You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I am in the process of a looong fitness journey, at the moment I ride an old 2nd hand Voodoo mtb. I've changed a few bits and bobs on it but I'm not even convinced it's the correct size for me.
I am at the moment mainly riding on roads I live on Dartmoor and have ventured a little off road but I enjoy covering distance with the odd gravel track between tarmac (well thats the aim). I have promised myself a new bike when I hit my first weight goal (fingers crossed in the summer). To that end I think I'd like a gravel bike I'll still be heavy but hopefully be capable of more distance.
My budget will be sub £1k not huge I know but that's all I'll have, any reccomendations please folks? I have a couple in mind Marin Nicasio1, Boardman adv 8.6 but would be open to suggestions and or advice.
Dave
I bought a pinnacle arkose 2 two years ago and I think it's a great bike for the £750 I paid for it. I have fitted a win wing and found a suitable pannier rack. I changed the bars for some flared versions which are ok, I needed the extra width up top but I rarely use the flares and they occasionally get caught in narrower anti motorbike gates.
Hopefully it'll last me several more years with the occasional wear and tear replacement part.
I'd be tempted to stretch the budget a bit or go second hand and get the Boardman 8.9. hydraulic brakes are an expensive future upgrade.
But if you're requirements are fixed, then the Boardman is a good base bike. That's what I started with.
Merlin have some good deals on gravel bikes at the moment, but the Felt line seem particularly good value and around your budget (no personal experience of these though).
https://www.merlincycles.com/gravel-bikes-75268/?brand=felt
Sonder al Camino is a great, neutral handling frame with 50mm clearance if you can get one either new or second hand. Definitely go hydraulic brifters if you can. Night and day better than cable discs
Before buying anything look at gearing. Gravel bikes often have much higher gearing than mountain bikes. So you might need to budget for a chainset swap. Lots of good suggestions above for bikes. But non of them would have Dartmoor gearing for me. Thinner, fitter folks who be fine with the bikes stock. I of course have no idea what gears you need
I have a Boardman ADV 9.0 and as far as my limited knowledge of gravel bikes go, it seems decent to me 
Second the advice to stretch the budget for hydraulic brakes. So much better than cable brakes.
https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-breed-30-grx-gravel-bike-boxed-bike-316151.html
Hell of a lot of bike for the money, was tempted to buy for the parts then sell the frame.
Edit: Pjay beat me to it!
Thanks I'll keep an eye on sales and try to pick something up with hydraulic brakes.
Dave
Before buying anything look at gearing. Gravel bikes often have much higher gearing than mountain bikes. So you might need to budget for a chainset swap. Lots of good suggestions above for bikes. But non of them would have Dartmoor gearing for me. Thinner, fitter folks who be fine with the bikes stock. I of course have no idea what gears you need
@cookeaa @ampthill good points about gears especially when loaded up and hitting the hills.
With regard to the Felt Broam and Breed 30's can anything be done cheaply to improve the lowest gearing for hills ie 30t front and 34t on the Shimano 12 speed HG cassette?
A 36t cassette should fit fine but, I'm asking for a mate, is there a lot more that could be done without forking out for a new drive train?
I suggested he could/should have bought a 1x Camino with the 10-51 Cassette, but that just resulted in a filthy look!
I agree with the hydraulic brifter brake sentiment noted above.
Trp spire cable pull brakes on the pinnacle I own. No issues with them as I smash out the canal towpaths and old railways! 😉 They even work when hammering down the local roads nearing 50mph.
At the point of riding off road with my pals on their embts I just have to remember that I'm riding a road bike with bigger tyres and there will be points where I need to take my time rather than trashing the gravel bike.
I road my Pinnacle with cable brakes for years. The front was fine. The extra cable run to the rear add the cable being angled up meant the rear was poor. It was fine after new cables then slowly went then hill. But most days it wouldn’t lock the rear wheel.
All solved with an expensive shift to hydraulic brakes.
