[Closed] Gravel / Adventure Choice

That new alloy kinesis tripster?

what's the budget go to?

I'm very happy with my Genesis CdF, but I'd be seriously thinking about the new Kinesis if I was buying now.

If it was in budget, Mason Bokeh.

Budget up to around £1.5k (around £700 deposit, rest on cc). There does seem to be a lot of choice in the £1-1.5 range. The NS Rag+ also looks nice, but I don't think it takes mudguards.

Jamis Renegade? I got mine in the sale so it was a bargain, not sure what price they are now.

I have orange rx9
It's ok, but a bit harsh riding especially the forks. Also it's QR front and rear so depends how you feel about that, and no front rack or fork leg mounts
Thought about surly straggler?

Sorry to muddy the waters, but have you considered a decent 29er hardtail, with some component swaps?

I've done that with my Superfly, narrower bars (required a 25.4mm stem right enough, hen's teeth!) plus 40c slicks, plus eventuall higher gearing (have a single 38tooth for the CX season then hope to go for a 40tooth, maybe even a double).

It's been perfect for everything from 1hr CX practice laps on muddy trail centre reds, all the way through to 5hr loops which were probably smooth enough for a 28c road bike if I'd had one.

The only thing I miss from a genuine gravel bike is the multiple hand positions, my position on the flats is somewhere between being on the tops of a road bar, and being in the hoods. It's fine but I'd like to be able to be able to relax and sit more upright for climbs etc. rather than be in one static position the whole time.

I guess for the same money (it's equivalent to probably a £1500 bike with upgrades etc) it might be 0.5-0.75kg heavier than an equivalent gravel bike.

Sonder Camino Al? 700c or 650b, either work well (& can fit full guards, rack etc).
[img] ?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=a041001c87434df46a34308a90a98029&oe=5A38773F[/img]

The Camino does look like another good option. I've tried the 29er thing, but prefer to have drops on this style of bike.

Thought about surly straggler?

I've looked at the Straggler, but like all Surly bikes over here it seems a tad expensive for what it is. Thanks for the input so far

I think camino Al will be my next bike. £999 for hydro brake version, bargain!

trek crockett is worth a look at in that price range. theres 2016 small (52cm) 9 on leisure lakes going for £1300

Kona Sutra LTD.

I've got one, they're brilliant.

Now that Kona does look very nice indeed.

Dawes 3ima here. Light Tourer with rack and guard mounts + takes a larger cx tyre easy

I'm currently eying up the new Tripster but also the arkose. I've had an arkose before and liked it so I have no qualms about another one. I do like the kinesis though. My biggest worry though is should I use the Ultegra groupset I have or go crazy and get a force cx1 groupset. Hmmmmmmm

Got a Genesis CdF and just got a Whyte Friston, 1st ride today on it. Very pleased with it so far, was quick on the smoothish paths and bridleways and good on the road. 480mm bars feel very wide (500mm on the 2018 spec 😯 ) but combined with tubeless set up and the carbon fork, feels very confident off road.

I've got the Whyte Gisburn which has the same F&F as the Friston. I use it for exactly the riding you describe and like mine a lot 🙂

In a very similar dilemma... I tried both a Croix de fer and an Arkose around the car park and local roads the other day at Evans. The Croix de fer felt lovely to ride and was really comfortable, but I'm slightly concerned by the weight of it on big climbs on a long day etc. How do people find it in real life? Arkose was predictably a bit more nimble, lightweight and a little more harsh but still really good to ride. Looking at the Arkose 3/4 it's hard to ignore the good value and kit of the Pinnacle range.....

I'd personally rule out anything that didn't allow you 650bx2.1 as an option.

The Arkose LTD does look really nice, and think i remember seeing it meets the above criteria

New Charge Plugs are looking very nice. Not sure on prices but it can be too far removed from the current ones I wouldn't imagine.

Norco Search. I have a 2015 model before they dropped the steel frames. It's used for commuting and it is utterly brilliant. Great VFM compared to the usual manufacturers.
I'd go as far as saying gravel/adventure bikes are now my favourite type of riding and my 160mm enduro bike has hardly been ridden much this year.

fifeandy - Member
I'd personally rule out anything that didn't allow you 650bx2.1 as an option.

