I'm Ready to Ride Gravel but I Can't Find a Bike - What Should I do?
You're new to gravel cycling. You're excited to get started. You're dreaming of all of your gravel adventures.
But there's one problem. You can't find a bike.
You're not alone, and unfortunately, 2021 is not shaping up to be a good year for buying a bike. (Don’t get discouraged - keep reading).
What happened?
Most bike brands tend to be like cars. They sell an annual model. The next year's model is released late in the previous year, and bike shops place their orders. Bike shops tend to plan their inventory seasonally (not many people buying bikes in the middle of winter in Wisconsin).
This means that bikes are pre-ordered for the following season, and bike companies place their orders based on their pre-sales and then other historical data and estimations. The bikes then go into production and, in a typical year, are delivered in time for the early season sales. Bike companies also order stock that they sell online, for special orders, or to fulfill reorders that come in throughout the year.
In 2020, the pandemic hit before most of the early season bikes were set to arrive. Many shops canceled their orders out of financial concerns.
But that wasn't the biggest problem. Every bike, even bikes made in the US, have some component that is manufactured in China. Factories were shut down for months, causing a backup in the supply chain.
In the spring of 2020, bikes became the new toilet paper. They were flying off the shelves, and shops sold out.
The supply chain is still incredibly backed up and even when shipments arrive in the US, COVID restrictions are creating delays in distribution.
All of this means bikes will be in short supply this year, and not only bikes, bike parts, trainers, etc. My bike shop owner told me that he believes it will be 2022 before the supply chain catches up.
So if you're dreaming of gravel and can't find a bike, what can you do?
Get a bike fit
This may sound like a weird first step, esp if you don't have a bike, but if you're looking for a gravel bike, you should know your exact measurements. They don't translate from brand to brand.
Find someone who has a dynamic bike fit process (a Retul or GURU bike). This might cost you a couple of hundred dollars, but you'll be able to use these measurements to dial in your bike once you get it. You'll also know the specific measures that you need. Watch our video with bike fitter, Chloe Murdock to learn more about bike fit specifics for women.
Talk to your local bike shop
Your local bike shop has already placed its order. Find out what they have coming in and when. If they have your size, you may need to go ahead and put a deposit down on the bike.
Don't be surprised if the order gets delayed. I've worked bike brands who were consistently delayed in the best of times.
Search online
Several bike brands are direct to consumer. Search their inventory. Keep in mind that brands like Trek or Specialized, which have online stores, will prioritize their dealers….so when inventory arrives, they will first stock their dealer and then fulfill online orders.
Buy Used
Facebook groups, stores that sell used online, craigslist, etc. are all good places to look for used bikes. I would also recommend posting in groups or forums, letting people know what you're trying to find. Often people have upgraded their gravel bike or have had a life change and just have a bike sitting in their garage with no one riding it. (sad face)
Get Creative
You don't actually need a 'gravel bike' to ride gravel. If you have enough tire clearance, you can convert a road bike to gravel. It may not be perfect, but it can get you started until bike supplies catch up. Take your bike to a good bike mechanic to see if you can fit a more rugged tire on to the current bike frame. It's worth noting is that you may not have the most fun experience on a very muddy course with a converted road bike...this is related to the tire clearance issues.
Don't wait
This is not your year to shop around and make a decision. Know your budget, know your size, and be ready to buy when you find a bike.
The same goes for any upgrades you might want to make to your bike. Supply chain issues will impact everything in 2021. Go ahead and start looking for components, tires, and anything else you might need for an upgrade now.
Don't let the bike back up discourage you. There are still options available. If you have a tip on finding a new bike in 2021, share it in the comments.