Beginner Gravel Bikes - Help Me Decide

I've really enjoyed riding my Haanjo Trail Carbon.  I've enjoyed ridding the bike, and will continue to do so.

Look into the Giant Toughroad. Great bike for a great price.

Geeze, I'm reading posts from early october, not realizing they are 2 years old!!!  

Old threads come back to life over at Bike Forums which I don't read much anymore but didn't know they happened here. 😃


Zman

Zurichman wrote:Old threads come back to life over at Bike Forums which I don't read much anymore but didn't know they happened here. 😃
Zman

IMHO it's a good sign people are using the search function. :-)

I'd like to think there's a page for one of the on-line CX or gravel bike sites where they have a table which outlines what one gets in different price ranges.  For example...

Under $500
Frame/Fork
  Aluminum or steel 
Drivetrain:
  Double or triple chainrings
  7 or 8 speed derailleur & cassette
Brakes
  Cantilever rim brakes or mechanical disk brakes
Parts typically are low end Shimano, Microshift or a no-name brand

Bicycle weight will be around 28 pounds and will be functional...


$500 to $1000

$1000 to $2000

$2000 to $4000

etc...

IMHO this would give people an idea of what they get, or give up, when moving up or down in price.  

red1992v6rs wrote:Well, I finally pulled the trigger.  I picked up my 2017 Raleigh Tamland 1 last Friday.  I went with a 60cm based on the input from my LBS as well as input from Raleigh themselves.  They felt it would give me a more upright position compared to a 62cm, which is what I was looking for.  Of course it snowed on Sunday (friggin' winter).  I was very surprised by the weight.  It feels like it is 10 pounds lighter than the old Fuji.  With that being said, I am not at all regretting staying with steel.  I don't think I would notice the extra couple pounds anyways.  I'll hopefully be able to report how it performs when I am able to take it on longer rides.  It might not be until spring though since I don't want to get it all salty from the roads.  If anybody would like pictures or anything, I'd be happy to.

Thank you everyone for your input and advice.  I'm excited to have officially joined the gravel community.

I'm also late to the party. But, I'll join the chorus - good choice and congratulations. Steel - especially for gravel, will give you the best value and performance for your money. Nothing wrong with Ti, and carbon frames. I expect however, both will cost much more for an equivalent build, strength and performance. There are also good hydro formed aluminum alloy frames at a similar price point; but IMHO you will get a more responsive and compliant ride with your steel Tamland.