Gravel bike recommendations

[Pablito]

Hi all, sorry to bump an old thread but I have been deliberating a bit more and I think the gravel bikes are going to be slightly out of my price range.

I think either a road or tourer (as suggested by Canucks above) is the best idea

This seems to have good reviews, looks swish, but unfortunately seems to be sold out everywhere! https://www.adventureoutdoor.co/bike/flat-white

 

[vickster]

Hi all, sorry to bump an old thread but I have been deliberating a bit more and I think the gravel bikes are going to be slightly out of my price range.

I think either a road or tourer (as suggested by Canucks above) is the best idea

This seems to have good reviews, looks swish, but unfortunately seems to be sold out everywhere! https://www.adventureoutdoor.co/bike/flat-white

This if the size works?
https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co...MIwd70p9LE6QIVVe7tCh1GTQ1fEAQYAyABEgLh1vD_BwE

Or

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/ridg...BCABEgK1F_D_BwE#ridgeback-tour-2019-bike-52cm

 

[All uphill]

This if the size works?
https://www.discountcyclesdirect.co...MIwd70p9LE6QIVVe7tCh1GTQ1fEAQYAyABEgLh1vD_BwE

Or

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/ridg...BCABEgK1F_D_BwE#ridgeback-tour-2019-bike-52cm

That Ridgeback is a lovely bike!

 

[Pablito]

Love both of those, thanks for the reply!

I'm assuming the Ridgeback would be more suitable for towpath riding? My towpath has a lot of steep ascents

I wouldn't need the bag holder on the back so could easily remove that?

 

[vickster]

Love both of those, thanks for the reply!

I'm assuming the Ridgeback would be more suitable for towpath riding? My towpath has a lot of steep ascents

I wouldn't need the bag holder on the back so could easily remove that?

It has bigger tyres while the other is more of a skinny tyred roadie

Ref the rack, didn't you mention touring? Yes, you should just be able to remove the bolts. Pannier racks do make life so much easier though if doing any sort of utility riding/commuting

Check the sizing on the Ridgeback site or ask Winstanleys, I don't think those are top tube based sizes unlike for most brands. They might all be a bit small if you much taller than 5'10

https://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/tour-2019

 

[Pablito]

Yep a tour is definitely a plan, but it'll mostly be used for every day use to and from work.

To throw more spanners in to the mix Cycle Surgery have a massive sale on now.

 

[vickster]

Yep a tour is definitely a plan, but it'll mostly be used for every day use to and from work.

To throw more spanners in to the mix Cycle Surgery have a massive sale on now.

They have gone bust so that might be a risky purchase (although of course any retailer could go tomorrow). They also have no drop bar bikes under £700, has your budget gone up again?

 

[RoadRider400]

Just how much offroad rough and tumble should these bikes be put through? I am specifically referring to the ones with carbon forks.

 

[DRM]

Just how much offroad rough and tumble should these bikes be put through? I am specifically referring to the ones with carbon forks.

They're not exactly fragile, you've only got to see how the pro peloton batter them on the cobbled sectors of Paris-Roubaix or the Belgian spring classics, they will generally hit the sector in this clip at around 60 Km/h, with carbon tubular wheels too.

View: https://youtu.be/cBWAHSlWQGI

 

[MrGrumpy]

Just how much offroad rough and tumble should these bikes be put through? I am specifically referring to the ones with carbon forks.

As much as you dare really !

 

[RoadRider400]

They're not exactly fragile, you've only got to see how the pro peloton batter them on the cobbled sectors of Paris-Roubaix or the Belgian spring classics, they will generally hit the sector in this clip at around 60 Km/h, with carbon tubular wheels too.

View: https://youtu.be/cBWAHSlWQGI

Wow amazing how much stress they can take. Equally amazing somebody would want to do that.

 

[vickster]

@Pablito did you ever get a bike as Millets have the lost lad for £475 in size M
https://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/361896-calibre-lost-lad-road-bike-blue.html

 

[Grant Fondo]

Wow amazing how much stress they can take. Equally amazing somebody would want to do that.

They will take a massive hammering... its why they weigh more than road frames i think, all the reinforcement needed at key points. My 17st has proved a good test to boot