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Gravel bikes with 46/30?

durhamwaspdurhamwasp Posts: 1,242
edited April 2019 in Road buying advice
I'm looking at a gravel bike, and pretty sure I'll need 46/30 chainset with 11-34 at the back. Budget is up to £1500, with either Tiagra or 105. Mudguard and Pannier mounts a must, weight hopefully sub-10.5kg.

I've got as far as the Cannondale Topstone, what else can people recommend or suggest? Thanks
http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....

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  • arlowoodarlowood Posts: 2,538
    durhamwasp wrote:
    I'm looking at a gravel bike, and pretty sure I'll need 46/30 chainset with 11-34 at the back. Budget is up to £1500, with either Tiagra or 105. Mudguard and Pannier mounts a must, weight hopefully sub-10.5kg.

    I've got as far as the Cannondale Topstone, what else can people recommend or suggest? Thanks


    Check out the Fairlight Strael. 853 steel frame with carbon forks, rack/pannier and mudguard mounts. Can take 33mm tyres without mudguards

    https://fairlightcycles.com/strael/stra ... cba1185463

    The 105 version comes in at £1850 so it's a bit above your budget. However it might be worth stretching for something special. It comes with a 50/34 chainset and 11-34 cassette as standard. If you want lower gearing then they offer a 46/32 chainset in the custom build section so you may be able to request that on the 105 standard build. It's worth asking.

    The Ultegra version gets a great review in Road.cc

    https://road.cc/content/review/240016-f ... -strael-20
  • rwooferrwoofer Posts: 160
    The Fairlight Secan is much more of a gravel bike than the Strael. As a standard build you can get it with 48/32. I built from the frame as I was going to use an FSA 46/30 crank, but couldn't find any in stock in Europe so went for a 48/32 instead.
  • tangerineowltangerineowl Posts: 101
    2019 Arkose D3 women's model mentions 46/30 with 34t cassette. Shorter cranks though.
  • durhamwaspdurhamwasp Posts: 1,242
    Not that many options then?
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • durhamwaspdurhamwasp Posts: 1,242
    Arkose D3 looks decent value, thanks for that. Strael a bit over my budget, but thanks for the suggestion.
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • arlowoodarlowood Posts: 2,538
    durhamwasp wrote:
    Arkose D3 looks decent value, thanks for that. Strael a bit over my budget, but thanks for the suggestion.

    A browse of the Fairlight website throws up another option that is bang on budget. The Fairlight Faran

    https://fairlightcycles.com/faran/faran ... cba1185463

    Rack/pannier mounts, 105 hydraulic groupset. Will take 35C tyres with guards or 42C without. I'm sure you could request a specific chainset to be fitted or just buy the bike as specced and swap out the 105 compact chainset for your preferred option. You might have to switch to a square taper BB to access the cheaper 46/30 offerings. Selling off the new unused 105 item would net enough cash to make the exercise cost neutral.

    Another approach could be to replace the chainrings on the 105 chainset with Absolute Black Oval super compact versions which are designed to fit Shimano 110bcd 4-bolt chainsets.

    https://absoluteblack.cc/oval-road-chai ... -110-4bcd/

    Would cost around £150 but you could recoup some of that by selling off the 50 and 34T rings
  • photonic69photonic69 Posts: 1,494
    Have a look at Felt bikes. Great value.

    Here's one for £1500 with 105 and hydraulic brakes

    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f30x-cycl ... bike-2019/

    Not sure about pannier mounts. I have a VR30 and that has mounts for mudguards/panniers though it is a 2017 model. You could ask them for details.
  • durhamwaspdurhamwasp Posts: 1,242
    Now seem to have my list at Felt Broam 30 (105) and Cannondale Topstone (105) both under £1500 and with a 30/46
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • N0bodyOfTheGoatN0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 4,867
    https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... nture-bike has 48/32 chainset.

    If the Tiagra is the unique 4700 group, I think there are 11-34 cassettes available, but it comes with 11-32.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • hamlhaml Posts: 2
    I just purchased a 2018 Raleigh Willard 2. It's $899 USD. Has everything your asking for. I purchased the 58cm size, I'm 6'1". Here's a link:
    https://www.raleighusa.com/willard-2-r141
  • Tone CTone C Posts: 30
    Okay, in reference to the Pinnacle Arkose D3.

    I purchased the D2 mens version about 3 weeks back as a road/gravel/commuter . The gearing isn't what u want but I love the bike. I've been a mountain biker for 20 years but wanted something a bit nippier. Frame is surprisingly comfy , corners well, accelerates well and is much more fun than I was expecting on a 'road ' bike..
  • UnoriginalnameUnoriginalname Posts: 2
    I’ve got the Topstone 105, great bike, really comfy, R7000 is great and the 46/30 front gives you lots of usable climbing gears off road.
    One thing I’ve learnt is with the long cage 105 deurailleur, you can fit a 11-40 mountain bike cassette, meaning you could get those lower gears you want even with a 105 compact at the front (cheaper than changing the chain set).
    I do recommend the Topstone though, I’m using it all the time, compared to my CF road bike, as it’s so nice to ride. A bit chunky, but whenever I see a nice trail, I don’t have to think twice about heading up it.
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