Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

And Triban isn't the real 105 brakes - it's the cable activated hydraulic ones. Initially I was leaning towards it as such good paper value, but my feeling is its not a bike to last the 2020s. Also reviews of the Triban seem to dislike the wheels (some comments suggesting they're not quite the standard size)

both are fine options and current gens work well, maybe check out which shifting style you prefer in a store?

having a 1x drive-train is a bit marmite, I love it on 11-32 with a 42 up front, others find the range limiting when it comes to top end speed (lightning descents) but from your description that doesn't sound an issue

Just get an arkose

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-d3-2020-gravel-bike-EV339948

I suppose it's all down to how much £££/latest thing/performance/trend etc you need/want.

Wheels are heavy, but have been zero bother, running tubeless 38c G-Ones

My girlfriend has one of these & it fits a 42mm tyre, so not too bad clearancewise.

Edit: seeing other comments, can't comment on the original build as I just got handed a frame.

1 Attachment

Shimano for me is easy, the stuff doesn’t break and the spares are easy to get when stuff wears

The wheels were extremely difficult to fit tyres, they made it a little too big to make sure it can be run tubeless unfortunately this mean it’s harder to fit tubeless tyres on it!

.

^this

total fucking bastard to get tyres on and off the original wheels. thankfully i got rid, and the bike and i have been very happy ever since. so happy, that i, whispers enjoy riding the triban far more than my expensive fancy-pants carbon di2-equipped felt vr2.

Just chatted with a colleague who likes his bikes - he's in the search for something similar but more emphasis on off-road. He tried a Triban at the weekend and was impressed.

Triban are fucking excellent bike.

nods in agreement

I shall be passing near a decathlon on Saturday, so looks like I will have to try one and see if I agree.

I will also be near an Evans on Tuesday to try an Arkose.

Still thinking CGR is my fave and I have £1500 from a bad driver’s insurance co for destroying my good bike...

Plenty for a lighter set of wheels and some nice tyres for the triban, and a couple of £££ in the bag for other gear..

Arkose is already better equipped than the Ribble and the Btwin, and it's £1000 on sale. The only question is Arkose D3 or Arkose X.

SRAM vs Shimano aside, if it is one bike to rule them all, think of it more as 1x vs 2x.
I really like 1x but if I was trying to get down to one bike, I'd get 2x.

I'd also just get an Arkose. I was close to buying the CGR al frameset, then a cheap Arkose frameset came along, impressed so far.

I thought that but my main bike is 1x with 42 up front and 11-32 at the back. I'm only missing a little at the bottom end when climbing over my mates on 2x road bikes. I could easily go down to a 40t or up to a 36 at the back and have everything covered. Don't spin out unless its a properly steep downhill and I've not noticed any problem with gaps

That said, if you're doing fast road riding a closer cassette does feel nice but its not absolutely necessary

I'm a big fan, have raced road/crits with 46t and it was fine. Now commute on a 38t up front.
I just wouldn't pick between the ribble (or Arkose D3 vs X) on SRAM vs Shimano but gearing and the use case.

I wouldn't pick 2x if I wanted to do some fully loaded touring, Alpine trips or a Transcontinental type event but these are edge cases.

Pls no gearing discussion again. It's 2020 guys.

My new years resolution is to be a legend and fit a 58t chainring for strictly off road purposes

My pal is currently ripping round Arizona on one of the super slack Evil grav grav bikes and it's apparently amazing to ride

That'll give you a decent descending gear.

LOVE my arkose D3 unreservedly - best bang for buck purchase I have made in 10 years of cycling I reckon. touring, gravel, some light trails, and fast winter road riding - does everything I throw at it. not heavy either really, for what it is (providing you swap out the stock tyres)

Where could you test a Surly Midnight Special in London?