Gravel bike advice needed
Discussion
I think I want a gravel bike and am looking at using C2W to get it under £1k. I'm after doing some longer distances for a bit of variety that my trail hardtail isn't great for ('17 Whyte 901 FWIW). I've been using an old hard tail but the hubs and bottom bracket need doing and the fork now leaks. It's also a slog in a headwind and I think drop bars will offer more variety for hand position and wrist comfort.
I want comfort over speed and want a road going off-roader rather than a road bike that can do a bit of rough IYSWIM? And there are some killer hills here in the Purbecks, most of which I can grind my way up but one in particular that it's a case of trying to beat my high point before I walk. So I think I want a 2x drivetrain. I also want hydraulic brakes rather than mechanical.
The Boardman 8.9adv is an obvious choice, but I can't get excited about it for some reason.
The Sonder Camino seems perfect, but has a bewildering array of options. Sure they were on offer a few days ago though.
And then I spotted the Ragley Trig has a big discount, but looks a bit less comfortable and a lot more off road than the others.
And my LBS do Orra and Froome bikes both of which have options.
Too much choice!!
I want comfort over speed and want a road going off-roader rather than a road bike that can do a bit of rough IYSWIM? And there are some killer hills here in the Purbecks, most of which I can grind my way up but one in particular that it's a case of trying to beat my high point before I walk. So I think I want a 2x drivetrain. I also want hydraulic brakes rather than mechanical.
The Boardman 8.9adv is an obvious choice, but I can't get excited about it for some reason.
The Sonder Camino seems perfect, but has a bewildering array of options. Sure they were on offer a few days ago though.
And then I spotted the Ragley Trig has a big discount, but looks a bit less comfortable and a lot more off road than the others.
And my LBS do Orra and Froome bikes both of which have options.
Too much choice!!
They’re not as desirable as some of the smaller brands but both the Norco Search and Giant Revolt are good value bikes that come with 2x set ups and generally have good reviews. Both are available with alu frames - no idea on UK pricing but AU equivalent is around £1000-1200.
Full disclosure - I’ve had a carbon Search for over 7 years and a suspicion that a carbon Revolt may be my next bike - there’s little to touch it for the money.
Full disclosure - I’ve had a carbon Search for over 7 years and a suspicion that a carbon Revolt may be my next bike - there’s little to touch it for the money.
I test rode a Sonder Camino a while ago and it was awesome, ultimately didn't buy as I got a good deal on something else but yes there's a lot of choice!
Whatever you buy, even if you have to pay a touch more, I would make sure you have hydraulic disc brakes.
I have tried mechanical discs twice and they're no match for hydraulics.
Whatever you buy, even if you have to pay a touch more, I would make sure you have hydraulic disc brakes.
I have tried mechanical discs twice and they're no match for hydraulics.
Things I would look for:
tyre clearance- some bikes marketed as "gravel" only have clearance for 35mm tyres, you want 40mm minimum IMO.
bottom bracket- look for threaded BB, makes maintenance much easier, as gravel bikes often use road bottom brackets which don't have amazing sealing for heavy off road use in the British winter.
Decide what size wheels you want- I'd be going for 700c over 650b as they are slightly smoother offroad and it's expensive to change.
I'd be interested to know the weight of the Ragley- I bet it's fairly heavy. Combined with draggy offroad tyres it will end up being sluggish and hard work on road sections. I'd want something as light as possible unless you're going to be carrying loads of weight bikepacking.
"Gravel" is a wide spectrum though, from what are virtually drop bar mountain bikes, to road bikes with wide tyres, just comes down to what sort of mix of terrain you think you'll be riding.
tyre clearance- some bikes marketed as "gravel" only have clearance for 35mm tyres, you want 40mm minimum IMO.
bottom bracket- look for threaded BB, makes maintenance much easier, as gravel bikes often use road bottom brackets which don't have amazing sealing for heavy off road use in the British winter.
Decide what size wheels you want- I'd be going for 700c over 650b as they are slightly smoother offroad and it's expensive to change.
I'd be interested to know the weight of the Ragley- I bet it's fairly heavy. Combined with draggy offroad tyres it will end up being sluggish and hard work on road sections. I'd want something as light as possible unless you're going to be carrying loads of weight bikepacking.
