Gravel Bike - Upgrade or replace?
Discussion
in 2023 I bought a Boardman 8.6 gravel bike via cycle to work. I do a lot of mountain biking, but this was my first foray into dropped bars and didn't want to spend too much money in case I wasn't a fan.
Two realisations:
1) Good fun, see the appeal
2) The Boardman 8.6 has terrible components, especially for someone who has high quality MTBs. The FSA chainrings are a weird size and they were knackered after about 5-600km. Bearings were gritty from new, and the (cable disc) brakes really aren't confidence inspiring.
My question - is it worth upgrading (ideally replacement groupset, inc. move to hydraulic brakes, new bottom bracket and try to re-pack the wheel bearings), or should I just buy a second hand replacement of higher spec?
The bike itself was fine, but the components really let it down.
Two realisations:
1) Good fun, see the appeal
2) The Boardman 8.6 has terrible components, especially for someone who has high quality MTBs. The FSA chainrings are a weird size and they were knackered after about 5-600km. Bearings were gritty from new, and the (cable disc) brakes really aren't confidence inspiring.
My question - is it worth upgrading (ideally replacement groupset, inc. move to hydraulic brakes, new bottom bracket and try to re-pack the wheel bearings), or should I just buy a second hand replacement of higher spec?
The bike itself was fine, but the components really let it down.
It is worth waying up the cost of upgrade Vs the cost of say buying a better spec new or used bike.
Like you I got the equivalent ADV 8.8 a good few years ago on the C2WS. But I upgraded the drivetrain and wheels pretty much from the get go. Then later on I added 105 11spd hydro brakes as Merlin had the on deal.
When I eventually sold the bike, the only thing left original was the frame/fork and front mech. They are good bikes though and upgrading it made it more enjoyable to use and lighter too. Especially with better wheels/tyres. I think I covered over 10k miles with mine over all kinds of terrain. Even crashed it at 15 mph on a diesel covered corner (thanks farmer!) taking out 2 friends at the same time. Flared bars were bent slightly and replaced those, but the frame and fork etc were all ok.
If you do decide to upgrade, fitting hydro brakes is easy as most of the cables are externally routed. Unlike most modern carbon bikes.
Like you I got the equivalent ADV 8.8 a good few years ago on the C2WS. But I upgraded the drivetrain and wheels pretty much from the get go. Then later on I added 105 11spd hydro brakes as Merlin had the on deal.
When I eventually sold the bike, the only thing left original was the frame/fork and front mech. They are good bikes though and upgrading it made it more enjoyable to use and lighter too. Especially with better wheels/tyres. I think I covered over 10k miles with mine over all kinds of terrain. Even crashed it at 15 mph on a diesel covered corner (thanks farmer!) taking out 2 friends at the same time. Flared bars were bent slightly and replaced those, but the frame and fork etc were all ok.
If you do decide to upgrade, fitting hydro brakes is easy as most of the cables are externally routed. Unlike most modern carbon bikes.
I just purchased a new ADV 8.9 for a bit of gravel riding over the winter. Specifically went for this for the hydraulic brakes/GRX and good reviews. Halfords are selling the older year model at the moment but only in size M. With a British Cycling discount I got it for £890. Many on eBay are looking for nearly this second hand, so just went down the new route.
Mr Scruff said:
in 2023 I bought a Boardman 8.6 gravel bike via cycle to work. I do a lot of mountain biking, but this was my first foray into dropped bars and didn't want to spend too much money in case I wasn't a fan.
Two realisations:
1) Good fun, see the appeal
2) The Boardman 8.6 has terrible components, especially for someone who has high quality MTBs. The FSA chainrings are a weird size and they were knackered after about 5-600km. Bearings were gritty from new, and the (cable disc) brakes really aren't confidence inspiring.
My question - is it worth upgrading (ideally replacement groupset, inc. move to hydraulic brakes, new bottom bracket and try to re-pack the wheel bearings), or should I just buy a second hand replacement of higher spec?