The Arkose LTD does look really nice, and think i remember seeing it meets the above criteria

I'm not sure a 2.1 tyre would fit on the Arkose. I've just put some 47 mm 650b on my Arkose 3 though. Can't recommend the Arkose highly enough and the ltd is lovely in the flesh.

[img] [/img]

Is that a Byway on the front? Pondering getting some for the winter.

what you've got...a bish bash bosh...over the years bought quite a bit from planetX/onone without the hassles some people have experienced - nice stiff feel to frame with thru axles but a lot less jarring than my aluminium Kinesis pro6 it replaced - though have been caught out by the lower BB than a true CX
couldn't fault the finish though bought as a frameset not a build... only query would have is the great big hole beneath the BB great for getting the cables thru but in the UK winter not sure if would fill with chunks of ice....here it is in the Aus' winter - since rained a bit more and switched to 35mm tyres

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4298/36143912325_90dc631762_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4298/36143912325_90dc631762_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Have a look at Rose. Very good value for money and you can spec the parts as you wish via the bike builder. I'm on my second Pro DX Cross (first one got stollen!) and just fitted 38 cc tyres on for a bit more gravel gnar. Takes frame mounts (and as p20 loves to point out to me, it also has a kick stand mount), and has great mud clearance. It's one of thier more relaxed cross bikes. I think they now do a more out-and-out adventure bike too. I know it means you have to order blind online (unless you happen to be in Germany!) but thier customer service is very good if you need to ask questions.

Equally those Sonders do look nice having seen one in store now.

Bregante - Member
I'm not sure a 2.1 tyre would fit on the Arkose.

View this post on Instagram

mattbee - yes byways front and rear. Not sure I'll be running them in winter though unless you plan to purely run them on the road.

Just built this NS rag+ up, and it does have facility to put mudguards on

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Thanks all for the input. The Rag and Bish Bash Bosh are now tempting me

I'm seriously wavering over the cannondale slate 105. £1350 in start fitness with their offer code...

the lack of rack mounts is my main (only) reason for not buying it so far

to also add. whatever you get, hydro brakes for the win. cable are Ok but not in the same league, even TRP spyres don't compare and the upgrade cost to hydros is huge unless they come with the bike.

My 650b tyre choice veers between 38mm Compass Loup Loup Pass and 2.1" Schwalbe Thunder Burt. I'm tempted to get some 47mm Compass or WTB tyres for extreme comfort.
Hydro Disc brakes are really worth it - I've got the eTap Red Hydro-R which with sintered swisstop pads are fantastic.

Just built this NS rag+ up, and it does have facility to put mudguards on

^^probably, but it's a nice looking bike though 🙂

Bregante - Member
I'm not sure a 2.1 tyre would fit on the Arkose.

A 650B x 1.9 or 2.0 yes if it has low shoulder lugs, a true 2.1 MTB tyre no, not with any useable clearance while the frame has clearance for a road double.

[url= https://www.biketart.com/bikes-c1/ridley-x-trail-c-40-disc-p14861 ]my bike......[/url]

That's nice Trekster, but slightly out of my 1.5k price range and doesn't look beefy enough for my tastes.

I think, being realistic, it's going to come down to:

Whyte Friston
Bish Bash Bosh
Slate Apex
Arkose range
Sonder

There have been some great suggestions and bikes I love (the Kona and Tripster), but it's going to have to be sub 1.5k I reckon.

Ive got a Croix de fer, which was built up from a custom frame with 105 for £1500. Lovely bike which i have done a 120 mile road ride on in comfort (now handed over to the missus to make way for n+1). Also have a vagabond which is lovely and very adaptable, built it with alfine 8 so a bit on the heavy side but still a wonderfully smooth and comfortable ride.

I got the sonder in the end, as noted here: [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sonder-camino-al-experiences ]search didn't work[/url] but had a long look at the Mango Point AR before I decided.
At the time stock was short at Mango, but am very please with the Camino. All day comfortable, and fun to ride.

OP - have you considered the Whyte Glencoe?
It might not be perfect for your needs but it's very pretty
😉

I've had 5 or so of the type of bikes that the OP is interested over the years, but not as my main off-road bike.