"Gravel" is a wide spectrum though, from what are virtually drop bar mountain bikes, to road bikes with wide tyres, just comes down to what sort of mix of terrain you think you'll be riding.
Bill said:
I think I want a gravel bike and am looking at using C2W to get it under £1k. I'm after doing some longer distances for a bit of variety that my trail hardtail isn't great for ('17 Whyte 901 FWIW). I've been using an old hard tail but the hubs and bottom bracket need doing and the fork now leaks. It's also a slog in a headwind and I think drop bars will offer more variety for hand position and wrist comfort.
I want comfort over speed and want a road going off-roader rather than a road bike that can do a bit of rough IYSWIM? And there are some killer hills here in the Purbecks, most of which I can grind my way up but one in particular that it's a case of trying to beat my high point before I walk. So I think I want a 2x drivetrain. I also want hydraulic brakes rather than mechanical.
The Boardman 8.9adv is an obvious choice, but I can't get excited about it for some reason.
The Sonder Camino seems perfect, but has a bewildering array of options. Sure they were on offer a few days ago though.
And then I spotted the Ragley Trig has a big discount, but looks a bit less comfortable and a lot more off road than the others.
And my LBS do Orra and Froome bikes both of which have options.
Too much choice!!
You mention the Purbecks, so presume you're local to Dorset. Primera in Charminster Road, Bournemouth have gravel bikes from Cannondale (Topstone) and Orro, as well as the Merida Silex. Aluminium framed Silexes have been reduced in price recently and look to be "a lot of bike for the money". My eye is on a carbon fibre framed Merida Silex 4000, but that's a budget buster for you at £2195 currently. Seems to be the one bike in the Silex range that Merida aren't discounting (yet?).I want comfort over speed and want a road going off-roader rather than a road bike that can do a bit of rough IYSWIM? And there are some killer hills here in the Purbecks, most of which I can grind my way up but one in particular that it's a case of trying to beat my high point before I walk. So I think I want a 2x drivetrain. I also want hydraulic brakes rather than mechanical.
The Boardman 8.9adv is an obvious choice, but I can't get excited about it for some reason.
The Sonder Camino seems perfect, but has a bewildering array of options. Sure they were on offer a few days ago though.
And then I spotted the Ragley Trig has a big discount, but looks a bit less comfortable and a lot more off road than the others.
And my LBS do Orra and Froome bikes both of which have options.
Too much choice!!
If Primera aren't "your thing" then try The Forge Cycleworks up at The Furlong Centre in Ringwood. Mike and the team are great. Proper cyclists and it's my favourite shop in the area. They have the Merida Silex in stock too, along with being a Trek dealer so the Checkpoint is an option. All the Silex models I've seen are 2x drivetrains, at least this year's bikes. I'm looking for similar to you, I think. A decent gravel bike capable of the roughest stuff, including some singletrack so long as it's not jumps and tabletops, but easy going on roads too, to join up the trails. I'm not ready for 1x either. It would seem to be too compromised for what I want from the bike.
Weird bit about Merida? On their "top spec" aluminium framed Silex you can have 2x11 gearing (Shimano GRX600 stuff). On the carbon fibre bike (there's only one spec sold in the UK) you top out at 2x10 (mainly Shimano GRX400 components).
You've also got Bournemouth Cycleworks on the hill (A35) between Iford Bridge and Pokesdown. They sell Giant, and also Trek (I think), and have a few gravel bikes on the shop floor. Guardhouse Sports on Barrack Road in Christchurch have a few brands, including GT (the Grade), and prices looked OK there, with steel, ali, and carbon as options, but many of their in stock models were cable disc brakes. Possibly worth asking about ordering in higher spec models, though, after assessing frame suitability on a lower spec bike?
I'm waiting on the result of a compensation claim I've got going against a driver who knocked me off my bike before I can make a purchase. I keep looking online and in bike shops, even on ebay, and I keep coming back to that Merida Silex 4000...
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/3116/silex...
OP, I've ridden the Purbecks loop several times on my Crossbike, I have 2 sets of wheels as I use it to commute as well. One set had slicks with normal block and the other set has knobblies with an MTB block. I'm on a single ring as well and have no issues riding everything, even up to the monument near Old Harry. Could be an option for you?
