Looking at a bike on the bike-to-work scheme. For long local rides mixing road and bits of off-road, road rides in winter when I really I can't face Mendip mud and as a bike to cover all bases for taking on holiday. Plus easier bike-packing trips (although most likely use the Chisel for this). To compliment a Chisel and Epic Evo.
I would like a Cannondale Topstone carbon, but limit of £2200.
So..
Topstone alu
Orbea Terra H30
Cotic Escapade
I have discounted the Sonder Camino as new geo is too close to my Chisel. Worried that Escapade might be too heavy, although love the matte purple 853 one.
Thoughts? Am a missing something obvious?
Any thoughts? Anyone got an Escapade who can comment how 'sprightly' it is?
I had an older Escapade and thought it was great. Tbh especially with a carbon fork, it's likely to be surprisingly close in weight to an alloy framed alternative and I think with a sensible spec you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference picking them up blindfolded.
Are you able to take any for a test ride?
Fwiw, one thing I've realised over the last few bikes is I need to like how it looks if I want to gel with it. As long as geo is about right, I now tend to pick based on how it looks.
Cheers riklegge. Nothing easy to test-ride, at least not locally.
Orbea and Topstone have more 700c clearance,if thats your thing.
I think the Orbea is a nicer loooking bike,but whatever one you choose,as long as it fits you will soon adapt.
Specialized Diverge. I've got the older version, the new ones look more capable as they can take bigger tyres.
Thoughts? Am a missing something obvious?
In the great tradition of recommending what you ride... How about the Titus Goldrush?
Mine's been brilliant! Heavy OEM wheels and finishing kit aside (easily rectified), the frame is superb and I'm a big fan of SRAM 1x groupsets anyway (though would LOVE a Campag Ekar setup at the right price!). They quote 48mm clearance, but it'll probably take a 2.1" 29er tyre at a push there's that much clearance. Not currently the bargain price that they have been (full £2399 right now with Force 1x, they have had some crazy deals at times), but it's a superb frame...
The Chisel does complicate things as that must be a pretty versatile bike. Certainly the one I’d want bike packing bags set up for and probably what I’d take on holiday.
I think it’s just a matter of sifting through builds and geometry. Personally I’d keep clear of clever proprietary tech. I think Trek or Spec have done some clever cartridge for a bit of front end give. Turns out a new one was £600
Maybe watch this.
Fustle causeway
Thoughts? Am a missing something obvious?
Planet X have a few offerings and they accept cycle scheme now and no doubt they will soon have Christmas/New year sales on
I've just bought a Vitus Substance.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-substance-vr-2-gravel-bike-grx-400-/rp-prod206120
I wanted Shimano gears and 2x as it's for crappy roads and light gravel. DT wheels come taped for tubeless but supplied tyres aren't tubeless.
My wife’s got a Topstone 1, on the whole it’s a decent bike but it’s had a few niggles. She didn’t gel with it straightaway although new wider bars and 650 wheels have sorted her out and she’s enjoying it now.
It’s needed new front and rear axles due to the originals being made of cheese, new mech hanger because the thread that the little screw goes into had stripped and the gear outer kept popping out of the stop & catching half way out which messes up the indexing each time (sorted with a new outer).
No fork mounts if that matters to you.
Also whilst the wheels seem OK for a standard set, apparently the freehub isn’t a great design and can cause issues with not being easily serviceable when the bearings go - not too sure on details, a friend had issues with hers.
(I know you’ve ruled it out but I love my Camino and apart from needing a tiny bit of loctite on the brake lever reach screw it has been perfect. I think it looks better too & I prefer my SRAM 1x than the Shimano 2x).
FWIW I really like the look of the Escapade and the Ragley Trig 🙂
I really like the look of the Vitus, but CRC don't do GCI (our cycle to work provider) unfortunately. It would be the newer Topstone which doe shave for mounts, although the comments are slightly worrying. Currently heading towards a Ribble CGR as it seems to cover all bases and is cheap.
I've an On One Free Ranger, can't fault it really except for the cheap & heavy wheels, under-budget even with new wheels.
Don't overlook Giant Revolt. Loads of price points, decent VFM, carry speed nicely on the road, a bit of built-in comfort in the frame/seatpost if you can stretch to carbon.
Ive just had a Revolt (Advanced Pro model) the geometry is spot on, its a very capable bike and ive used it a few times on club roady rides. Few of the lads I ride with have the Planet X mystiques, again great bikes . You prob need to swing your leg over a few
Recommend what you have alert! Have you had a look at the Ragley Trig? I really rate mine and compared to the Topstone I also looked at, very good value. Not just CRC either, you can get them at some LBS.
Recommend what you have alert!
LOL
Matt Blue Steel Escapade here, with GRX and Hope 20Fives. It feels nicely tight in torsion and still vertically compliant. I'm running it tubeless with Gravelking 38's and it feels fast, best on gravel as you expect but wizzes along nicely on crap roads too. I've got Ritchey Venturemax XL bars on it, paired with a short 70mm stem, and it feels ready to sprint out of the saddle and has a lovely open feel to the riding position (I got the venturemax for the comfort rather than off-road control, but they do both).
The 853 frames look lovely.
At risk of adding to the competition for one in stock, I've been eyeing up the Canyon Grizl. Under 10kg, carbon frame and most importantly for me, 2X as it'll likely be on road as much as it is off. Grx400 one is £1999, Grx810 is £2299.
Have you looked at Pearson?
They make some nice (IMHO) gravel bikes
Disclaimer: may have just bought an Irons in the Fire last month 😎
I'd look at Grizl, but I'm presuming not available on bike-to-work.