That bike has 10 speed Tiagra drive train. I run an 11-36 casette at the back and a 38 26 up front. Spa cycles will build a chain set with any ratios you want for £70 i think. 11 speed will take a 11 42 cassette
i know less about 12 speed but there is a 10 45 casette i think
This article may help
https://road.cc/content/feature/how-get-ultra-low-gearing-gravel-bike-adventures-246424
My thought on gearing was to go for 2x as I thought 1x wouldn't have the range I'd need for hill climbing. It's interesting that there's no particular manufacturer to look at. Am I better off sticking to Shimano and Sram rather than microshift etc.?.
Dave
Second the advice to stretch the budget for hydraulic brakes.
Just a counter-opinion.. I have a set of BB7 Road cable discs on a bike that with a compressionless rear housing and good rotors & pads plus good set up are as good a brake as I want on a gravel bike. One finger control and great modulation. FWIW I like them a lot more than the Spyres, they work better and need less regular adjustment.
Cable discs get a bad rep as most new out of the box specs and set-ups aren't that good but it's possible to have them working very well - the main proviso is that they need compressionless cables at least on the rear and a bit of mechanical knowledge rather than being fit and forget.
the main proviso is that they need compressionless cables at least on the rear and a bit of mechanical knowledge rather than being fit and forget.
That's the thing though isn't it, the OP is buying something "off the peg" and has time to shop about, and also probably isn't keen to keep fettling brakes once he's taken a punt. Back in ~2015 options were less plentiful and a bit steep for hydraulic drop-bar levers and cable actuated discs made sense, but we're a decade past that now and R4720 and RX400 are about to be killed off, so will probably be on some discounted bikes this year, maybe even R7020(?).
I'm still using BB5s on my CX bike, precisely because they were cheap (already in my spares box) allow me to use old 9 speed levers, and yep, with a decent cable and outer they are acceptably stoppy. For my other drop-barred bike(s) hydraulic braking is a very strong preference as they are much closer to being "fit and forget" and I can confirm that as a later upgrade the cost of hydraulic brakes will make you wince.
If you can have hydraulics from day one, I really would choose them TBH...
I've done similar recently; it was the hydro brake Boardman for me, the 8.9. They had £150 off it last month. Mostly GRX400, but I'd have had no issues with SRAM or Microshift. I wanted 2x.
That Felt is a deal, though.
That felt claims to have loads of clearance but I can't see any actual measurements. The fact that it comes with 38mm tyres may speak volumes. I'd carefully check the spec on the frame before buying
It also says "classic road bike manners" which is exactly what you DON'T want if riding off road especially in UK conditions
My thought on gearing was to go for 2x as I thought 1x wouldn't have the range I'd need for hill climbing.
38x11-51 gets me up anything fully laden at the end of a long ride when fatigue has set in so I wouldn't discount 1x especially if you want decent mud clearance and simplicity of use/servicing
That felt claims to have loads of clearance but I can't see any actual measurements. The fact that it comes with 38mm tyres may speak volumes. I'd carefully check the spec on the frame before buying
That's the thing with 'gravel' though, it's quite a broad church and for some (myself included) it's the recreational paved/unpaved road type of riding rather than full-on, high speed, off roading. Personally I don't feel compromised by only being able to fit 700x40 to my (as yet lightly used) gravel bike, but others would. The OP does mention riding primarily on roads.
Before buying anything look at gearing. Gravel bikes often have much higher gearing than mountain bike
This is true, but a gravel bike is also likely to be noticeably lighter than a mountain bike (such as the OP's Voodoo). I ride a 28lb Swift pretty much as a gravel bike; it's lowest gear is 22x36. I've built up a cheapish gravel bike that's lighter but with a lowest gear of 30x36 and am currently a bit unsure whether I need lower gears or perhaps just a slow cadence.
If you know anyone with a gravel bike that they'd lend you, perhaps try one around your local routes and see how it feels.
1x can give you all the range you need (as much as 2x) but as my main bike is still 3x10 I like the smaller jumps when shifting. Also GRX400 - entry level GRX, is 2x only (although I'm sure that affordable 1x options are available.
Have a look at Merlin's other gravel bike deals too. I linked to the Felt ones as they seem particularly good deals but there are a number of others at your price point and some cheaper & there seem to be quite a few other stores with sales too.
