I'm sure there are many threads already on this subject, but here goes.
My 2011 CAADX is starting to show it's age after 9k miles - creaky BB, canti brakes etc. It started off as my only road bike but now is used as a winter road bike, gravel bike and bikepacking bike.
My requirements are:
Hydro disks
proper bb
Enough clearance for 700x40c MINIMUM, 650bx47 would be nice.
Not tooo heavy/clunky (11kg max?)
Mounts aplenty would be nice
Steel or alu
£1500 max (quite happy with second hand)
Basically the CAADX has been great at both road duties and moderate off-road, so I don't want to compromise on this.
So far looked at:
Ribble gravel/cgr
Cotic escapade- nice one on ebay at the mo
Bombtrack hook ext - also one on ebay
Sonder Camino
Is there anything else I should be looking at? Any experience with the above?
As a stealth wanted ad, I'll need a 54 or 56, hit me up if you've got something suitable!
Pinnacle arkose if you can find one, £1500, grx, 700x40 something.
Cannondale Topstone
Kinesis G2
Giant Revolt
I'm waiting delivery of a Camino Ti frame so will have a 54cm Space Chicken frame going in a few weeks if that's any good to you?
I'm loving my Ragley Trig, it's ace.
My mate has a Vitus and that's very good for the price. Have a look at Marin too, my old 4 Corners was really comfy.
Oh, and my new Shimano GRX is miles better than the Sram Rival on the Marin.
I’ve got a Ribble CGR and rate it. Spend the extra on Shimano rather than cheap SRAM. The SRAM stuff packs up so quick shimano will probably work out cheaper in the long run.
Basically the CAADX has been great at both road duties and moderate off-road
Check the geometry carefully. CAADX is nice and slightly more racy than on-trend gravel. Handling of some of these may dissapoint (e.g., Sonder).
Think it’ll very much depend on what’s in stock or how long you’re prepared to wait. Wheelbase have a few options on a Kona Rove in that price range.
Have a Fairlight Faran and proper impressed so far. I think it's probably on the road end of the spectrum Vs some of the slacker / tougher bikes. Also had the Ribble CGR, Kinesis G2 and Cotic Escapade
Also GRX is really really good!
I went to order a Ribble CGR the other day. Some time in 2022 for stock.
(Specifically 105 ally, looking now it seems July this year, quite an improvement...)
+1 for Ribble CGR 725. I’ve owned one for 18months and it is great, an incredibly versatile and capable bike for the money. As mentioned above get Shimano not SRAM groupset. Would also recommend 650b over 700c for when it gets rough. Finally helitape it or get it invisiframe’d, mine has a lot of chips and bits of paint flaked off - PM me if you want to discuss
I have nothing to compare to but really enjoyed first decent trip out on my Free Ranger last weekend. Was bricking it on the downhills to start with but then I'm usually riding a 120mm travel 29r FS bike.
Flipping quick on the climbs though!
Only slightly over budget. 😜
I have a 6 week old Revolt, which replaced my ageing Arkose. I would recommend either, but I’d try and get GRX whatever you get. It’s so much more comfortable and better configured on the bars for off road.
I love my Sonder Camino AL Rival 1.
Ordered in late November last year it arrived in towards the end of January this year.
It’s an incredibly capable and confidence building bike that so far has exceeded all my expectations.
My only regret is not going for the Ti version rather than the aluminium, however this was only due to availability.
The build I feel for the cost is unbelievable, with my only change in the regular build is the fitting of an ultimate black 38t oval chain ring.
If you can get hold of a Camino, get one you won’t regret it.
Having been looking at buying a gravel bike over the last few months, getting pretty much anything with 1x GRX means a wait until likely after Summerish. 2x a bit more available.
If you’re not too fussed about the groupset then it’s definitely easier to pick up SRAM specced bikes.
I launched a similar thread a few weeks back which might help:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/which-bike-malt-grx2-or-camino-al-grx/
As some have mentioned above - for £1,500 the Camino often seems to come out on top so I’m either waiting for that or custom building one over summer if I get round to it.
Trek Checkpoint if you can find one. Amazing little bike and proper fun on easy mtb trails . Shimano GRX as well.
Thanks for all the replies, all good info, in response to your comments-
The geometry is definitely important, I remember test riding a Croix de fer and being very unimpressed with the 'feel'.
DKNWHY- Thanks for the offer but I'd prefer a complete build else I'll end up spending even more!
Interesting about GRX, it was down as a nice luxury but good to hear it is worth the premium/wait.
There's a Camino AL on ebay which has an option of being built with GRX, they are optimistic with pricing but I guess that's supply and demand in action.
I was hoping to avoid buying a bike in COVID times due to the price inflation and lack of stock, but got some trips planned this summer and don't want the bike to let me down. And the relentless BB creak is getting annoying.
Maybe check the Halfords website for stock in your local stores, medium Boardman ADV 8.9 is available to collect built up next Thursday, Monday if you are happy to assemble yourself.