Donsell

I had kind of already chosen to purchase a Niner RLT Steel with a 105 groupset and expected to pay at least $2500 for it. My Niner LBS is putting options together for me. I'm riding the Niner Monday to see if I should order the 56cm or the 59cm.

But I recently found I could get a Raleigh Tamland 1 with a 105 group for $1265. Which is $1140 for the bike and I think I'll pay the small, local Raleigh shop the $110 they charge to build any bike, even though I wouldn't have to.

Geometry is similar, but I think the Tamland's shorter reach will fit me better.

The Niner uses 853 Steel, the Tamland uses 631. But, as I understand it, the 853 is stiffer which isn't really what I'm looking for.

The downside to the Tamland is I can't find one to ride before I order. I'd have to go by the geometry chart to get an estimation of how it'd fit. I'm sure I'd get the 58cm frame.

But it's a huge price difference. I'm not so sure about the wheels on the Tamland, but I could get a set of really nice wheels and still come way under the price of the Niner.

Any guidance on what I should do?

Lazyass

$1200+ difference? I would buy the Raleigh all day long. 853 is nice, I had an 853 LeMond, but it's not $1200 nice.

Marcus_Ti

The Tamland 1 comes with mech disc brakes....the Niner probably hydraulic. That is one reason.

What wheels is the Niner being spec'd with? The Raleigh's are no-name.

What is the tire clearance on the Raleigh?

The Niner has full rack mounts front and back, which makes it more adaptable. And 3rd waterbottle boss and Bento Box mounts ..the Raleigh looks to not have any rack mounts up front.


All around the Niner is a more adaptable frameset to start with...whether that matters to the tune of $1200 is up to you.

Joeyseven

I like the Raleigh's.But I also own two and I prefer the 2x11,BB and the Lifetime warranty vs. 5 for starts.

Here is A article on the Tamland. Amazon had some good deals on A few Tamland's lately.Prices under 1K for A few sizes.

Raleigh Tamland Two Reviewed

Donsell

I would build the Niner with a 2x11 501 groupset, but the rest of your points are apt. Niner's warranty is ambiguous. One way page they say they warrant all of their products for 5 years, but the FAQ says non-carbon frames are warranted for only 2. I'll get clarification on that when I talk to the Niner dealer on Monday.

I just wish I could find a Tamland to ride before ordering.

shoota 

How tall are you? Where are you in Nebraska exactly?

Tamland tire clearance is at least 43mm with some room, 45mm with a little less room.

Donsell

I'm just under 6 foot and in Lincoln.

shoota 

Me too and I got a 56cm. If you wanna come over to Carroll IA you can test ride mine

mstateglfr 

TRP Spyre brakes are really nice. Ive set up a few bikes with them for friends and they are easy to set and easy to use. Better design than many other mechanical disc brakes ive seen. No, they aren't hydraulic, but they also aren't anything close to something to sulk about.

Quality steel tubing, quality shifting, good brakes...tough to cough up so much more. The wheelset difference would be interesting to know- weight difference specifically.

shoota 

The tamland’s wheels weigh ~2100g. They are solid but they aren’t light.

chas58

Well, this might be the answer to his question. Pretty succinct summary by Guitar Ted:

Donsell

The wheels are my biggest concern. But for the price difference, I could buy a nicer set of wheels and use these as a backup.

Donsell

Yeah, reviews are good for the Tamland. I just need to feel comfortable ordering a bike I haven't ridden.

shoota 

Offer stands.

shoota 

That's exactly what I did. Got a set of American Classic MTB Races.

TimothyH

I'm sure the Tamland is a nice bike and a great value and I've no idea who Guitar Ted is but there are some very well designed and fine handling gravel bikes out there.

"Hands down the best" is a bit of drama.


-Tim-

shoota 

He wrote that a number of years ago and there weren't nearly as many options then. But yeah one man's ideal geometry isn't the ideal geo for everybody. The Tamland geo is actually a little more aggressive than a lot of gravel bikes.

mstateglfr 

GT is a really knowledgeable mechanic and blogger. He hosts gravel races and rides and does a lot of equipment and component testing for reviews.

As for the comment that you feel is drama, when taken in full context, it really doesnt seem drama to me. He is saying that at the point of writing, its the best handling bike he has ridden on gravel. That sure doesnt seem dramatic to me. I can say with certainty that to day, my current gravel bike is the best handling bike ive ever ridden on gravel. Not drama, just formed opinion based on experiences.

Please note that he does not claim the Tamland to hands down be the best gravel bike- he simply states its the best handling bike HE has ridden up to that point. Hardly a lofty claim or drama.

Hope this helps clear up some confusion and perhaps you will see GT differently and mosey over to his site for some review reading sometime.

mstateglfr 

$750 to drop 1lb6oz. Interesting. Thats a lot of weight to drop with just 1 component swap. Rotational weight savings too.

shoota 

Yep. Not sure if it was worth it since I haven't ridden the stock set but at least I feel better lol.

shelbyfv

I think the Tamland has a threaded bottom bracket, as opposed to a press fit on the niner. PF seems to be nearly unavoidable on carbon bikes but there is no reason to settle for one on a steel bike. Price for the niner is very close to current sale price for the Lynskey GR250. Duh.... Both of the Tamland models seem great value with the Raleigh corporate price.

curttard

Just FYI, Guitar Ted says he helped design the Tamland, so he is probably not entirely objective.

TimothyH

As always, follow the money trail.

justin1138

did you even read the review?

he's extremely up front about his role with the Tamland...

mstateglfr 

Ha, yup, getting rich off the Tamland. Nailed it.***

He has stated he gave input, its no secret to uncover. And considering that, then his comment about comfort would be even more accurate and the claimed drama would be non-existant. Yup- a person who gave input on a bike's design finds it to be the most comfortable bike on gravel to date...not really overstated. Hardly drama.