Newbie with Gravel Bike Conundrum

[Acekid]

Good Evening all,
Firstly, background is I currently have a Kona Hei Hei mtb and a Boardman ADV 8.8 adventure bike. The Kona hasn't been used for months as I prefer zooming around the New Forest on the Boardman, easier on road, great on the miles of forest tracks and the drop bars give my knackered wrist a more comfortable time thanks to the better hand positions.
I am a tall 6ft3, but currently a not happy overweight 18st (115kg), and looking to replace my Boardman thanks to my works cycle scheme.

So looking for a new gravel bike suitable for a lard arse up to £2200, was thinking steel would be best for my weight, maybe Ribble CG 725? was thinking 650b wheels, 1x Sram rival. Are there any other good bikes around this price that won't break with a heavier rider?

Any help gratefully received!

 

[vickster]

Genesis Croix de Fer?

 

[Kajjal]

The specialised diverge has front suspension built into the front which may help with the wrists for the higher priced models as well as hydraulic disc brakes which coming from mountain biking are fine. Before Christmas I was about 100kg but have become more “muscular” with all the Christmas food. Apart from the above also think about gearing and tyre clearance, the worst thing off road is running out of gears while going uphill !

 

[Deleted User]

The specialised diverge has front suspension built into the front which may help with the wrists for the higher priced models as well as hydraulic disc brakes which coming from mountain biking are fine. Before Christmas I was about 100kg but have become more “muscular” with all the Christmas food. Apart from the above also think about gearing and tyre clearance, the worst thing off road is running out of gears while going uphill !

I've got a 2021 Diverge and it's great.

Grx 1x and also bought a set of Hunt 650b wheels with knobblier tyres on for the muddier stuff.

 

[chriswoody]

Kona Sutra LTD. Steel framed, SRAM Rival 1 groupset and monster clearances for fat tyres, much more clearance than the Genesis and no need to buy 650b wheel on top.

Here's my 2016 model which has slighter smaller tyre clearances and a few other small differences, but essentially the same bike. It's a fantastic bike off-road, essentially a drop bar 29er.

 

[Acekid]

The Kona sutra looks like a good bet, thanks for that!

 

[Acekid]

Going to speak to Cotic tomorrow about an Escapade, looking at road plus spec (650b), 105 2x gears, hope fortus wheelset. Ticks all my boxes

 

[Tripster]

Chap a few doors up from me leaves for work and returns everyday on a Cotic Escapade in Winter. Even the recent snow. Says it does everything and is excellent build quality. No complaints from him. I dont know what year it is, green frame, very nice bike

 

[John_S]

Hi Acekid,

Though I’ve not ridden one the Cotic bikes they do look very nice and so I hope that you enjoyed your test ride and have fun on it if you’ve bought one.

If you want another option to consider against the Cotic how about a Fairlight Faran? They do it in various different build specs but I think that the GRX 600 1x is £2,050

View: https://youtu.be/kLWPQjFEW4Y


https://road.cc/content/tech-news/first-look-fairlight-faran-20-adventure-gravel-bike-276585

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/fairlight-faran-2/

Good luck choosing your new bike!

John

 

[Trickedem]

I've got a 2021 Diverge and it's great.

Grx 1x and also bought a set of Hunt 650b wheels with knobblier tyres on for the muddier stuff.

Looks a nice bike. The picture I saw on the website seems to show a very slammed stem. Does this come with a very short steerer tube, or is it cut to size on delivery as I am looking for a bike with a higher stem position.

 

[Maherees]

Planet X Tempest - I’ve just bought one and it’s a stunner. Titanium too.

 

[Acekid]

Planet X Tempest - I’ve just bought one and it’s a stunner. Titanium too.

Planet X do some great value machines, but they dont accept c2w so not an option.

 

[Acekid]

Hi Acekid,

Though I’ve not ridden one the Cotic bikes they do look very nice and so I hope that you enjoyed your test ride and have fun on it if you’ve bought one.

If you want another option to consider against the Cotic how about a Fairlight Faran? They do it in various different build specs but I think that the GRX 600 1x is £2,050

View: https://youtu.be/kLWPQjFEW4Y


https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/road.cc/content/tech-news/first-look-fairlight-faran-20-adventure-gravel-bike-276585?amp
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/fairlight-faran-2/

Good luck choosing your new bike!

John

I did look at the Fairlight bikes, look lovely and where right up there, but lack of availability of my size frame till at least late May and additional surcharge for c2w vouchers just pushed the decision in favour of the Cotic

 

[Deleted User]

Looks a nice bike. The picture I saw on the website seems to show a very slammed stem. Does this come with a very short steerer tube, or is it cut to size on delivery as I am looking for a bike with a higher stem position.

Not too slammed but they are 'fixed' I think due to the suspension 'thing' in the steerer, position is pretty relaxed though.

I've a 2016 Giant Defy Carbon with all the spacers below the 'bars and it's about the same position.

 

[Trickedem]

Not too slammed but they are 'fixed' I think due to the suspension 'thing' in the steerer, position is pretty relaxed though.

I've a 2016 Giant Defy Carbon with all the spacers below the 'bars and it's about the same position.

Thanks, I will investigate further.