I am also looking at the 7C for my entry into gravel bikes. The wife has authorized this purchase. My concerns are sizing and the vulnerabilty of carbon to impact damage. I just had a friend take a stick into the rear triangle. I usually run a 59, but the rep at diamond back was saying the 56 would fit. Don't know . compared the geometry and would like to try it out for sizing . no one carries this bike. Same frame along all of their carbon bikes. 6'2 with a 32 inseam.