Personally I don't feel compromised by only being able to fit 700x40 to my (as yet lightly used) gravel bike, but others would. The OP does mention riding primarily on roads.
But why not future proof yourself by getting as much clearance as possible. You can always run a 23mm road tyre in a 50mm capable frame if you want but you can't run a 50mm in a frame that'll only take 40mm.
Choice is always the best option
Secondhand a Spesh Diverge carbon with Deore/Tiagra might be in budget. I bought mine in 2020 with the idea I'd gradually upgrade, but all I've done is add a 1600g wheelset, GP5000TL and now Terreno Dry (both tubeless) and mudguards, which only just fit over 38/40mm tyres.
Geo is great for gravelly lanes and easy off-road, but the 72deg front end tries to kill you on a steep rocky descent.
I'll suggest to my mate he gives Spa cycles a call.
Not sure if that article is suggesting switch to 11 speed as wider cassette range/cogs available.
What about your lower back? The lumbar spine is ideally straight when under load. Slipped discs can be the result of just too much chair time. If I could go back, I’d never have ridden a road bike or an 80’s MTB with a 250 stem.
(Or even a low bar “sports” motorbike) a slipped disc ain’t fun. 4 years in and I still have compromised leg function.
posted at 9:43. Appeared immediately.
If you do end up getting cable operated brakes and then find you want to upgrade I've found the Juin Tech R1s (cable pulled hydraulic) pretty darn good, £100 for both ends on AliExpress.
I've got one of the Felt Breeds. Absolutely love it. It's a hell of a lot of bike for the money. I've currently got 45mm tyres in (although they feel.pike they size up!quite small tbh). It's really capable off road though, certainly doesn't feel like a road bike with gravel tyres. That said I've got two wheel sets and use it as both my road bike and gravel bike and it's great on road too.
If you're near to Congleton then you're welcome to come and have a go on mine.
Thanks again loads of info to look at, I'm currently doing the sofa to 50k or rather trying as the flat loop they suggest doesn't exist on dartmoor so I'm doing my own take with hills involved.
Certainly looking forward to shopping for a new bike and at least I know a little more what to look for.
Dave
This is a great deal on Merlin, if you're a medium:
Ridley Kanzo A GRX 600 Gravel Bike - 2023 | Merlin Cycles
This is a great deal on Merlin, if you're a medium:
Ridley Kanzo A GRX 600 Gravel Bike - 2023 | Merlin Cycles
I'm 6'3" so xl in most I think.
+1 for the Sonder Camino. It's at the mountain bike end of the gravel bike spectrum, so has a relatively long reach, shortish stem and slack head-angle, plus will take 50mm tyres if you want. Very confident on easy to middling off-road stuff, but still perfectly happy on tarmac, particularly the sort of crap, broken-up, back road moonscape we have in the Peak District.
I built mine up from a frame with mostly GRX brakes and drivetrain components and run 45mm fast-ish WTB tyres. The paint's not the most durable out there and it's not the prettiest bike ever, but it rides beautifully. The nearest thing to a cut-price Santa Cruz Stigmata you'll find 🙂
If you want something with more road/cross-type geometry, there's lots out there, but the slacker geo adds versatility without making it a pig on the road. If anything, it's better on super-fast bumpy descents, though I guess if you were jinking around looking for gaps in a bunch sprint, it might be at a disadvantage. 😐
^I've just gone for a Camino for the exact reasons above. Had gravel/cx bikes in the past which always felt a bit to racer-ey and thats not what I wanted... something comfortable for longer rides but which wouldn't feel out of depth if I took it on some "real" trails.
EDIT - also support the hydro brakes thing. Had cables and Hope RX (?) cable operated hydros and they were pretty poor vs real hydros.
I had a £1k budget and went for one of these from J.E. James...
https://www.jejamescycles.com/product/18267807/gt-gt-grade-comp-road-bike/
£870 and has hydraulic brakes.
Very happy with it!
