This isn’t my normal bike. It’s not what I normally ride on, at least not until this point.
I’ve always written about, photographed and talked about mountain biking. It’s a passion more than anything else and has been such a benefit to my own wellbeing – both physically and mentally – as well as the most fun hobby I’ve ever had. And that’s what I class it as: a hobby. I’ve earned little bits of money here and there taking photographs of bike things but it’s not something that pays the bills. I’ve attended events on behalf of others, but it’s always been for a straight swap for something else; I’ve never been any sort of ‘professional’ within the mountain biking world.
With so much time and energy dedicated to mountain biking as a hobby, it was probably more obvious to others that I’d end up branching out into other areas of cycling. I certainly didn’t see it coming but it didn’t really surprise my partner when I told her I’d ordered a Calibre Lost Lad.
Over the last couple of months I’ve done more rides from my own back door than ever before and they were becoming a little bit of a pain. I’d either slog the mountain bike around or I’d go on the old road bike which, until recently, had just been a turbo bike. Whilst the Bronson isn’t a hard bike to pedal around on trails, it certainly isn’t made for roads or our flat bridleways. It goes but, it’s not easy to cover lots of miles in a short amount of time. The road bike is the complete opposite. It covers lots of miles in a short time but the tradeoff is comfort. I didn’t want to pedal that thing around, even with its speed, because I couldn’t put up with feeling every little bump in our not-so-well paved roads. I pressed buy on the Calibre Lost Lad.
It’s got so few reviews online that it seemed a bit of a gamble at the time. Of the few reviews out there, some said it was spot on for the money. Others said that the tradeoffs made to keep the price down would make it almost unrideable. I decided, for the reasonably price of £400 it was worth a punt. I hoped the higher volume tyres would provide comfort, whilst allowing me to cover more miles than my mountain bike. A compromise in both speed and comfort to become a bit of a Jack of all trades.
My first impressions are positive. I’ve been out a few times now and found that the gamble, at least for me, has paid off. There’ll be a proper review coming over the coming weeks, when I’ve had time to test further. At least for now, I’m happy with the purchase and, whilst it does shake you around on off-road descents, it’s both comfy and fast enough to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning taking in some of the Yorkshire Wolds. That’s something worth doing, at least for me.
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Looking to buy a gravel bike around the £500 mark which is tough to do at the moment! What was your verdict? Been reading mixed reviews on the lost lad. Can’t decide between this or the Voodoo Limba
Hi Alex! Honestly, I have nothing to compare it against so my thoughts are perhaps not the most meaningful. It is, however, very versatile and enjoyable. It’s a bit rattling (lack of carbon fork might be the culprit?) and the 2x on the front does my head in coming from a 1x mountain bike. Otherwise, it’s a wonderful bike that, for the price, has already allowed me to have so much fun and enjoyment.
now that you have had time to review it, would you recommend it? I am torn between this model and the calibre dark peak and the voodoo limba! As id be using this as a commuting bike with the odd bumble over some trails, would be nice to know if it is worth the £500 price tag?
Hey Tom! Thanks for dropping in. I’d definitely for the £500 price tag. I’m no expert on gravel bikes but, at that price, it’s a very fun bike and works a treat. The front derailleur is a bit of a nightmare after the cable stretches a touch but I’m just about there with readjustments now. Otherwise, it’s been a really versatile bike so far. The Dark Peak looks even more capable and, given my time over with it and now knowing how much I’d enjoy it, I’d probably go with that instead. This really was a punt at the time and I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy gravel. Turns out it’s loads of fun.
You are right that it is hard to find reviews of the Lost Lad online so thanks for your article. I was on the look out for a new versatile bike and was looking for a reasonably priced gravel bike to ride. During my investigations I came across your article.
I was not wanting a bike with a carbon fork. I knew this would likely result in a harsher ride, but I am on a budget and wanted a fork which instilled some confidence going over rougher terrain as I am well built.
Having read your article I went to ‘Go Outdoors’, saw the Lost Lad and bought it straight away as I felt it gave me the best bike for my needs and budget.
Some aspects on what the bike came with –
Fast rolling WTB Horizon 650B x 47C tyres which I found worked well on tarmac and hard paths. In addition the bigger volume of air gave some confidence given the state of the roads. On the downside as the weather turned on the approach to winter, it definitely struggled on wet grass and light mud. The tyres don’t appear to offer much by way of puncture protection and on my third journey out a very small piece of glass gave me a puncture.
Cable actuated Tektro Mira disc brakes fitted with a 160mm rotor, which I found offered adequate stopping capability, they appear to be a one piston caliper. I only had to adjust them after about 3 months of rides in (I do about 3 rides a week), probably due to a combination of the uneven wear on the pads, cable stretch and being surrounded by hills, but this was not something I was concerned about. I found braking on the drops is more effective than on the hoods, due to the amount of pressure I could pull on the lever.
I found the Shimano Claris shifter and derailleurs work well. I did have to adjust the rear derailleur after my first ride as it did slip gears under pressure but all works fine now.
So having had the bike a few months I have the following upgrades –
Added a wide anti-puncture strip to the inside of the wheel to protect against punctures. This has already stopped two potentials!. For a belt and braces approach I also replaced the inner tubes with some that contain sealant. I know it adds weight, but I got the bike for fitness and I am not racing.
