ridethetown

Like so many here I'm looking for advice on a purchase. Already an avid rider (road, mountain, fixed) but am also in need of a cross/gravel bike. Hydraulics are an absolute must-have, and CF very much want-to-have. The bike will be used as follows:

1. Long (50+ mile) training rides into the mountains. I'm riding the Death Ride this year so need to log lots of hours suffering over mountains on tired legs. I love the difficulty of climbing forest service roads for this purpose.
2. Considering using this bike on the Death Ride if it's comfortable and light enough. This is why lightweight, CF, and hydraulics are important. Otherwise I'll ride my Tarmac.
3. Cross racing in the local series this fall.
4. Ability to lightly load for the rare overnight CC tour or ultralight pack trip
5. 1-1 gear or close to it.

I've got $2k to spend, maybe could stretch a few hundred for the right setup. I'm not very imaginative in my searching I guess, and the Google yields a bunch of near-misses or bikes out of my range. I'm wondering if there are options I'm unaware of. So far I've found the following, which are close but each have a distinct shortcoming:

-Specialized Diverge: $500 over budget, not huge on Tiagra
-Canyon Grail AL: aluminum
-Felt Breed: aluminum
-Felt F5X: $600 over budget
-Diamondback Haanjo 7C: $700 over budget (but nice looking build!)
-Niner RLT 9 Tiagra: aluminum, and...tiagra

Of the above, I'd say the leader for my money is the Canyon at only $1,800 it seems like a lot of bike. It's just alloy instead of the composite I desire. Please let me know if there are others I'm missing that I should consider.

radroad

BikesDirect has a bike that barely ekes in. Free shipping and no sales tax makes it equivalent to a $2K bike with sales tax. Ulegra groupset. 34/34 low gear. Not really a gravel bike. Comes standard with 28c tires.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...road-bikes.htm

Titanium ultegra disc. 34/34 low gear. Room for 40c tires. But, it's titanium.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/disc-brake-roadbikes/centurypro-ti-discbrake-road-ta.htm

str8jakett

It will be interesting to see if the Grail AL actually becomes available mid-March, which is the last target given to me by Canyon customer service. Previously they gave me dates in December and February. I really wanted that bike but I didn't like the possibility of further delay like Europe is dealing with, so I went elsewhere. I was in the $1500-$2k range and hydro 1x but looking for aluminum. It's a tough market when you want specifics. Good luck with your search.

mstateglfr 

https://www.diamondback.com/haanjo-7c-carbon-41

this is $2160 shipped using the diamondback/Raleigh discount code. Just an fyi if you the geometry fits you.

the canyon is a really intriguing option, but the lack of geometry details, lack of actual inventory, and those icing cake welds are really drawbacks. Especially negative is the lack of being able to buy the bike.

Lava

The Giant Revolt Advanced 2 sort of fits the bill, if you consider the hybrid brake system they have on there hydraulic.

CodyDog

I test road the Revolt and it handle well and fits in the OP's price range. The braking system was different but very functional.

jon c. 

They've got carbon at just a bit over your target price now.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road/gr...cf-sl-disc-7-0

ridethetown

Yes, and I'm impatient. I wasn't aware of the discount on the Diamondback, and that bike is exactly the tool for the job. I'll look into the geometry - where do I find the details on the code?

gus6464

I'm seeing the Grail CF SL 7.0 at $2060. What am I missing?

ridethetown

Honestly I didn't scroll down far enough to see they're on sale. At $2,500 I couldn't look past that strange design. At $2k, I may have found the new contender.

redlude97

Used? You can get quality setups especially QR frames for ~$1500 with hydro, and using the other $500 for an extra wheelset for difference CX/gravel conditions and tubeless/tubular supplies and tires

gus6464

I would recommend you go to local shops and check out the yearly closeouts. You might find much better deals that way.

chas58

I spend ~$3000 on a Canyon Inflite, and now they are on sale for $2000. Super light, and super fast. That is an incredible bargain. Its not a lot different from the Grail. And, it is ugly, but not as fugly as the Carbon Grail. Still, $2000k for a race ready 7.9kg bike is a steal. I have no problem doing 50 mile rides on it - the ride is super cush in the rear (and stiff up front for CX). It climbs faster and easier than any bike I've had (I set a lot of KOMs and PRs after I got it).

gus6464

Hmm if I hadn't just bought a Stigmata CC for $2k last week I'd be all over that Inflite. Is the Inflite cockpit all custom? If you wanted to run different bars are you screwed? Or can you use a regular stem and spacers?

kokak

I bought the Titanium Century Pro last year. It came with the Shimano R8000 Groupset and I have been very happy with it. BTW... my frame accommodates 44mm tires with plenty of room left. All for $2399.00 you can't beat the price or comfort.

radroad

Glad you like your bike.