If interested
Felt Broam and Breed 30's can anything be done cheaply to improve the lowest gearing for hills ie 30t front and 34t on the Shimano 12 speed HG cassette?
Mate has just put an Aliexpress 10-40t 12 speed cassette on his Felt Broam to give a huge gear range. Whats more he didnt alter the chain length or front chainrings 😬
We have just ridden a 30+ miles and 3'000' test ride without any issues. Surprised me, but it worked fine 🤷♂️ .. .. so far!
I had a £1k budget and went for one of these from J.E. James...
https://www.jejamescycles.com/product/18267807/gt-gt-grade-comp-road-bike/
£870 and has hydraulic brakes.
Very happy with it!
Got me looking at this now, been looking at getting a gravel bike on C2W and looks like JE take the vouchers now.. what's the tyre clearance like? Enough to fit a 50mm or is the stock 37mm the biggest that can fit? Not that I necessarily want massive tyres but good to know the option is there!
Spec looks great for the money on that! The Boardman ADV 8.9 with HRX is £1200.
I had a £1k budget and went for one of these from J.E. James...
https://www.jejamescycles.com/product/18267807/gt-gt-grade-comp-road-bike/
£870 and has hydraulic brakes.
Very happy with it!
Got me looking at this now, been looking at getting a gravel bike on C2W and looks like JE take the vouchers now.. what's the tyre clearance like? Enough to fit a 50mm or is the stock 37mm the biggest that can fit? Not that I necessarily want massive tyres but good to know the option is there!
Spec looks great for the money on that! The Boardman ADV 8.9 with GRX is £1200.
I am in the process of a looong fitness journey, at the moment I ride an old 2nd hand Voodoo mtb. I've changed a few bits and bobs on it but I'm not even convinced it's the correct size for me.
I am at the moment mainly riding on roads I live on Dartmoor and have ventured a little off road but I enjoy covering distance with the odd gravel track between tarmac (well thats the aim). I have promised myself a new bike when I hit my first weight goal (fingers crossed in the summer). To that end I think I'd like a gravel bike I'll still be heavy but hopefully be capable of more distance.
My budget will be sub £1k not huge I know but that's all I'll have, any reccomendations please folks? I have a couple in mind Marin Nicasio1, Boardman adv 8.6 but would be open to suggestions and or advice.
Dave
Hiya Dave,
For a number of years, all I had was a CX/gravel bike that I had built up with random bits... I just swapped to road tyres for the summer... or panniers+rack for long trips (Geneva to Nice). I even put skinny 29" MTB tyres on it, and completed the Exmoor Explorer (although that was pushing it a bit far, not recommended).
My most recent gravel bike purchase was 'sold' as a gravel bike, but was based on a CX frame - so the wheelbase is relatively short. Very nimble as a result, but could be considered twitchy on loose surfaces... loading panniers on the back needs care as it can upset the steering somewhat. So also consider the wheelbase etc for what you might use it for.
They can be VERY versatile - I've never covered so many miles on any of my bikes.
You might find that you use it a lot over the years, so it's worth committing to something for the long term if you can.
I bought a CX bike (used) last year as I had sets of spare wheels (all QR and rim brakes). I just swap out the gravel wheels for the road wheels. I've used it on some very hilly rides and sportives, as well as general canal/track bashing, and even bodged a rack on it for four days bike packing off road (not ideal). They are race orientated, so a lack of braise ons.
The plus side, is the market is suppressed for rim braked bikes, and you can get some very nice bikes for not alot. There is a big price difference between say a CX bike and a disk gravel bike.
My CX bike is a shade under 10kg (aluminium), 105 equipped, and all in, including buying it, replacing all the cables, bar tape, spare tyres and tubes was less than £500. It's also a Colnago !
The plus side, is the market is suppressed for rim braked bikes, and you can get some very nice bikes for not alot. There is a big price difference between say a CX bike and a disk gravel bike.
I still haven't decided on a bike yet but considering this route now as I barely use the brakes for the kind of road/gravel rides I do and rim brakes have always been sufficient if set up properly. So long as it's got canti or v brakes rather than road calipers for tyre clearance it should be good though!