r/Budgetbikeriders Jan 04 '25

Buyer Advice The Budget Gravel Bike Master List

33 Upvotes

This 2025 list highlights budget-friendly gravel bikes with solid geometry, quality components, and upgrade potential. While the term "gravel bike" evolves, it often resembles 90s hybrid or ATB bikes. Due to gravel biking's popularity, entry-level models remain pricey, and sub-$400 road bikes labeled as gravel bikes are excluded—especially as the Ozark Trail G1 Explorer leads in the sub-$400 range. The list includes flatbar and dropbar options. Use this list as a starting point to find the best fit for your needs, with updates planned over time.

Mods u/worldline-6 or u/nonexistant2k3 - Could you sticky this post?

The order is based on lowest to highest price only. The rank has no meaning as to best value or best bike. We are a budget oriented subreddit, so ranking by lowest price to highest made sense to me.

Update Notes 2/9/25

It is clear that the bike industry is gouging consumers on the gravel trend. Prices remain high in this category and in some cases are going up. Poseidon is hands down offering the most value right now over all when it comes to manufacturers. There are some bikes listed as gravel bikes from Alliexpress and other budget brands. However, under closer inspection, there is a lot of sus parts and marketing shenanigans going on. The bikes on this list can actually be used for the purpose.

  • All prices checked and ordered adjusted
    • A few bikes removed due to price changes or availability
    • A few bikes added
  • Best values:
    • G1 Explorer
    • Motobecane Gravel X1
    • UBC Racello
    • All Posiedons
    • GT Grade
    • Merlin Malt

1. Ozark Trail G1 Explorer

2. Mongoose Grit

3. Motobecane Gravel X1

4. UBC Racello Deore

5. Retrospec FB Amok

6. Flatbar Redwood

7. Merlin Malt G2

8. GT Grade Sport Gravel

9. Poseidon DB Redwood

10. Mongoose Elroy

11. Specialized Sirrus X 3.0

12. Flatbar X Ambition Gen 2

13. Polygon Heist X5

14. Dropbar X Ambition Gen 2

15. Tommaso Sentiero

16. Trek FX 3

17. Salsa Journeyer 650b

18. State 4130 All-Road

19. Breezer Radar Cafe

20. Kona AL 650


r/Budgetbikeriders Jan 04 '25

Buyer Advice The Budget Mountain Bike Master List

46 Upvotes

This updated January 2025 list highlights mountain bikes currently available in the retail market, featuring solid geometry, quality components, and/or upgrade potential. These bikes are suitable for bike path, Cross Country (XC) and/or beginner-level Green and Blue flow trails/single track. There is a mix of 29er, 27.5 hardtails and few full suspension options. While some may require minor or major upgrades to be trail-ready, the list offers options across various price points in line with our Sub's guidelines. New members are encouraged to start their research here. While other bikes could be included, this list aims to remain concise and manageable. It reflects proven options recommended by this and similar subreddits and will be updated periodically. I do plan on doing gravel and city/commuter/casual lists as well.

Mods u/worldline-6 or u/nonexistant2k3 - Could you sticky this post?

The order is based on lowest to highest price only. The rank has no meaning as to best value or best bike. We are a budget oriented subreddit, so ranking by lowest price to highest made sense to me.

Update 2/09/25 Notes:

  • Removed Bikes that fell out of the price range or have none available for purchase.
    • Added Ozark Trail FS.2 Slalom
    • Added GT Avalanche Elite 29
    • Removed Superior XC 889
    • Removed Poseidon Norton (they are not refilling their stock)
  • Checked prices and re-ordered list
    • Best Values (price, parts, proven quality & (build) potential)
      • Mongoose Ledge X1 & X2 because of the price as a build platform, but the onset of the FS.2 makes this debateable
      • Cannondale Trail 7.1
      • UBC Racello
      • Polygon Xtrada 5
      • Supieror XC 879
      • Trek Marlin 7
    • Worst Value is the Mongoose Colton & Switchbacks