Replaced the rear brake pads, the bike came with A10.11 pads and I replaced them with P20.11, compatibility for the pads I found here –
https://www.tektro.com/upload/Product/F_20170613131999DtkdK8.PDF
I have the following on order –
cyclo cross top bar (interrupter) brakes on order to give some more confidence on rougher ground braking when not in the drops.
Hutchinson Touareg tyres for both front and back wheels as I wanted a bit more grip on the rough without compromising to much on tarmac.
Keep up the blog Lewis!
Hey Jason! Thanks so much for putting your thoughts in the comments too! I have pretty much the same feelings after running it all year. I’ve not upgraded anything other than the bar tape yet. The lack of carbon fork does make for a harsher ride but it’s not unbearable, especially with the Fizik tape. You hit the nail on the head with everything else though. Thanks!
Hi, I’m looking into picking up an entry-level gravel bike and I’d be curious to know if you still rate this bike 3 years on and / or what you have picked up since?
I still like it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the most fancy of all gravel bikes but it’s been pretty bomb-proof in my experience. It does what it’s supposed to and I’ve been all over on it. I’d have no reservations about recommending it.
Ace, thanks for the quick response!
No problem at all! Enjoy whatever bike you end up going for!
I’m looking to purchase my first budget gravel bike for commuting at work.
My question is; is the bike strong enough to cover 22km per day four time a week?
I’m looking to purchase my first budget gravel bike for commuting at work.
My question is; is the bike strong enough to cover 32km per day four time a week?
Comment awaiting moderation.
Hi Renzo! Good question and I imagine it’ll depend on how well you maintain your bikes. I’ve yet to have any serious issues with the Lost Lad so I’d suggest it’s a good fit.
Hi Lewis,
Have no experience with gravel bikes as always have been a mountain bike guy but have recently come across the Electric version of Lost lad and quiet like the first look of it. Will be using it to commute to work and back 5-6 miles a day 5 days a week over canal and semi paved terrain.
I wanted to get any advice as you have experience with this. Think would def have to line the tyres for making them resilient for punctures.
Any comments would be much appreciated.
You could convert the tyres to tubeless to help with punctures. And I’d probably recommend upgrading the tyres if they still come with the Byways on – they’re not super grippy (especially on the wet). Otherwise, it’s probably well suited for that use.
The lost lad is currently about £200 cheaper than the dark peak – would you say the differences are worth the extra money ?
Ooh, tough question! For me, I’d go Dark Peak – purely for the 29″ / 700c wheel option. Don’t get me wrong, the Lost Lad hasn’t really had me struggling on much but I’d prefer the larger wheel over the 27.5 option currently on the Lost Lad. Couple that with the carbon fork on the Dark Peak and you’ve probably got a lot less chattery of a ride. Having said all that, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my Lost Lad (and continue to do so) and, especially for the cash, it’s been a very reliable and enjoyable bike.
I’ve had a my Lost Lad since September 2025, it has transformed my riding. I do a mixture of roads, footpaths and canal towpaths. The LL is so quick and efficient compared to my usual choice of MTB. The tyres are quite slick: fast on roads but not super grippy. I’ve had no punctures in 9 months of riding. The tyres are big so you can run them at 50psi for comfort, the ride is lovely, a bit lively over cobblestones etc. I got the bike for £300 on sale, it was an absolute steal at that price. The brakes have needed adjusting twice, thinking of maybe upgrading them in the future.
Bargain of a bike for that price! There are definitely other bikes out there that perform better, but for the money the LL is right up there in terms of value. Awesome to hear you’re having such a good time on yours.
I bought an XL size Lost Lad a year ago to get back into touring when I retired. I bought it because it was cheap, has a solid frame and lots of fixing points for racks etc. Changed the tyres to Continental Doublefighters for better grip on gravel. And fitted sealant filled tubes.
That summer took it 1600kms cycling from Normandy to the Mediterranean. Loaded with around 20kg of camping gear in panniers.
After 600kms the crankset needed replacing. Found a good bike shop in France who did that and replaced the brake pads with Shimano and tuned it up a bit. Has been a dream ever since.
Total cost £350 for the bike plus 100 euros at the France shop.
I’m not experienced with what a good quality £2000+ bike is like but for a rugged touring bike cheap enough not to get stressed over this has been perfect for me.
This year it has taken me 1500kms from Seville to Santiago and on to Bilbao in Spain. And just recently 500kms across Wales from Menai Bridge to Chepstow. All a mix of quiet roads and easy to moderate gravel.
Yes I am happy to push up steep hills. I’m not out to set records, just to enjoy exploring on a solid reliable bike at a steady pace.
I recommend it. Great value. Just expect to spend a bit upgrading some of the components with better quality when they wear out.
My only criticism now is I am 6ft4 and think a slightly higher stem for the bars would help. Think I might add a stem extender. Shouldn’t be a problem as my offroad is moderate gravel and the aluminium forks should allow decent torque on the extender bolts.
Hope the comments help.
That’s such a helpful comment if someone’s looking to buy. Thanks so much for adding it!
It sounds like you’ve been on some amazing adventures on it (and I’m very jealous!). Just goes to show: you can have heaps of fun on a ‘budget’ bike without having to spend thousands, doesn’t it?