Which steel ‘gravel’ bike? Stooge or Singular.

Early days, but loving my Vagabond. Mounts for anything you want, and geometry that’s familiar to MTB riders. Current one much more so than previous version.

Thanks, useful to know.

Mason? Their Exposure is stunning 👍

Also mega bucks. Not quite my vibe. Mason a bit too ‘polished’, if that makes sense?

I fear that posting here won't help solve your dilemma, only confuse you more. There are plenty of good steel gravel frames when you start looking - Fairlight, Brother, Nordest & Genesis to name a few.

It's a shame that Singular don't still do the steel Kite (the titanium one looks lovely but is a lot of money).

No complaints with my Fairlight secan 

I’ve been out twice this week on my Singular Rooster and it’s bloody brilliant. Best part of ten years old but still solid geometry and I’ve recently fitted a dropper post which has given it a new lease of life. If there more recent bikes are half as good you won’t be disappointed. 

Have you considered a Stooge Scramber? If you're not set on "gravel bikes must have drop bars", then a Scrambler would tick all the boxes. I did long weekends and bikepacking on my old MK4 with no issues at all.

If it must be 'trad gravel', then I really like my Ritchey Outback but that might fall into the 'polished' camp as per the Mason previously mentioned.

On trend for recommending what you have but another suggestion for a Cascade …

Ridiculously silly bike that is an absolute hoot to ride. Mine is built gnarlier than I intended but in time I’ll go with some lighter wheels and fork.

On the subject of Rambler vs. Peregrine … are they not very different bikes 🤔

I’m liking the Genesis above 😎

Oh and as everyone likes a photo …

Happy Rambler owner here

My hunch is you should be able to choose on spec. The peregrine is way lower at the front and although a touch shorter will need  longer stem with the steeper head angle. I didn’t think i could make a Peregrine fit me. But that’s not a negative for the Peregrine

Feel free to ask any questions

I keep looking at the Fearless Vulture Mk.2. I'd rather have an updated Warlock from the same guy, but the Vulture is still appealing.

https://www.fearlessbikes.com/vulture-mk2/

Been down this road. Geometry on those bikes is significantly different. Looked at a vulture but the geometry was identical to my mark 2 Camino and I wanted something a little different. Stooge rambler I nearly hit the button on as that was closest to what I wanted (along with a surly ghost grappler). In the end I went with a fustle causeway which isn’t steel. If I had gone i think stooge would be the way forwards. I’m also 29 through and through but a light big set of 650b would have worked well in hindsight. 

vagabond is nice but always found Genesis bikes feel quite leaden and dead compared to other steel bikes I’ve owned. 

vagabond is nice but always found Genesis bikes feel quite leaden and dead compared to other steel bikes I’ve owned.

Genesis put their gravel bikes through the MTB off road strength tests, so they may not be as sprightly as some equivalent models, but they're tough as old boots.

Worth considering if you're  heavier rider like me or planning to load up with luggage.

I am currently building a Stooge Rambler, if it is anywhere near as good as the Stooge mk6 I shall be well pleased. The Rambler will take 29" wheels but not as fat as 27.5. I think 2.35 is the max width but dont quote me.

Love my Cotic Cascade, being able to fit wide MTB tyres really let's you ride more technical trails, but it's equally at home on less challenging terrain. It's comfy for all day rides and plenty of options for attaching bags. 

I didn't realise the Cascade was Boost MTB standard both ends until just now. That definitely goes up the list too.

Posted by: ampthill

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Happy Rambler owner here

 

My hunch is you should be able to choose on spec. The peregrine is way lower at the front and although a touch shorter will need  longer stem with the steeper head angle. I didn’t think i could make a Peregrine fit me. But that’s not a negative for the Peregrine

Feel free to ask any questions

Ta. How is Rambler on linking road bits? Is it heavy?

@fatbikedog pretty sure max 45 700cc?

Fearless is another good shout, forgotten them.

For context before i bought the Rambler i owned a gravel bike with 47mm tyres and a short travel fs mtb. The idea for the Rambler was for it to fit in better the 2 and be set up for loaded touring.

 It’s currently sat 2.35 mezcals on 30mm hope hoops. 

My thoughts so far

 It’s heavy (but so are the steel alternatives)

 It’s fine on the road. That’s partly position partly being rigid. It certainly feels much better than the FS bike

 It’s very capable off road. I’ve been a down a few steep rough bits. Compared to the gravel bike the front wheel is much further foward which feels good. 

 The steering is great, faster than i expected although my stem is pretty short

Genesis put their gravel bikes through the MTB off road strength tests, so they may not be as sprightly as some equivalent models, but they're tough as old boots.

have owned an equilibrium road bike and a tarn and older longtitude. Equilibrium was ok, quite liked it but the mountain bikes were great on paper but didn’t enjoy riding either of them. Felt like anchors (even vs other similar weight steel bikes) and just lacked something intangible. And that’s compared to other bikes which were cheaper eg a on one inbred.

Looked at the vagabond before as seems good but put off from previous experience. Pretty sure most bikes are overbuilt these days, be amazed if the fearless or stooge were any less durable. Not dismissing the fact you love yours just putting my experiences on here in case it helps. 

This Ribble has caught my eye

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-gravel-725-sport-sram/

The idea that the Stooge might not be durable hasn’t crossed my mind. 

I imagine a post apocalyptic world where the only recognisable things left are cockroaches and Stooge bikes