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I recently sold my 29er Surly KM and I'm currently looking for a curly bar replacement in the same vein; steel frame, tough, no nonsense and as non-garish as possible.
It needs to do double duty as an all round bike for shop-popping, knocking around with kids plus road/dirt miles over winter.
I've currently narrowed my list down to:
Fearless Warlock (frameset)
Bombtrack Hook EXT (Complete bike)
Ragley Trig (Frameset)
Does anyone have experience with any of these bikes/frames that would help sway me one way or the other?
Any input greatly appreciated, I'm going round in circles here!
In true STW style I'm going to suggest something that a) isn't on your list, and b) I am biased towards: a Stooge Rambler.
Definitely worth a look.
out of the three listed id go warlock 100%
https://ukgravelco.com/fearless-warlock-frameset-review/
with a special mention to Sour Bikes purple haze which i have, the latest version has more tyre clearance plus a few other improvements too but the original sure does ride well
https://ukgravelco.com/2020/02/16/sour-bikes-purple-haze/
I wrote both reviews and I only do honest reviews!
Nice, I'd forgotten about Stooge, I always liked the Scrambler after seeing a guy blast around my local trails on one, fully rigid with almost everyone around him on a full squisher. Kudos.
You're definitely on the right track with the suggestion though... Road/MTB hybrid sort of thing, Clearance for 27.5 x 2.1 and importantly something 'interesting'.
Hey Rocketdog, truth be told I've read your review many times! I think at this point the Fearless is No.1 in the list simply because it's the most interesting of the bunch, it's a bit weird, in the best possible way.
I always liked the Scrambler after seeing a guy blast around my local trails on one, fully rigid with almost everyone around him on a full squisher.
My Mk4 gets used for this on my local group rides down in SW Devon. Phenomenal thing - the one that I can't see myself ever selling.
Pipedream ALICE is worth a look too. I had one of those before the Stooge and did everything from long winter road rides with full mudguards and dynamo lights right through to chasing the eldest around Bikepark Wales blues on it with just a change of tyres (the older model can swallow 2.8in tyres front and rear!).
gavinnn
Hey Rocketdog, truth be told I’ve read your review many times! I think at this point the Fearless is No.1 in the list simply because it’s the most interesting of the bunch, it’s a bit weird, in the best possible way.
Having owned a Fearless Vulture, I only have nice things to say about the quality of the bikes and the guy (it's a one man show) behind them, think you'd be choosing well.
Pipedream ALICE is worth a look too
Bit nice those, worth considering for sure. The list is getting longer!
Having owned a Fearless Vulture, I only have nice things to say about the quality of the bikes and the guy (it’s a one man show) behind them, think you’d be choosing well.
I think that's about 3-0 to the Fearless then.
I love my Alice, can totally recommend them!
https://singularcycles.co.uk/products/peregrine-mk-3-feb-22-shipment
Looks girt lush. Maybe a bit spendy for a shop popper, though!
I've had my Mk 2 for 10 years, had it SS, geared, 2in knobblies and skinny slicks and everything in between, fully caked in mudguards, racks and commuting gop, stripped down and up again in bikepacking stuff. CX races, mtb trail riding, road centuries, overnighters. Perfect "just a bike" bike. Don't think I'll ever want to I'll ever get rid.
Cotic Cascade might be worth a look. It's on my list if I were to ever replace my Soul for local bridleway duties
I’ve had my Mk 2 for 10 years, had it SS, geared, 2in knobblies and skinny slicks and everything in between, fully caked in mudguards, racks and commuting gop, stripped down and up again in bikepacking stuff. CX races, mtb trail riding, road centuries, overnighters. Perfect “just a bike” bike. Don’t think I’ll ever want to I’ll ever get rid.
This was how I felt about my Surly, although I tried to run it with drop bars but it was just too long and looked a bit silly with any tyres under 2", hence why I sold it. Almost perfect but not quite. You can put flat bars on a road oriented bike but you can't really put drops on an MTB biased bike.
And yes you're right, as lovely as that Singular is it's a bit too nice for my application.
Also, if anyone can tell me how to add the name of the person I'm quoting I'd welcome the intel.
