So I currently have a Marin Gestalt, the very base model. I am looking to upgrade to a better bike. My trips are usually no more than two days and two nights. I'm still fairly new to bikepacking.
The two bikes that I have narrowed it down to at the moment are the
State Carbon All-Road https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/gravel-all-road-cross-off-road/products/carbon-all-road-black-ember-650b-700c
and the Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/checkpoint/checkpoint-alr/checkpoint-alr-4/p/41513/?colorCode=grey
I picked the ALR 4 over the ALR 5 because I think the 1x would be better for bikepacking. I am new and open to opinions and ideas.
Edit: clearly I am still undecided and know very little on the subject. What is the over all opinion on Cannondale topstone 1 or 2?
by Just_Brian_
3 Comments
While 1x is fantastic, you might find a 40t max rear cassette isnt a very low gear for carrying a loaded bike unless you don’t mind running quite a small front chainring and spinning a bit more at high speeds. Ideally a 1x set up you’d be running a 46t or 50t rear cassette for the super low gear if you ever need to climb something steep ish while loaded.
Edit: the state you linked is probably a similar type/level of spec to your gestalt just with a carbon frame. The groupset they use is a rebranded Sensah groupset which is an inexpensive Chinese groupset which reviews quite well but I wouldn’t be upgrading to one.
Get a carbonda cfr696
Before you start thinking about the next bike – what is it about the Gestalt that is making you want to upgrade?