Gravel bike advice

stampz
stampz Posts: 28
in Road buying advice
Ok not strictly road buying advice...but I am a roadie and I am just about to pull the trigger on my first gravel bike and was looking for a bit of a nudge in the right direction before I do so...bit of background

I am a keen road cyclist currently owning a Giant TCR and Defy and an Orba Avant winter ride, but want something I can chuck down the gravel paths and knock about with my kids without fear of sliding all other the place or damaging anything.

I have a very tight budget of £600 and "not a penny more", and am looking for a new bike (I know I can get more value second hand but new is what I'm after)

The market at the moment is not exactly flush with bikes in that price range, but I have managed to find the following (all of which I know are a lot lower specced than my usual rides, but that's fine)

Merling Malt 2 - https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2-claris-gravel-bike-2022-197226.html

Claud Butler Primal - https://www.leisureoutlet.com/168242-claud-butler-primal-cx-commuter-50cm

Schwinn Scree - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/schwinn-scree-gravel-bike-black/_/R-p-X8657138

Triban RC 120 Gravel - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/gravel-bike-triban-rc-120-disc-brake-green/_/R-p-312397?mc=8575940&c=GREEN

My gut is leading me to the Merlin, but I would love to know what other people the pros and cons are? 3 out of the 4 have a double right on the front, I didnt think that was great for gravel?

Any advice appreciate...thanks :-)

Comments

  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,505
    edited October 2022
    If you are keeping the 3 existing bikes, then why not just throw the widest tyres you can onto one of them (700 x 35 on the Avant?) and see how you get on?
    If you need more width then maybe consider some cheap 650b wheels for it as that will probably give you more clearance.
  • stampz
    stampz Posts: 28
    singleton said:

    If you are keeping the 3 existing bikes, then why not just throw the widest tyres you can onto one of them (700 x 35 on the Avant?) and see how you get on?
    If you need more width then maybe consider some cheap 650b wheels for it as that will probably give you more clearance.

    Good suggestion...but N+1 ;-)

    Plus I have the "permission" to spend
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,505
    Fair enough.
    But in your shoes I might be tempted to sell one of my existing bikes, take that budget plus the £600 and get something else, like:
    https://vitusbikes.com/collections/energie/products/vitus-energie-vrs-cyclocross-bike-apex-2022 or
    https://startfitness.co.uk/products/cannondale-caadx-1-mens-cyclocross-bike-2021-silver or
    https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cx-sram-apex-1x-1/
  • richys
    richys Posts: 28
    Out of those, I’d definitely choose the Malt. The CB has a worse drivetrain (Tourney is pretty much pressed metal gash from what I recall). Decathlon is so vague about the Scwinn, it’s hard to know if it’s got any redeeming features. 2nd choice would be the Triban. Microshift derailleur with a clutch might be useful on bumpier gravel, but the way shifting works with the two fairly small buttons in close proximity puts me off.

    If you can stretch your budget by 10(ish)%, this Kona Rove looks pretty nice too: https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/kona_rove_al_650_all_road_bike_2022-ID_82817

    Or, for much less, this Voodoo from Halfords: https://www.halfords.com/bikes/gravel-bikes/voodoo-limba-adventure-bike---s-m-l-frames-452942.html

    I’d still probably go with the Malt though ;)
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    You could probably pick up a decent, used cross bike for £600, which would a) give you N+1 and b) probably give you a better quality bike than any of those listed above.
  • me-109
    me-109 Posts: 1,915
    I'd definitely look at 2nd hand at that price. Probably get hydro brakes and more gears as well as better kit all round.
  • MidlandsGrimpeur2
    MidlandsGrimpeur2 Posts: 1,390
    I would do what Imposter suggests. I sold a barely used Ridley x bike with full 105 groupset and decent fulcrum wheels a while back for about your price range so there is more value in 2nd hand and decent stuff to be had if you shop around.

    If your heart is set on new though, I would go for the Merlin out of the options you have given.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,099
    albertjohnnsonKIKxPS02 said:

    I believe that the best bike for you is the one that best fits you. Being a mountain bike rider, I can tell you that you might prefer a mountain bike over gravel.
    There is no doubt that mountain bikes are faster on rougher and steeper off-road trails, but they are not as fast on roads. Generally, gravel bikes are similar to cross-country bikes, in that they are designed to cover ground quickly, pedal efficiently, and handle small obstacles.

    Part of the joy of a gravel bike - other than it being capable on road as well as off (if you get the right sort) is the experience of "under biking" - having a bike that requires the rider to use their skill* rather than the bike just clattering through the terrain in a whirl of suspension and fat tyres.

    *Which is how I fell off mine and dislocated my shoulder :#
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • Munsford0
    Munsford0 Posts: 613
    You do realise that you're chatting to a spambot?

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