Trek Boone v. Niner RLT v. Pivot Vault

Hey RG forum goers,

I wanted to put this out for a friend of Riding Gravel who has been looking at the Trek Boone, Niner RLT, and Pivot Vault. I had been answering some questions for him and thought that it would be helpful for him to hear from all of you as well.

Facts:
1. Around 6'2" , 200+ lbs
2. Using for:

• commuting
• Dirty Kanza 100 version - racing and training

3. For this discussion, lets assume money isn't an issue. It's good sometimes to figure out what is best and then figure out the alternatives, rather than lowering the bar and eliminating options from the start.
4. Open minded to other suggestions.

Can you help him out? What should he do and consider about each?

Thanks,
FRG

Look at the foundry auger. I love mine rides great and 17 pounds with carbon clinchers.

He could also look at the Black Mountain Cycles monstercross frame. More specifically, the made in the U.S. by Cameron Falconer frameset with True Temper Versus steel tubing. I know that a second run is being built this summer, link below \n \nhttp://www.blackmtncycles.com/p/blog-page.html?m=1

Highly recomend the Salsa Vaya. Bought mine last year rode more than 3800 miles. Rode DK 1/2 pint last year and doing again.....

I was looking for a bike to serve about the same purpose and I'm roughly the same size. I was pretty set on the Salsa Warbird 2, but today I just ordered a Foundry Auger (B2 Disc.) Reason being, the Auger was marked down to the same price as the Warbird 2. I can't wait! I've herd the Boone and RLT are nice bikes too. Best of luck! \n

What a lucky guy with an unlimited budget!  

I see separate threads on the Niner and the Trek, does anyone have first hand experience with the Pivot Vault?  

Also can any of theses bikes hang with your roadie friends on pavement?

I have a gravel riding friend who rides a Pivot Vault. Nice bike. Very similar to my Spec. Crux carbon disc bike, but just a tad less tire clearance in the rear.

@slowlane ha. yep. Where did you plant the money trees.  It's just that a lot of times people rule out many options because of price, when usually there is some way to find a good alternative to what would be good but is too pricey. I'd rather start with higher expectations and fill in the blanks than start with a cheap bike and try to polish a turd.

I rode a Niner RLT today at the SE Bike Expo. It was the 2-STAR build with 105 components. The bike felt very responsive and stiff but stable and fairly smooth on mild gravel for an aluminum frame. A lighter build would have been nice, but it seemed like it could make a good gravel bike.