A lot of roadies seems to be giving it a shot. The more the merrier I say. Definitely more a 'type 2' activity as they say, I've now done a casual gravel race and a proper gravel race - definitely like the casual one better. MTB races still have a better overall vibe, but it was still a pretty good crowd
Nice budget
Purely hypothetical at this stage - will depend on what I can get for the current one and what I can scrape together!Nice budget
This is true. The current wheels are 12mm thru axle, which is still common. Good shout on the casette though - maybe looking at 2x would make more sense given this - or I'd have the same cassette on both wheels to avoid the issue
The f%#kers have started going road/gravel boost 148 rear and some road/gravel have 15mm front
In which case I’ll be buying a short travel HT instead! But yes - one to watch out for!The f%#kers have started going road/gravel boost 148 rear and some road/gravel have 15mm front
View attachment 409063
Its shit, why couldn't they just stay 142/100 x 12 road/gravel as UCI specifies. We all have an abundance of older 142mm MTB wheels with the perfect gravel rim width of 25mm(ish) and 100mm front that a set of adaptors could change from 15mm to 12mm, easily reduced or an Ali 15mm-12mm reducer sleeve.
www.bikesonline.com
Yea but...the polygon frames are absolute trash.How about an AXS equipped carbon 12 speed for only a little more than half your budget? It's not pretty but you can't see it when you are riding it!2024 Polygon Tambora G8X - Carbon Gravel Bike | Bikes Online (USA)
VERSATILE, ROBUST, INTEGRATED Whether you want to explore the dirt roads or cruise on the pavement , The Tambora can switch betwe
Or there's this model with a wireless dropper too https://www.bikesonline.com/polygon-bend-r9x-gravel-bike similar price too.
Other than that...I've built one from an old hybrid bike. Though I now ride a Niner RLT so take from that what you will.
Wow they’re ugly. Fantastic value though, definitely on the list!How about an AXS equipped carbon 12 speed for only a little more than half your budget? It's not pretty but you can't see it when you are riding it!2024 Polygon Tambora G8X - Carbon Gravel Bike | Bikes Online (USA)
VERSATILE, ROBUST, INTEGRATED Whether you want to explore the dirt roads or cruise on the pavement , The Tambora can switch betwe
Or there's this model with a wireless dropper too https://www.bikesonline.com/polygon-bend-r9x-gravel-bike similar price too.
Other than that...I've built one from an old hybrid bike. Though I now ride a Niner RLT so take from that what you will.
Really ? There are shit steel, TI, Carbon and Alu frames from many manufacturers. I have heard of way more broken Canyons that any other frame ever.
That's a winner imo. If I was looking for a gravel bike that's the one I'd get. Pretty meh on Canyon, their warranties might be great but anecdotally I've heard of too many breaking.
www.giant-bicycles.com
I wouldn't say Canyon warranties are great, I was stuffed around for a couple months with what was a well known global problem with the Spectral125, lots of back and forth emails, photos / videos and phonecalls despite the bottom bracket shell completely seperating on the drive side and clunking around. I was even told to keep riding it at one point...told them they've got to be Farkin kidding.
Breakage and shit warranty. I have first hand experience with a strattos roady which cracked with less than 3000km on it. Stuffed around for months by Bikes Online. There's a dedicated FB group for cracked polygon MTBs.