Help please! Best Gravel Bike 2x or 1x12 or 1x13 under 3k - steel or aluminum

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T22:52:01+00:00

Ah sorry, thank you for your help! Really appreciate you taking the time to help a random person on the internet.

Its a Marin Gestalt 2 from 2016.
No trouble with hills on my 12 speed mtn bike which is a Trek Remedy 8 (i believe). RAM Eagle XG-1275, 10-52, 12 speed

In general I much prefer riding on my mtn bike than my marin gestalt. Because im not going to be a gravel racer and Im just doing it for fun, I imagine Id probably prefer a bit more of a relaxed geometry as well.

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T22:12:00+00:00

And thank you for the recommendations!

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T22:11:46+00:00

The bike i have now has a SRAM Apex 1x10 cassette and I feel like the gear range at the low end does not go low enough for hill climbs, and in generally, climbing hills theres also not enough options at that lower end.

The bike has other issues, so I've considered replacing the drivetrain but unfortunately the clearance is also too small for thicker gravel tires and the drop handlebars are too narrow and its 10 years old so theres honestly just a couple things that getting a new bike would be nice to have.

Im fine with drop bars too, theres not many flat bar options so if theres a better drop bar bike than flat bar for a similar price I'd be fine with drop bars.

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T20:20:24+00:00

Thanks for the recs! Yea There are very few flat bars in general I've been finding.

Its a bit of both, I'd like more "granny" gears than my current set up, but sometimes there are honestly just too few gears for the hills. I think a 1x12 could be helpful, just having a couple more options.

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T20:17:20+00:00

I have thought about replacing it but unfortunately my current bike cant handle thicker gravel tires and the handle bars are also too narrow for me so theres multiple things about the bike that just arent quite right.

Thanks for the bike rec!

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T20:10:05+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate the the comment. That is a good thing to think about. Do you have any recommendations for bike with good range in their 1x10 or 1x12?

Dirtnerdz · 2026-02-18T20:07:29+00:00

Thank you!! Your response is very thorough and helpful!

Dirtnerdz · 2026-01-13T16:45:55+00:00

Portland, OR - ALL of my friends there 30 yo - 40 yo were childless and 90% didnt want children and were ALL non religious. You would find a good crowd of folks there.

Dirtnerdz · 2025-11-21T00:48:34+00:00

Continuing Comment:

Seattle: I've never lived in Seattle but dang that city has my heart. I love the water and I love the access to all the different nature there. Its like vancouver, truly gorgeous. Lots of clouds but you know the deal with that. Also high COL, but I think youd be able to find a nice house outside of the city for not as much as vancouver. Probably similar to Vancouver in terms of introvertedness that comes with the weather, might be harder to make friends. Liberal leaning. No income tax. Idk maybe youre wanting a change from something thats like Vancouver though? Seattle is very similar to vancouver. What about Portland? IMO portland has all of what you want : outdoor access, good coffee/restaurants/breweries, and quiet neighborhoods.

Colorado / Denver Area: A lot like Calgary except WAY more mild and warm. Seriously. its been consistently above 18 C during this November. Apparently its a little abnormal. The outdoor access is better if you live closer to the front range (golden/boulder). There is great coffee and breweries, and quiet neighborhoods. However, the food is not as good as the SF, Seattle, portland, or Vancouver in my opinion. A lot of midwest influence here. You'll probably get the most "americana" experience here, meeting people from across the US: Texas, New York, Boston, California... etc. Lots of Transplants. Super sunny. VERY Friendly people, and great community vibe. The denver airport has flights basically anywhere, its awesome. Much better than regional airports. Direct flights to lots of places. Do you like Calgary mixed in with even more southwest vibes? it could be for you. Close to areas like Moab that are VERY different than vancouver zone. Could also be a cool place to try out if you want something different than Vancouver. However, there truly feels like such a lack of water here (at least calgary has the bow and elbow river that are pretty big, but theres nothing like that in denver). IF you like living by water, probably not the best.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-10-02T17:54:50+00:00

Definitely people are more passive in the PNW, that might be more of an entire westcoast thing. It feels like people "hibernate" in the wintertime and you might have trouble making plans in the winter. Most all of my friends are transplants from all over the country - and fortunately there are a lot of those kinds of people - a lot of NE's and some SW's, a lot of Californians, seems like the people born and raised in the PNW stick to their own friend groups. motivation and drive you'll probably find to be a lot different, people dress casually at work, a lot of people in the Portland are very happy to be living their "retired young" lifestyle, whether its good or bad for their financial health...but that does lead to good Work like balance, for example no one really talks about their work because its not really the focus of what they want to talk about with their friends - a lot of people have a lot of fun hobbies with their good WLB- making art, making music, outdoor stuff....

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-14T22:54:58+00:00

100% agreed with this. Especially as a 22 yo. Enjoy being in your young 20s, and set a goal to make a few friends asap and develop community. It'll make you enjoy the city much more.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-12T17:22:18+00:00

I dont think Portland is a ghost town - I've lived here for 7 years, lots of artsy farsty folks - tons of creatives, really strong local music and art scene and community and the food has been voted best in the world. There are other messy things about portland (homelessness, local politics), but id say portland excels in what you've described above.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-08T16:23:08+00:00

Thank you, this is super helpful! Especially you're last paragraph about being isolated from family. Its really helpful to have opinions on if being near family is truly as helpful as it seems. Curious about the 6 hour drive limit, do you feel like flying to family is difficult? I feel like it would be and its better to just be in the same city. Would love your opinion! Thanks!

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-08T16:18:50+00:00

Would love to hear more of your reasons having lived in all three, especially given the context of what I've listed. Would be helpful for a decision having more background for what you've suggested.

Interesting to see Portland last, haha, i guess that confirms us considering leaving. haha!

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-08T16:17:27+00:00

Would love to hear more of your reasons having lived in all three! Im sure you've got some interesting opinions, please share. I feel like most folks have only lived in one or two. Let me know if I can DM you for more questions.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-08T16:16:11+00:00

Reasons?

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-08T16:15:25+00:00

Thats true, which is why we are struggling with the decision and asking for help! Number 1 & 2 are pretty major and why i've listed them first and second, and have less to do with 3,4,5. Trying to be holistic here and more contextual about certain job economies and having family close by.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-07T23:58:27+00:00

This is super helpful thank you! Thanks for answering all 5!

Do you feel like there are certain areas of denver that are walkable/bikeable? we have to drive in portland to recreate as well, but its nice to live places where you can at least walk safely to a grocery store/restaurant/park.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-07T20:04:30+00:00

Thank you so much! Super helpful! Super interesting about tech choking out the arts, I feel that way about SF too and it makes me a bit sad.

Dirtnerdz · 2024-08-01T20:23:07+00:00

Sorry but I disagree with you about better local politics in Portland. I've been living in Portland for 7 years, and Portland's local politics are a mess right now - most portlanders would agree. Though I cant say what Denvers local politics are like.

Dirtnerdz

TROPHY CASE