually don't recommend Wal-Mart. But, I'm hearing these are actually a great deal.

[@TysRides]

@@todd92371 I've heard that as well. I need to get one and ride it.

[@tntalex28]

Bought a haanjo 3 from my bike shop last year, sure its heavier than a carbon fiber bike but hey, its less than a grand.

[@todd92371]

I have this bike and just love it. Upgrading it slowly. The frame is good.

[@deifor]

Hey Ty, question, unrelated to biking: are you a grappler of any sort? Wrestling, Jiujitsu?

[@TysRides]

Yea, I wrestled in HS and now I'm a high school wrestling coach. Currently in my 12th year coaching. Time flies!

[@torbal999]

Thoughts on triban rc520 road and gravel versions

[@TysRides]

I'll be honest, I don't know much about them.

[@torbal999]

Ok. It’s from a French brand decathlon

[@TysRides]

@@torbal999 I need to check it out!

[@christerlundgren3805]

😂 Gearfetich is not uncommon in the community. A heavy frame last longer, and cost less. Buy a entrybike, up grade bit by bit. Better group is due when entrylevel is worn out, carbon wheels makes it to another level, tires as well. Suddely you start dropping people. Had a 80's steel road frame and I dropped others with the latest chabang carbon bikes. Due to carbon wheelset. And thick forehead 😂 Pain was when it got stolen 😢😢😢

[@TysRides]

Definitely!!!

[@georgevavoulis4758]

Dutch cargo bicycles cost upto $18,000

[@LeoBell-lr6rj]

Do 650 travel fast

[@TysRides]

@LeoBell-lr6rj personaly I like 700c but 650 typically allows for a wider tire and are probably more fun for more rugged type of riding.

[@pawel98rc]

Where wtf is Romet Aspre & Kross Esker???

[@TysRides]

I wasn't aware of those bikes. Thank you for commenting.

[@georgevavoulis4758]

Nice video well done to the point and you're way too many bicycles cost way too much .

[@nick-dm3if]

Diamondback is not a very good brand, way to expensive for what they offer

[@patrickliew2222]

Please,Why you guys?

[@zacharyelgin6194]

You definitely need to spend 10k on a bike to have fun! LIAR!

[@TysRides]

For ppl who are reading this comment, don't listen. This guy is a LUNATIC!

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

How to buy a joke bike for under 1000

[@TysRides]

If someone can't afford to spend over $1k and wants to get into riding, why not?! But I agree if ppl are patient, they can find much better bikes used for around this price or just a bit more. Especially in this market.

[@todd92371]

Picked up a Haanjo 3. It's a great bike. We are riding these around 150 miles a week and it's so so nice to ride.

[@LeoBell-lr6rj]

If that's all you have it's not a joke bike,a joke bike the Ozark trail

[@iimv]

Wow .. i always put price rnge from 10k and above a d order by price descending. Wa always under the impression that bikes under 10k are garbage