The landscape of cycling changed dramatically in recent years. For a long time, a common refrain among cycling enthusiasts was that to get a decent new bike, you needed to spend a minimum of $2,000. Anything less, the narrative went, would be a compromise, filled with subpar components leading to inevitable regret. However, the winds are shifting, and that old adage is losing its relevance, especially when you’re looking for a Cheap Gravel Bike.
The recent boom in the cycling industry, fueled in part by global events, led to unprecedented demand and depleted bike shop inventories. Suddenly, everyone was searching for an affordable escape, and gravel biking emerged as the perfect outdoor activity. The question on everyone’s lips became: “Where can I find a cheap gravel bike?” For a long time, the answer was shrouded in industry woes and limited availability.
Enter Poseidon Bike, a direct-to-consumer brand hailing from La Habra, California, aiming to disrupt the market. Their mission is clear: “We want to change the tide of cycling by making high quality bicycles affordable for everyone.” This is a mission that resonates, particularly for those seeking an accessible entry into the world of gravel riding without breaking the bank.
The Redwood, launched in the summer of 2020, stands as a testament to this mission. It’s positioned as a robust evolution of their original gravel offering, the X. Poseidon’s entire lineup and website language suggest a focus on riders who are exploring their cycling preferences, seeking a versatile and adaptable bike. The Redwood’s very concept was inspired by the desire to recreate the appeal of 80s mountain bikes, often repurposed for drop-bar conversions, but in a modern, purpose-built package.
Priced around $950, the Poseidon Redwood is an aluminum gravel bike that packs a punch. It boasts disc brakes, thru-axles, and a component set that defies its “cheap” designation. Throughout a summer of riding, the Redwood sparked curiosity and intrigue from fellow cyclists on the bike path. Looking back to 2020, when inquiries about cheap gravel bikes flooded in, the Redwood would have been a top recommendation. While it might not cater to the most discerning gravel aficionado, it undeniably stands as a remarkably capable and affordable gravel workhorse.
Initial encounters with the Redwood evoke a mix of reactions. It’s a bike characterized by subtle trade-offs, small negatives balanced by significant positives, all overshadowed by its exceptional affordability and inherent versatility as a cheap gravel bike option.
Component Deep Dive: What You Get for the Price
Shifters and Brakes: microSHIFT Advent X and Tektro
The microSHIFT Advent X brifters (integrated brake and shift levers) initially presented a learning curve in terms of comfort. Riding on the hoods felt somewhat awkward. The lever reach angle felt a bit extended, requiring a downward pull that didn’t immediately inspire confidence. However, transitioning to riding in the drops changed the dynamic entirely. Control and handling improved noticeably, likely due to a more direct and advantageous angle for brake lever access. The plastic construction of the shift levers did feel somewhat basic in their mechanical action.
It’s important to acknowledge that acclimation is key with any new bike. Initial nuances often fade with time and familiarity, and this held true for the Redwood. While the brifters weren’t love at first touch, the cable-actuated Tektro brakes paired with disc rotors provided sufficient stopping power, even on moderately challenging singletrack descents. The choice of cable brakes is a key factor in keeping the Redwood at its accessible price point. Furthermore, for riders planning longer gravel adventures, cable brakes offer a practical advantage: they are generally easier to service and repair trailside compared to more complex hydraulic systems. For a cheap gravel bike intended for adventure, this is a thoughtful consideration.
Frame and Build: Aluminum and Durability
The Redwood, constructed from aluminum, wouldn’t be categorized as exceptionally lightweight for its material. However, it aligns in weight with comparable steel frames like those from Surly – and crucially, a new Surly frame alone can easily exceed the Redwood’s complete bike price. The Redwood conveys a sense of robustness that surpasses many competitors in its price bracket. The inclusion of internal cable routing is a particularly refined and unexpected feature, lending the bike an aesthetic that belies its cheap gravel bike status. This detail elevates its visual appeal significantly.
Handlebars and Handling: Adventure Bars
Poseidon equips the Redwood with their own Adventure Bars, featuring a 24° flare. These bars shine when descending steep sections in the drops, offering a comfortable and confident hand position. The handling leans towards stability rather than razor-sharp responsiveness, a characteristic enhanced by the Adventure Bars and a shorter stem. This is somewhat juxtaposed by the frame’s short stack and long reach geometry, which typically suggest a more aggressive, race-oriented riding posture. It’s an interesting combination, but it appears Poseidon aimed to create a bike that appeals to a broad spectrum of riders entering the gravel scene. The resulting handling is predictable and confidence-inspiring, especially beneficial for those new to off-pavement riding on a cheap gravel bike.
Wheels and Tires: 27.5 x 2.35in.
The Redwood rolls on 27.5 x 2.35in. tires as stock. These tires felt somewhat sluggish on paved surfaces when riding around town, but they truly came alive on dirt and gravel, delivering the traction and grip expected. Considering the steep trails and fire roads common in regions like the Rocky Mountain West, the 11–48T cassette paired with a 38T chainring felt somewhat limiting. On steeper climbs, the Redwood required more effort compared to a dedicated mountain bike with lower gearing. A wider gear range, perhaps through a double chainring setup, could enhance its climbing prowess, particularly for those tackling varied terrain. It’s essential to remember that the Redwood is positioned as a “gravel plus” bike; the voluminous tires shouldn’t mislead one into expecting mountain bike-level low-end gearing on this cheap gravel bike.
