Advice on new bike purchase

Hello all.  I am brand new to the forum here  so thanks in advance for sharing your expertise.   

I am also fairly new to the gravel biking world, and I'm in the midst of shopping for a new bike.  My god, who knew that bike shopping would be harder and more stressful than shopping for a new car?!  I would love your thoughts on my options here and any other relevant advice you might have.  

About me:
6'3", 210lbs. A thoroughly amateur biker.  A wannabe weekend warrior.  I love to get out onto the bike paths and trails when I can.  It's a therapeutic reprieve from the pressures of a family, house and a sedentary desk job. My current ride is a full suspension GT hybrid with MTB gearing.  It's heavier than hell and rides like your grandpa's Cadillac. Big, squishy and comfortable but slow.  I usually ride 25-28 miles when I go out.   Mostly, I'm on the street and paved bike trails.  Flat gravel once in a while, but I'm too old to be screaming through the trees on two wheels anymore! (44, with a history of back and knee issues.)  My goal is to be faster while staying relatively comfortable and having fun.

For my new bike, I have a max budget of $2,000.  (I am learning that mid-summer is not the best time to get a bike!  But I don't want to wait for new models and sales in the Fall.)  In terms of specs, I'm aiming squarely at the sweet spot of Shimano 105.  Not really into the SRAM double click thing.  Carbon fork (if not full carbon/composite) would be great.  I really like the internal wiring that most of these bikes have.  Other than that, I just want the lightest and best machine I can get for my 2 Gs.

Right now, I am waiting on my favorite local shop to give me a proposal for upgrading one of the lower end Kona Rove models with 105 components and maybe better wheels/tires. Other than that, here are the bikes on my radar:

• Kona Rove NRB DL 

• Specialized Diverge Comp E5

• Specialized Sequoia Elite 105

• Scott Speedster 10

• Cannondale CaadX 105 SE

• Giant AnyRoad Advance 1

• Raleigh Tamland 2 (Why does Raleigh name all their models after weathermen?!  Who brilliant marketing idea was that?!  Though props for the 'Anchorman' reference.)

One challenge I am having is that it seems very few shops stock 60cm+ frames which makes it hard to ride a bunch of bikes before I decide.  Also, I really like my local shop.  It's not a chain and the people are great.  But they don't sell any of the manufacturers above except Kona and Raleigh.  I could always buy online and pay them to assemble and service it for me... I feel torn!


Many thanks for your advice on these rides.  Any others I should really consider?  I look forward to your thoughts.

Zack

Zurichman wrote:If you had a Raleigh dealer nearby and could get some fitting I wouldn't pass on the discontinued Raleigh Roker Sport which is 2x. I think it's sora or something like that but when it wears out you could upgrade. From what I know the bike is listed at 22 lbs. and guessing that is for a 56 cm bike. I had the tamland 1 but it weighs 25 lbs and then bought the Roker Comp which weighs 20 lbs. Not really sold on the 1x Sram either and might replace it. I don't know much about the Willard but that is another option. You can set up a Corporate account with Raleigh and save some  major buck
s. You might be also able to buy a used Roker Sport off Amazon or Craigs List.

Good luck
Zman

DrSpoke wrote:Just saw these in an email from Merlin today.  The Ridley X-Trails run very large though not sure whether or not at 6'3" a Med would be large enough or not.  I'm 5'8" and riding an XS.  It's a great bike at a great price.

https://www.merlincycles.com/ridley-x-trail-c-ultegra-carbon-gravel-bike-ex-demo-114646.html

Zack58 wrote:Thanks guys.  I will check out those options.

What do you think of the idea to buy a decent bike with Claris or Sora parts, then pay the shop to remove and install something higher up the chain?  Is that just a dumb idea?
Zack

Zack58 wrote:That is a sweet bike.  Any concerns with it being an ex-demo?

DrSpoke wrote:

The ad says <100 miles.  My Ridley is built very stout so I wouldn't worry much about scratches and such.  And doubt they would sell something w/anything w/structural damage.  But it probably wouldn't hurt to ask for more info and/or photos of the actual frame.

I would check the fit as the selection is limited.  At your height, I think you may be a Large or possible between a Medium and Large.  Personally, when I'm in between sizes, I go the size smaller.  But many like to go the other way.

So, if it fits you, I doubt you'll find a better bike in that price range.

Zack58 wrote:

Great, thanks again! I really like that bike!  It looks pretty badass too!

