Gravel bike - up to £1250

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.

Comments

  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,583
    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.
  • The big site just reviewed this, if you're into steel, all of the mounts and mega tyre clearance?
  • 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...
  • 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
    mrb123 Posts: 4,583

    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
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    If I didnt already have a CX bike I'd have a Space Chicken in a shot.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • j_mcd
    j_mcd Posts: 473
    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.

    Giant Defy Advanced 0 - Best
    Planet X London Road - Wet
    Montague Fit - Foldy thing that rarely gets used these days