While I sit, staring down the barrel of the 4th week with my order sitting at 'component picking', rather than the CGR 725, what should I have bought? I'm interested in what other people have bought for about that money that'll become a used and abused commuter with some tarmac, gravel and bridleway involved and it may even get used for the occasional fun weekend ride too.
Apparently the forks are/were delayed but I'm not hopeful of the despatch date they suggested this week being met?
Frustrating when there is an unexpected delay with uncertainty around when it will be resolved.
Bit obvious, but .. .. a Camino
The new Genesis Croix de Fer looks nice, but some of the lower end full builds have slightly odd components (cable discs/unbranded cranks) I think so best to just check over the spec. depending on what level of build you were going for.
Might be still available, but RM Cycles had the XL version of my GT eGrade Bolt for the crazy steal price of £999 at the weekend!😱
Cotic Escapade (25% off Silver GRX 11spd builds at the moment). Only Small and Large in stock though.
As Nick says, the Camino is the obvious choice for a complete bike.
Had a CdF and hated it, but it was the old one.
When the time comes to replace my current gravel/do it all bike I'm seriously considering taking a gamble on AliExpress... notably a Seaform GR02 frame/forks along with some carbon EliteWheels and LTWOO eGR groupset.
It was a bike2work order to cancelling and running away to a different supplier is unlikely, new bike delay frustration got the better of me, I'm sure I'll love it when it arrives.
I've always wanted a Surly, although a Trucker or straggler have had the most appeal.
The Camino does look lovely, but I was keen to be one of the steel is real set - for no obvious reason really other than want.
Priced the Genesis up when looking at this build, but it was way more expensive for a similar spec, so it missed out being on the short-list.
Hah, I'd love an e-bike for the fun of it, but I eat too much cake to not then force myself to pedal as hard as I can on the commute.
As for the Cotic, that's a fine looking ride, I'd probably have needed a medium, but that Orange colour is amazing!
The Merlin own-brand (Malt?) is also a pretty amazing deal, but I think limited on sizes in stock now.
I have a steel Genesis DayOne Alfine 8 which I used for many years as a commuter bike. With a bike rack it weighed 15.5 kg. Winching up the Gospel Pass loaded with camping gear I, and noticeably my knees, knew it. Be rude not to mention, I still cleaned it 😊
Last year I bought the Camino Ti which, with a bike rack, weighs ~10kg and has much better gearing (10-51t). Thoroughly enjoyed a few 100milers on it, C2C, Lejog, ...
TBF, I think the main culprit on the DayOne was the limited gear range (1-3) when hitting decent hills, rather than weight.
Hope the OP enjoys the 'steel feel', not that I am a good enough rider to notice. Can I feel the benefit of Ti on the Camino? When back to back with an Alu Camino, I think so.
Merlin still have some half price Tripsters.
That was where this all started, I should have stuck with the Tripster!
Rejoice - the build is in progress! It's possible I might have a bike again soon 🙃
Surly Preamble, cheap at Triton currently.
I love surly, but even at the reduced price, the spec on them is very average
The Saracen Levarge advertised at the top of the forum page look very good value. They do come with 650 wheels but can also run 700c. I was very tempted myself but these days need a bit of help
The Ribble arrived yesterday it went from 'in picking' to built and shipped really quickly, so fair play to them for re-setting the delivery expectation and meeting it. The bike itself looks lovely too, I plan to get the remainder of the setup done this weekend and maybe even a shakedown ride on Sunday.