Gravel Bike Frame or F+F only purchase….

[StuAff]

So far I've not managed to crack one carbon frame, two titanium ones, and five aluminium ones. Not tried not cracking steel yet.

 

[All uphill]

So far I've not managed to crack one carbon frame, two titanium ones, and five aluminium ones. Not tried not cracking steel yet.

I can help there, I've not cracked six or seven steel frames.

 

[Vantage]

Make a wish list of the parts that'll make up your bike and stick to it. That way the costs won't spiral too much.
As a 'gravel bike' you'll be wanting clearance for the inevitable muck that comes with so called gravel riding so I'd be looking at Surly's frames. Tough, no nonsense steel and lots of clearance.
As a Surly owner I'll admit to being a bit biased here

 

[sevenfourate]

Thanks for every and all suggestions ! I've made no headway so far on a Gravel bike. But of course being January - there are some sale / bargains to be had in terms of complete bikes. Pretty much listed below in order of interest / preference. Thoughts welcomed please ?

1. I've been looking at this for a while. I'm not sure theres a better spec available for the money ?? I really like this. Not sure how i've managed to hold off.

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes...SCiBSwv94qa_Yw5XIXTReCTxLYzydZMBoCwQoQAvD_BwE

2. This too looks pretty damned fine for the dough:

https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-b..._medium=Affiliates&utm_campaign=genieshopping

3. This is also a decent buy for the money.But such a rancid colour though. Literally:

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/gene...kC9dcZ2ofnr_5yY2ye4fK0BoCZdEQAvD_BwE#187=4581

4. And the last that interestes me.......

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/kine...DSkAfFBY7A3SKcKxWzBOjiRoCyXsQAvD_BwE#187=4533

 

[Jameshow]

How about an Orro

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/orro...JO7rmTFqxyL8TjQaArjWEALw_wcB#172=309&187=4593

 

[sevenfourate]

How about an Orro

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/orro...JO7rmTFqxyL8TjQaArjWEALw_wcB#172=309&187=4593

Looks lovely. Decent spec too. Only available in Medium size though......and i'm already at the large end of Large (So could never make do with a Medium) !

 

[All uphill]

It's great to see really good bikes at sensible prices again.

I had one of those Orros and it was a great bike.

They are all good bikes so I'd suggest going for the one that appeals to your eye - if it looks and feels good you'll get out on it more than a bike with a "rancid" colour.

Enjoy your bike shopping!

 

[Vantage]

Is shades of vomit a new trend in bike colours?

 

[sevenfourate]

Is shades of vomit a new trend in bike colours?

Its Caramel now - not 'soiled infant nappy'......

 

[All uphill]

You've started me idly thinking what I would buy in your situation.

It would have to be one of these:

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribb...YteP0sgjtyRdoDqKpFlKS1jYamNo7cwEaAkEWEALw_wcB

 

[sevenfourate]

You've started me idly thinking what I would buy in your situation.

It would have to be one of these:

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribb...YteP0sgjtyRdoDqKpFlKS1jYamNo7cwEaAkEWEALw_wcB

I’m literally minutes away from purchasing ! And you chuck this in the mix 🤣🤣🤣

Seriously - of course I’ve seen these and considered. Many many plus points ! And looks extremely fresh in Orange 😍

I do / did have a fairly big pre-requisite of a single chainring up front. Was also hoping for hydraulic stoppers in an ideal World…..

 

[chriswoody]

How you checked out Sonder bikes? really good value for money. There a little more than the bikes you have linked to, but for your money you can get Hydraulic brakes and 1x groupsets. Overall they are a much better package for the money. If you could really push the budget you could also get SRAM Rival 1 Camino, which is the groupset that I have on my gravel bike, but SRAM apex is also good.

 

[sevenfourate]

How you checked out Sonder bikes? really good value for money. There a little more than the bikes you have linked to, but for your money you can get Hydraulic brakes and 1x groupsets. Overall they are a much better package for the money. If you could really push the budget you could also get SRAM Rival 1 Camino, which is the groupset that I have on my gravel bike, but SRAM apex is also good.

Thanks ! 🙏

Gravel bike of the year; and bike of the year 2024 awards - aren’t accolades to be ignored ! Yes I’ve looked at the Sonder website as much as any 😁

Not owning a drop bar bike at all; the Burgamont appealed (My first choice and the one I’m sure I’m
going to purchase tonight or in the morning) as it’s more of an endurance / road geometry; with gravel capability. (Link below). I also love the full GRX spec, Hydraulic brakes and 1 x chainring.

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes...l-road-bike-2024-in-shiny-mirror-green__68722

……..As opposed to the Somder which appears from looks, blurb and geometry: to be much more gravel biased ? The thing about Suffolk; is we do have some nice trails. But also you have to do some, or even more tarmacadam miles to join them up. And if I fancy only doing some road miles on a drop bar bike - this bike (Whatever it turns out to be) will be my only choice.

It’s effectively the same ‘decision’ as we all used to debate / have to face when Green-laning on road legal, dual sport motorcycles……whatever traits you erred toward to make either Road or off-road ‘better’ - then detracted from the other. It a compromise of course.

And I think I’d like to err toward the slightly smoother / less radical terrain: or even tarmac. As opposed to overlapping MTB territory - one of which I already have.

Does that sound a sane ‘argument’ ?

 

[Jameshow]

What about ribbles ti gravel bike looks the business!! 🤔❤️

 

[chriswoody]

Thanks ! 🙏

Gravel bike of the year; and bike of the year 2024 awards - aren’t accolades to be ignored ! Yes I’ve looked at the Sonder website as much as any 😁

Not owning a drop bar bike at all; the Burgamont appealed (My first choice and the one I’m sure I’m
going to purchase tonight or in the morning) as it’s more of an endurance / road geometry; with gravel capability. (Link below). I also love the full GRX spec, Hydraulic brakes and 1 x chainring.

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes...l-road-bike-2024-in-shiny-mirror-green__68722

……..As opposed to the Somder which appears from looks, blurb and geometry: to be much more gravel biased ? The thing about Suffolk; is we do have some nice trails. But also you have to do some, or even more tarmacadam miles to join them up. And if I fancy only doing some road miles on a drop bar bike - this bike (Whatever it turns out to be) will be my only choice.

It’s effectively the same ‘decision’ as we all used to debate / have to face when Green-laning on road legal, dual sport motorcycles……whatever traits you erred toward to make either Road or off-road ‘better’ - then detracted from the other. It a compromise of course.

And I think I’d like to err toward the slightly smoother / less radical terrain: or even tarmac. As opposed to overlapping MTB territory - one of which I already have.

Does that sound a sane ‘argument’ ?

It's certainly sound reasoning, with gravel bikes you have a spectrum of bikes as you say, from drop bar MTB, through to slightly gnarly road bike. You certainly seem to have a good idea of the type of bike you are looking for.

Personally I'm always biased towards SRAM, I just find it much better than Shimano. My biggest puzzlement though with the Bergamont though is what groupset does it actually come with. The picture clearly shows a 1x set up bike. The blurb immediately below that mentions a 2x10 drivetrain, then the specs list an 11 speed cassette? I'm pretty certain though, it's the old Shimano GRX 1x 11 speed groupset, which is a generally a good groupset.

Personally I would find a 40t chainring married to a 11-42 cassette, far too much hard work. I have a 34 tooth chainring married to a 10-42 cassette which I find OK for most stuff, but then I do ride off-road a lot. For what you are planning it may well be fine, but be aware it hasn't got a terribly low climbing gear.