Surly Midnight special is a lovely ride, happily did a winter 200k Audax on one.
Worth looking on Lyon's website as they are dropping Bombtrack and have some end of lines and Ex-Demos going cheap.
Back to Fearless, then yep, they also ride very nicely as well.
Worth looking on Lyon’s website as they are dropping Bombtrack and have some end of lines and Ex-Demos going cheap.
This is how the Bombtrack got on the list in the first place! Some serious price drops going on over there.
I've been trying to convince myself that the Bombtrack would be a wise choice, all the reviews seem to suggest it's a hugely capable bike but it just doesn't excite me all that much. I'm sure I could grow to love it (the price helps) but the graphics on the frame + fork are really off putting and lets be honest, how a bike looks is quite important.
Cotic Cascade might be worth a look.
As good as mine is and it is a really nice bike to ride. I think this depends on how much road you will be riding on it. It's nowhere near as fast as some others on road. It is really comfy and nice to ride, and an absolute blast to thrash around rougher stuff as well. But it is a bit portly and not as fast as something less hardcore....
I love mine though and reckon i'll have it forever, and even if I get to the point where I no longer like drops, I'll just fit a set of nice bars with loads of back sweep.
Cotic Cascade might be worth a look
Very nice, always liked Cotic, I had a Soul 26er briefly many years ago, lovely things. Steel fork is also welcomed as it means I could fit a decent sized rack for shop-popping lugging duties.
Have you considered going down the custom/semi custom route with Marino?
https://www.marinobike.com/product/marino-gravel/
Spec your own materials/Geometry to suit?
Have you looked at Cotic Cascade, Fairlight Secan?
And there's always a Surly or Salsa to do the same job
Kona Rove ST
Mine has seen some shit.
It's a great bike.
Pick the one that has a carbon fork and fits best.
The carbon fork will save something like 1kg over a steel one.
I've a few steel bikes but I'd go aluminium for a gravel bike. Modern ones are quite comfy and would save about another 1kg.
I'd also avoid any frames with lots of fixing points and adjustable dropouts/eccentric bottom brackets. Unless you're planning on using them. They just add weight and cost IME.
Not so stealth ad - I've been umming and ahhing about selling my Genesis Vagabond and have recently decided that I need the space so it needs to go. I haven't actually listed it anywhere yet, but I've washed it ready to take pics. 😀 PM me if you'd like more info. It's basically a complete bike that needs a full drivetrain and tidying up things like the bartape, saddle, etc. Think of it as a rolling chassis which is almost but not quite ridable. 😀 (The drivetrain is very worn.) The frame is in decent condition after doing quite a lot of mileage for the last 5 years or so, Size medium. £750 if you're interested.
I'd have one of these in a heartbeat if I could afford one.
https://ritcheylogic.com/bike/frames/swiss-cross-disc-frameset
@idlejohn
What's the weight of the Vagabond?
If we can do stealth ads, there is a great Midnight Special for sale in the classifieds 😉
Open to offers
I own a Warlock, an XL.
Its built as a 700c bike with 43mm tyres.
1x
It is a fabulous bike.
I’ve been lucky enough to own an alarming amount of steel frames. It is IMHO one of the nicest riding steel frames I’ve ridden.
Even with reasonably high pressure tyres, rigid steel fork etc it is sublime to ride on the road and off road.
It really is one of a very short list of bikes I couldn’t see myself parting with.
There are a couple of minor points that I noticed when building mine up. In a couple of areas paint seems a bit thin and the BB wasn’t chased which was a ball ache in fitting a BB. Those are quite minor in the grand scheme.
Have you looked at Cotic Cascade, Fairlight Secan?
Considered the Cascade but dont want suspension corrected forks, the Secan is also an absolute beauty but for the kit I want on the bike it's just about £500 over budget. Hoping to keep it under 2k.
I’ve a few steel bikes but I’d go aluminium for a gravel bike
I really want Steel; the bike will be locked up on railings and be well used in all formats and I find steel is the best for this.
I own a Warlock, an XL.
Its built as a 700c bike with 43mm tyres.
1x
It is a fabulous bike.
I’ve been lucky enough to own an alarming amount of steel frames. It is IMHO one of the nicest riding steel frames I’ve ridden.