That Trig is great value for money and with a steel frame, relatively relaxed geometry and 47mm wide tyres it is about as comfortable a gravel bike you can get at this sort of price. Those Sendero tyres aren’t the fastest rolling though, so after a few rides you might find you want to replace them with something a bit faster (Google some of the gravel bike tyre reviews for options), and although it has 1x gearing a couple of people I ride with, including one on a Trig, have both fitted 11-46 SLX MTB cassettes with no issues, so gaining easier climbing gears won’t be too much of a hassle if you find the 40-42 gearing a bit too much effort.
Good to see a couple of recommendations for the Sondero, I think that's the front runner. Although I've nearly bought the Ragley a couple of times because it's such a bargain (and available, looks great etc) despite the suspicion that's it's further along the on->off road continuum than is ideal.
*I'm trying to work out why, I have an embarrassing feeling it's the colours!
PomBstard said:
They’re not as desirable as some of the smaller brands but both the Norco Search and Giant Revolt are good value bikes that come with 2x set ups and generally have good reviews. Both are available with alu frames - no idea on UK pricing but AU equivalent is around £1000-1200.
Full disclosure - I’ve had a carbon Search for over 7 years and a suspicion that a carbon Revolt may be my next bike - there’s little to touch it for the money.
I can't find the Search over here, just the MTBs. And the Revolt is on the radar, although it's another one like the Boardman I struggle to get excited about.*Full disclosure - I’ve had a carbon Search for over 7 years and a suspicion that a carbon Revolt may be my next bike - there’s little to touch it for the money.
*I'm trying to work out why, I have an embarrassing feeling it's the colours!
lufbramatt said:
I'd be interested to know the weight of the Ragley- I bet it's fairly heavy. Combined with draggy offroad tyres it will end up being sluggish and hard work on road sections. I'd want something as light as possible unless you're going to be carrying loads of weight bikepacking.
Good stuff snipped, thanks, I've come to similar conclusions but good to have someone confirm my thinking. I'm not too concerned about weight (Which is possibly self defence so I don't wish I'd stretched to carbon fibre.), my last C2W purchase was a fatbike so anything is going to feel super light.
Fluffsri said:
OP, I've ridden the Purbecks loop several times on my Crossbike, I have 2 sets of wheels as I use it to commute as well. One set had slicks with normal block and the other set has knobblies with an MTB block. I'm on a single ring as well and have no issues riding everything, even up to the monument near Old Harry. Could be an option for you?
Crossbike? As in cyclo-cross?Sounds like your fitter than I am, that slog up from Ulwell round the back to the monument is the hill I'm thinking of. And the only time I've been out with someone on a 1x gravel bike I've ground my way past him when he failed on another hill, I think he's fitter than me but it might have been the lumpiness that bumped him off.
ETA I'm not completely averse to 1x, I assume the tech has moved on so an 11 speed gravel cassette has a wider spread than a 6 year old MTB one?? But I use the lowest gear enough to want it and can spin out on the flat in my hardtail (not the fatty, you can hear the energy being wasted!)
Edited by Bill on Friday 6th October 08:46
I also have a Camino that I built up from a frame.
It’s my winter bike and now sports full mudguards. I went self build as I wanted 2x
Does everything you could want of it.
I’d echo going only for hydraulic brakes….don’t waste your time with mechanicals.
The Sonder has massive tyre clearance, upto 2.1” IIRC, I tend to stick to GravelKings as a good all round tyre for mixed road/off-road riding.
Again, Sendero’s are great in sticky conditions but very draggy on tarmac.
I also have a more hardcore gravel bike, which tends to get ridden the most…
It’s my winter bike and now sports full mudguards. I went self build as I wanted 2x
Does everything you could want of it.
I’d echo going only for hydraulic brakes….don’t waste your time with mechanicals.
The Sonder has massive tyre clearance, upto 2.1” IIRC, I tend to stick to GravelKings as a good all round tyre for mixed road/off-road riding.
Again, Sendero’s are great in sticky conditions but very draggy on tarmac.
I also have a more hardcore gravel bike, which tends to get ridden the most…
Bill said:
Crossbike? As in cyclo-cross?
Sounds like your fitter than I am, that slog up from Ulwell round the back to the monument is the hill I'm thinking of. And the only time I've been out with someone on a 1x gravel bike I've ground my way past him when he failed on another hill, I think he's fitter than me but it might have been the lumpiness that bumped him off.
