Another 'what gravel bike' thread...
Discussion
With bike supplies getting closer to pre-2020 levels, even if the prices aren't, I'm looking at replacing my 2016 Norco Search Carbon. Its been a great bike, pretty much everything I needed from a gravel bike - stable, easy to ride, comfy on 4-hr stints, capable off-road and whilst not necessarily the sprightliest thing out there, was at least easy to keep up a good pace on the road once going. In 6-and-a-half years I've put around 18,000km on it, over a mix of terrain from smooth tarmac, to rocky singletrack, up b
d-steep hills then shooting down the other side at "AARRGGHH!!" km/h...
So, from that experience I've got a good idea of what I want from a bike...
Carbon frame
2x11 gearing - I use it on the road as well as off-road - current bike has Shimano 105 50/34 with 11-34 cassette, which suits me well and lets me keep up with roadies
Hydraulic disc brakes
Take at least 38c tyres, pref 40c - current bike is on 38c, would like to go a little wider but frame doesn't have clearance
Mechanical groupset only - no need for Di or equivalent
Budget is a nominal AU$4-5k, with inevitable creep...
Mainstream preferred just cos they're easier to get out here, so no boutique UK manufacturers please.
Current shortlist
Norco Search C - natch...
Specialized Diverge (though cant see if their carbon frames are 2x any more)
Giant Revolt(ing) Advanced - mate's just bought one and likes it a lot
Trek Checkpoint SL5
Cannondale Topstone 5
Would also consider buying frame-only and then add GRX groupset, and current wheelset. Would like an Open UP, but frame alone is nearly AU$5k...
So, what do we know or think of that lot? Any others to consider, or not think about further??
d-steep hills then shooting down the other side at "AARRGGHH!!" km/h...So, from that experience I've got a good idea of what I want from a bike...
Carbon frame
2x11 gearing - I use it on the road as well as off-road - current bike has Shimano 105 50/34 with 11-34 cassette, which suits me well and lets me keep up with roadies
Hydraulic disc brakes
Take at least 38c tyres, pref 40c - current bike is on 38c, would like to go a little wider but frame doesn't have clearance
Mechanical groupset only - no need for Di or equivalent
Budget is a nominal AU$4-5k, with inevitable creep...
Mainstream preferred just cos they're easier to get out here, so no boutique UK manufacturers please.
Current shortlist
Norco Search C - natch...
Specialized Diverge (though cant see if their carbon frames are 2x any more)
Giant Revolt(ing) Advanced - mate's just bought one and likes it a lot
Trek Checkpoint SL5
Cannondale Topstone 5
Would also consider buying frame-only and then add GRX groupset, and current wheelset. Would like an Open UP, but frame alone is nearly AU$5k...
So, what do we know or think of that lot? Any others to consider, or not think about further??
I’ve an aluminium topstone and it’s brilliant. Good geometry, lots of mounting points for bottles and stuff and decent wheel clearance - will take 650b wheels too. I feel no loss from avoiding carbon and it meant better components.
The carbon topstone uses (or used, maybe it’s changed) a weird offset proprietary pressfit bb which was one reason I avoided it. The aluminium one is a standard threaded bb.
The carbon topstone uses (or used, maybe it’s changed) a weird offset proprietary pressfit bb which was one reason I avoided it. The aluminium one is a standard threaded bb.
Good info, thanks, so I did a quick search which shows that as of early 2022 Cannondale dropped these proprietary items…
https://cyclingtips.com/2022/04/cannondale-announc...
Article also notes that a removable front mech mount is available to make Topstone Carbons run 2x set ups, which is a bonus to me!
https://cyclingtips.com/2022/04/cannondale-announc...
Article also notes that a removable front mech mount is available to make Topstone Carbons run 2x set ups, which is a bonus to me!
Went into my local Cannondale shop this afternoon. Stock still limited, but a couple of Topstone Carbons to look at - certainly v noice! However, owner dude was pointing me towards a SuperSix Evo SE for my type of riding - reckons it might be a better fit for doing the road bits I do. The problem is that requires an immediate 50% uplift of budget as it comes with AXS as standard, not mechanical bits. He did then suggest there might be other ways to do a deal - perhaps frame only, to which I'm not averse as I can then get a GRX groupset.
