Help me find a Gravel Bike with Road Endurance Manners
03-20-19, 08:08 AM
#26
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I've decided to throw this out to the collective knowledge of BF members to see if I'm missing anything in my search for a gravel bike, or endurance road bike with wider tire clearance. I ride mainly crushed-limestone paths near my house and paved roads--nothing too harsh. But I have found that 35c-40c wheels are ideal for my riding conditions, and would like the option to switch wheelsets for road rides as well. I really like the Trek Domane, but it only clears 700 x 35c. The Trek Checkpoint has been at the top of my list, but it is not available with the adjustable rear IsoSpeed (compliance is fixed) . So while I figure out if this is a deal breaker or not, I am considering some other options.
Here are my criteria:
Geometry like an endurance road bike (stable handling, low bottom bracket).
Clearance for up to 700 x 40c tires.
Endurance road bike gearing (2 x 11 with 50/34 up front and 11-34 in the back seems ideal).
Weight that approx. 20 lbs with a 56cm frame, or that can be upgraded easily to be under 20 lbs. Something 21-22 lbs stock will be fine. This probably rules out a lot of steel bikes or heavy touring rigs. I would like to use this bike as a road bike with a second wheelset and lighter 28c tires, so I don't want a tank.
A smooth ride that soaks up vibrations. Not squishy, but not jarring.
Hydro disc brakes and thru-axle wheels.
Budget: $2,000-$3,000
Shimano 105 R7020 hydro is sort of my target zone.
What I've ruled out: The Specialized Diverge, due to maintenance requirements for the Futureshock. I like to do my own maintenance and will never bring a bike back to a shop for anything, so something like that is a deal breaker. The Canyon Grail because of it's wacky dual handlebar. I'm still thinking about the Giant Revolt, but have to figure out why it's so heavy. Perhaps it can be salvaged by swapping out some Giant proprietary parts.
What awesome bikes am I neglecting to look at? Mason? Kona? Others? I can also do a frameset, as I enjoy building up a bike from scratch.
Thank you in advance for your replies!
Here are my criteria:
Geometry like an endurance road bike (stable handling, low bottom bracket).
Clearance for up to 700 x 40c tires.
Endurance road bike gearing (2 x 11 with 50/34 up front and 11-34 in the back seems ideal).
Weight that approx. 20 lbs with a 56cm frame, or that can be upgraded easily to be under 20 lbs. Something 21-22 lbs stock will be fine. This probably rules out a lot of steel bikes or heavy touring rigs. I would like to use this bike as a road bike with a second wheelset and lighter 28c tires, so I don't want a tank.
A smooth ride that soaks up vibrations. Not squishy, but not jarring.
Hydro disc brakes and thru-axle wheels.
Budget: $2,000-$3,000
Shimano 105 R7020 hydro is sort of my target zone.
What I've ruled out: The Specialized Diverge, due to maintenance requirements for the Futureshock. I like to do my own maintenance and will never bring a bike back to a shop for anything, so something like that is a deal breaker. The Canyon Grail because of it's wacky dual handlebar. I'm still thinking about the Giant Revolt, but have to figure out why it's so heavy. Perhaps it can be salvaged by swapping out some Giant proprietary parts.
What awesome bikes am I neglecting to look at? Mason? Kona? Others? I can also do a frameset, as I enjoy building up a bike from scratch.
Thank you in advance for your replies!
03-20-19, 08:14 AM
#27
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This bike is appealing. Can't get Ultegra Hydro at that price from a Trek or Specialized. Biggest compliance "gimmick" on the giant is the D-shaped seatpost section (and a ridiculously long seatpost).
03-20-19, 08:18 AM
#28
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Not to mention it comes with carbon wheels too.
03-20-19, 11:02 AM
#29
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OP, you might check out the All City Cosmic Stallion. Beautiful steel frame with carbon fork, road manners, 105 mech, clearance for 700c x 41's. I'm also in the market and would probably go this route but want to clear up to 700 x 45, which the Whiskey fork on the All City can't accommodate. I think this setup hits all your marks though.
03-20-19, 11:37 AM
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OP, you might check out the All City Cosmic Stallion. Beautiful steel frame with carbon fork, road manners, 105 mech, clearance for 700c x 41's. I'm also in the market and would probably go this route but want to clear up to 700 x 45, which the Whiskey fork on the All City can't accommodate. I think this setup hits all your marks though.
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03-20-19, 11:53 AM
#31
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Really? I mean, I know it's 4130 which shouldn't make that fact too surprising. I read somewhere about a very average-sounding build coming in at around 22 lbs., which didn't strike me as overly-heavy for what it is. Granted, the wheel and tire combo make all the difference..
03-20-19, 11:56 AM
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Really? I mean, I know it's 4130 which shouldn't make that fact too surprising. I read somewhere about a very average-sounding build coming in at around 22 lbs., which didn't strike me as overly-heavy for what it is. Granted, the wheel and tire combo make all the difference..
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03-20-19, 12:40 PM
#33
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@shoota - Right. It's hard to get any gravel-first, road-second build under 20 lbs. within a $3k budget without it being a crappy ride. Personally, I wouldn't want to be spending much time off tarmac on a sub-20 lb. bike unless it was dedicated to CX racing. I'd chased lowest-possible-weight on so many bikes and builds until I came around to the reality that ride quality and comfort matter so much more for preventing fatigue.
