Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Cheers dude.

Got the Cotic muddy

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Thinking about dipping my toes into the world of adventure bikes. I'd like to do some more offroad stuff, and potentially endurance events like the transatlantic way and GBDuro in the future.

I've been looking at the Canyon Grail AL, and the forum favourite - Pinnacle Arkose. There doesn't seem to be a ton between them to choose from.

I've never ridden SRAM or 1x, but I think that'd be better than Shimano 2 x for the kind of thing I want to do, right? I'm also thinking that in the future it'd be nice to put a dynamo on it to power all the things ...

Currently comparing:

1. Arkose X (650b, 10.1 KG, threaded BB, definitely has dynamo routing on the fork, but seems to only be available in a gross colour)

2. Grail AL 7.0 SL (700c, 9.4 kg, press fit BB, not sure about fitting a dynamo but have asked Canyon)

Is there anything I've missed to help me choose between them? Right now I'm leaning toward the Canyon, but am hesitating on the possibility of installing a dynamo in the future.

You can install a Dynamo on any bike, just without fancy pants cable routing. You can tidy the wires away a number or ways though. Don’t worry about that necessarily

Aaah, good to know. In that case it might be the superficial things like lower weight and better colours on the Canyon that sways it!

Press fit BB is not my preference, but all my other bikes are pressfit and I have the tools to remove/install, so it's not the end of the world.

Any reason to go 650b rather than 700c other than the ability to fit bigger tyres? If I got the Canyon and really wanted 650b wheels down the line I could just buy some and switch the wheelset, right?

Yep you could definitely fit some 650b wheels in a 700c frame but it would really depend on the shape of the seat and chain stays as to whether this would allow you to run bigger tyres in 650b format. And if not then you’ll be lowering the bike with the smaller wheels and it’ll handle funny.
I’ve never had a go on the canyon but do like the look of them. I had an Arkose which was good fun with big tyres. It’ll take something like 50c in 700 anyway so less reason to go 650b other than rotational weight or whatever people seem to say they’re good for.

TLDR: they’ll both be sweet if set up for your needs. Also try to test ride both

Cannondale Topstone get no love? Ol’ Lachlan Morton was on one for the GBDuro
Also Specialized diverge is supposed to be a lot of fun.

tbh they are all the same now, just get the one that you like the look of

Spent a week on a Diverge in the Dolomites. Was fun, but BB way too low for anything bumpy, especially with 650b fitted.

I got a Kinesis Tripster in the end. Went for alloy as wanted something pretty light yet cheap, plus I don’t have to be too precious with it. Takes huge tyres (2” mtb in 27.5), mounts for days, standard BB, internal routing, flat mounts and thru axles. I do admit I got lucky as my size came up with a huge discount due to some minor paint chips. Also came with the older type fork as they recently updated them with a straight one, but that’s something to look at in the future, along with fresh paint.

We have one of those in the shop. The alloy isn't any better or cheaper than the Arkose and the carbon is an absolute abortion.

What, the Topstone?

Yeah, big meh. Cannondale doing some mediocre bikes right now

agreed - new caaaaaaaad13 looks shit as well

Arkose 2018, max clearance with guards for 650b, anyone know?

picking up my arkose D3 on saturday... 👍🏻

Oh that is a shame. I thought it looked quite good, and got a decent write up somewhere. What didn’t you like?

i mean etap on gaspipe
and that chainring?

In the same situation as you. Was head over heals for the Grail as I really like the spec, but I can't get it on the current cycle to work scheme.

So the closest I've come is the Vitus Energie.

Anyone tried this bike? Although its CX, it has good clearance and I like the aggressive geometry.

Search the thread. @Netakure has one and likes it a lot

That bike is shockingly good for the money. You get a fairly light frame, full carbon fork, 1x hydro SRAM and decent wheels for £800. Only changes I have done is bigger rubber and bigger cassette

I love my Midnight Special. Yes its gas pipe, but it's surprisingly good. And I have the stock gas pipe fork too. Would agree it doesn't warrant etap though.

Didn't know they did a highlighter yellow version. Looks great imo.

Yea, I'm pretty sold. . .

Just worried that it won't come back in stock at that price as 2020 version is probably on the way. Fingers crossed.

650 x 50mm G-Ones with 55-60mm guards ~10mm above the tyre - varies with guard shape and how they attach at the CS bridge but generally no problem.