Beyond the right fit: Buy your used gravel bike with the right components
Yes, it seems like the whole world has gone gravel, with gravel bikes now common on local trails and replacing road bikes in many cases. The best gravel bikes marry the speed of a road bike with the durability of a mountain bike, enabling you to do a huge variety of things with just one bike.
But just what features are best for you? When choosing a gravel bike, it's essential to consider several features to ensure you get the best ride experience. This blog will guide you through the critical features to look for in a gravel bike, helping you make an informed decision.
The frame is the backbone of your bike, affecting its weight, durability, and ride quality. Gravel bike frames are typically made from aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium.
Gravel bike geometry influences handling, comfort, and stability. Key geometric features to consider include:
Tire clearance refers to the maximum tire width a bike frame can accommodate. Gravel bikes typically offer clearance for tires between 35mm and 50mm. Wider tires provide better traction and comfort on rough terrains but can be slower on smooth roads. Consider the type of terrain you'll be riding on and choose a bike with appropriate tire clearance.
Gravel bikes generally come with either 700c or 650b wheels.
The drivetrain includes the crankset, chain, cassette, and derailleurs. Gravel bikes come with either 1x (single chainring) or 2x (double chainring) drivetrains.
Gravel bikes typically feature disc brakes, which offer superior stopping power and performance in various conditions compared to traditional rim brakes. There are two main types of disc brakes:
Versatility is a key feature of gravel bikes, and having various mounts for accessories enhances this. Look for bikes with mounts for:
Gravel riding can be demanding, and comfort features play a crucial role in reducing fatigue and enhancing your ride experience.
While not as common as on mountain bikes, some gravel bikes feature suspension systems to improve comfort on rough terrains. Your main option is a:
Confused? What does the perfect bike look like for you?Durango Outdoor Exchange has a wide selection of bikes, including gravel bikes and bothmountain and road bikes that can be converted to gravel bikes. Stop by, squeeze the brakes, and talk to our pros about what is best for you.
When it comes to outdoor sports, a quality jacket can make all the difference between comfort and misery. Whether you’re hiking, skiing, climbing, running, climbing, or simply out and about nature, a jacket serves as your first line of defense against the elements.
That said, there are a LOT of jackets out there, in different styles, materials, weights, and weather proofness. How do you know which is best for you? We put together this guide to help you sort out what jacket you need and when you should whip it out.
Keep in mind that these jackets can be ridiculously expensive, and buying a ski jacket, rain jacket, puffy, light puffy, and a wind jacket new can easily mean you run up a tab of $2,000 or more. What’s the solution? Qualityused gear in Durango from Durango Outdoor Exchange.
It’s snowy and cold, but you want to get out. Downhill skiing is too expensive and backcountry skiing is too difficult. What’s a happy medium? Snowshoeing.
Think of snowshoeing as hiking in the snow, but you can traipse across deep snow and go where there are no trails. You only need basic equipment to get started and it you have ever skied then you probably have most of it already. Here’s a primer on where to go and what to bring. Oh, and when it comes to gear, save money buy buying used gear in Durango from Durango Outdoor Exchange.
Maybe you’ve seen other telemarkers carving beautiful turns on the mountain, maybe you are looking for a new challenge, or maybe you want to really work those quads–either way, getting into telemarking is fun and challenging.
Telemark skiing is a blend of Nordic and alpine skiing that combines the grace of cross-country with the thrill of downhill turns. Central to this style is the telemark binding, which allows the heel to lift, enabling a skier to lunge gracefully through turns.
Ready to pick up some telemark gear? Here’s some great news: Unlike downhill bindings, telemark bindings don’t get put on indemnified lists, meaning there is no set age at which they cannot be mounted. This meansbuying used telemark gear can be a great deal.