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Hi All,
Looking to get a new or used gravel/cx frame but would consider a bike as well.
I ideally want steel but its not a necessity. It can be bolt through or qr, but ideally has to take around a 40mm tyre at least. I am certainly looking at the cheaper end of the market sub £500. I would consider anything so what's out there.
Cheers
I think you may have to look at used for that budget.
If you can stretch to £700 then id go for a Brother Mehteh
Got a used Genesis CDA frameset (with additional 105 group) going if it's of interest. Have PM'd you just in case.
https://www.merlincycles.com/kinesis-crosslight-cx1-cyclocross-frame-2018-105768.html
Bosh, pair it with the Kinesis fork and you've got a racey aluminium frame and full carbon fork for £480.
I've used one as the basis for my gravel bike (mostly because I wanted to run cantilever brakes).
Pros - light, fast, threaded BB, external cables (if that's your thing).
Cons - Kinesis are a bit cheap with the accessories, I'm not even sure you get a seatclamp with it. You can fit 40mm tyres in but if your wheels are flexy or you can put out big watts, you might get some tyre rub. I've ended up with heli-tape on the inside of the chainstays for some extra comfort.
Edit: d'oh! Just checked remaining sizes, only 45cm and 48cm. Last time I checked they still had the full range of sizes available...
I’d be more interested in matching a frame to terrain/surface/riding-style/other requirements.
CX vs ‘gravel’ are appreciably different. Even ‘Gravel’ vs ‘Gravel’ are appreciably different! ie some racey/tarmacy, some bike-packy/toury, some offroady, some monstercrossy...
I’d be more interested in matching a frame to terrain/surface/riding-style/other requirements.
CX vs ‘gravel’ are appreciably different. Even ‘Gravel’ vs ‘Gravel’ are appreciably different!
Yeah... but I think CX geometry gets a bad rep, the Kinesis is very much CX as far as I can tell but is absolutely brilliant on gravel terrain, I mean, who doesn't like effortless quick line changes and fast handling in the mud? 😉
I guess for fully laden tours etc. it might become a bit of a handful...
The Merlin G2p frame is great. I have been riding mine for a month now, a few hundred km of rough road, track and some light off-road.
It is at the middle ground - not so CX/racey, but not a high front end tourer style. Noticeably more comfy and lighter than the Boardman CX in the household, lighter than the (XS sized) Giant Liv Invite in the household.
I am running 36mm tyres, easily room for 40mm.
I was thinking of posting almost the same question. But i want 45c clearance as a minimum.
So far I'm looking at the Sonder Camino Al or the Kinesis Tripster Al.
Anyone else care to add to this list?
Yeah I'm not after a tourer. Don't mind cx or gravel geo. Its more tyre clearance that is proving to be a bigger factor.
The Merlin looks good but with the 40mm max clearance I may hold out for the moment. I have been looking at the sonder as well and they look a good buy. Nordest look nice but are getting pricey, tripster is nice but getting pricey again. Marino custom is looking a very good option but need to check the lead times on one.
Looking at matts pictures clearance on that Merlin loks good.
Cotic Escapade?
Steel, I run mine with 40mm tyres. Best bike I've ever owned.
Looking at matts pictures clearance on that Merlin loks good.
I have just measured - rear is 50mm between seat and chainstays, fork is 55mm. Both at crest of tyre.
Fearless are about to launch their new bike, the Vulture frame/fork was 499, clearance for 700x47c, new one is similar.
Nordest have some good looking and good value frames.
Loads of room then.
Keep an eye out for a Marin Four Corners (or what ever it's called this year). I picked up the Elite version (full Rival groupo, hydro brakes, etc) second hand earlier this year for less than £500. It's in great condition too and for comparison a similar spec'd Genesis I was watching at the same time sold for over £1k. Really comfy to ride, nice steel suppleness and cheap. What's not to like?
I have seen other steel Marin frames in pretty much unused condition go for sub £300 recently too so they are defo under the radar compared to most.
Oh, and mine easily fits 42mm Gravel Kings.
If you can stretch to £700 then id go for a Brother Mehteh
+1 on this. I have a Kepler and it can take up to a 700x45c or 2.1 650b. Gets a lot of gravel use while in lockdown and copes perfectly fine. Used to be my super commuter but now just gravel spins.
The perennial favourite Croix de fer frameset are still around for £499 in some sizes.
The Masi Cx line will take a 50mm and have dropper routing.
Marin Nicasio is the slightly less toury version of the four corners. Can't be had as a frameset but very reasonably priced.
The Fuji Jari ditto.
Ragley trig is v. Nice. Might be above budget though?