I have really mixed feelings about BD. Their 2019 bikes are their best ever, without question. But they have no phone line, probably no customer support staff and getting technical help is probably hit and miss at best. I see other quality direct to consumer brands like canyon and Whyte and commencal with superior customer service and design staff who think through every detail of bike design and wonder if I can support a company like BD if they're not willing to support me as a customer.

kokak

When I was still shopping around... I emailed their support quit a bit and found them very responsive (just my experience). This was my N+1 bike (to start) since I was riding my TREK DOMANE, but always wanted to get something that would accommodate a wider tire.
Now that I am starting to look for a Mountain Bike... I definitely would not rule them out...

chas58

I have both BD and Canyon. There is no comparison. BD takes old frame designs that are past their prime and puts some high quality components on it (and maybe some less visible mediocre stuff on it), and calls it good. Canyon is at or near best in class for everything – even the tiny details. And the bikes perform.

BD is great if you are putting out 100-200 watts and cruising around like many people do. That isn’t going to stress the frame. But if you are a strong rider or finicky with performance, comfort, precision, handling, and quality – there is no comparison.

Elvo

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ross-bikes.htm

tyrion

42t chainring, 32t cassette - kind of limiting.

mstateglfr 

BD frames can't take the stress of a strong cyclist? so you are claiming BD's frames are unable to handle the effort of a rider that can put out more than 200 watts?

I'm not sure what old frsme designs have to do with anything as those old designs were, at the time, current frame designs and handles the stress of strong riders.

or are you saying BD's frames are manufactured poorly and that's why the frames can't handle more than 'cruising' effort?

I dont own an BD bike or canyon. No dog in this.

chas58

OH, they can handle the stress. It is just that I don't see much of a performance difference between BD and Canyon (or any good name brand) at 200 watts or below (other than maybe ride quality). I see the difference when pushing it.

I’m fine on the BD for endurance events, family ride, or even commuting. I am saying that there is a difference between a world class bike and an old basic design from KMS or Fuji or whomever. I notice the difference in precision handling responsiveness, acceleration, climbing (or racing) when I’m pushing myself. But if I’m not riding hard – I don’t see much of a noticeable difference.

On the track bikes, it was like going from 16t to 15t. On the road bikes, I constantly hit more KOMs, PRs, and can ride with a faster class of rider. But on a 20mph (15 mile) commute I can’t say one bike is faster than the other. Depends on how I’m using it.

BD is great for what it is (if you don't need the customer service).

fietsbob

Does not have to hit all your desired points out of the box buy it for right frame size and ride feel, then change things...

Of course you cannot test ride a bike that you only see online..

But My nearby LBS does, for a Fee, do the final assembly and tune up safety checks for bikes from your mail ordered discount places..

Just drop off the box..




...

radroad

.

Same. I don't own either brand. However, there is no doubt that Canyon is the superior brand. Their designs, level of innovation, and customer service are on a completely different tier. Whereas bikes direct bikes are a revision or 2 or 3 or 4 behind the most recent designs, canyon is often a step ahead.

Canyon prices however have taken a big step up this year so I may be out for their most recent models. Bikes Direct bikes are very frustrating. They sell bikes with a component group that you often need to pay at least $1K or $2K more to get with bike shop brands. But the BD bikes almost always have some very odd component choices here and there that don't make any sense, which are basically unusable. Also, the frames often have some anachronistic features or outdated geometry.

Again, the 2019 models from BD are the most modern looking I've seen. But they still haven't caught up. Not to mention their lack of phone support and spotty email support does not inspire confidence at all.

Unlike many enthusiasts, I don't hate bikes direct. But I don't have much confidence in their bike designs or customer service either.

chas58

I like BD.
I always wondered what is really the differnce between them and top tier brands. Now I know.
Their designs are a bit anachronistic. Components can be hit or miss. Again, when I'm doing a more casual ride (at 80% or less), they are great. Its when I'm in that top 20% of effort that I really notice the difference.

Also, Canyon has blown me away with the little design details. The whole package was beyond my expectations.