Gravel bike - up to £1250

smudge0002

I've been looking to try and preserve my good bike (which has taken a bit of a battering on the commute over the winter) by the only reasonable method - buying a new bike. I am looking for something that I can get on the Cycle to Work scheme, so up to about £1,250, which I can use on the rough roads of South London but will also be fine on light trails and gravel. The commute is about 15 miles each way with c. 500ft of climbing, so I wouldn't want something too heavy and I would definitely want hydraulic discs.

On the shortlist at the moment are:

Ribble SRAM 1x Apex - https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-orange-sram-apex-1x-700c/

Cannondale Topstone Tiagra - https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Topstone-Tiagra-Disc-Adventure-Road-Bike-2020/MNO9

Trek Checkpoint - https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/332387/products/trek-checkpoint-al4-gravel-bike-2020-battleship-blue.aspx

Giant Revolt - https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Revolt-1-2020-Gravel-Bike_218252.htm

My good bike is a Giant Propel but I had issues with the stock wheels and saddle which I had to change almost immediately, so that puts me off a bit. I also fancy something a bit different for a change...

Any thoughts on the bikes above, or other suggestions that might be better for the price?

Thanks in advance.

mrb123

Was going to suggest On One Space Chicken or the new Free Ranger from Planet X but they don't do Cycle to Work so no good if you're tied to that.

poptart242

The big site just reviewed this, if you're into steel, all of the mounts and mega tyre clearance?

smudge0002

mrb123 said:

Was going to suggest On One Space Chicken or the new Free Ranger from Planet X but they don't do Cycle to Work so no good if you're tied to that.

I did think the Space Chicken looked particularly nice though...

smudge0002

poptart242 said:

The big site just reviewed this, if you're into steel, all of the mounts and mega tyre clearance?

I don't think I need that many mounts!! And it's a little heavy I think. I am aiming for something around 10-10.5kg.

mrb123

smudge0002 said:

mrb123 said:

Was going to suggest On One Space Chicken or the new Free Ranger from Planet X but they don't do Cycle to Work so no good if you're tied to that.

I did think the Space Chicken looked particularly nice though...

Might be worth considering other options then, such as a 0% interest credit card. Planet X often have discounts so if you time it right you might pick up a Sram Force equipped one for close to your original budget.

asprilla

If I didnt already have a CX bike I'd have a Space Chicken in a shot.

j_mcd

Just be wary of getting a 1x chainset though if you don't really need it. I've got one on my Planet X and, after looking at wear and tear, it seems like I'm only using about 5 of the available 11 gears. The rest (like the massive granny gear) just aren't needed day to day on the commute.

I know I could get a new cassette (and I probably will when this one dies) but in hindsight I think I'd have been better off just getting a standard double ring as it'd have been more flexible and the maintenance isn't that much greater.