I am trying to compare the geometry of the Medium Ridley to the geometry of XL bikes from other manufacturers to see how different it might be.    A head-to-head comparison doesn't really work as there are too many different variables and dimensions. (Special thanks to Captain Obvious for that insight.)  

Are there particular dimensions or measurements that are generally considered to be the most critical to get right? 

Anyway, I think the next step is to find a local shop that sells this bike and try to ride it.  

DrSpoke wrote:

I would say stack and reach are the most important for fit and also most comparable from model to model.  After that, I use top tube length - that is horizontal (effective) top tube length.  Other measurement may be important based on personal preferences - wheelbase, bottom bracket drop, trail, etc.

Zack58 wrote:
What do you think of the idea to buy a decent bike with Claris or Sora parts, then pay the shop to remove and install something higher up the chain? 

Diverges are great gravel racing or road bikes.  If you're riding for comfort or distance and not trying to win, get a Sequoia because aluminum Diverges have rear tire clearance issues.

I haven't heard anything remarkable about the Giant gravel bikes.  I read a few reviews where they were called "harsh."

As far as upgrading parts, ordering them from the EU will be way cheaper than the shop will do it.  Either upgrade to the next level bike or use the current stuff till they bother you.  I'm in the camp where I think anything Tiagra and above is fine.  Wheels and tires matter more.

Zack58 wrote:

Hello all.  I am brand new to the forum here  so thanks in advance for sharing your expertise.   

I am also fairly new to the gravel biking world, and I'm in the midst of shopping for a new bike.  My god, who knew that bike shopping would be harder and more stressful than shopping for a new car?!  I would love your thoughts on my options here and any other relevant advice you might have.  

About me:
6'3", 210lbs. A thoroughly amateur biker.  A wannabe weekend warrior.  I love to get out onto the bike paths and trails when I can.  It's a therapeutic reprieve from the pressures of a family, house and a sedentary desk job. My current ride is a full suspension GT hybrid with MTB gearing.  It's heavier than hell and rides like your grandpa's Cadillac. Big, squishy and comfortable but slow.  I usually ride 25-28 miles when I go out.   Mostly, I'm on the street and paved bike trails.  Flat gravel once in a while, but I'm too old to be screaming through the trees on two wheels anymore! (44, with a history of back and knee issues.)  My goal is to be faster while staying relatively comfortable and having fun.

For my new bike, I have a max budget of $2,000.  (I am learning that mid-summer is not the best time to get a bike!  But I don't want to wait for new models and sales in the Fall.)  In terms of specs, I'm aiming squarely at the sweet spot of Shimano 105.  Not really into the SRAM double click thing.  Carbon fork (if not full carbon/composite) would be great.  I really like the internal wiring that most of these bikes have.  Other than that, I just want the lightest and best machine I can get for my 2 Gs.

Right now, I am waiting on my favorite local shop to give me a proposal for upgrading one of the lower end Kona Rove models with 105 components and maybe better wheels/tires. Other than that, here are the bikes on my radar:

• Kona Rove NRB DL 

• Specialized Diverge Comp E5

• Specialized Sequoia Elite 105

• Scott Speedster 10

• Cannondale CaadX 105 SE

• Giant AnyRoad Advance 1

• Raleigh Tamland 2 (Why does Raleigh name all their models after weathermen?!  Who brilliant marketing idea was that?!  Though props for the 'Anchorman' reference.)

One challenge I am having is that it seems very few shops stock 60cm+ frames which makes it hard to ride a bunch of bikes before I decide.  Also, I really like my local shop.  It's not a chain and the people are great.  But they don't sell any of the manufacturers above except Kona and Raleigh.  I could always buy online and pay them to assemble and service it for me... I feel torn!


Many thanks for your advice on these rides.  Any others I should really consider?  I look forward to your thoughts.

Zack

Have you thought about the Fuji Jari. They have 2 models, the 1.7 at $1300 and the 1.3 at $1700, that come with a double crank. And they are available in  58 and 61 cm sizes. The specs seem pretty good.

 http://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/road/adventure-and-touring/jari 

 

Zack58 wrote:Good stuff, thank you all!  

@TimmyR I have seen the Surly's but haven't really considered them.  The Straggler is a SRAM build which I'm not really into.  Same with Salsa Vaya (other than the Tiagra bike you mentioned).  When you say it changed how you view riding, what do you mean?