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Road bike (Cyclocross?) around £1,500

by Rains of Castamere
Thu, Jun 04, 2020 11:51
8

Hi everyone, new member but long-time lurker, hope you're all well.

Got around £1,500 to throw at a road/commuter bike (only a 2.5 mile work commute, all tarmac) but there's some nice rural areas near me with woodland trails and gravel paths that would be good to have a blast through and it's leaning me towards a cyclocross bike - must admit the term cyclocross / adventure bike / gravel bike is quite novel and confusing to me.

I'm a bit of a beginner cyclist really but would like something above entry level but not bank-breakable. I'm 6ft 3 so would need an XL frame. Ideally carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes, a mate suggested Shimano 105 but I don't know how crucial that is...

Any advice would be much appreciated. I quite like the Ribble CGR (https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-sl/) but the wait times are pretty lengthy and I ideally want to get it in the next couple of weeks. Plus it's £1800 which is a stretch.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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Rains of Castamere | 3 years ago
0 likes

Thanks all. What's the thoughts on Vitus bikes?

Spotted these... good buys? Is the second one (£100 more) worth the additional spend? 

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-substance-vrs-1-adventure-road-bike-2020?...

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-substance-srs-2-adventure-road-bike-2020?...

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Cargobike replied to Rains of Castamere | 3 years ago
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The first one is only available in XL while the second is only available in XS, so if both fit your size requirements then you must be a very odd shape. Not being funny, but it's pointless posting up other options if you don't read the details given.

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Rains of Castamere replied to Cargobike | 3 years ago
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Both were available in XL at the time of posting. I've 'liked' all the responses made and looked into all the suggestions, very helpful as some of these I'd never heard of, though most aren't goers due to sizing availability. Bit odd to assume I hadn't read the replies. All the best.

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kevvjj | 3 years ago
1 like

GT Grade

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Rains of Castamere | 3 years ago
0 likes

Thank you both, much appreciated, will look into these

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kil0ran replied to Rains of Castamere | 3 years ago
1 like

Personally, I feel Tiagra is good enough these days, the only real difference is a few grams and one less gear. You'll often find that they're specced with a wide range cassette too (11-34) which will be sufficient for winching up pretty much anything. 

Decathlon have this available in your size, very well specced for the money and will be perfect for what you want to use it for.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc520-gravel-id_8504030.html

There's a review of its sister bike here https://road.cc/content/review/252475-triban-rc-520-disc-road-bike

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pockstone | 3 years ago
1 like

There was a simiar thread recently with pretty much the same query.

Pinnacle Arkose (Evans) was my response, but fellow poster Kiloran made a list of good suggestions, including the Cotic Escapade, after which I have lusted. And the Merlin Malt suggested by the OP looks nice.

https://road.cc/content/forum/help-choosing-budget-gravel-bike-273863

Beware anything that's strictly 'cyclocross' as it will likely have limited gear range and racy handling. A good spread of gears with a small chainset,46/32 or 46/30 will make gravelly hills a lot more manageable.

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Daveyraveygravey | 3 years ago
1 like

Similar to the Ribble, Kinesis do the G2, which has got my attention.

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