Interesting discussion. I decided to buy a new gravel bike, a Specialized Diverge, but couldn't find one my size but wanted to do a local gravel race. So I bought a new surly straggler frame, a used set of HED Ardennes wheels but couldn't find a gravel groupset either shimano or scram. So i found an old shimano 3 x 9 and used it but didnt find shifters compatable with hydraulic rakes so i went with a flat bar. Not exactly what I wanted but it works. Ill be happy when I can get a real groupset and drop bars.