The latest is a Surly Straggler, which I run with two wheelsets (41 and 28c tyres).

While this bike has reasonable off-road credentials, is my commuter, tourer and has even done a fair bit of sportive-type riding this year; I'd definitely not replace my MTB with it.

Personally, in a similar situation to the OP, I'd go for a rigid or hardtail 29er - with MTB and cross wheels.

The success or otherwise of a "one bike" approach will depend on how different the riding styles are that are being combined. I'd find my Straggler great over plain gravel, but even adding a few potholes to the gravel would make me prefer a rigid MTB.

[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-substance-ii-apex1-2017-adventure-road-bike-oran/ ]verenti?[/url]

There's a 105 hydro one for similar money too

jonnyboi - Member
I'm seriously wavering over the cannondale slate 105. £1350 in start fitness with their offer code...

What code as it looks that price without any to me? I like the quirkiness of the Slate but a 1kg fork for just 30mm suspension seems poor compared to Spesh's 20mm solution. Plus why not 700c...

deepreddave - Member

What code as it looks that price without any to me? I like the quirkiness of the Slate but a 1kg fork for just 30mm suspension seems poor compared to Spesh's 20mm solution. Plus why not 700c...

looks like they've dropped it again since I checked the price, I'm in.

lefty oliver is their solution, I guess the difference is that future shock doesn't do anything for the wheel it just works on the bars?

650b is an odd choice but they justify it as giving you loads of rubber and the same rolling radius as 700x23c. Plenty of reviews online.

use code bike10 for an extra 10%

I love the Kona

If you're tall and interested in a second-hand 2016 (blue) one, let me know 😉

Blimey - that Slate 105 is showing as £1012.50 for me! (1579 for the Ultegra)
That's pretty unbelievable.
Still not sure it's the bike for me though. I'm going to have to resist the impulse buy. Shame I hadn't already had a test ride.

Blimey - that Slate 105 is showing as £1012.50 for me! (1579 for the Ultegra)
That's pretty unbelievable.
Still not sure it's the bike for me though. I'm going to have to resist the impulse buy. Shame I hadn't already had a test ride.

that looks like an ex vat price to me? you might not get it all the way through the checkout at that

@jonnyboi - total bargain for the spec and an interesting one bike solution. The one L they had has been snapped up so move quickly for the others at that price.

that looks like an ex vat price to me? you might not get it all the way through the checkout at that

What is the code for 10% off?

The 105 gearing is very roadie not that gravel-like 52/36 and a 11-28 cassette

code is bike10. You're right about the gearing but its an easy fix

deepreddave - Member

@jonnyboi - total bargain for the spec and an interesting one bike solution. The one L they had has been snapped up so move quickly for the others at that price.

snapped up by me 🙂 hit the button on the 105 spec. total impulse buy but a good upgrade for my current gravel bike

@jonnyboi - well done that man. I had it in my basket this morning several times but glad you got it

PSA - If anyone wants a Slate and missed out on these then give Phil at Epic Cycles in Ludlow a call as I've just chatted with him and they have various sizes at very competitive prices 01584 879245.

OP - have you considered the Whyte Glencoe?
It might not be perfect for your needs but it's very pretty

It's very nice looking, but the Friston seems to pack more bang for the buck.

Jumped on a Slate @ Wheelbase and was pleasantly surprised been sitting on a bike to work voucher since April so handed it over hopefully picking up Thursday with the Mavic wheels as apparently Cannonade have been putting other rims on that are not tubeless friendly! £1350
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/36547746156_4807e8ec65.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/36547746156_4807e8ec65.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/XFAKCq ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr

What size is that Rich?

That is a large!!!
and was spot on for me Mr Average 5ft 10

Postierich - nice pic! I'd certainly buy from my LBS if I could for a number of reasons but for anyone who can't get a Slate locally then I think Epic Cycles might beat that price ^^^. I've no connection but won't mention them on the thread again!

I have heard of pretty high failure rate of the forks but not specific to that fork so buying from your local lbs might be a good idea as its a send away for any repairs apparantly!

