Best budget gravel bike for a beginner?

[rowerzysta]

Hi everyone! I am looking to buy my first gravel bike, mostly for weekend rides on tarmac and light forest paths. My budget is quite limited, so I am looking for something reliable, comfortable, and easy to maintain. What entry-level gravel bike would you recommend for a beginner? Thanks!

 

[vickster]

Merlin used to have a decent one for not too much money (the Malt?)

 

[oxoman]

If on a limited budget and you have some mechanical knowledge then look at 2nd hand ones. Merlin malt, Boardman gravel bikes are worth looking at if new one wanted

 

[moppy]

Guess it depends what you mean by budget.

I've been looking at the 1k price range and mostly looking at the Boardman ADV range and the Canyon Endurace Allroad. Unfortunately can't see either of those in person as the Halfords near me don't seem to stock anything except flat bar bikes. Van Rysel seem to have some decent options too and you can check them out in person if you have a Decathlon near you.

The Ribble CGR is also quite tempting but slightly more spendy

 

[fossyant]

I bought a used cyclo cross bike. Love it.

 

[Punkawallah]

Any Cyclo Cross bike, 90’s All Terrain Bike, or even an 80’s Touring bike. 27”x1&1/4” wheels gives you 32mm tyres, 700 wheels will take 37mm tyres.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

The Boardman CX bike is on offer at £900 at Halfords, cheapest drop bar hydraulic bike they have currently.
I have a feeling the tyre clearance is closer to 33mm than the 45mm or even 50mm on the latest Boardman gravel bikes like the ADV 8.9 (which I think was on sale recently but now back to ~£1250).

It massively depends on your local area and your cycling ability, but I wouldn't rule out a Voodoo Bizango (or even the Bizango Pro) for £600/760 respectively, which is a great spec MTB at the sales prices.
If you plan to ride it regularly over the winter then the supplied tyres would better suit if your local roads/tracks get covered in leaf mulch and mud. But come spring, you could fit a pair of 40/45/50mm Caracal Race, which are brilliant for dry riding (I have a 45mm on the rear of my GT Egrade Bolt gravel ebike and might well buy one for the front for next year).