They also had a couple of Curve frames in there - which do look the nuts, but also carry an associated price tag - something like AU$5k just for the Kevin of Steel frame, and I don't fancy steel.
I've kinda given up on the Spesh Diverge - stock is way too patchy, and they seem pricey for what they are and kit levels.
And whilst there are only a handful of reviews available for the latest Norco XR C they all seem to be quite positive, noting nothing that I don't already know - which is nice cos its about AU$4.5k for the top spec one here.
Well, no rush - new cassette and chain on the current bike today, but frame does look a bit secondhand...
They also had a couple of Curve frames in there - which do look the nuts, but also carry an associated price tag - something like AU$5k just for the Kevin of Steel frame, and I don't fancy steel.
I've kinda given up on the Spesh Diverge - stock is way too patchy, and they seem pricey for what they are and kit levels.
And whilst there are only a handful of reviews available for the latest Norco XR C they all seem to be quite positive, noting nothing that I don't already know - which is nice cos its about AU$4.5k for the top spec one here.
Well, no rush - new cassette and chain on the current bike today, but frame does look a bit secondhand...
I’m 5000 miles / 15 months in to a Giant Revolt Advanced 2.
It’s been brilliant. I had a GRX 2x crankset / BB fitted at service at the service in June.
Nothing wrong with the Praxis Alba just wanted a matching group set.
Problems? One broken rear spoke (I’m a heavy rider) & the BB fitted in June seems to be creaking.
It’s a lovely bike. Sturdy & comfortable.
It’s been brilliant. I had a GRX 2x crankset / BB fitted at service at the service in June.
Nothing wrong with the Praxis Alba just wanted a matching group set.
Problems? One broken rear spoke (I’m a heavy rider) & the BB fitted in June seems to be creaking.
It’s a lovely bike. Sturdy & comfortable.
PB you seem to run your gravel bike the same way I do. Retaining 2x for maximum switch ability between on / off road. This gives you the best of both worlds imho.
As an FYI, a couple of guys in my club run cf Topstones, no major issues other than BB (BB30a iirc) wearing prematurely. Both added 650b wheel sets to be able to up the tyre size.
Of the other folks, one runs a De Vinci he bought as a frame set and added a Lauf fork to. Another runs a Trek Checkpoint ALR and there’s a couple of folks with Kinesis Tripsters (Ti).
I run a Cannondale Slate and have recently bought a Sonder Camino AL as a new winter bike / gravel bike lite.
One guy with deep pockets has bought a Lauf True Grit.
As you can see there’s no ‘right way” to do a gravel bike.
Certainly a Supersix Evo is one way of doing it (I have a oerchant for the Rapha frameset) and I’m sure you wouldn’t be disappointed, however if I was at “that” end of the market I’d be looking at a Surly or a Moots.
If you move away from cf, take a look at the Niner RLT, steel frame with some great features…
As an FYI, a couple of guys in my club run cf Topstones, no major issues other than BB (BB30a iirc) wearing prematurely. Both added 650b wheel sets to be able to up the tyre size.
Of the other folks, one runs a De Vinci he bought as a frame set and added a Lauf fork to. Another runs a Trek Checkpoint ALR and there’s a couple of folks with Kinesis Tripsters (Ti).
I run a Cannondale Slate and have recently bought a Sonder Camino AL as a new winter bike / gravel bike lite.
One guy with deep pockets has bought a Lauf True Grit.
As you can see there’s no ‘right way” to do a gravel bike.
Certainly a Supersix Evo is one way of doing it (I have a oerchant for the Rapha frameset) and I’m sure you wouldn’t be disappointed, however if I was at “that” end of the market I’d be looking at a Surly or a Moots.
If you move away from cf, take a look at the Niner RLT, steel frame with some great features…
Edited by wobert on Tuesday 18th October 16:06
Edited by wobert on Tuesday 18th October 16:07
I've just had an aluminium Topstone 1 and think it is a great bike. It helped getting 33% off!
I'm more of a mountain biker and did try a Cube Attain CF road bike a few years ago and just couldn't get on with it. I was sceptical of gravel bikes but did a 3 hour ride on Sunday and also finished work early today to do another 2 hours.
