Gravel Bikes Options...

[RossTopher]

27 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Uhmmm jaaa .... you skip over a nice set of options in the 35 to 50k range ...

ja, i wasnt going into every price bracket, and the Roam is in that *general* range. 35-50k is a shedload. and you're still getting iffy parts on many of them.

my point holds.
 

Edited Wednesday at 06:37 AM by RossTopher

[Shebeen]

9 minutes ago, RossTopher said:

ja, i wasnt going into every price bracket, and the Roam is in that range. 35-50k is a shedload. and you're still getting iffy parts on many of them.

my point holds.
 

Here it is for under R30k.

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/products/avalanche-roam-carbon-gravel

[KV.SA]

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/titan-switch-carbon-sport-2024?variant=48700040642857

Probably better value for money than the Avalanche at R24 500.

[W@nted]

On 3/24/2025 at 6:18 PM, mikkelz said:

If you're interested... 😀

I fitted the 45mm Pathfinder TLR tyres to a Terra CL wheelset (25mm internal width). They look pretty chunky! But still plenty of clearance on my Crux (54cm UDH). Going to take them for a spin tomorrow. 👌

Feedback on the new pathfinders?

[SSCC]

2 hours ago, RossTopher said:

i am currently on the look out for gravel/allroad bikes for a couple of friends and its a sad state of affairs in SA. We are being absolutely ripped, we have no options unless you're spending 70k+

 

Ripped? If you are referring to the cost of a bike in SA vs the States then this simply is not true of all brands. It is true of Santa Cruz which is a giant rip-off in SA.

You can buy a Giant Revolt advanced with the carbon frame for the same price (Inc vat) as it would cost you in the States. Cube is another brand with very competitive local pricing. 

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, KV.SA said:

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/titan-switch-carbon-sport-2024?variant=48700040642857

Probably better value for money than the Avalanche at R24 500.

Indeed, the one with a R10k discount from RRP is going to be a better option than the one with R1500 discount.

 

There is of course a real question if the bikes listed here are actually available/in stock, but this is probably my size.

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/bianchi-arcadex-carbon-grx-600-11-speed-2023

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, RossTopher said:

ja, i wasnt going into every price bracket, and the Roam is in that *general* range. 35-50k is a shedload. and you're still getting iffy parts on many of them.

my point holds.
 

 

Hiehie ..... 

 

Having recently bought the Revolt I am biased.

 

Both Giant and Merida has some nice alu and carbon models.  At least they were the ones with stock when I was looking.  Pretty sure the other brands also compete in this bracket.

 

As you say, these come with the GRX or similar sram components.  Certainly okay for my use.  But I get your point that for high level components the price is going to jump !!  It is simply insane what the top level components costs .... willing buyer and all that ...

[guidodg]

1 hour ago, KV.SA said:

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/titan-switch-carbon-sport-2024?variant=48700040642857

Probably better value for money than the Avalanche at R24 500.

those mechanical brakes are pretty bad, I have a few friends here in Greyton who have that bike and they struggle to brake from the hoods on more technical gravel 

the Avalanche is better looking and has carbon integrated bars/stem and seatpost… it would be my choice for 30k

[PWN]

1 hour ago, KV.SA said:

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/titan-switch-carbon-sport-2024?variant=48700040642857

Probably better value for money than the Avalanche at R24 500.

I'm considering this bike. Currently have a carbon hard tail so this will be great for some of the gravel races. 

Good tyre clearance for some of the rougher roads here in the North. I am not sold on the groupset but the price of the bike is attractive to justify  upgrading the group set.

Does anyone have an opinion on this bike?

[mikkelz]

1 hour ago, W@nted said:

Feedback on the new pathfinders?

Haven't been out with them yet. 😅 It rained yesterday morning, hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to test them. 🤞

['Kaze Pete]

3 hours ago, Shebeen said:

Stainless steel? 

Yeah, I allows 99spokes suggestions to get the better of my list. It is mostly for comparison, not a list of serious contenders. Doubt I'll go non-carbon. If I want to "steel-is-real", I'll just mess around on the semi-converted Cotic Soul

['Kaze Pete]

Trek Checkpoint. It looks great, specs seem good. Unfortunately it is a 1x, I'm not a complete grinder/stomper,my average cadence is not super high, in the low 80s. Still think I'm going to need the occasional 'overdrive' not to wind myself
Scott Addict. Looks good (also: 2x Shimano)
Giant Revolt. Seems interesting. Sadly it looks like a dual suspension MTB without the shocks. The 1x 40t chainring is not quite fast, and not quite slow enough for Rooiberg
Titan Racing. Really want to try one, but looks just do not appeal to me, Real life view did not add to the experience.
Bianchi. I'm going to feel like a poser / imposter on one. Need to give it a 'in real life look' though
Orbea Terra. Need to have a deeper look
Cube. Need to have a deeper look
Merida Silex. unsure
Silverback Siablo. unsure
Winspace. Feels like I'm taking a chance

 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

Trek Checkpoint. It looks great, specs seem good. Unfortunately it is a 1x, I'm not a complete grinder/stomper,my average cadence is not super high, in the low 80s. Still think I'm going to need the occasional 'overdrive' not to wind myself
Scott Addict. Looks good (also: 2x Shimano)
Giant Revolt. Seems interesting. Sadly it looks like a dual suspension MTB without the shocks. The 1x 40t chainring is not quite fast, and not quite slow enough for Rooiberg
Titan Racing. Really want to try one, but looks just do not appeal to me, Real life view did not add to the experience.
Bianchi. I'm going to feel like a poser / imposter on one. Need to give it a 'in real life look' though
Orbea Terra. Need to have a deeper look
Cube. Need to have a deeper look
Merida Silex. unsure
Silverback Siablo. unsure
Winspace. Feels like I'm taking a chance

 

 

Might be of some to add or remove from your list -

 

My choice came down to the Merida vs the Giant, because there are the two mid specced bikes with 2x gears.  Specifically as you note, you want more top speed, but you also want that granny for the steep ones ....

 

The Merida came in a bland black .... and the integrated cables (going through the headset and bearings) is not my cup of tea.

 

The Revolt in that gold/copper just spoke to me the first time I saw it.

 

 

I am a Titan fanboy ... but you need to go up in price before finding a decent 2x in Titan.  Their mid-spec bikes are 1x.

[guidodg]

unless you’re cadence sensitive 2x is totally unnecessary…

[Ispeed_V]

Took an old carbon 26" mtb HT frame, fitted with 27.5 wheels and Bontrager rigid fork.

Not pretty, but functional.

Next will be the drop bar option and shifters.

[Mongoose!]

Recent research shows that 9 out of 10 cyclist who bought a gravel bike that cannot fit 700 x 50mm tyres, don't want to use it off-road anymore after the first 3 off road ("sinkplaat road") rides...🙃