Interesting but sure the customer service will be good. I decided against it due to the more aggressive position but no doubt it's a fun concept especially if you have lots of adventure riding that's accessible. Think the Slate is being withdrawn from the UK market but still supplied in other markets abroad.

deepreddave - Member
Think the Slate is being withdrawn from the UK market

[img] ?format=1500w[/img]

postierich - Member

That is a large!!!
and was spot on for me Mr Average 5ft 10

happy days, I looked at the geometry numbers and gambled on a large, and I'm similar height but a bit long limbed.

Interesting but sure the customer service will be good.

CSG have a terrible reputation.

Is that true? If so that's a shame as this one looks nice

those WTB resolute tyres have just jumped to the top of my 'must have' list

postierich - Member
I have heard of pretty high failure rate of the forks but not specific to that fork so buying from your local lbs might be a good idea as its a send away for any repairs apparantly!

Whats the problem with the fork? I have an XL on order and I'm tempted to cancel it.

Hi postierich
Got my cannondale slate cx1 from wheelbase in June, absolutely loving it. Running tubeless schwalbe g ones and every time i ride it makes me smile

Sounds like we have an exclusive club as well if cannondale have stopped U.K. sales

ElShalimo - Member
Is that true? If so that's a shame as this one looks nice

So I'm told, withdrawn from the UK to enable them to focus on improving supply of their core market bikes. The Slate is quite niche and presumably better suited to the riding in countries like Spain so get them Slate bargains while you can!

TD75 lefty forks have always had a bad rep suppose its all about owner maintenance

There is a nice cheap highly competent gravel bike available from On-One.

Brew it up to your own spec. Mine is slapped together from whatever parts are spare.

Ride it anywhere.

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4356/35696235153_21b4d9a33e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4356/35696235153_21b4d9a33e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

In tourer mode doing a 120 mile loop around Wester Ross and crossing a few mountain ranges on a day trip on Tuesday.

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4396/36570078676_5ae837f6c2_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4396/36570078676_5ae837f6c2_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Usually single speed, but 3 speed hub for widening its scope. Normal gear is road singlespeed inches, top is my track bike inches, and bottom is my mtb inches. So it can go anywhere.

Proof you don't need a big budget to have a highly competent bike. There's nothing on the bike that is expensive, but there's nothing on it that is crap either or short life, and the biggest budget item is the Brooks saddle.

Pompinos are ace. 🙂

That's cool that, epicyclio. What's the bag on the back and how's it attached?

It's a [url= https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/saddlebags ]Carradice saddle bag[/url] and it's attached through the loops on the back of the saddle.

Guys I'm bumping this as I'm being very indecisive. Looking good to replace my aging Dr dew with something.
Want 1x11 sram, prefer bolt through wheels, light-ish and off road capable. Not bothered about all the bike packing type stuff. Just one or two hours being round local roads, trails, woods etc.

Currently torn between whyte Friston and custom building a Cotic Escapade. Cotic can't do a competitive Sram build off the peg unfortunately.

Did fancy a Camino Al but think it's a bit more aimed at sedate, longer plodding rides. I might do the occasional cx race... £1000-£1400ish. Help!

Friston sounds like just what you're after. Done a few 20-30 mile rides on mine now on a mix of road, dirt paths and bumpy tracks and loving it!

40c tyres give a lot of comfort and handles well off road bit zips along nicely on the hard stuff. Double Tap 1x11 takes a bit of getting used to if coming from Shimano but I'm getting the hang of it!

Whyte Glencoe??

I'd also say Friston (because I want one) or maybe look at the NS Rag+ as it looks so right

I just bought a Whyte Gisburn, £500 off RRP at Cycle Surgery. I was looking at several cross and gravel bikes but once I saw the price drop on the Gisburn it was a no brainer.

I have no intention to race the bike, or use it as a commuter. This bike is for fun up on the hills of the Tweed Valley 🙂

[url= https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orro-Terra-C-5800-Disc-2018-Road-Bike_109678.htm?sku=405857&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8vnMBRDgARIsACm_BhKMTCoSh8LYG9npDYJz8QwSp211FlejENNpENVbLsjpY4JwZcW9LMgaAovUEALw_wcB# ]Orro Terra Carbon[/url]

This would be my choice, have the Al version and love it, it is a very fast road bike that is perfectly competent off road

Ooh that Orro is nice and comes in orange, the best colour for bikes.