I'm sort of mulling over a gravel bike, maybe thinking of winter rides where I might not want to get absolutely cacked up in mud. Quick blast on the tow-path to see my dad, cycle paths with Mrs Rock, that kind of thing.
CRC did have quite a fancy one in the sales with a dropper and suspension forks but I snoozed, or dilly dallied, and it's not available anymore. Probably a bit steep really for testing the water.
I think I'd like a 1x drivetrain, but then the ratios look hard work for the hills around here, but OK for canal sides.
Any thoughts what really is minimum spec/price I'd be looking at....used is also an option.
Cheers
Personally I'd be looking at something with hydro rather than cable actuated brakes and go from there price point wise.....
If you have suitable spares to at least start you off, including wheels/post/saddle/stem/bars etc., how about building up a ~£300 https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2x-gravel-frameset-197832.html and ~£625 https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-grx-rx610-gravel-groupset-1x12-speed-299033.html
Gear range looks pretty good for 1x with 40T chainring and 10-45 cassette, approx 24-109 gear inches with 38mm tyres according to https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html
Or simply get the Claris cable braked off-the-peg for ~£550 https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2-claris-gravel-bike-2023-197226.html
I'd probably just be looking whatever was local and second hand lightly used, with a decent spec.
You'll get much more for your money.
I've just bought a vitus substance 2 - nothing fancy but £430
I bought a virtually new Boardman adv 8.9 secondhand for £600 and really like it
Me too rockbus!
Halfords do secondhand now, they has some grade-A ones for less than a grand, suspect they ex-display in reality.
It’s not billed as a gravel bike but I used to gravel ride on a Kaffenback years ago and it worked well. They are £900 with hydraulic brakes, get some Sonder Camino bars and I think it would be great, limited to 40mm but looks similar to the Merlin Malt G2
https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/planet-x-kaffenback-sram-apex-1-bike-2
How tall are you? 5.9 - 5-11ish? I may have just the bike for you. Have been debating selling for a long time as I have only ridden the thing about 20 times in 5 years. Really not for me when I have a fast 29" HT in the shed too.
It is one of these. https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/gravel-bikes/raleigh-roker-pro-review/
Ignore the cons in that review as it would come with front and rear mudguards. Can give more details and pics if you might be interested.
I'd recommend second hand. I picked up a Arkose X with 1x Rival for £450. Perfect for canal duties on my commute.
My Facebook marketplace is full of gravel bikes at present, many a good deal.
Personally I’d be looking at something with hydro rather than cable actuated brakes and go from there price point wise…..
This would be my advice and worry less about 1x Vs 2x (Ref: the thread I foolishly started the other day) I wouldn't get too hung up on the drivetrain.
I reckon there's possibly some new bargains out there to be had soon with Tiagra 4720 (Hydraulic 2x10 speed) otherwise you're looking at Apex1.
If you go looking used you have a better chance of scoring a posher spec, Those "bottom end" Vitus aren't bad value, you'll get a working bike well within your budget but I reckon lots of people that buy one will be pricing up a groupset with hydraulic brakes within a year, sadly Microshift still don't do hydraulic levers.