# Gravel bike suggestions for older but still adventurous father

**URL:** <https://community.escapecollective.com/t/gravel-bike-suggestions-for-older-but-still-adventurous-father/5955>\
**Category:** What to Buy\
**Tags:** gravel\
**Created:** [September 25, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/gravel-bike-suggestions-for-older-but-still-adventurous-father/5955 "2026-09-25T14:50:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Rick\_Swagler](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/rick_swagler/32/9249_2.png) [@Rick\_Swagler](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Rick_Swagler)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/gravel-bike-suggestions-for-older-but-still-adventurous-father/5955/21 "2026-09-28T01:38:51Z")

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I’m his age and would throw the Lauf Seigla in the mix. Rode mine in Girona this summer with 40s and it was fine on pavement and great on gravel.

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**Author:** ![Evan\_Estern](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/evan_estern/32/12728_2.png) [@Evan\_Estern](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Evan_Estern)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/gravel-bike-suggestions-for-older-but-still-adventurous-father/5955/22 "2026-09-28T12:46:10Z")

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I have a few older friends who are very happy with the Diverge, but honestly any of those bikes will be great. Tires make a big difference. I recently switched to SRAM Force XPLR 1X with a 38 tooth front chairing. I like it so much I’m getting it for the all road bike I’m speccing at the moment. I don’t miss 2x shifting or see any advantage to it for my usage, which is about the same as your father’s. SRAM Rival 1X is functionally the same, I think that comes on the Diverge Comp. It’s a little heavier and possibly less durable.

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**Author:** ![Eleri\_Morgan-Thomas](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/eleri_morgan-thomas/32/1294_2.png) [@Eleri\_Morgan-Thomas](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Eleri_Morgan-Thomas)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/gravel-bike-suggestions-for-older-but-still-adventurous-father/5955/23 "2026-09-29T21:50:47Z")

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I’m a 67 year old woman, so perhaps not qualified to comment on younger men’s cycling needs 😉 …

I ride a Bombtrack Hook EXT. It’s use it for random gravel riding, grocery shopping, cycle touring/packing with panniers, and have raced Devils’ Cardigan nationals on it as well.

It’s a 1\* SRAM groupset. It originally had aggressive MTB style 54 tyres on it (or something big). I’ve now moved to a more hybrid 48 tyre with a flat centre and knobs on the sides. Much better on roads and sufficiently robust to handle gravel with lower pressure.

The only thing I wish I had is a dropper post but may not have enough tube for that to happen (I’m very small). I never wish I have suspension on this bike. Probably would get a different bike for that.

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