ETA I'm not completely averse to 1x, I assume the tech has moved on so an 11 speed gravel cassette has a wider spread than a 6 year old MTB one?? But I use the lowest gear enough to want it and can spin out on the flat in my hardtail (not the fatty, you can hear the energy being wasted!)
Yes mate Cyclo cross, gravel bikes are just relaxed versions. Same thing though drop bars and no sus lol. I'm not as fit as you may think, normally an overweight 50 Yr old lol. I changed the cassette to make my life a lot easier. I had a Colnago cross bike but the forks cracked so I bought a Cube cross race, brilliant bike. It was on sale at £1300, if you can stretch your budget and can find one I'd definitely recommend one. Sounds like your fitter than I am, that slog up from Ulwell round the back to the monument is the hill I'm thinking of. And the only time I've been out with someone on a 1x gravel bike I've ground my way past him when he failed on another hill, I think he's fitter than me but it might have been the lumpiness that bumped him off.
ETA I'm not completely averse to 1x, I assume the tech has moved on so an 11 speed gravel cassette has a wider spread than a 6 year old MTB one?? But I use the lowest gear enough to want it and can spin out on the flat in my hardtail (not the fatty, you can hear the energy being wasted!)
Edited by Bill on Friday 6th October 08:46
Bill said:
Crossbike? As in cyclo-cross?
Sounds like your fitter than I am, that slog up from Ulwell round the back to the monument is the hill I'm thinking of. And the only time I've been out with someone on a 1x gravel bike I've ground my way past him when he failed on another hill, I think he's fitter than me but it might have been the lumpiness that bumped him off.
ETA I'm not completely averse to 1x, I assume the tech has moved on so an 11 speed gravel cassette has a wider spread than a 6 year old MTB one?? But I use the lowest gear enough to want it and can spin out on the flat in my hardtail (not the fatty, you can hear the energy being wasted!)
My cross bike uses an 11-42 XT mountain bike cassette with a 42t chainring. I've not had any issues getting up steep stuff but depends how strong you are. Could swap to a 40t chainring. I like the simplicity of not having a front mech to worry about and gives more space for mud to drop through. Pros and cons to both setups.Sounds like your fitter than I am, that slog up from Ulwell round the back to the monument is the hill I'm thinking of. And the only time I've been out with someone on a 1x gravel bike I've ground my way past him when he failed on another hill, I think he's fitter than me but it might have been the lumpiness that bumped him off.
ETA I'm not completely averse to 1x, I assume the tech has moved on so an 11 speed gravel cassette has a wider spread than a 6 year old MTB one?? But I use the lowest gear enough to want it and can spin out on the flat in my hardtail (not the fatty, you can hear the energy being wasted!)
Edited by Bill on Friday 6th October 08:46
Bill said:
Good to see a couple of recommendations for the Sondero, I think that's the front runner. Although I've nearly bought the Ragley a couple of times because it's such a bargain (and available, looks great etc) despite the suspicion that's it's further along the on->off road continuum than is ideal.
*I'm trying to work out why, I have an embarrassing feeling it's the colours!
Having looked at the alu Revolts, it could be the colours PomBstard said:
They’re not as desirable as some of the smaller brands but both the Norco Search and Giant Revolt are good value bikes that come with 2x set ups and generally have good reviews. Both are available with alu frames - no idea on UK pricing but AU equivalent is around £1000-1200.
Full disclosure - I’ve had a carbon Search for over 7 years and a suspicion that a carbon Revolt may be my next bike - there’s little to touch it for the money.
I can't find the Search over here, just the MTBs. And the Revolt is on the radar, although it's another one like the Boardman I struggle to get excited about.*Full disclosure - I’ve had a carbon Search for over 7 years and a suspicion that a carbon Revolt may be my next bike - there’s little to touch it for the money.
*I'm trying to work out why, I have an embarrassing feeling it's the colours!
The colours used as you go up the price range so seem to make a difference.It could be that it’s just a Giant - and I get that. But I have bought four over the years - 2 mtb, 2 road - simply because they fitted me, looked OK, and were great value for money at the time. I’m still a brand snob and would prefer something a little boutique-y but I’m not rich enough for that to happen every time…
What are people's thoughts about this Vitus Substance??
Bill said:
What are people's thoughts about this Vitus Substance??
Decent spec for the price, available in all sizes too.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff