Entry Level Gravel Bike Advice/Input Needed

[ALDiRTY]

Greetings all

I am currently in the market for a Gravel Bike, will be my first ever Gravel Bike. I've been Mountain Biking for many years, pretty fit, and started placing well in Gravel events. I'm just really aware of the fact that I am working profoundly harder on my MTB than the guys on gravel bikes around me.

So with Race to the Sun coming up, I would like to acquire a gravel bike to do it on. My budget is really not much, but I would like to purchase new if possible. I'm a little weary of buying second hand (unless a REALLY good deal comes along). I'm looking to spend in the region of R25 to R30k, and have been considering the following options:

Titan Racing Switch Comp (R29k): https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/titan-switch-comp-2024

Silverback Siablo (R27k): https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1018555-bike-gravel-alum-slvback-siablo-al-grx-my24?utm_campaign=21653011192&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_term=&adgroupid=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ZfABhDBARIsAHFTxGzurNQj92IAhYp1sfIhevAA3Rb3nu0v_Plj9VL9HAmn_WbA3c3lYaoaAipXEALw_wcB

Avalanche Roam (R30k): https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/avalanche-roam-carbon-gravel

Anyone have any experience with these? Or any other suggestions?

Hydraulic brakes are a must, and I am partial to a 1x system, but open to considering a 2x. Tyre clearance is a big consideration, needs to comfortably fit a 50. I also looked at the Cannondale Topstone, but tyre clearance seems to be a limiting factor. I will be doing some road rides as well some of my local trails.

Any input or advice welcomed, thank you!

[Zebra]

…following your thread…

[michaelbiker]

I’d go with the Titan. It has the better kit of the three and is 1x. Not sure about 50mm clearance, you’d have to research that. They have a good warranty too and it’s transferable to the next owner which helps with resale when you do eventually upgrade.

The avalanche is a carbon frame which is likely lighter but weight matters less on a gravel bike than most people think. Everything else on the avalanche seems to be an unknown in terms of longevity. So check the warranty. The Chinese groups are catching up but aftermarket parts and warranties are always a question mark and if you break something you might be in for a whole new group set.

The silverback, no thanks. 

Also budget for changing the tires on any of these and potentially saddle. 
 

[Mamil]

I'd go Titan also

In my idea world bikes above the most basic of entry level ones would come sans saddle / tyres / stem / cranks / tyres and then you pick the ones you want

[SSCC]

Buy 2nd hand. The entry level bikes for under R30k are not great. Rather buy a bike that was closer to R50k new on the 2nd hand market. 

If you are coming off an MTb and haven’t done a gravel race before it’s hard to overstate how rough it can be. A cheaper alloy frame and skinny tyres is a jarring experience. The most fun you will have is to build up a monster cross with a suspension fork. That’s entirely within your budget. And yes on gravel it’s just as fast. 
 

[RobynE]

I would chat to @RobertWhitehead to build you a monster cross. For your money you’ll get a total beast. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I'd also go 2ndhand rather and see if you can find a Giant Revolt or similar in carbon. You can always upgrade components later. SA gravel very seldom requires a 50C tire, 45C is more than adequate for most.

[Mongoose!]

Don't fall in the trap of a heavy alloy non compliant frame. Go carbon from the start. Eventually we all end up with a carbon frames...🙃

Monster bikes are fun. I had a few and still have one fitted with a Lefty (29 " carbon Giant XTC frame) but I enjoy my gravel bike much more.

Ps. You don't buy a monster bike. You build it your self...with the hardtail you have that nobody wants to buy ....

My vote goes for a carbon  gravel bike and even second hand if budget does not allow new

 

[DJuice]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/803650/curve-kevin-price-neg

What about this beauty?

 

[Vaultboy]

35 minutes ago, DJuice said:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/803650/curve-kevin-price-neg

What about this beauty?

 

I had a 38-36 setup and ran out of gears on road, and kakked on gravel when the climbing got steep, loose and bumpy. 36-36 will be bad at both ends, I reckon.

 

@ALDiRTY, I'd go for this: TITAN RACING Switch Carbon Sport (2025) – Bike Addict. Its R5k cheaper than the alloy Comp you're looking at, so you can use the savings for upgrades. Fork will take a 48, not sure about a 50. Ask @Titan Racing Bikes.

[DJuice]

16 minutes ago, Vaultboy said:

I had a 38-36 setup and ran out of gears on road, and kakked on gravel when the climbing got steep, loose and bumpy. 36-36 will be bad at both ends, I reckon.

 

@ALDiRTY, I'd go for this: TITAN RACING Switch Carbon Sport (2025) – Bike Addict. Its R5k cheaper than the alloy Comp you're looking at, so you can use the savings for upgrades. Fork will take a 48, not sure about a 50. Ask @Titan Racing Bikes.

I should have added a waiver, no knowledge about Gravel bikes!!!

I`m still reliving the early 2000, double chainrings, 21mm at the back, 19mm upfront, pumped at 11bar...for gravel roads...you used a mountain bike with a triple chainrings😁

That Curve, awesome color, looks great.

I`m a bit of a @Titan Racing Bikesfan boy, so will going Titan as well.

 

[guidodg]

27 minutes ago, Vaultboy said:

I had a 38-36 setup and ran out of gears on road, and kakked on gravel when the climbing got steep, loose and bumpy. 36-36 will be bad at both ends, I reckon.

 

@ALDiRTY, I'd go for this: TITAN RACING Switch Carbon Sport (2025) – Bike Addict. Its R5k cheaper than the alloy Comp you're looking at, so you can use the savings for upgrades. Fork will take a 48, not sure about a 50. Ask @Titan Racing Bikes.

agreed...if you can avoid getting an alloy bike you will be better off down the line...the mechanical disc brakes on this Titan are crap but you have room to upgrade..

[ALDiRTY]

8 hours ago, SSCC said:

Buy 2nd hand. The entry level bikes for under R30k are not great. Rather buy a bike that was closer to R50k new on the 2nd hand market. 

If you are coming off an MTb and haven’t done a gravel race before it’s hard to overstate how rough it can be. A cheaper alloy frame and skinny tyres is a jarring experience. The most fun you will have is to build up a monster cross with a suspension fork. That’s entirely within your budget. And yes on gravel it’s just as fast. 
 

I considered building my old Giant Anthem X into a Monstercross kinda vibe (it is full suspension), but I think it'll be quite a bit more inefficient on flats and tar, as there's quite a bit of that on gravel rides. It's a much more budget friendly option, and definitely still worth considering.

[ALDiRTY]

6 hours ago, DJuice said:

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/803650/curve-kevin-price-neg

What about this beauty?

 

Sadly too big, I'm 1.7m

[ALDiRTY]

5 hours ago, Vaultboy said:

I had a 38-36 setup and ran out of gears on road, and kakked on gravel when the climbing got steep, loose and bumpy. 36-36 will be bad at both ends, I reckon.

 

@ALDiRTY, I'd go for this: TITAN RACING Switch Carbon Sport (2025) – Bike Addict. Its R5k cheaper than the alloy Comp you're looking at, so you can use the savings for upgrades. Fork will take a 48, not sure about a 50. Ask @Titan Racing Bikes.

Only challenge here is no hydraulic brakes. Ideally would like to get something and ride it for a while and not spend anything on it. My cycling budget for the year is kind of blasted thanks to Epic lol

[ChrisF]

7 minutes ago, ALDiRTY said:

Sadly too big, I'm 1.7m

 

I am 1,75 and got the M/L Giant Revolt.... it is a stretch ....  The M in Giant should work well for you.  Merida is marginally bigger for the same "size", so best test ride before putting money down.

 

carbon vs alu .... both Giant Revolt and Merida Silex are mid 30's in Aluminium.  So you are heading into the 40's for these in carbon.

 

1x vs 2x .... I opted for the 2x since I wanted more top end on the road, but needed a granny.  That said, this market segment is leaning more and more towards 1x.  Slim pickings for 2x in this price range.

 

Brakes .... at lower price points this is one area where you have to keep your eyes wide open.

 

 

Sorry, long winded way to say that at our budget we are looking at :

- New Aluminium ...

- Secondhand if you want Carbon ....

- Even in Aluminium, at the lower price point expect some lower specs on the drive train and/or brakes ....

 

PS - Prices and specs based on when I purchased in November 2024.

 

PPS - I am also a @Titan Racing Bikes fan boy .... but they dont have a 2x in this price range, so I did not dig deeper into their offerings.  (I wanted something better than their entry level 2x options, but not the budget for their high end 2x options)