Best Bikepacking Bikes Under $1000 – 2020 Dropbar Edition

When you’re looking for the best bikepacking bikes under $1000 its easy to see how one might feel a bit overwhelmed with so many options. Luckily there are quite a few bikepacking bikes under $1000 that come with some good gear. Below is a list of the best bikepacking bikes under $1000 that I would consider, along with 2 honorable mentions for just a few dollars more.

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Tommaso Sentiero

First up on our list of the best bikepacking bikes under $1,000 is the Tommaso Sentiero has an aluminum compact frame combined with an SST steel fork for great durability. It’s backed up with Tommaso’s industry leading Lifetime Frame & Fork Warranty. This years redesign allows for wider 700x40c tires compared to their earlier version.

This budget gravel bike offers a 3×8 Shimano Claris Groupset, featuring a 30/39/50T Claris crankset and 12x25T Claris cassette. It has some generic tires with Tommaso TC-20D rims and equipped with Avid BB5 disc brakes. This bike would be great for someone who would like a good base to start with and can upgrade parts as needed, my first recomendation would to upgrade the tires to something like the Specialized Pathfinder Pros.

Raleigh Willard 2

If you’re looking to get away from it all on unpaved country roads or log serious mileage on the pavement, the Willard 2 just might be the bike for you. Made with geometry that inspires confidence when riding in the dirt, this versatile bike takes you where most road bikes can’t, but it also offers the flexibility to enjoy paved roads in comfort. Thru axles front and rear make for a more responsive ride.

The extra-wide Clement X’Plor tires are super grippy on gravel yet roll nice and smooth on pavement. Load up and go, even in wet weather, with built-in mounts for a racks and fenders, it could make for an excellent commuter bike.

Salsa Journeyer

The Salsa Journeyer is the brands entry level gravel bike option. As Salsa says, “The Journeyer provides features the cycling enthusiast is looking for to take on their first gravel race or their first ramble down that old ‘B’ road.”

Aesthetically this bike just works, there are several different builds and each comes with its own colorways. Riders say it’s comfortable on rough terrain with good traction, thanks to the wider 650b wheels. Three pack mounting eyelets on either side of the Fantail fork allow you to carry extra water or gear, or to run a low rider rack and panniers. The Journeyer also comes in two different tire and wheel combinations (700c x 37mm or 650b x 2.1″).

Breezer Radar

The Breezer Radar is one of my favorites on this list. This do-it-all bike might just leave you believing n=1. Equipped with 45mm WTB Riddler tires, wide-range gearing, rack & fender mounts and a compact geometry, the Radar easily covers rough roads and trails with ease. Whether it’s battling inner-city pot-holes or navigating mountain passes, the Radar is built for riders who don’t want to be limited by their bike when they go exploring.

Kona Rove

The new 2020 Kona Rove is their entry level and more affordable adventure bike option. Kona makes some really amazing bikes, with some rides in their lineup comanding $5,000 and more, it’s great to see them serving the market with a budget friendly option as well.

“The intention is in the name, as the Rove is the perfect bike to use as a wandering companion. Our most traditional drop bar offering, the Rove is willing to go the distance whether on pavement, dirt, or even gravel. Outfitted with Hayes mechanical disc brakes, and a wide gear range, the Rove is an affordable, road-ready steed.”

Here are 2 honorable mentions below for just a few more dollars.

Framed Bikes Basswood

Framed Bikes set out to make gravel riding more accessible with the all new Basswood Alloy gravel road bike. This alloy gravel rig mirrors most of the features found on the Basswood Carbon bike, just with a more digestible price tag. The 6061 aluminum alloy frame is available in 5 sizes to appeal to a wide range of rider heights.

The 142×12 rear thru axle frame can comfortably accept up to a 700 x 47 tire without any worry of rubbing. The bike comes standard with a thru axle carbon fork to smooth out all the rattle. All that is powered by a SRAM Apex 1×11 delivering simplicity, dependability, and precision. All that is held in check by a set of flat mount TRP mechanical brakes. This would be my top choice if my budget was looking for the best bikepacking bike under \$1,000.

Jamis Renegade

Jamis’ goal with the Renegade Explore was to design a frame that could handle on or off road conditions while maintaining a comfortable ride and they succeeded with this one. It is a overall amazing steed. It comes with 12mm thru axles, a carbon fork with 3 pack mounts, tubeless ready rims, and is even dropper post ready. You can’t go wrong with this choice.

Hopefully this list of the best bikepacking bikes under $1,000 helps you in your decision to find the steed for your next adventure.

If you find that some of these bikes are unavailable or know of some I should add to the list please let me know by clicking here and sending us an email.

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