I was about to press “buy” on a Boardman 9.4 gravel bike (spec was great for £2350 and the geometry suits me well) but I missed out and their completely sold out in the size I need. So back to the drawing board 😞
I’m looking to spend around £3-4k and it must have sram axs - everything else is up for grabs spec wise. I’m likely to put hope RX4+ calipers and 20Five (pro5) wheels on it as soon as I buy unless wheels are particularly good.
Looking for recommendations based on bikes you all ride as there are too many bloody options now and seeing/trying them all isn’t an option!
Mainly going to be used for gravel tracks (new forest) or trails like the South Downs Way or Ridgeway - hoping to do the Mary Townley loop of the Pennine bridalway later this year
Any views/options/suggestions gratefully received!!
If you are changing the spec as soon as buying why buy off-the-peg? Just buy the bits you want and build them up. Get the geometry of the Boardman and go looking for similar from other people...should save a load of effort and money in the end as you'll be building with what you want rather than buying the complete bike and then all the bits you want to change.
It’s a fair point but the frame only options are limited vs complete bike and the price difference doesn’t = the parts (if that makes sense!). I have the wheels already and can just sell the ones with a new bike - calipers is just personal preference as I prefer the feel of the hope’s over SRAM or Shimano.
Frame only and build up isn’t out of the question though
For this budget, you could buy a Shand Stoater and then it will all be exactly what you want.
These seem like a lot of bike for the money: https://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/product/scott-addict-gravel-20-bike?article=290506049
Great frame and forks, Rival AXS. Hidden fender mounts, if you want to fit them. Suspect the wheels could be an upgraded to something lighter but there's nothing wrong with them, and good as a dirty winter pair.
Really fancy one myself.
Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 eTap. Dependant on your size stock available in May.
No I don't own one but my brother does and it's absolutely brilliant to ride. Their service has been exemplary too.
Even came with a Canyon bag for your tools and and a frame protection kit for the mounting areas. Nice touches. Paint job has upped its game too since my old Ultimate AL road bike years ago.
@highlandman Not considered the Shand - will have a proper look this eve thanks!!
I think that there is a website where for £5 they’ll find every bike with the same geometry
Also I think some companies eg Cotic will supply bikes without wheels. I suspect Sonder would as well
@rumbledethumps they do look good and the limited Ed version of the grizl is AXS and looks nice in those 90’s colours!! It’s on the shortlist
Fairlight Secan. Gorgeous bikes and pretty flexible builds.
@wildhunter2009 I’ve not heard of them before but just been having a look - really nice looking frames. Thanks!
Bokeh and upgrade to AXS next year
(Edit) actually AXS is in budget
£3-4k - no way I’d be on a Boardman spending that! #bikesnob
The Boardman (I have two of the higher end frames that I’ve upgraded and had for years) would have been £2.2k for full bike with axs - add hope wheels, calipers and still way cheaper (and lighter) than most others!
I prefer the ride of my old Boardman cxr to my handmade Ti road frame! But it all comes down to preference doesn’t it!
That said, wouldn’t go near their mountain bikes - I’ll stick with my Orange Mtb’s thanks!! #bikesnobtoo 😂
Bokeh and Secan would both be top of my list but have both already been suggested. You could look at the Windover Bostal for something a bit different? (Different enough to not have much by way of reviews out, but hey, if you want to go niche…)
Or start flicking through the small manufacturers here and see if any catch your fancy/fit your budget?
Or go with a sonder Camino. Ti for ease of luggage strapping or Al and then blow the rest of the budget on Enve parts?
Thanks. The Bokeh is really nice - with Force and Chris King “bling” that’s pretty much my ideal bike so might have to give them a call next week!
Give Rafi at Rå an email, I’m sure he could do you something for (around…) that budget.
The model with the Rudy’s looks interesting!
Dolan GXC?
Loads of different specs and colours. I picked up a frame recently and it’s nicer than I expected - the purple is really nice.
You could get the lowest spec one and then change the wheels / brakes / gears to match what you’re after. Or if you’d consider grx di2 then you could get one with that. They do different spec wheels you can upgrade etc - but Hope not listed.
