Decision Time: First gravel bike

Hi all,

I'm a new user, nice to meet you. Lately I've been more and more into cycling due to daily commuting to work and some beautiful bike rides in Japan during my last vacation.

Because my budget is limited, I've been looking into gravel bikes the last few months because they could be used for different purposes. The bikes I've selected should take care of my commutes and the other things I've got planned. This weekend is decision day and I'm hesitating between a couple options. I hope this forum can assist me with my choice.

A couple things before I list the bikes:

• Budget of around 2,000 EUR, I can go higher if needed
• Possibility for a rack at the back
• Possibility for fenders
• Not used to riding with drop bars or in an aggressive positions
• Uses: Commuting, longer weekend trips, yearly backpacking trip (e.g. Antwerp to Paris)

Option 1: Rondo Ruut AL2 (1,800 EUR) / ST2 (2,160 EUR)
This is together with the Cannondale Topstone the option that I'm leaning towards the most. Cool looking bike, all the mounts that I need and a simple SRAM Apex 1. I don't think I will use the two fork positions too often though. The AL2 and the ST2 both seem pretty decent, but I'm not sure what material would suit me best.

AL2: http://rondo.cc/ruut-al2,205,pl
ST2: http://rondo.cc/ruut-st2,206,pl

Option 2: Cannondale Topstone AL 105 (1,800 EUR) / Ultegra (2,160 EUR)
This is the bike in the store that got me looking into gravel bikes and it didn't lose my sight since. The availability is quite difficult here in Belgium, but I think I've found an official retailer. Same story as the Rondo Ruut: Cool and simple bike, all the mounts, OK price. Both of the previous mentioned options don't have the latest Shimano GRX gravel groupsets, but with my limited (read: non-existing) knowledge about cycling, that shouldn't be such a big deal right now. 

Some other options worth mentioning

• Felt Breed 30 (don't hear a lot about this, but it seems alright. don't feel much about it though)
• BMC Roadmachine X (32 clearance is max, and only 30 with fenders I believe)
• BMC URS Four (out of my budget, but if it's really good, I'm willing to spend the money)
• ROSE Backroad GRX RX600 (the comfort is not that great apparently, so that's worrying me)

I would love to get some input and hopefully I can join the other discussions soon when I get my bike. 

Thank you a lot,
Bart

Reading through the specs a while back of the Felt, it seemed very similar (including price) to the Topstone. 

I would have thought the Ruut frame is a bit aggressive. 

Have you looked at the 2020 Fuji Jari 1.1 (alu) 2x; available through bike-discount.de. Kind of relaxed position. Threaded bb. Heaps of mounts. Looks like one of the better designed alu frames.

Hi, Yhano.

I have a 2019 Topstone 105, and it is my gravel, road, single-track, fair-weather commuter bike.  I've been enjoying it so much on the dirt / trails I've only ridden my fs mountain bike twice this year.  I have an extra wheelset for longer road rides, and I did mount a rear rack for commuting.  I have a Surly Ogre setup as my foul-weather commuter,  so I have not yet felt a need to put fenders on the Topstone, but I certainly could if necessary.  Re: your comment about drop bars, it has been a number of years since I've ridden drops, and wasn't sure if I'd find them comfortable.  But I have no regrets at all with the riding position on the Cannondale, and do enjoy the multiple hand positions offered.

Good luck!

@owly, if the Felt is similar to the Topstone, I'm more leaning towards Cannondale. I've got a good experience with that brand so far. Thanks for the confirmation. I've checked the Fuji a while back, but it never really stayed long on my list.

@western_rider's_dad, I was at the store today and fell in love with the new Topstone 105. Great to hear that you're enjoying it. Gives me more confidence in my choice. Thank you!

Too bad I have to wait for February if I want to order it through the official retailer here in Antwerp. Perhaps I should just order it online, but I have to see if that's a good idea for the bike fitting and future maintenance.

I really appreciate the answers!

Here's another vote for the Cannondale Topstone.  I got the Sora version and then swapped groupsets and wheels with my 2018 Fuji Jari 1.3 (Shimano 105).  My Jari developed a creak I could not fix even with multiple full disassemblies, greases, etc.  So it's now my winter bike with the Sora groupset.  Funny thing is, the Jari frame doesn't creak when the temp drops below 40° F (4.5° C).

But yes, the Topstone feels like a road bike to me with big tires.  I hope the frame and fork last a very long time because I will use this bike for everything except winter commuting. 

