Looking for an All-rounder Gravel/Cyclocross

[Leeb]

Hi Folks, looking for another bike - got a road bike so been searching for an all-rounder for circa £1,000. Been scouring the net for ages and visited a few bike shops.

So I'm wanting a bike that's going to be comfortable on long days in the saddle with some reasonable zip on the road but with capabilities for gravel, trails and the potential of being shoved down rooty woodland trails now and again. Not asking for much really.

Narrowed it down to these:

Planet X = Tomac Montezuma Adventure/Gravel for £999 (was £1400). Carbon frame, SRam Rival Groupset, Avid BB7 Mech Disc. This is the Viner Strada Bianca frame but with different kit. 9.45kg
Evans = Was fairly interest in the 105 CAADX at £799 but was put off by the Promax brakes.
Halfords =£799 Boardman CX Team, SRAM Rival 1x11, full SRAM Hydraulics. 10.1kg
Peak Cyclosport = ORRO Terra Gravel for £999, 105 Groupset, TRP Spyre Disc, Prologo and 3T finishing KT. 9.1kg

From what i can gather the Boardman and CAADX do what they say on the tin - competent Cyclocrossers, but 3 to 4 hours plus on road and gravel..??

As for the Tomac, i have read the Viner review on BikeRadar which wasn't great, .however the bike looks great and has good spec for the money i want to pay.

The only bike i haven't seen in the flesh is the ORRO, however it looks awesome online and I like the fact it is a British built frame, however there aren't many reviews online which shed much light on its capabilities.

Any thoughts or experiences of these bikes would be welcomed.

 

[kalniel]

Think the Orro is reviewed here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/orro-terra-gravel-road-review-50512/

Your selection sounds like it contains slightly more off-road bikes (Boardman, CAADX, Tomac) or slightly more on-road (Orro) so your choice could come down to which you'll be spending more time riding or at least having to do some tyre changes off the bat (Orro + bigger tyres or Boardman + smoother would be good starting points).

I'd also throw in for consideration some from Genesis:
vapour-cx-20
vagabond
and the classic croix de fer 20

The vapour is the only one as light as your selection, the others 1-2kg more but you get the comfort of steel on them. Vagabond looks really tough if those trails are hard (but weird shifters!!), and the croix de fer probably nicest if you do a lot of road miles, but strong enough for the odd woodland trail.

 

[ozboz]

Look at the Merida range,
Not bad at all

 

[Nibor]

for comfort don't disregard the Planet X London Road very comfortable and capable off road

 

[ianrauk]

That Orro is big bang for your buck.

 

[dr snuggles]

I've just bought the orro terra gravel (special edition with the sickly green colour, discus wheels and hydraulic discs) and basically it feels like a road bike with all the benefits of bigger clearance for wider tyres, pannier and mudguard mounts . Just started commuting on it but early impressions are really good. Excellent value for money. I paid £1100 but I've seen the standard edition for £900 online and if you look at what you're getting for your money it's well good value.

 

[Leeb]

I've just bought the orro terra gravel (special edition with the sickly green colour, discus wheels and hydraulic discs) and basically it feels like a road bike with all the benefits of bigger clearance for wider tyres, pannier and mudguard mounts . Just started commuting on it but early impressions are really good. Excellent value for money. I paid £1100 but I've seen the standard edition for £900 online and if you look at what you're getting for your money it's well good value.

I've only seen the bike up at £999, with the TRP Spyre, did you get full hydros ? I like the look of the green colour. I'm hoping to visit an independent Bike Shop tomorrow to have a look at the ORRO.

 

[Leeb]

Look at the Merida range,
Not bad at all

I had a look at the Merida Ride 500 CX, looks like a relaxed geometry with potential as an all-rounder. A bit wary of the additional brake levers, i've read that this has an effect on the overall stopping power when using the main brakes on the hoods. A mate has the Ride 93 and loves it.

 

[vickster]

You could remove the cross levers and get it recabelled? Lbs should do for you

 

[S-Express]

The only bike i haven't seen in the flesh is the ORRO, however it looks awesome online and I like the fact it is a British built frame,

The frames are not 'british built', as such. They are sourced from Taiwan / China, but that shouldn't matter either way.

 

[ozboz]

I had a look at the Merida Ride 500 CX, looks like a relaxed geometry with potential as an all-rounder. A bit wary of the additional brake levers, i've read that this has an effect on the overall stopping power when using the main brakes on the hoods. A mate has the Ride 93 and loves it.

I looked at them , but have decided to go with a Road Disc one , a bit more suitable for my purposes , Merida are involved with Specialized some how ,

 

[Oldfentiger]

I looked at them , but have decided to go with a Road Disc one , a bit more suitable for my purposes , Merida are involved with Specialized some how ,

I was told that Specialised frames are made by Merida.

 

[Venod]

I had a CAADX and your right the Promax brakes are a weak point but can be improved by fitting linear cables, the CAADX was a good bike but I got knocked off it and replaced it with this

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/show-us-your-titanium.56645/post-4376382 post #589

It will bust your £1000 budget but worth it, I did 100+ on it a few week since with a lot of off road, very comfortable, I think 100 on the CAADX would have left me shattered

 

[S-Express]

I was told that Specialised frames are made by Merida.

It doesn't matter who they are made by, in all honesty

 

[Oldfentiger]

It doesn't matter who they are made by, in all honesty

I was told this by a LBS, who are a Merida stockist.
If it's true, then it reinforces my impression that Merida are a quality manufacturer, so in that sense it does matter.
Why do you say it doesn't matter?
Not looking for an argument - just curious.