New Bike Time

[Bristolian]

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 ?

I had a look in marketplace but SWMBO wants me get a new one and the "bargains" on FB aren't much of a bargain

 

[WShire]

As mentioned above these look good value for money:

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2p-tiagra-gravel-bike-197427.html

Or one of these if you want hydraulic brakes:

https://planetx.co.uk/products/planet-x-london-road-sram-apex-xplr-allroad-bike

 

[Chislenko]

To the OP.

The Spesh Allez is all the bike you will ever need.

I splashed out £600 for an Allez Sport in 2013.

Since then I have splashed out £2500 on an Orbea Orca.

Recently I have splashed out £6300 on an all singing all dancing Orbea Gain (leg is knackered so needed to go electric)

If I could jump on any of the bikes tomorrow it would be the Allez. The Allez, imho, really is a great bike and you could spend many thousands on a new bike that will not have the presence of the Allez. Whoever designed the original frame of that bike really knew what they were doing.

You don't need discs, you don't need electronic shifting, you don't need complicated headsets and seatposts, you just need your Allez.

 

[Bristolian]

To the OP.

The Spesh Allez is all the bike you will ever need.

I splashed out £600 for an Allez Sport in 2013.

Since then I have splashed out £2500 on an Orbea Orca.

Recently I have splashed out £6300 on an all singing all dancing Orbea Gain (leg is knackered so needed to go electric)

If I could jump on any of the bikes tomorrow it would be the Allez. The Allez, imho, really is a great bike and you could spend many thousands on a new bike that will not have the presence of the Allez. Whoever designed the original frame of that bike really knew what they were doing.

You don't need discs, you don't need electronic shifting, you don't need complicated headsets and seatposts, you just need your Allez.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Allez and it's staying in my possession but it really isn't suitable for even moderate gravel riding

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

If you are willing to think a bit more openly, something along the lines of a Trek Dualsport might fit the bill.

if you aren’t totally stuck on the drop bars.