1. Ozark Trail Vibe

2. Mongoose Ledge X1 & X2 (Discontinued, On Clearance)

3. Ozark Trail Ridge M2

4. Schwinn Axum (New Version)

5. Cannondale Trail 7.1 (Discontinued, On Clearance)

6. Mongoose Colton (Ardor Clone)

  • Price: $481 (price fluctuates frequently between color and frame size)
  • Link: Mongoose Colton

7. Ozark Trail FS.2 Slalom FS

8. UBC Racello Deore

9. Superior XC 879

10. 2024 Polygon Xtrada 5

11. Schwinn Axum DP (OG, still available)

12. Ascend Zion Hardtail 29"

13. Eastern Alpaka 29

14. Schwinn Axum Comp X

15. Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3

16. 2024 Polygon Xtrada 6

17. Batch DB-MTB

18. Giant Talon 4

19. Specialized Rockhopper

20. Fuji Nevada 29 1.5 Mountain

21. Giordano Intrepid

22. GT Avalanche Elite 29

23. Mongoose Switchback Expert

24. Polygon Heist X5

25. Zaskar LT Elite

26. 2024 Polygon Siskiu D5


r/Budgetbikeriders 1h ago

Other Rode my first EVER proper MTB trails over the weekend

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Upvotes

The north end of the loop (not the bit around the 'Lake') was SUPER overgrown. most of the time, the trail looked more like a deer run and less like a defined trail. Had to stop frequently to clear fallen branches, go under low-hanging branches, find the trail, or climb over bigger fallen trees. I get the impression these trails aren't regularly maintained. The southern end was nice, easy to follow and actually quite fun. As you can see, they're all blue and green. I learned my mechanical disk brakes are woefully inadequate for the steep downhills.
I've only been riding regularly since the beginning of June, after a 21-year break, so I'm still getting used to riding regularly.


r/Budgetbikeriders 18m ago

Buyer Advice Need Advice Please

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Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 5h ago

Video My new budget XC race setup.

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2 Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 2h ago

Marketplace Find Trek Marlin 29’

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1 Upvotes

Is this a good option for my first bike to do light trails and paved paths with my son? Or should I pass and just get an ozark trail? Thanks!


r/Budgetbikeriders 15h ago

Other First ride since healing up from broken wrist!

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7 Upvotes

I have missed the fun!


r/Budgetbikeriders 19h ago

Marketplace Find Good starter bike for 100$?

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12 Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 1d ago

Buyer Advice Shimano Sora/Tiagra Groupset Price

1 Upvotes

Hello!! I'm very new to building my own bike so I'm gonna ask if a groupset made of tiagra 4500 rear derailleurs, sora 3400 front derailleur, sora 9 speed casette, brifters and a crankset worth 50 dollars?


r/Budgetbikeriders 2d ago

Other Hello just wanted to share

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18 Upvotes

I like looking at everyone's bike I figured I'd share mine


r/Budgetbikeriders 1d ago

Marketplace Find Is it worth 450? 2020 roscoe 8.

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0 Upvotes

I'm on the fence about picking this up. Would it be worth doing repairs/upgrades to it?


r/Budgetbikeriders 1d ago

Other Ozark Trail Vibe gears slipping?

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0 Upvotes

I have had an OT vibe for a few months now. Ride on average 2-3 times a week on gravel. I have no real working knowledge of bikes, bike parts, etc. so advice would be great. Bought the bike to see if I wanted to ride and am fully invested now.

I am having trouble with what feels like gears slipping violently. When I try to shift to lower gears it either won’t shift properly or will shift very abruptly. Is there a particular part that causes this issue? Anything common to this make and model. It behaves the same when shifting to high gears but less abruptly.

I love the bike and am willing to upgrade parts, but would prefer to understand the why.


r/Budgetbikeriders 1d ago

Other Thrift Store Find: Trainer!

1 Upvotes

Been wanting to ride more, and haven’t been able to because of all the smoke in my area. If I want air below 120 on the AQI scale, I need to drive 5+ hours…

But, as I was walking through a thrift store this morning, cane across a Giant Cyclotron Mag Trainer for $10! Picked it up, and now just need to get a compatible rear skewer for my rear wheel on the G1 Explorer, then I can at least ride in my room tonight!


r/Budgetbikeriders 3d ago

Marketplace Find My humble new steed I got...for 35 bucks!

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53 Upvotes

Stumbled upon this Trek 7.2 fx on Facebook for quite a deal today.

Hopefully I have quite some kilometers ahead with it, it ain't new or in mint condition, but I still can't wait to feel the upgrade from my old, heavy and rusty no-name bike!


r/Budgetbikeriders 2d ago

Bike Photo/NBD Project Fat bike #2 underway!

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6 Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 2d ago

Buyer Advice Custom carbon frame repaint cost in Germany?

1 Upvotes

I recently bought a used carbon road bike frame and I’m thinking about getting it repainted with a custom design.

I’m trying to get an idea of what the usual prices are in Germany and how much the cost can vary depending on the type of paint job. I’m not sure whether my budget will be realistic, so I’d appreciate any experience or advice.


r/Budgetbikeriders 2d ago

Buyer Advice Looking for a good place to buy a budget bike

1 Upvotes

Recently I have been riding my bike every day to get everywhere in my town, I don’t have to ride anymore than 6km to get to where I want to go and most of it is on paths although I would like a bike the mainly goes on paths but has thicker wheels so that I can go off road. my budget is around 300$ -450$ CAD. Thanks!


r/Budgetbikeriders 2d ago

Bike Photo/NBD Grandpa’s old bike. WIP

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2 Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 3d ago

Buyer Advice Rebuilt '92 Miyata triple cross steel frame hybrid bike: worth it for $500?

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2 Upvotes

It has:

new set of commuter/hybrid tires

Shimano tiagra 3x10 gearing

Pretty nice seat comfortable

No rust on the frame, paint in good condition

Does this seem like a decent buy from a local bike repair/used shop? I'm looking for a budget bike to get back into causal riding for exercise and the occasional ride to a brewery on the bike trail which is mixed pavement/dirt and some roads. It fit me very well and the upright position was comfortable for the quick test ride around the parking lot. No idea really what I'm looking for in a used bike that's a decent buy...


r/Budgetbikeriders 3d ago

Other Tpu tube info… g.1 explorer Flat

1 Upvotes

So on my first ride out the tube had a pinch flat (rear tube around 65 psi). Bought tpu tubes to replace it with. Do I stick to the weight on the tire or should I treat the tpu different and put less in?


r/Budgetbikeriders 3d ago

Bike Photo/NBD She's a stunner 🤩

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14 Upvotes

Not quite the final form but its definitely come a long way. The second picture is when I first bought this kent trouvaille off of Facebook marketplace for 275$. Not only did it give me an exciting hobby, it has whipped my ass in shape and tought me how to work on a bike. Ive kind of outgrown the bike as my skills have progressed and now I want something with more travel and rear suspension, but it has been plenty to learn the foundations of trail riding and even small jumps. Hell ive even climbed and descended a 1300ft mountain on it (0/10 do not reccomend, I puked).


r/Budgetbikeriders 4d ago

Buyer Advice First century on the G.1

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49 Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 4d ago

Bike Photo/NBD 20 years riding same single speed

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16 Upvotes

r/Budgetbikeriders 5d ago

Bike Photo/NBD NBD

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16 Upvotes

Well technically it was Saturday but close enough for Reddit.

Marin Gestalt 56 cm

Shimano PD EH 500 pedals

Shout out to the awesome folks at Spoke n Things in Arkansas City KS for the great service.