Even with reasonably high pressure tyres, rigid steel fork etc it is sublime to ride on the road and off road.
It really is one of a very short list of bikes I couldn’t see myself parting with.
There are a couple of minor points that I noticed when building mine up. In a couple of areas paint seems a bit thin and the BB wasn’t chased which was a ball ache in fitting a BB. Those are quite minor in the grand scheme.
Nice, thanks for the input.
Some really solid options to look at from the above (thanks everyone!) but it does seem that the Warlock is probably the way to go here.
If we can do stealth ads, there is a great Midnight Special for sale in the classifieds 😉
Open to offers
Medium! I need a large at 5.11" nice price though, GLWS
didnthurt
Full Member
@idlejohnWhat’s the weight of the Vagabond?
Not sure. It's not a lightweight bike. Fun, but not light! Cycling UK did a review on one a few years ago and came up with 27lb, 12.43kg, which sounds about right.
I have a Trig and rate it very highly. Comfy to ride, decent off road and leans more towards mtb than road in style as in short seat tube with plenty of post on show. I think they’re decent value too.
Have you looked at the Nordest frames?
I have a Trig and rate it very highly. Comfy to ride, decent off road and leans more towards mtb than road in style as in short seat tube with plenty of post on show. I think they’re decent value too.
Have you looked at the Nordest frames?
Trig frames are £389 at CRC at the moment which is a screaming deal considering how much they'll charge you for an equivalent 4130 frame from an American brand.
Nordest are nice, the Albarda looks good, solid price too.
I have a Trig (and a Stooge Scrambler), and a riding friend has a Warlock.
The Trig frameset is great value for money - full carbon fork with all the mounts, good cable routing, dropper compliant etc and rides great IMO.
The Warlock is nicer, but it costs a lot more. It does have a bit more clearance - I had 53mm tyres in the Trig and it was ideal for winter but a little snug now it's got muddy.
chestrockwell
Full Member
I have a Trig and rate it very highly
I don't have a Trig, but the Ragley frames in general seem to be really good value, well made, good geo, and just well thought out all round. They fact that they're cheap is a massive bonus.
How about a billy bargain from Wilier? Steel, carbon fork, nice non garish paint job, GRX and it drops to £1349 when you add to basket.
https://www.merlincycles.com/wilier-jaroon-grx-steel-gravel-bike-227561.html
They have the aluminium version on 2x10GRX for a grand too, almost worth it as a donor bike if you're getting a bling frame elsewhere.
I have a Trig (and a Stooge Scrambler), and a riding friend has a Warlock.
The Trig frameset is great value for money – full carbon fork with all the mounts, good cable routing, dropper compliant etc and rides great IMO.
The Warlock is nicer, but it costs a lot more. It does have a bit more clearance – I had 53mm tyres in the Trig and it was ideal for winter but a little snug now it’s got muddy.
there's not a huge amount of info/pictures on the current Trig when looking about unfortunately, just a few stock images. It would be great to see what others have done with theirs. Bigger tyres, etc. I do like them though and the price is fantastic.
Here's mine. It was only just over a grand from CRC which is bonkers VFM. Not changed anything apart from tyres, though it does now has the stock 47c Byways back on.
I wish the HT was a bit taller, and it had less standover, but I can live with it.
Very nice ^^^ just over a grand is incredible value. I've been pricing up complete groupsets and it's pretty much £800 for GRX 600 if I went with all new in the box. So with that you basically got a frame, wheels and finishing kit for £200. Not too bad!
What's the biggest 27.5 tyres you've managed to fit if you're able to answer?
Those spesh s-works, which are a nominal 2" and I think measured at 53mm. Wouldn't want to go any bigger in the rear, but I think the fork would take up to a 2.25".
Yeah, it's the rear of the Trig that limits tyre size, forks have plenty of room.
Forgot to mention, the paint is lovely too, really deep colour.
Mine is pretty stock except for 500mm bars and a stem with a bit of rise. Oh, and I swapped to some less aggressive WTB tyres. I plan to get some 700c wheels but just have not got round to it as the bike is fine as it is tbh.