I'm more of a mountain biker and did try a Cube Attain CF road bike a few years ago and just couldn't get on with it. I was sceptical of gravel bikes but did a 3 hour ride on Sunday and also finished work early today to do another 2 hours.
Some good info, thanks…
Boardman - nope, not over here, which is a shame as it would fit into a good part of the market
Giant Revolt - still on the list, as Giant always seem to nail the vfm - my mate is loving his too
Topstone Alu - not sure I could go back to alu after so many years on carbon, but a Topstone is still def on the list
And Wobert - agree with lots there - no right answer indeed. A Supersix Evo SE would prob be just the ticket, but then at $7k I’m sure many bikes would be!
It’s easy to get swept up in the fun of shopping for new stuff that the reason gets forgotten - in this case it’s still a second bike, as the mtb is the main bike, and the budget needs to remain in place. There, I’ve said it now
Boardman - nope, not over here, which is a shame as it would fit into a good part of the market
Giant Revolt - still on the list, as Giant always seem to nail the vfm - my mate is loving his too
Topstone Alu - not sure I could go back to alu after so many years on carbon, but a Topstone is still def on the list
And Wobert - agree with lots there - no right answer indeed. A Supersix Evo SE would prob be just the ticket, but then at $7k I’m sure many bikes would be!
It’s easy to get swept up in the fun of shopping for new stuff that the reason gets forgotten - in this case it’s still a second bike, as the mtb is the main bike, and the budget needs to remain in place. There, I’ve said it now
I went for a ride and had a thought….as we all do…
I listen to a number of cycling themed podcasts when I travel, one is The Gravel Ride Podcast, setup and managed by an American who lives north of SF.
https://thegravelride.bike/
His co-host (Randall Jacobs) owns his own bike manufacturing company Thesis Bikes.
https://thesis.bike/
They make a CF gravel bike and ship pretty much anywhere. Randall is a bit of a nerd with bikes and cycling related stuff, so he would be able to advise sizing etc.
Maybe worth a look, as it pretty much ticks everything you’re looking for…
I listen to a number of cycling themed podcasts when I travel, one is The Gravel Ride Podcast, setup and managed by an American who lives north of SF.
https://thegravelride.bike/
His co-host (Randall Jacobs) owns his own bike manufacturing company Thesis Bikes.
https://thesis.bike/
They make a CF gravel bike and ship pretty much anywhere. Randall is a bit of a nerd with bikes and cycling related stuff, so he would be able to advise sizing etc.
Maybe worth a look, as it pretty much ticks everything you’re looking for…
wobert said:
I went for a ride and had a thought….as we all do…
I listen to a number of cycling themed podcasts when I travel, one is The Gravel Ride Podcast, setup and managed by an American who lives north of SF.
https://thegravelride.bike/
His co-host (Randall Jacobs) owns his own bike manufacturing company Thesis Bikes.
https://thesis.bike/
They make a CF gravel bike and ship pretty much anywhere. Randall is a bit of a nerd with bikes and cycling related stuff, so he would be able to advise sizing etc.
Maybe worth a look, as it pretty much ticks everything you’re looking for…
Oh. Didn’t know about these - US$1299 for frameset looks almost bargainous compared to many ‘deals’ out there at the mo. And the frame does look good, even if the actual construction is only mid-range. Nice choice of colours too - good spot, thanks I listen to a number of cycling themed podcasts when I travel, one is The Gravel Ride Podcast, setup and managed by an American who lives north of SF.
https://thegravelride.bike/
His co-host (Randall Jacobs) owns his own bike manufacturing company Thesis Bikes.
https://thesis.bike/
They make a CF gravel bike and ship pretty much anywhere. Randall is a bit of a nerd with bikes and cycling related stuff, so he would be able to advise sizing etc.
Maybe worth a look, as it pretty much ticks everything you’re looking for…
Mine is a Lynskey titanium frame with SRAM Force One.
I'd definitely consider looking at a 1x set up if serious about doing gravel riding. Mine has a 42 1x and a 11/42 rear, I use it a lot in winter as a road bike doing regular Condos.
I love the Lynskey, If I was speccing one now, I'd likely go for a Curve frame, or perhaps an Open.