The bike itself was fine, but the components really let it down.
My wife has an Orro gravel bike that was supplied with cable operated discs. I felt these were borderline lethal, with very little stopping power. While there's no doubt hydraulic brakes are preferable, we didn't want to spend that much to fix it, so I ended up fitting better pads and crucially, compressionless brake housing. This latter makes a MASSIVE difference. The braking on her bike is now perfectly acceptable.Two realisations:
1) Good fun, see the appeal
2) The Boardman 8.6 has terrible components, especially for someone who has high quality MTBs. The FSA chainrings are a weird size and they were knackered after about 5-600km. Bearings were gritty from new, and the (cable disc) brakes really aren't confidence inspiring.
My question - is it worth upgrading (ideally replacement groupset, inc. move to hydraulic brakes, new bottom bracket and try to re-pack the wheel bearings), or should I just buy a second hand replacement of higher spec?
The bike itself was fine, but the components really let it down.
Thanks for all the replies, appreciated.
Am very much torn - wife thinks I should upgrade what I have, as she knows I enjoy a project. Problem is I’m really looking new groupset (plus brakes) and likely wheels too. Getting on for £1,000 which is a lot of money.
Problem is that I don’t see much on the used market at less than that in the spec I want. Take on board comments about better pads in the brakes but to my mind hydraulics are essential as enter winter.
More to ponder…
Am very much torn - wife thinks I should upgrade what I have, as she knows I enjoy a project. Problem is I’m really looking new groupset (plus brakes) and likely wheels too. Getting on for £1,000 which is a lot of money.
Problem is that I don’t see much on the used market at less than that in the spec I want. Take on board comments about better pads in the brakes but to my mind hydraulics are essential as enter winter.
More to ponder…
Now if It had been the 8.9 I'd have said upgrade. I know from experience those bikes with a few simply upgrades can hold there own against bikes costing 3K upwards. For the 8.6 though, its not worth it due to the pov spec groupset and aluminium fork. I'd keep it as a winter hack or sell it.
If you do buy a new (or 2nd hand) bike and you are intent on upgrading, in order of priority look for:
1. Best fit
2. Best frame
3. Best groupset
Then upgrade wheels and tyres first, later depending on your usage look at leccy groupsets or other supporting tech like power meters etc..
If you do buy a new (or 2nd hand) bike and you are intent on upgrading, in order of priority look for:
1. Best fit
2. Best frame
3. Best groupset
Then upgrade wheels and tyres first, later depending on your usage look at leccy groupsets or other supporting tech like power meters etc..
I have these calipers on my Apex mechanical gravel bike....been a great upgrade.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Juin-Tech-Hydraulic-mount...
TRP offers something similar, and they have automatic pad adjustment which the Juin Techs don't which might be more useful.
https://trpcycling.com/products/hy-rd
It might also be worth taking a look at Microshift Sword groupset as an alternative to the big two, as I have their Advent kit on my kids MTB's, andAdvent X on my full suss and so far so good as far as reliability and performance is concerned.
https://www.microshift.com/products/groups/sword/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Juin-Tech-Hydraulic-mount...
TRP offers something similar, and they have automatic pad adjustment which the Juin Techs don't which might be more useful.
https://trpcycling.com/products/hy-rd
It might also be worth taking a look at Microshift Sword groupset as an alternative to the big two, as I have their Advent kit on my kids MTB's, andAdvent X on my full suss and so far so good as far as reliability and performance is concerned.
https://www.microshift.com/products/groups/sword/
Edited by Pablo16v on Tuesday 1st October 08:09
I ran BB5 cable discs for a while and managed to set them up well so they worked, however they needed adjusting every 30 miles which was a pain in the arse. I was going to upgrade to BB7s but found the TRP calipers ( https://trpcycling.com/products/hy-rd ), they are a brilliant upgrade and work very well, not as good as full hydraulic set up but 100% better than my BB5s were.
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