Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

I didn't either. Went to a fitter got fitted, got some drawings, sent them to Waltly with what I wanted in terms of BB, Headtube, Mounts, Tyre Clearances, Axle Standards, Cable Routing etc.

They did the rest...@pjhobs has just done similar and has almost built his new one up

My surly is 4130 and I'm very happy with it. Although it does suffer the same coke can sized head tube skinny steel fork aesthetic discussed here earlier. Easily solved with a carbon fork upgrade later on maybe. But I've growth to quite like it as is.

I do agree with @amey that best performance for the £££ will come from Giant, Trek, Specialized etc but given the choice I'd buy the surly again as I just love riding it.

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this is soo good!!

That’s ace.

4130 ftw.

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.

Why not Planet X Pickenflick or Tempest - £1250 / £1500 for full titanium bike? small diameter tubes, lighter than steel, no paint finish to scratch and carbon forks. Sram Rival or Force groupset.

What? Where?

I'll make it for you.

Ok. Deal!

This also sounds super tempting.

Planet X Pickenflick or Tempest

Pretty good deals though

This option makes sense.

Do it.

I've had my Pickenflick for several years, set up as a road bike initially now as 650b allrounder and then convert it back and race cross in the winter..

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Can you fault it?

It would be nice if it was bolt thru and maybe flat mount brake mounts but not really important. Maybe a touch me clearance on the rear (new one may have more) so I would run a knobbly 2.1 for lunchtime fun at the MTB trails...currently have a 2.2 on the front.
Also was going to buy the Fox suspension fork (40mm) but Brant (who designed it) thought it would make the handling 'weird'

You need 40mm suspension with 2.2”?

I’m on 35mm and have ridden most of the trails on the quantocks..

but 4130 is for kids bikes. Can't spot the price on those either?

And commuters/riding round town bikes which is what I use it for. Only downside for me is it's a bit heavy, but the weight's not bothered me and it did when I had a CdF.

About £500 F&F or the whole bike (geared) is £1250.

not really, it was more as a project. Currently 3rd on the leaderboard for a full loop (see below) and thinking it might save a few seconds on the rocky bits...had a few moments...

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Fair!

Not easier to buy a superlight XC mtb and stick drops on it?

Possibly but currently have the Pickenflick, Storck road bike and cross bike, TT bike, Pugsley, Karate Monkey, Moots, Niner Winter road bike and electric Surly big dummy....plus 4 kids bikes!
Running out a garage space and a I have a 15 mike commute in which may prove tiresome on a MTB

+1 for genesis fugio, it's what i'd buy

Ha, that's good going. I've considered trying some of that on my Croix de Fer, but wimped out.

I’m trying to find a reason NOT to go for a Carbonda for £480 including shipping not including paint.

Ridden Chinese carbon before and was pretty happy with it for the short time I had a frame.

Saying that if only the Specialised Diverge came as a non-sworks frameset is def go for that.

carbonda is amazing, love mine

go for it, its brilliant! Most of it rideable on 35mm tyres particularly the second half