I'd definitely consider looking at a 1x set up if serious about doing gravel riding. Mine has a 42 1x and a 11/42 rear, I use it a lot in winter as a road bike doing regular Condos.
I love the Lynskey, If I was speccing one now, I'd likely go for a Curve frame, or perhaps an Open.
I’ve got access to lots of fire trails nearby, but also use the bike for an equal amount of road riding, often mixing the two equally in a single, 2-3 hr ride. A 1x set up would get annoying on the road quite quickly - current 50T ring gets a lot of use with 11-34 cassette.
A 11-sp 48/31 set up with a 10-xx cassette is prob a good combo for me.
I’ve also got to remember that I spent big enough on my mtb, and things like Curve, Linksey and the aforementioned Supersix are out of reach for now. A budget of around AU$4-5k, which takes me to about GBP3k is prob what I can justify to myself, and I would consider myself to be pretty good at Man Maths… That still buys a carbon Topstone, Search, Revolt or a frameset plus group set.
A 11-sp 48/31 set up with a 10-xx cassette is prob a good combo for me.
I’ve also got to remember that I spent big enough on my mtb, and things like Curve, Linksey and the aforementioned Supersix are out of reach for now. A budget of around AU$4-5k, which takes me to about GBP3k is prob what I can justify to myself, and I would consider myself to be pretty good at Man Maths…
That still buys a carbon Topstone, Search, Revolt or a frameset plus group set.PomBstard said:
I’ve got access to lots of fire trails nearby, but also use the bike for an equal amount of road riding, often mixing the two equally in a single, 2-3 hr ride. A 1x set up would get annoying on the road quite quickly - current 50T ring gets a lot of use with 11-34 cassette.
Have you ridden a 1x? I've never got annoyed on the road, and have done plenty of 100km/32kph average rides on one.Julian Scott said:
PomBstard said:
I’ve got access to lots of fire trails nearby, but also use the bike for an equal amount of road riding, often mixing the two equally in a single, 2-3 hr ride. A 1x set up would get annoying on the road quite quickly - current 50T ring gets a lot of use with 11-34 cassette.
Have you ridden a 1x? I've never got annoyed on the road, and have done plenty of 100km/32kph average rides on one.I'll admit I've never ridden a drop bar 1x and would be intrigued as to what gearing you're using, and also the terrain you ride - if I did a 100km road ride around here it would probably include abut 1300-1500m climbing - lots of opportunity for using big top gears, but also needing those lower gears too.
I have looked at a 12 speed 1x set-up using a 46T and 9-50 (I think) cassette, which might work, but then I'm kinda tied to some very specific parts. I've nothing against a 1x set up, per se, 2x just seems an easier, more obvious answer to get the range I want without big gaps between gears.
Also, aside from having the chain dropped a couple of times inside the inner ring (now solved with a dogtooth), the front mech/rings set up hasn't provided any additional grief - its been pretty much set up and forget for over six years.
wobert said:
Another suggestion, Canyon Grizl?
Canyon doesn't seem to have a great reputation over here - the bikes are fine, but customer support for the arse end of the planet is a bit lacking if/when there's a problem.Also, they seem to have lost that value proposition they had when first starting - great bikes, with good kit levels, at a lower price because no selling overheads. When I specced a top end mtb a couple of years ago I ended up at the same price as a Yeti from my LBS, so went there instead.
I run my Kinesis Tripster with Rival 1x on road as a winter bike. For gravel I run an 11 speed 10-42 cassette with a 42 chainring and 650b wheels. On the road, I swap to a set of 700c wheels with a Shimano XT 11-40 cassette. I sacrificed the 10t sprocket that I never use for closer gears in the mid range, still with a very similar low gear to 34x32 on my 2x summer bike, and don’t find it a problem on the road.
I’d recommend running a gear comparison between your compact road setup and various 1x setups using an online tool like http://www.gear-calculator.com/ . I was surprised when I looked at which combinations I really used on my summer bike, avoiding crazy chain angles, and how well they mapped to my 1x setup.
I’d recommend running a gear comparison between your compact road setup and various 1x setups using an online tool like http://www.gear-calculator.com/ . I was surprised when I looked at which combinations I really used on my summer bike, avoiding crazy chain angles, and how well they mapped to my 1x setup.
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