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If I don't find any features that particularly disturb me (like the tyre clearance problem in my Grade), I would prefer to have it for a longer period of time, maybe just upgrading some parts like wheels in the meantime. Especially that Titanium (but also steel to smaller extent) are "advertised" as such a long-lasting materials.

Alright, let's don't talk anymore about QR/TA thing. My main points of concern are:
1) Verenti will be about 250 GBP cheaper for me
2) Pickenflick is titanium, Verenti steel
3) Pickenflick has Apex1 with mechanical discs, Verenti has 2x11 105 with hydraulic discs

As Pickenflick is borderline on my budget and I already expect to pay more for wheels to get rid of those 2,4 kg Gipiemme, I am worried that I will end up spending much more than I intended. Maybe it can be worth it in the long run though... Questions, questions...

I am not happy with clearances, as on my Alloy Grade they seem really tight - I run Racing Ralphs 33c and in the rear the clearance is asymmetrical and on one side it's just 1-2 mm. I tried to make a compliant using lifetime warranty, the bike is still not back from it, but from the communication through the reseller it seems that they are doing everything not to accept that it might be faulty.
If sticking to Grade, I could possible buy a carbon one: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-grade-carbon-tiagra-2017-adventure-road-bike/ and maybe just swap Tiagra with 105 from my alloy one.

Anyway, back to the topic as the thru axles are not my main concern. More of a concern was that by buying cheaper bike (and Verenti will end up 200 GBP cheaper for me, if not even more because of international postage) I will be able to buy a second wheelset. Also I have bought a carbon 27,2 mm seatpost, which I can fit to Substance (unlike Pickenflick that uses 31,6). I believe these differences will make up for not having 1x drivetrain, unless you convince me that titanium is so much better than steel ;)

Exactly, what I am most worried in multi-wheelset approach is the likely need to adjust the brakes every time I swap wheels, so TA should make it effortless.

I mean 105 will be my size, so far rode CX/gravel on Sora and then 105, so I believe I will be fine.
From what I heard thru axles are a big benefit for easy wheel switch and it's not too easy to find a nice gravel with both TAs in this budget (considering I don't want alloy frame).

Apex 1 is out of question, they only have small and very large sizes left. I need 56 cm and that is only available in 105 version. Just got a possibility to get an ex-demo one for more than 200 cheaper than Apex1 Pieckenflick, probably will take it and invest money into second wheelset (easy switching road and CX wheels was my dream ever since I started riding CX/gravel back in 2015).

I was mostly worried about the cassette spacing, I see there is not a single jump of 1 tooth between cogs. Never ridden such a wide-ratio cassette, so don't know how it feels in real ride on roads.
The second concern is wheelset, PX offer this 2,4 kg heavy Gipiemme that I would prefer to get ri of ASAP (the other offered Vision Team 30 Disc at 100 extra is not much ligther either).

I never wanted to choose aluminium frame instead, just was considering steel too, as Verenti has better specs with thru axles and full hydraulic system. Also I am not completely sure if 1x is a good solution when this is going to be my do-it-all bike, both for some offroad, as well as soe group road rides.
For braking I could alternatively swap my HyRD from Grade and sell the GT with BB5s fitted.

For the same price (1000 GBP), what would you choose?
a) On-One Pickenflick - titanium frame with carbon fork, Apex 1, BB5 mechanical discs
b) Verenti Substance - 4130 steel frame with carbon fork, 105, RS505 hydraulics

I am still looking for something accepting wider tyres than my alloy Grade, both look quite appealing to me.

I find the GT Grade Al tyre clearance too small for my taste, so looking for something that will fit 40c tyres, preferably steel and considering two options:

1. Sell Grade frameset, buy Fairdale Weekender frameset and move parts to it.
   
2. Sell complete Grade and buy e.g. Jamis Renegade Expat.
   
   

Which option will be more wise in terms of money?

And by the way, is there any owner of Fairdale Weekender to share impressions?

I was planning to build a commuter and winter bike on Pompino frameset but it is just hard to pass on when a full bike costs as much as frameset from Planet X.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-dee-city-bike-2017/rp-prod147644

Do you think (considering I would probably swap brakes for BB7, fit Bluemels mudguards and rack for commuting) this can be a good bike for everyday all-year commuting as well as some fun riding as winter bike so my shiny gravel doesn't eat the road salt?

The track ends on it seem very short, does it create any problems in everyday use as the chain wears and needs retensioning?

I am almost decided on buying Pompino, have started planning parts to buy and have to dilemmas:
1) tyres&mudguards - I plan to use 45 mm Bluemels, what is the max non-slick tyre size that will fit without rubbing the guard? 32 mm?
2) brakes - from what I read, mini-Vs are more reccommended for non-muddy use, but as mentioned above I want to run mudguards - can e.g. Tektro 926AL or other 80-85 mm arm ones fit over the mudguard? Or how the Tektro RL520+MTB Vs work on Pomp?

I am thinking about getting Pompino as SSCX, commuter and winter bike. I am 6' high with about 34'' inseam. Will Large be ok for me or should I look for XL (drop bars planned)? My current gravel bike (GT Grade) has 565 ett and 203 ht.
Also, how the changes in geometry between V3 and V4 affect the bike in practise?
And finally, PX currently has only Raw frames, I heard that raw finish is more susceptible to rust, should I look for a painted frame instead, considering this is going to be a winter bike?