[Project] My 1st gravel bike

27 replies · 2,954 views

chas
1,305 posts
#21Oct 7, 2019, 11:14 AM
oops, looks like they have gone ebike in much of Europe. I don't see anything on Rayleigh Germany page that looks interesting. I think in the UK they called those bikes the mustang?
https://www.raleigh.co.uk/mustang-elite-21049
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#22Oct 7, 2019, 10:41 PM
chas wrote:well, the first one is the gravel bike and more relaxed/endurance, so that would be the one for you.

Geometry looks fine. The BB drop is a bit on the high side. Do you plan on going fast down long hills? I don't think it will be a problem unless you are doing a lot of passes in the alps, lol.

Ralleigh makes some good gravel bikes in steel (Tamaland) or Aluminum (Willard) (or if you can find one in carbon (Roker). I'm not sure what builds you have available to you - sometimes they have inexpensive builds in the US and nicer stuff in Europe. Its a good frame it it has what you want - or just to compare to the 2 above:
https://www.raleighusa.com/tamland-2-r142
https://www.raleighusa.com/willard-2-r141

I have 2 of the Raleigh bikes that Chas have mentioned. The Raleigh Tamland 1 in 57 weighs 25 lbs has mechanical disk brakes and 105 2x Shimano components. I have the Roker Comp all carbon which has 1x Sram Rival with hydro brakes. It weighs 20 lbs. in a 57cm again. They also make a Raleigh bike in England that shadows the Roker but I don't know what it is called. What I do know although I don't have a lot of experience riding any other gravel bikes. Both bikes are very comfortable to ride and if I was in better shape and not racing with lots of climbs the Tamland would be plenty of bike but the Roker is just that much better with the hydro brakes and 5 lbs lighter. They also make a Roker Sport which weighs in around 22 lbs. and is 2x.

Zman
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KrKAlex
45 posts
#23Oct 8, 2019, 2:57 AM
chas wrote:

Geometry looks fine. The BB drop is a bit on the high side. Do you plan on going fast down long hills? I don't think it will be a problem unless you are doing a lot of passes in the alps, lol.

I live in south Germany so I might go in the Alps, but still I do not plan to use the bike as I would ride a MTB. So I don't think this would be an issue.

Waiting is always terrible for me because I keep looking around and learning new things (don't get me wrong, this part is good to learn new things ) but then with all this geometry information I am a bit confused. Whereas, if Canyon had the Grail in stock I would not even be discussing it..
I have seen your recommendation for the Raleigh. The Mustang Elite you sent Chas is less than 1000€ which make it very low priced with Shimano 105. However, it is not available in my size anymore.

Thank you Zman for your feedback aswell. I would avoid using 1x gears, this is the reason why I always stick to the 2x criteria.
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KrKAlex
45 posts
#24Oct 9, 2019, 6:03 AM
I have seen one bike that look interesting because the spec look interesting to me: The Cube Nuroad Race. What do you guys think of it? From the price, it is impressive how these 3 German brands (Canyon, Stevens and Cube) manage to have a relatively high standard groupset (i.e. 105 / GRX800 - 600) for such low price (compared to other brand where you need to give 2000€ for this). I will try to test the Cube in a shop if I manage to find time and a shop that has it available as well as the Stevens.. I am a little bit desperate about the Canyon Grail
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chas
1,305 posts
#25Oct 9, 2019, 8:51 AM
The two German brands that people used to lust over that were unavailable to us are Canyon and Cube. Now we can buy canyon (when they are available, lol). Cube has a good reputation, but I don't think they are sold in the US.
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KrKAlex
45 posts
#26Oct 9, 2019, 8:57 AMedited
Hmm Ok. This brand was previously sold in supermarket apparently but now they apparently improved their quality and sell only in shops now. There are too much Gravel around atm haha ! At least I know what I am looking for:
- Thru-axle
- Groupset in the range of Shimano 105
- Hydraulic brakes
- Tyre clearance to fit ~40mm tyres (a little bit more is ok but not too much neither because I will not use it)
- A geometry not too relaxed but not CX neither
- ~1500€
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KrKAlex
45 posts
#27Oct 11, 2019, 8:06 AM
KrKAlex wrote:Hmm Ok. This brand was previously sold in supermarket apparently but now they apparently improved their quality and sell only in shops now. There are too much Gravel around atm haha ! At least I know what I am looking for:
- Thru-axle
- Groupset in the range of Shimano 105
- Hydraulic brakes
- Tyre clearance to fit ~40mm tyres (a little bit more is ok but not too much neither because I will not use it)
- A geometry not too relaxed but not CX neither
- ~1500€
And I think I found a new candidate apart from the Canyon Grail I am desperately waiting for.

Does anyone know the brand Ribble? They have the Ribble CGR AL going with various configuration (you can basically choose from every groupset available). The 105 one is roughly 1550€ so a good candidate fulfilling all my criteria.
It is also available in Steel, but it is more expensive. Doest it mean that they see their Al way better? Because usually manufacturing of steel is easier than aluminum and therefore cheaper (mainly due to the welding).

Also this Pinnacle Arkose D3 retained my attention, but the way the website advertise it does not push me to buy it.

Whereas the Ribble website with the possibility to select basically what you want as a groupset is definitely something I pay attention to.

Thank you all for your help.
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chas
1,305 posts
#28Oct 11, 2019, 9:00 AM
Yep, ribble looks interesting too. Most of what I know about it is from bikeradar. they seem to like it. They make an aluminum, Steel, and Titanium version! The ability to customize your build is a big plus.

Steel has been on a bit of a resurgence lately (especially in UK) due to the way the material dampens vibrations. I like steel for that smooth ride, or Aluminum for it quickness to react to inputs. Either one can have a good ride with the right tires and seatpost.

Here are some bikeradar articles:
Ribble Steel:
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/gravel-bikes/ribble-cgr-725-steel-review/

Best Gravel bike list includes 2 versions of Ribble CGR:
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-gravel-bikes/
(Pinnacle is in that list to for comparison)

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