I’m currently riding a rigid steel hardtail with a carbon fork in a sort of gravel bike guise. It’s great and does everything I want of it but is a bit portly at about 27 1/2 lbs (although I’ve yet to find anything I can’t wind myself up slowly).

As I’ll be 50 at the end of the year I’m toying with the idea of building up a new bike (I haven’t had one in years) although it would be to do the same sort of on/off road riding that I do now.

I was thinking of a 50/50 gravel bike (drop or flat bar) but there’s such a lot of options. On-One have some interesting contenders – Bish Bash Bosh, Space Chicken and Full Monty but I’ve noticed that some of these (Space Chicken at least) are designed for a single ring only and I’d like the option of a double or triple.

I like steel and there are lots of steel options too but in terms of weight I think that they’d build up to a similar weight to my current ride (in which case I’d probably go for a gravel orientated build of a Singluar Swift).

What would people recommend? I’d like the option to fit a double (or perhaps triple treking) chainset but am fairly open to material; I’m afraid that I can’t really afford titanium.

Budget?
Being a similar age, I’ve just treated myself to a Mason Bokeh frameset and it’s in the middle of build. I had thought of the PlanetX options, but had a test ride on the Bokeh, and loved it, Not steel, but carbon fork and designed for 700c & 650b wheels. Got a dyno set of 650 & a “regular” 700 so I can go n-1. Anyone for a S/H Roubaix or pompetamine? </stealth ad>

just built up a bish bash bosh
105 STI’s triple deore trekking chainset woodchippers XT mechs hyrd’s
specialized zertz seatpost kinesis crosslight V4 wheels – finished up at 9.5kgs and other than a ti rail saddle nothing really weight weenie

[ononehaters]ready steady go….[/ononehaters]

I’ve always been massively interested in the Soma Wolverine. But not looked too much into the weight and geometry.

Shand Stoater? Takes a double, has rack mounts and is likely lighter than the On-One options. There’s an 853 version in the classifieds (ahem)…

Niner RLT, lovely frames and heavily reduced at Stif and Topfun.com (the Spanish distributor, not a dodgy porn site).

Loving our Niner RLT9’s in The Dales.

How do you find the Nano 40 in the rear? I fancied one of these but was put of by the 38mm max chatter I had heard. My current bike fits them, just, I think they would rub on a muddy ride!!
(off to check out top fun for prices) 🙂

I’m currently obsessed with the Fairlight Faran

http://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/2117/fairlight-faran-review

However, like you say, unlikely to build up much lighter than what you have! You’d prob need to go for alu or carbon for that…

Some nice options there, thanks. I think that at over £1000 for the frame and forks the Shand’s going to be too pricey but the Soma Wolverine does look nice as does the Faran; in fact they all look great (which is probably why I’m a bit bemused by all the choice). Funnily enough I’ve just seen a Niner RLT (I think) parked up in Glastonbury and that looked pretty nice too (and I’ve just seen the price of their lovely 853 version 😯 ).

Gravel swift you say? https://www.instagram.com/p/BSmDTkdDyMz/

I’ve just been out today on my Bokeh with 650b Thunder Burts and it was great fun. Only let down by my refusal to ride 15″ steps. I also rode it at Paris-Roubaix with 38mm Compass Loup Loup Pass tyres. Very versatile and comfortable.

What about Sonder. The Camino looks to be good value. Also if you’re on a limited budget, the Boardman CX team looks great especially given the current price. You could always transfer all the bits to a steel frame later