I last bought a bike in 2000 and I'm in the market for a gravel bike. It seems that the majority of bikes in my £900 budget are mainly available online. Do folk just buy online today without trying?
I'm looking at Marin, Cannondale, Boardman, decathlon.
Should i avoid any of the above makes or any of the following sites?
Evans
Wiggle
Tredz
Is there a good site that I hadn't mentioned or better still a shop near Manchester?
Thanks
I looked at one the other day in my LBS, and sadly saw the same model £350 cheaper on line. In a real quandary now as I want to support my LBS but £350 is not a small Amount.
First pick your style of gravel. Is it rocks and roots or forestry tracks and crap tarmac? If the latter head towards a CX type of handling if you want something nippy and can live with slightly less clearance. If you want to overlap with a hard tail MTB it is a different bike. 1x or 2x. Personal preference/prejudice applies here. Then just buy mail order unless you can afford the LBS premium which may be qworth while depending on your LBS. I wouldn't with mine.
Any you listed would be fine but I would chuck in Planet X as one more. Just get the bike you want at the lowest price with them. It changes almost daily.
I’ve got a boardman 8.9 and I’m very happy with it. Got good reviews and often out of stock.
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2332-adv-8.9-2021.html
actually got mine second hand, great condition and only £650
If you have an Alpkit shop nearby you can demo a Sonder Camino. Should give you a decent idea of what you want.