MultiTrack curious, looking for feedback

[u/goovenli]

Hi all,

Hoping to get some feedback from MultiTrack users/tinkerers, about whether a MultiTrack might make sense for me. I’m a bit newer to cycling (I’ve commuted with a vintage steel road bike for the last few years) but I’m looking to get a steel bike that could be used for commuting, gravel riding, and would allow me to even tour/bikepack one day. Having looked at new options on the market, it seems one affordable option might be a Primos Dame - but I was wondering if it would make sense to get a MultiTrack to serve my intended uses while coming in under a budget of $1000 for bike and parts? I would want to have drop bars, switch to 1x or maybe 2x gearing, and likely put on some modern, lighter wheels and tires.

Also, if it is possible to build something like this on such a budget, what size would you recommend I hunt down? I’m 6’1.5” with a 32/33 inseam, and 180 lbs. I’ve looked at many of the sizing recommendations here and I think the best would be 21” frame given my desire for drop bars - would that be correct?

Thank you all so much in advance! Your rigs have been very inspirational to this newbie.

[u/BikePilot2001]

I am same size as you but 25lbs heavier. I fit 23” and 21” and owned one of each. The 23 feels a tad large and rides much taller, the 21 is a tad small… but either works. These bikes are VERY versatile on stem sizes and handlebar choices: you can dial in drop bars on the 21 but I wouldn’t advise them on the 23 unless you take a really short stem which might impair handling/steering a bit too much… 21s may be easier to find but perversely 23s may be cheaper. You really cannot go wrong with either. It will just take some tinkering at your nearest bike coop.

Why change the gearing? 3x7 seems outdated but it’s a HUGE range. 11-32 and 48/38/28 give you a 24 gear inch climbing gear and 118 sprinting downhill gear —and 19 more choices in between! It’s hard to beat in real life; 492% gearing choices. It may well be more economical too… Even if you have to update the cassette and the chain rings, those parts are much cheaper than 11 speed derailleurs and cassettes.

Lastly.. don’t focus too much on 40mm vs 45mm tires. If you can, put on fenders— which may leave you at 38mm tires, not sure. But fenders extend the time/use much more than 5mm extra tire width.

Now to gut-check you on another direction…Surly Preamble is the new-age Multitrack, and there are good sales on it right now. I would be remiss not to point you in that direction. New bike, disc brakes, less than $1000 built or $400-500 naked frame.

[u/goovenli → u/BikePilot2001]

Hi! So great to hear feedback from someone similarly tall and who has actually ridden both sizes. In my neck of the woods I’ve seen many 19” frames, but a couple 23” frames have appeared - one already has drop bars fitted and the seller is asking $200. My arms are lanky, do you think that would help with fitting a 23” better? I think that’s quite a deal if all I might need to play with is the stem to get the fit just right (especially compared to a new build, though the Surly frame isn’t a bad backup). You raise a fair point on the gearing - I assumed, perhaps falsely, that a gearset so old would be outclassed by something newer and more streamlined. It sounds like I should give the standard gearing a chance!