As the title says really, what is the best CX / "racy" light gravel bike for under £1500
Boardman 8.9 ADV?
Cheers
Panda
Watching this, and wondering whether the new PX/OnOne will get back to big price cuts on the Free Ranger which has crept over your limit in the last year.
You say CX bike/light gravel. If you’re after an actual CX race bike then I find it very hard to look beyond the vitus energie evo. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-energie-evo-apex-cyclocross-bike there is a reason that frame is so common on the race circuit.
CX bikes such as the Vitus are pretty close to a gravel bike as BB drop of 66 for Vitus (almost road bike) versus 70 (very road bike) of this Ridley. CX bikes were typically 60 or less which is what made them feel different.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/ridley-kanzo-c-carbon-apex1-disc-gravel-bike-2022
Both look like a good deal but the Ridley is a bigger reduction so I would go for that over Vitus just because.
Ridley looks a better frame, some nicer details on it such as luggage mounts.
I wasn't in the market for a gravel bike, but seeing that Ridley has changed my mind.
Presumably the closer to the CX end of the scale you get, the tighter the tyre clearance.
Noticed quite a bit of CX stuff appearing for sale on local groups as people get ready for the new season - might be an option second hand
Boardman 8.9 ADV?
I had one as my first gravel bike and I'd say it's a very solid choice.
Excellent frame and fork, decent kit and really quite fast. Definitely faster than the Ragley Trig I have now, but not much less capable on MTB-ish trails.
If you have £1.5k to spend, you could get a nice wheelset to go with it. The stock wheels are the weak link on the spec.
But that Ridley is a pretty sweet deal, if you 1x gearing suits you (I prefer it).
The Boardman isn't really at the lightweight racy end of the market, it's kind of middle ground, I have one and really like it.
However, that Ridley is a stone cold bargain. Get that.
That ridley is the same Carbonda 696 gravel frame as the Free Ranger (and Dolan GXC). Seeing as you're getting Sram Force on the free ranger for £300 more, it's not that much of a bargain.
I know I am a Sonder fan, but this is a cracker of a deal, they have it in stock in a large also at the same cost.
ALPKIT.COM @kerley Just ordered that Ridley. Ta for the heads up.
nothing stealthy about this blatant ad…..
Have a look for my Cinelli Nemo Tig in the classifieds - almost super bike spec (mostly Hope inc cranks, BB, brakes, wheels…) and I’m asking not much more than your budget (I’m open to offers!)
That is a good deal! Good parts too!
At the end of the day they are both Carbonda frames, it just depends if you want the cx/light gravel or the thicker gravel frame 🙂
Alas I am too short for it!
Sam
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So thanks for all the advice. I got myself a Vitus Energie, and am very happy with it after my first ride
Sam
Just an update, having had 2 CX races on the Vitus Energie, I am really happy and it has made such a difference, I am now mid-pack 🙂
Sam