Thanks everyone for your input on this one, you helped me work it out and in the end I went for the Fearless Warlock. All being well it'll be here in a few days and I can get on with building it up.
Should be a pretty standard build:
Mix of 600 and 800 GRX
Hope Fortus 26 wheels
Thomson and Salsa finishing kit
Basic but functional 🙂
Fairlight Faran or Brother Mehteh? I have a faran and absolutely love it but had the Mehteh on the list.
Fairlight Faran or Brother Mehteh? I have a faran and absolutely love it but had the Mehteh on the list.
Faran was on the initial list but ends up over budget with the kit I wanted, I really liked the Mehteh too but pre-ordering is a faff and no shop with a large in stock would sell me a frameset. Went with the Warlock in the end and I'm buzzing to get hold of it.
I've got one built up with 650x2.2 ikons. a bar end shifter with gx 12 speed gears. Trp spyre cable brakes
I might get some wider bars for it as I'm on 44cm Ritchey beacons atm.
Great bike though. Love mine. I've got mine in bikepacking mode with a tumbleweed t rack on the back.
GF has a Marin Nicasio with 2*10 Tiagra.
It's solid. Weighs a ton, but the drivetrain is sublime. Pisses all over my 11spd 105.
Might sell it as we need to save weight in the van.
I’ve got one built up with 650×2.2 ikons. a bar end shifter with gx 12 speed gears. Trp spyre cable brakes
I might get some wider bars for it as I’m on 44cm Ritchey beacons atm.
Great bike though. Love mine. I’ve got mine in bikepacking mode with a tumbleweed t rack on the back.
Is yours the one featured on the Fearless website? If so... very nice, and the very reason I've just bought a set of Ikon 2.2s for mine 🙂
Yeah that's the one. 2nd one down on the warlock page.
Nice job, that. I'd like a set of the Hope RX cranks, have been trying to resist the temptation
Bloody lovely.
Just been reading the Warlock reviews and i'm pretty sold. My Farans set up fairly road oriented but now pretty keen to try it with 650 2.1 to see how it works.
This is so nice, I read your review a few times when I was trying to decide and it's one of the factors that swung it for me 🙂 I think, judging by the picture near Kinver, that you're relatively near to me (I'm in Sandwell, West Midlands) so I may need to hit you up for some off road route intel soon.
Back to wheels... I've in the past had some 700c Hunts and most recently a set of Fortus 30 29" on my last bike. I probably would have gone for some Hunts again but they're OOS until March next year so the Fortus it is. I almost went for the 23 width but 26 seems to be a nice balance between strength and weight whilst maintaining a decent shape to the tyre.
DT a good option below too, think Merlin have these on sale also
https://www.mantel.com/ie/dt-swiss-gr-1600-spline-25-disc-gravel-wheels&spec []=23227&spec[]=23519
This is so nice, I read your review a few times when I was trying to decide and it’s one of the factors that swung it for me
that's great to hear! I think one of the other big factors is that Tim from fearless is a great bloke, a rider like us and comes up with some great riding frames
I'm in south Brum/north worcs, habe ridden those mtb trails in sandwell valley a few times on the grav bike.
I’m in south Brum/north worcs, habe ridden those mtb trails in sandwell valley a few times on the grav bike.
Ha! Yes, those trails are ok but very twisty and tight. You'll often find me making the drive to Cannock or the Forest of Dean with the full squisher, but I'm looking forward to putting that away for the winter and riding the Warlock. Probably get myself a wahoo or something for some new routes around here 🙂
from sandwell you have easy access to the canal system so pretty much the whole of britain is your oyster, I quite often ride up from worcester to my SIL's house to the north of wolverhampton completely on the canal with only around 3 miles of the trip actually on a tarmac road. the gravel bike really makes sense in our area as all the good bits of off road are linked by tarmac that would be tedious on an MTB.
having said that the best bit is scaring yourself riding MTB trails on the grav bike 😉
I read the first post and would have typed somehting along the lines of this:
Having owned a Fearless Vulture, I only have nice things to say about the quality of the bikes and the guy (it’s a one man show) behind them, think you’d be choosing well.
except @honourablegeorge beat me to it. So instead, what 'e said, basically. Big thumb up for Fearless/Tim, you've made a good choice.