Gravel frame with qr dropouts recommendations?

Hi,

Not been on a bike for a few years and want to strip my old cx bike and build a more relaxed geometry bike. Thinking of getting a gravel (or endurance) frame. It will need qr dropouts and post mount disk forks.

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

Maybe worth looking at Spa Cycles’ frames?

Genesis Croix De Fer.

The 20 model has QR and 753 tubing. The frame only models seem to be 12mm bolt through. But I’m sure you can get the QR frames.

If you are not averse to second hand, track down a Sonder Camino version 1 or 2. I think version 3 went thru axle.

I’ve got a version 2, it is an excellent do it all bike.

Or anything with Paragon sliders/rocker dropouts and you’ll be able to convert it

Can’t you just swap forks to increased trail, and add a little more seat post layback?

I can second the Sonder Camino V1 or V2 suggestion. I’ve owned the Alu and Ti versions and they were great – very comfortable ride quality.

No discs but all old skool style:

https://www.brothercycles.com/shop/frames/mr-wooden/#lilac-metallic

Or a few Surly options in Bridge Club, Straggler and Preamble:

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m11b0s143p0/Frames/Frames

I take it that you know that your hubs are not convertible? My Hopes are QR or thru-axle by changing the supplied end caps.

It would give you far more options if they were.

Singular’s old German distributor are still listing steel Kites with QR drop outs but I don’t know how they shape up compared to more modern gravel frames (or how easy they are to get from Germany).

The Pinnacle Arkose which I believe @jameso of this parish designed still holds up today IMO. I have I think the 2013 version  – QR, post-mount disc, tapered headtube, mudguard mounts. The paint is shagged but apart from that it’s doing well and I must have done more than (conservative estimate) 10,000 miles on it now.

Another very similar frame to look out for would be the Cannondale Caadx.

I had a Boardman adv8.9 which was qr

Have a look for early ones, mainly orange coloured I believe – but they did move to through axle and keep the same colour, confusingly

Really good frame though, and you could pick up a full bike cheap with decent disc brakes already attached

My Mk1 Tripster has QR front and rear as well as PM brake mounts

No complaints about my Arkose frame. They must come up used. Mine is 2017, i think the 2918 models started to get through axles

I’m a browser of gravel frames and can’t think of any that are QR. Most will be flat mount too. Although that is easier to deal with

There was a version of the cotic escapade with qr dropouts.

What brakes do you have? If Shimano then you could use Tiagra flat mount calipers or if cable brakes there are cable flat mount calipers available (e.g. Clarks dual piston ones).

I used to have an engine11 dirtee which I bought specifically because of the geo and 135 spacing with qr dropouts. Honestly one of the nicest bikes I’ve owned. Pretty rare in  the UK though. Sport Pursuit had some steel gravel frames on sale recently (no longer unfortunately), a couple of models had qr dropouts – I cant remember the name of the brand unfortunately… But they could be worth a phone call…

There was a version of the cotic escapade with qr dropouts

I’ve got one of those and really like it. Limited tyre clearance being the only downside. I use it as commuter and winter road bike which can go and explore new tracks when I see them, rather than a full on gravel bike

As above, if your hubs definitely limit you to QR, the Soma Wolverine with sliding drop outs can be bought with QR inserts & would be upgradable to thru-axle as needed. Not the cheapest option & I thing that they may be flat mount, (but adapters should be available).

I’m not sure how available they are in the UK.

https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/soma-frame-wolverine-v4-1-b-type-lunar-rock-gray-6912

Planet X Full Monty.

QR and PM discs – hung up in my workshop – how much do you want to pay? 🙂