Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

To my eyes a Soma Wolverine, Salsa Marrakesh or Light Blue Darwin is more versatile for similar money

Soma Wolverine

So much want, but no means cheap mate. £600+

Yeah, I think personally I'd rather spend the extra though over the Straggler frameset, which is already £500

Likewise for sure. I still get hot and fuzzy seeing this build.

Sad they changed from orange personally

That's a cool bike.

Problem with boutique steel frames is that they start to approach custom frame prices. In the end, this is why I got a Talbot as my do everything bike. It’s done a good job so far of being a winter workhorse then gravel bike and now, summer road bike. Have you considered maybe waiting a few more months and getting the bike of ya dreams? :-)

Back in the day when Surly frames cost £300, it’d be a no brainer to buy one but they’re a big spend nowadays. Still regret selling the Pacer @cake sold me for a hundred quid... for eighty quid...

I know I’ll regret selling both the pacer and the steamroller, I love both of them. The cross check I don’t mind as it’s just too big

Will have to do some more research I think

@Fforiwr and anyone else; £13 semi-flared drops at PlanetX

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBSESTE/selcof-sterrato-flared-gravel-handlebar

Nothing fancy but worth a punt if you're not sure about the concept I guess

Edit: only 40cm in stock

What would you ideal frame and build be then? Would you go steel or other?

Been looking at maybe reducing my fleet, keep my Reynolds retro and get rid of my CAAD12 and the Cooker I have turned into a Monster Cross. Maybe take the parts from the CAAD12 which is Ultegra Hyrdo

Bit of an odd question but has anyone actually got an Arkose? I get decent discount on Pinnacle bikes and so I was going to see how much one of the new ones would set me back, interested to hear people's opinions.

FWIW I've currently got a pretty standard PX XLS which is slightly too small, super heavy wheelset and not amazing clearance for framebags, bigger tyres etc.

Yep. It’s sick. Though I painted it coz pinnacle.

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Miss it. Scroll back a few pages and you'll see plenty

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Bit of an odd question but has anyone actually got an Arkose?

You made it sound like it's rare as hen's teeth.

Seriously a fun bike to ride, doesn't feel like the quickest handling bike out there, but it's definitely the most reassuring handling bike.

I didn't think they're expensive to maintain, but only if you stick to SRAM stuff, as the Shimano chain and cassette ironically work better.

Brake pads are the one that cost a lots annoyinly.

Looks good! Cheers

Finally some bikes instead of ratio chit-chat.

What bar bag/roll is that? Looks fairly tidy.

It’s a restrap bag in a cheap eBay roll holster thing. Actually decent, just looks shit. Says “Lotus” on it if that helps

Ah okey doke, I've seen the lotus stuff knocking about on eBay. Presumably it's the restrap 14L double roll bag? Just out of interest, what did you manage to get in it? Cheers.

I think so ah. Now you’re asking! Well I had tent and camping gear in the Carradice and framebag so bar roll was clothes. 3 pairs of socks and pants, 3 tshirts, a jersey, a hoodie, casual shorts and probably a couple other bits I can’t remember now

Coolio, cheers!

Have some more

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That Cielo looks nice, but difficult to pedal...