Riding Experience: Gravel Grinding and Beyond
For tackling the rolling gravel roads often found in places like the Flint Hills of Kansas, the Redwood would likely be an excellent match. (Though tire selection might need adjustment for that specific environment, as the stock Kenda Kadre tires might not be ideal for all conditions). The slightly extended chainstays contribute to enhanced stability at higher speeds, a welcome trait for fast gravel descents. Descending on the Redwood is genuinely enjoyable. Its comfortable and capable nature makes it a pleasure to ride across diverse gravel landscapes.
The Redwood also exhibits a forward-thinking design with regards to dropper posts. It’s pre-configured for a drop-bar dropper post setup, featuring internal routing through the downtube. MicroSHIFT even offers a left drop-bar brake lever with an integrated dropper lever within their Advent line, seamlessly compatible with the Advent X components on the Redwood. This compatibility adds another layer of versatility and future-proofing to this cheap gravel bike.
Upgrades and Considerations for the Redwood
With a few carefully chosen upgrades, the Redwood has the potential to become someone’s ideal gravel bike. A saddle upgrade and higher-performance tires would be impactful improvements. While the Advent X brifters are functional, riders seeking enhanced comfort might explore alternative options over time. However, the Advent X group set provides a solid foundation, bringing the bike remarkably close to a refined feel even at its affordable price. The rims are tubeless-ready, and converting to a tubeless setup is highly recommended to further enhance ride quality and puncture resistance on this cheap gravel bike.
One aspect to note is the paint finish. To maintain affordability, the Redwood utilizes a less robust paint application. Over several months of consistent riding, minor paint chips became noticeable, particularly around the headtube where cable rub is common. Investing in frame protection tape is a wise precaution to preserve the paint finish and aesthetics of your cheap gravel bike in the long run.
What truly distinguishes the Poseidon Redwood is its exceptional foundation as a gravel bike suitable for touring. While distinct in geometry, the Redwood evokes comparisons to the Salsa Fargo, another drop-bar touring gravel bike known for its generous tire clearance. Although the Fargo features a more upright geometry and suspension-corrected fork, both bikes share a similar ethos: built to confidently handle adventurous riding on varied dirt roads. Think of it as mountain bike DNA infused into a drop-bar gravel platform.
Equipped with triple mounts on each fork leg and eyelets for a rear rack, the Redwood offers ample options for carrying panniers and cargo cages. It’s clear that Poseidon designed the Redwood with adventure in mind. It possesses the robust feel to potentially tackle demanding routes like the Great Divide, provided the rider is equally prepared. Despite minor points for potential upgrades, the Poseidon Redwood stands out as an emphatic recommendation for anyone seeking a “good, cheap gravel bike.”
Poseidon Redwood Specifications (as Tested)
Price: $950
Sizes available: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
Size tested: M
Weight: 27.9 lbs. (without pedals)
Test Bike Measurements
Stack: 570.7mm
Reach: 384.4mm
Head tube angle: 69.2°
Head tube length: 138mm
Seat tube length: 520mm
Seat tube angle: 73.5°
Top tube: 537mm
Top tube (effective): 553.5mm
Chainstays: 440mm
Bottom bracket drop: 63.4mm
Fork offset: 45mm
Wheelbase: 1164mm
Standover: 807.7mm
Components
Frame: 6061 double-butted hydroformed aluminum, rack and fender mounts, bottle mounts (XXS: two, XS/S/M: three, L/XL: four)
Fork: 6061 aluminum, triple mounts, rack and fender mounts
Handlebar: Poseidon Adventure Bar, 24° flare, 31.8mm clamp, 460mm width
Stem: Hudski 50mm
Rear derailer: microSHIFT Advent X 10spd, clutch
Shifter: microSHIFT Advent X
Brake levers: microSHIFT Advent X
Brakes: Tektro MD-C550 mechanical disc
Rotors: Tektro 160mm
Bottom bracket: 73mm threaded, square taper
Crankset: Prowheel, 170mm, 38T
Cassette: microSHIFT Advent X, 10spd, 11–48T
Chain: KMC 10spd
Headset: Sealed bearing
Seatpost: Promax Alloy 31.6mm with 20mm setback
Saddle: Poseidon X
Hubs: Quanta, 100 x 12mm front, 142 x 12mm rear, thru-axles
Rims: 32h, Poseidon tubeless compatible
Tires: Kenda Kadre 27.5 x 2.35in.
Pedals: Platform
Gearing Range
38T Chainring with Cassette Cogs and Corresponding Gear Inches:
| Cog | Gear Inches |
|---|---|
| 11 | 95.2 |
| 13 | 80.6 |
| 15 | 69.8 |
| 18 | 58.2 |
| 21 | 49.9 |
| 24 | 43.6 |
| 28 | 37.5 |
| 34 | 30.9 |
| 40 | 26.2 |
| 48 | 21.8 |
Contact: Poseidon Bike, 529 Mercury Lane, Brea, CA, 92821, [email protected], poseidonbike.com