Awesome, 100% sure about the Cannondale Topstone now :-)

I've got an offer from my local dealer for 1,799 EUR and I'm getting about 100-200 EUR of accessories for free. Tomorrow they'll let me know if they have the bike stock or if I have to wait for the next batch in February.

I've found my size (medium) in stock at the online store by Sigma Sports for the same price give or take. That's without the free accessories of course.

I'm thinking about ordering it there if my local dealer tells me I have to wait until February. I'd prefer the local dealer for maintenance and 10% accessory discount in the future, but I don't feel like waiting for 3 months.

Anybody got any experience with buying a bike online?

Consider the Felt Broam, too.  Slightly slacker angles and slightly more upright than the Breed, same drivetrain except the Broam has a 46/30 crankset & 600C wheels and slightly longer chainstays. Mounting points for everything... Excellent bikepacking and commuting as well as fast gravel riding.  (If racing is part of the plan, get the Breed.) 

Rusty wrote:Consider the Felt Broam, too.

That's a good build.

When I was shopping for my first gravel bike a few months ago, I was looking for Ultegra mechanical, with the frame being a lower priority. Ended up with Canyon Grail SL 8.0, but had to swap out the 50/34 cranks to 46/30 for trail riding. Interestingly, the Al Grail is no longer on the Canyon site, but they seem to have a new SL 7.0 for $2,500 with GRX600; don't see the crankset size, though. Mounting points on the Grail are kinda lacking, but fenders are possible.

I would prioritize the frameset.  All other pieces of your build can be upgraded.   Flared drop bars will allow you multiple hand positions,  on the hoods for up right relaxed position, in the drops for the attack or descent.  Aggressive geometry is good for shorter rides or racing, more relaxed geometry for all day events.   The Trek Checkpoint is a good entry or intermediate level bike.  Important - Make sure you purchase hydraulic disk brakes.   Cable actuated disk brakes lack the modulation (useful for braking control) and stopping power. The Shimano 105 is a decent groupset.  Ultegra cable is better, Ultegra DI2 is worth the investment.  Tubeless is the best way to go on gravel, but it is not flawless.  Tubeless (TLR) is messy when slipping a tube in during a flat fix on the commute to school or work.    For this reason, consider two sets of wheels and tires.   Tubes for the commute 700x28,32, or 35.  A second wheel set of 700x40 or 45's set up TLR for the gravel. Any frameset that will not run a minimum 38 or 40 tire size is not truly ready for gravel. No problem that I can see with a rear rack, unless you plan to race.   Get a set of good lights.  For commuting, spec a pair of pedals that are dual SPD and flat.   I ride aluminum (AL) - urban, Carbon - distance road, and Titanium (Ti) - gravel.   AL is fine for most riding.  Get a professional bike fit, your body will thank you for it.  Last and most important is to get a bike and ride!

Sure, you want a frame that fits, but that done, the differences between component levels/manufacturers seems greater than comparable frame geometries/materials.

For example, I wouldn't mind having the GRX levers instead of the Ultegra ones, but it's very expensive to upgrade after the fact. I can't justify the cost, so I'm going to wait till the Ultegra levers crap out.

Careful here:   "differences between component levels/manufacturers seems greater than comparable frame geometries/materials"  .  

Generally a bike is built from the frame up and upgraded from the components down.  A groupset may be worn out or in need of upgrading after few years but a frameset should generally be in place for the life of the bike.  Sure you may need to replace worn bottom bracket bearings or the headset, but the frame should be good for the duration.    My budget is driving my upgrade to GRX.   I chose to upgrade the rear derailleur and cassette now,  my current shifters are compatible and will not be replaced until they wear out.  Right with you there.  Same with my wheelset.  I would like a pair of carbon wheels but the purchase will have to wait, but it will happen.    Back to the frameset,  if I chose the wrong material or geometry for the type of riding I prefer, there are only a few mods available to me.   Saddle height, stem angle and length for handlebar placement, maybe even the crank length.  But my point is that your options are much more limited with the frameset thus it is more important to get it right.   With components, I can swap cassettes, saddles, handlebars, shifters, pedals, with more flexibility and most importantly - incrementally.   I agree with you in that understanding the variances of components are an integral part of a good bike build with the caveat that the correct frameset is of utmost importance and is the core of any bike build.

Maybe even more important than components/drivetrain is tire clearance. If the OP is commuting, with the option to bikepack on rough trails, the 42c max recommended tire of the Topstone may not be enough; but if the bikepack route isn't too rough, then 42c max is fine.

