Gravel Bike on the cheap

Was looking at getting a Gravel Bike soon for about a £1000 but looking at published weights for them am I better just adapting an Islabikes Beinn 29 I’ve got (the boy used it about three times). It’s a bit hefty at just over 12kgs but it doesn’t look like I’d save much weight from buying a new bike in the £1000 price range.

The rim brakes on the Islabikes are lethal so I was definitely going to change them to discs, probably mechanical to keep the cost down and easier maintenance.

Any other upgrades I could consider. Would like drop bars but would that be too much faff.

Boardman 8.9.

There’s a Fearless Vulture frame/fork in the classifieds, I have the same frame and love it. Seller has some other bits to go with it. That with a cheap groupset and bars and you’d have a lovely bike for under your budget.

Besides Boardman above, a few others to dismiss…

https://www.merlincycles.com/wilier-jareen-race-tiagra-gravel-bike-179193.html £900

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g1x-apex-1-gravel-bike-2020-150729.html £999

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-roc-disc-105-road-bike-114799.html £999

https://www.merlincycles.com/wilier-jareen-grx-gravel-bike-190123.html £1099 for new GRX groupset, but still ally fork

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15990777/calibre-lost-lad-road-bike-blue-15990777

Buy one and let me know how it is. Loads of money spare for upgrades.

That is cheap.

That looks like a good deal. At that price you wouldn’t feel it was too precious for some real Rough Stuff riding.

Voodoo Limba might be worth a look too. You can do a lot without a big budget with this sort of bike

Anyone seen any sizing advice on those Merlin jobbies?

Core – give Merlin a ring, they’ll sort you out the correct size.

I’m 6ft and on a 53 and would say it’s perfect size wise.

Bought it to see me through lockdown, put 1000 miles on it so far and no issues at all.

The last thing I want is a rigid bike with drop bars but that Calibre is very tempting.

Merlin would be a no brainer if they hadn’t messed up the geometry so royally, thought Whyte were bad.

If it is to be believed, some interesting shop soiled here: https://www.hargreaves-cycles.co.uk/offers/index.php?cat=39

Effective top tube on the ’53cm’ Merlin is 585mm, about the same as an XL Kinesis gravel/adventure frame. Does seem odd, particularly with the 530mm seat tube, which is 10mm shorter than a Kinesis medium. People seem happy with them in the reviews on the Merlin website though…

Took delivery of a Merlin Malt G1X yesterday and went out for a short spin today. I’m 6’2 and was previously riding a 58 Scott CR1 SL but am on a 53 Merlin. It seems bonkers but I checked with Merlin first. I think they’re using mtb geometry instead of road bike geo. In any case, fit is bang on and feels comfortable. Weight is a little over 10kg but will be reduced when I swap out the wheels for some Hunts / Pacentis. Very happy with it, I think it will be with me for a long while yet.

What is the weight of the Malt bike? Can’t see anything on the website. Thanks.

10.3kg

I’m 6’2 and was previously riding a 58 Scott CR1 SL but am on a 53 Merlin.

Yes the 53 does seem a bit irrelevant as top tube is 56mm and head tube is a massive 175mm. Guessing it is shorter than your Scott but also higher meaning the bars are closer.

I ordered a lost lad, hopefully it’s okay.
As someone who wants to ride from there door but doesn’t enjoy road riding (I like zwift but it’s sad not going outside) and doesn’t want to ride an enduro bike round I’m hoping it will provide a cheap entry into more saddle time!

Already thinking about 1x as I prefer it on my mtb, but will see

The 53 is definitely more akin to a “normal” 56 size – with a 560 top tube. In which case a 175 head tube isn’t too outrageous, especially if you slam the stem.

Don’t see how you can go wrong with that Lost Lad. New Claris is pretty good and functions well on my e-bike. Don’t see many (or any?) other 650b gravel bikes for that kind of money.

Guessing it is shorter than your Scott but also higher meaning the bars are closer.

Actually, effective top tube is a smidge longer I think but with a 90mm stem fitted instead of the 100mm on the Scott it’s virtually identical. Head tube is the same as well I think so position on the bike is very very similar.

If I was toying with a gravel how does sizing go? Following size charts puts me in medium territory but is reach important? I’m 5’8” and longer in torso than leg
It would essentially be used for road duties but hope fully be closer to an mtb riding position than a full road bike? Maybe slightly more comfy if I have got the idea right?!