Decent commuter / gravel bike / not too expensive / nice to look at?

Am I asking too much? Budget is around 500-1000. Open to secondhand stuff.

Any ideas?

I bought a second hand Charge Plug and upgraded it as things broke.

It seems like the obvious answer to me would be Pinnacle Arkose to whatever budget you have.

I wouldn’t be spending a grand on a commuter unless I had somewhere super secure to keep it at work. Even then I’m not sure I would. They get all sorts of buggered being used constantly in all conditions with luggage etc.

I’ve a Kinesis Tipster Decade 54cm that’s surplus to requirements now I’ve bought a Camino

Second hand spec diverge

Merlin have some nice sub-£1000 gravel bikes. If you’re happy spending at the higher end of your budget, the Felt Breed 3 looks very good value.

https://www.merlincycles.com/gravel-bikes-75268/?price=474-1000

OP,don’t know where you are,but up here the second hand market appears to be on its arse,so lots of nice bikes in that budget.

I wouldn’t be spending a grand on a commuter unless I had somewhere super secure to keep it at work.

That’s where I differ,I have always gone for quality(sometimes disguised)commuters. A bit like footwear, I never wanted my every day to be anything less than super comfortable while still being fit for purpose*.

* I did do a significant commute distance,so there was always that to factor in.

Near Durham (does seem like some sort of gravel bike would be most appropriate here!)

yer those half price Felt’s ?

Merlin have some nice sub-£1000 gravel bikes

I would not bother with their own brand. Mine was ‘OK’, but was missing all sorts of frame mounts and Merlin could not care less, it was also really quite ‘old roady’ geometry, rather than newer gravel or endurance stylee.

My Genesis Vagabond is way more comfy, capable and better at most things – it just weighs more.

As a Arkose user, I can recommend them, I’d imagine you could find a strong candidate second hard for a reasonable price.

Rack on the back, Ortlieb bag, Schwalbe marathons, plus lights of your choosing, you have a bike that just does what you need it to.

How do you feel about a Surly Cross-Check?  In budget, several years old now but barely used, if it’s done 100 miles I’d be surprised.  It was north of £1000 new, I’d part with it for £600 and throw in a Tacx turbo trainer.  Collection from East Lancs.