Re buying a bike online: the Canyon experience was good. The bike fit according to online guide, and assembly was easy.

I've been riding the Rondo Ruut CF2 since August. It's been fantastic. I've had my fork set in the more aggressive setting and ride a fair bit of singletrack. I might try the more relaxed position this winter. And I may eventually get the steel one for my commuting (absolutely love the look of the natural steel frame with the blue accents). I just put on 40c tires with room to spare as well. Just wanted to give my two cents since Rondo is a brand most aren't familiar with. 

Sadly the Topstone was not in stock, so I'm either waiting until February or buying it online on Sigmasports or Epic Cycles one of these days. Epic Cycles has a wheel upgrade to DT Swiss e1800 Disc Wheels which I'm interested in. I'm also considering all the information that was given by you after my last comment. It used to be easier to buy something when I didn't have access to the internet 🙂 I would just buy the bike that my local dealer had in stock. I'm definitely overthinking it, but I'll get there 😃

Brother wrote:
Ended up with Canyon Grail SL 8.0, but had to swap out the 50/34 cranks to 46/30 for trail riding. Interestingly, the Al Grail is no longer on the Canyon site, but they seem to have a new SL 7.0 for $2,500 with GRX600; don't see the crankset size, though. Mounting points on the Grail are kinda lacking, but fenders are possible.

I was looking at the Canyon CF SL 8.0 for a while, but I'm still not sure about the handlebars :-) Not only because of the way that they look and the possibly that it is gimmick-ish, but I think it's difficult to attach accessories on it because of its shape. The 2020 AL Grail will be released in January, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to wait for that.

Brother wrote: If the OP is commuting, with the option to bikepack on rough trails, the 42c max recommended tire of the Topstone may not be enough; but if the bikepack route isn't too rough, then 42c max is fine.

I even think 32-35c would be fine for me for most of the days. I will be on the road most of the time, but I don't want to be limited if I decide to take a 'shortcut' or when I don't know the roads/trails. I think that the Canyon Endurace CF SL 8.0 would even be OK for me if it had some bigger tires and fender mounts.

cyron10k wrote:I've been riding the Rondo Ruut CF2 since August. It's been fantastic.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's still an option now that the Topstone is out of stock. The bike becomes more beautiful every time I look at it. 

Hi, Yhano.

What did you decide?  After replying to your post, saying I wasn't running fenders on my Topstone 105, I ended up unintentionally commuting a couple of days in the rain lately, just because I wasn't paying enough attention to the weather forecast.  My bad...  After spending an hour cleaning and re-lubing, I decided to look into fenders after all.  For this winter, anyway, I want another option for wet-weather riding where I won't have to listen to the humming of my studded tires on my Surly Ogre.  Here are a few pics.  I still need to do some fine-tuning, and trim velcro straps up front.  I think I'm going to love these SKS Speedrocker fenders.

https://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/speedrocker/

They are not anything like the more "permanent" mount, full-coverage Gilles Berthoud fenders I have on my Surly so I do plan on removing them once drier weather returns.  I appreciate that they should be easier to install / remove than most fender setups.

Hi again, thanks for asking!

After visiting the store a couple more times, I decided to stop the endless hesitation and order the Topstone. There were a few models in size M waiting for their buyers and the owner let me try one of 'em out. Its look and versatility really drew me to the bike so I just went for it. Sadly, I have to wait until the end of February or even the beginning of March. Then again, I enjoy supporting local dealerships, and they gave me a bunch of accessories, maintenance and insurance for free. I'm sure those months will pass in no time anyway. The bike will be ready when the sun decides to show itself a bit more. 

Your setup looks awesome by the way. I'm digging the rack, fenders and bags. Any idea how much it weighs with that setup? I'm a fan of fenders that are easy to install and remove as well. I'll be sure to come back to this topic to check out your link. And hopefully share some pictures myself!

Happy holidays and all the best to you and your family.

I'm sure you'll be very happy with your decision, even if it is trying your patience.  

I have never been one to weigh my bikes, and I don't have a scale readily available.  I'm sure it falls somewhere between "unfathomably light and holy cow, that is a tank" weight categories.  I know for sure it is a lot lighter than my Surly, so I'm happy enought.

I have the topstone Sora (upgraded tot 105) and have the same SKS mudguards.
I upgraded the wheelset to DT Swiss PR1600 and ended just north of €2000. I think you made a good choice