Looking for a cheap and cheerful graveller to bash about on during some forthcoming gardening leave.
Priorities are:
Availability (don't wanna have to wait weeks for delivery)
Sora or above spec
Minimal cost
Anything beat the Merlin Malt G2P for £809?
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2p-tiagra-gravel-bike-2022-197427.html
Pinnacle Arkose for £950? More spendy, "only" Sora, but I think more tyre clearance...
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinnacle/arkose-2-gravel-bike-915760#colcode=91576018
I've got an Arkose X (which I actually think is close to being a perfect gravel bike), my son has the Merlin Malt in Shimano 1xxGRX flavour which he really likes. I recently put 40mm WTB Nano's on my sons bike, and probably clearance for a touch more. My Arkose currently has 53mm 650b tyres.
Either bike would be good I reckon...
The closest competitor I can see as a drop bar in stock is https://www.halfords.com/bikes/cyclocross-bikes/boardman-cxr-8.9-cyclocross-bike-528973.html , ~£1035 for 1x11 Apex hydraulic.
With "gold" Merlin loyalty, the G2P is ~£764, the Tiagra hydraulic set there is ~£350 https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-tiagra-st-4720-hydraulic-disc-sti-levers-r4770-flat-mount-disc-brake-set-10-speed-247267.html