New Bike Time

[Bristolian]

Back at Christmas 2024 my good lady wife gave me a sum of money to buy a new road bike and she is getting rather frustrated that I haven't done so. The problem is that I really like my Specialized Allez even though it is "low tech" by today's standards with cable operated gears, rim brakes and weighing in at just less than a large SUV. The few changes I have made to it have resulted in a bike that has predictable handling and performance, I feel comfortable on and which, at my age, satisfies my needs. I plan to keep it.

So, I have been considering buying a gravel bike instead. Nothing fancy or expensive as gravel trails in my neck of the woods are few and far between and I'm not really sure if gravel riding is something I will enjoy. Having said that, there are a few short gravel paths that are too rough to ride on the Allez but which would enable me to vary some of my circular rides, adding interest and making them less monotonous (at least in the short term). In view of the above I have mentally set myself a budget limit of £700 knowing that whatever I buy at that price point will be a compromise but I'm prepared for that.

As a result of reading various reviews I have narrowed my selection down to the Voodoo Nakisi or the Triban GRVL 120. Yes, I know there are better bikes out there and that I really should be willing to pay more but I'm not and these fit my (self imposed) budget and basic technical requirements; so I was wondering if anyone has any experience of either of these bikes?

Thanks In Advance

 

[FrankCrank]

Can't offer advice on which bike to get, but I'd encourage you to hang onto your wife.
Spouses that offer money and actively encourage making a bike purchase are a rare breed

 

[Mo1959]

Can't offer advice on which bike to get, but I'd encourage you to hang onto your wife.
Spouses that offer money and actively encourage making a bike purchase are a rare breed

Maybe she just wants him out of the house more on his new bike.

 

[cyberknight]

Can't offer advice on which bike to get, but I'd encourage you to hang onto your wife.
Spouses that offer money and actively encourage making a bike purchase are a rare breed

indeed, mrs ck thinks i can get a decent bike brand new for about £300 and moans if i buy a new tyre even though i always get budget offerings.

 

[Jameshow]

Be careful with the Triban the rims might be tubeless ready and a pain to mount tyres into...

Look at the merlin malt or ribble bikes too.

 

[Jameshow]

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/adve...dR--nuAH2m3fFF_kV6OIhnEc989YiraQTwmr39l_ZEED4

Bargain?

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Boardman's and Triban, as already highlighted, seem to be best bang for buck around your budget. As it is end of season, deals will start appearing and bike shops are mostly in a position where they need to shift stock and be open to negotiation on price. I think you could get quite a bit more bike for your money at present.

 

[Spiderweb]

This Saracen gravel bike looks good value, reduced to £750.
https://www.saracen.co.uk/products/levarg?variant=41512714076300

 

[sevenfourate]

This Saracen gravel bike looks good value, reduced to £750.
https://www.saracen.co.uk/products/levarg?variant=41512714076300
View attachment 782381

Literally and figuratively does look awesome ! 😍

 

[cyberknight]

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/adventure-bikes/boardman-adv-8.6-mens-adventure-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-365782.html?cm_mmc=Google+PLACycling>Bikes>Gravel+BikesCycling>Bikes>Gravel+Bikes365782&srsltid=AfmBOooFYD7JNWdR--nuAH2m3fFF_kV6OIhnEc989YiraQTwmr39l_ZEED4

Bargain?

thats fantastic, i would snap their hand off for that if i was in the market for a bike at this price point .

 

[joeegg]

I have the ADV 8.9.Obviously a better spec than the 8.6 but still a heavy bike.Hubs are poor quality with weird sizing cone nuts.
For the brakes,i wouldn't bother with cable operated.A few more quid for hydraulic is better.
Compared to a good road bike they feel pretty cumbersome and are not quite as capable on rough tracks as we are led to believe.
How about a look on Facebook marketplace instead of new ?

 

[Bristolian]

Maybe she just wants him out of the house more on his new bike.

I'm pretty convinced there's an ulterior motive but haven't figured out what it is yet I fully expect her to absolutely need something expensive the minute a new bike appears in the garage

 

[Bristolian]

Can't offer advice on which bike to get, but I'd encourage you to hang onto your wife.
Spouses that offer money and actively encourage making a bike purchase are a rare breed

After 50 years it's a bit late to think about trading her in, but this did come a bit out of the blue

 

[Bristolian]

Be careful with the Triban the rims might be tubeless ready and a pain to mount tyres into...

Look at the merlin malt or ribble bikes too.

Thanks for the tips, I'll take a look

 

[Bristolian]

This Saracen gravel bike looks good value, reduced to £750.
https://www.saracen.co.uk/products/levarg?variant=41512714076300
View attachment 782381

That is one really good looking (and well spec'd) bike. It might just tempt me to up the budget