03-20-19, 01:10 PM
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@shoota - Right. It's hard to get any gravel-first, road-second build under 20 lbs. within a $3k budget without it being a crappy ride. Personally, I wouldn't want to be spending much time off tarmac on a sub-20 lb. bike unless it was dedicated to CX racing. I'd chased lowest-possible-weight on so many bikes and builds until I came around to the reality that ride quality and comfort matter so much more for preventing fatigue.
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03-20-19, 02:18 PM
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It's funny you say that. I actually went the other direction. Started with a 24-ish lbs Raleigh Tamland and while it was a great bike, I just always felt the need for a more lively ride. Wound up with a Cannondale SuperX and now I'm looking for something as light as the SuperX, that feels like the SuperX but that is slightly more gravel orientated. Basically I'm in the same boat as the OP.
Dirt wrecker with a Fox AX up front and 650b Thunder Burt
Nice and plush nimble road with stock carbon fork and the new 32c GP5000's.
03-20-19, 02:37 PM
#37
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@shoota - Right. It's hard to get any gravel-first, road-second build under 20 lbs. within a $3k budget without it being a crappy ride. Personally, I wouldn't want to be spending much time off tarmac on a sub-20 lb. bike unless it was dedicated to CX racing. I'd chased lowest-possible-weight on so many bikes and builds until I came around to the reality that ride quality and comfort matter so much more for preventing fatigue.
I just see several gravel options with Shimano 105 that are in the 20-22 lb range, and I feel I could easily upgrade some key components, and put a lighter road wheel set on there for when I want to do a Century ride or go out with roadie friends.
03-20-19, 02:37 PM
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I saw an Ibis at Land Run this past weekend. Looked like a fine ride. I forgot about the Stigmata, that's also a worthy frame to look into.
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03-20-19, 02:43 PM
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Santa Cruz has not been on my radar since the '90's. Looks like they were bought by the Dutch parent company of Cervelo. Interesting... I figured they were another ASI or Pacific Cycle type of a brand, but apparently not.
03-20-19, 02:54 PM
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I got the Santa Cruz because all the MTB guys I know that swear by them (plus the huge discount since it was a last year model). I know guys that will only own SC frames. Apparently not much has changed since the buyout. If you wreck a frame they will sell you the newest one with at least a 50% discount. Doesn't matter if the old frame was 10 years old.
03-20-19, 08:16 PM
#41
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Glory Cycles in South Carolina is selling a complete Pinarello Gan GR-S Endurance/Gravel bike with Ultegra and tire clearance up to 38mm for under $3K. It even has a mini rear suspension. And the bike looks awesome.
https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-ga...8000-bike-2018
https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-ga...8000-bike-2018
03-21-19, 07:20 AM
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Glory Cycles in South Carolina is selling a complete Pinarello Gan GR-S Endurance/Gravel bike with Ultegra and tire clearance up to 38mm for under $3K. It even has a mini rear suspension. And the bike looks awesome.
https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-ga...8000-bike-2018
https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-ga...8000-bike-2018
03-21-19, 07:30 AM
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I always suggest that people wanting a road bike that can be ridden off-road, look at old Raleighs and Peugeots from the 70's and early 80's. They can typically clear 35 mm tires, and have all the road bike attitude and manners you could ever ask for. Unfortunately, there are no disc brakes or thru-axle wheels, but they can often be had for a couple hundred bucks, Reynolds 531 is the real thing, and the retro styling is 100% genuine.
03-21-19, 08:57 AM
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I always suggest that people wanting a road bike that can be ridden off-road, look at old Raleighs and Peugeots from the 70's and early 80's. They can typically clear 35 mm tires, and have all the road bike attitude and manners you could ever ask for. Unfortunately, there are no disc brakes or thru-axle wheels, but they can often be had for a couple hundred bucks, Reynolds 531 is the real thing, and the retro styling is 100% genuine.
03-21-19, 09:24 AM
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Glory Cycles in South Carolina is selling a complete Pinarello Gan GR-S Endurance/Gravel bike with Ultegra and tire clearance up to 38mm for under $3K. It even has a mini rear suspension. And the bike looks awesome.
https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-ga...8000-bike-2018
https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-ga...8000-bike-2018
I'm not trying to dissuade but just mentioning it as an additional data point, that's all.
That particular bike has an otherwise great parts mix given the price.
Last edited by TimothyH; 03-21-19 at 09:28 AM.
03-21-19, 03:50 PM
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Great price for what this is! I'm going to see if my local dealer has any in stock.
03-21-19, 05:02 PM
#47
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Cannondale will be introducing a carbon version of the Topstone in May.
03-21-19, 05:38 PM
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I had been totally avoiding aluminum, but something about this Cannondale Topstone 105 is calling to me.. I feel like those big cushy WTB tires would take the buzz off of any aluminum frame, and the newer Cannondales are know for their smooth rides. I respect Cannondale's expertise in aluminum frames.
Great price for what this is! I'm going to see if my local dealer has any in stock.
Great price for what this is! I'm going to see if my local dealer has any in stock.