Oh Windover bikes is a new one for me. The Bostal is really rather lovely.
Lauf Seigla weekend warrior. Great bike
Is that Dolan yet another Carbonda 696 based frame, or just another that looks remarkably similar with remarkably similar geometry?
There are loads that do look very very similar, like On-One, Vitus, De Rosa, Bombtrack (although I think they have a modified version), and others ? On the plus side, can shop around for acceptable price and/or colourscheme (or bin the warranty and aftersales and get custom colour direct from China)
@wildhunter2009 - good find. Not heard of them before but they look decent. I’ve always liked steel frames! Verging on too many choices now!!
Either the Bokeh or Canyon Grizl - very different bikes but they’re the two I’m drawn towards. The Bokeh probably has the edge for being different and unique!
If your considering the Bokeh you might also want to have a look at the Pipedream A.L.I.C.E
https://off.road.cc/content/review/bikes/pipedream-cycles-alice-frame-and-fork-review-10139
Thanks @StuE - had a read of that review and a look on their site. Nice bikes.
I’m erring towards Al frame I think as while the steel ride is really good I’m preferring the look of the aluminium frames
Dolan GXC is a version of the Carbonda 696 I think yes. There are a few different versions - mine is a BB86 pressfit. I think the on-one uses a bsa screw in version.
Rode mine for the first time today - although it’s built up for relaxed road rather than gravel. Feels nice and stuff out of the saddle getting the power down, but it’s more comfy than my caad12 disc -
particularly at the front over rough pot holes and the like. Really pleased with it and the purple is 🥰
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Tomhoward just had a peek at those Ra bikes, they are utterly gorgeous.
What are those forks on your simple winter hardtail?
First Gen Intend Edge, with Rulezman guards.
Read all about it here…
https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/readers-rides-toms-ra-410/
just to update/close this off…
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. Ended up with a Mason Bokeh - full bike but minus the wheels so I could add my Hope 20Five’s
Popped into see them today (great little company) and tried them out - being built up next week so hoping to have it in time for the bank holiday (don’t mention the weather!!)
Thanks again all - happy trails
That should be ace - you’ll have to circle back with some pictures once you’ve got it!
What colour?
Yes will post some pics when it arrives.
Went for the dark grey with carbon bars. Nearly went for the AXS dropper to go with the Force group set but didn’t think my wallet would take it!! 😂
(How do you add images to these posts btw?!)
If anyone else is curious, the boarman gravel bike is in stock in a few stores - the l us in Redhill according to the website
3-4k – no way I’d be on a Boardman spending that! #bikesnob
I've heard this said before. I've got 8 all singing and dancing road and mtb's. But my Boardman ADV 9.0 is the one I'd keep if everything else had to go.
I've got a Boardman CXR9.8 frameset, built up with eTap 11 (not AXS) and TRP Hylex hydr brakes.
It's nice - a great winter bike (good mudguard mounting points).
I do prefer my OPEN UPPER for riding - (built up with the same kit). That's probably partly bike / badge snobbery on my part.
I also have a Boardman TTE - TT bike built up with eTap 11. It's a fab fast ride (albeit the limiting factor is the fitness of the pilot). Bike fit last Autumn confirmed that it is a great fit for me. I don't think I'd be any faster on any other frameset. A neighbour has identical one, and he's "debadged" to get rid of the large Boardman branding, as he's conscious that it's not a premium brand in amongst the elite tri / du competitions we do together. We're both Age Group GB and some of the competition are on spectacular machines.
All said, I've been happy with the top end of the Boardman frames for many years, even sat against boutique stuff in the rest of my fleet (top end OPEN, Cervelo, Look, Ridley etc etc). My only niggle is their sizing - I'm absolutely standard 5'10 and medium in every bike I've ever had, but in Boardman I am definitely a Small.
The Mason looks lovely - it was certainly on my short-list when I ended up with the OPEN UPPER.
I’m with you on the boardman comments, although not quite (or anywhere near) elite so the logo doesn’t put me off.
Bike arrived yesterday, it’s epic! I’ll post pictures of it (and also the existing boardman for comparison) when I can figure out how to!!
Figured out (finally!) how to add pictures. Will get some decent ones now!
