Entry Level Gravel Bike Advice/Input Needed

[U1Nanimous]

Also few years on MTB, had a similar scenario when looking for a Gravel. 

I had a few hard stops though.

1. Hydraulic brakes.

2. 2x Settup, wanted the versatility.

3. Absolutely had to be new. 

4. Budget 30k

I got a lot of flack because I didn't go 2nd hand, but really not a fan of 2nd hand carbon, too much a hit and mis in my experience, and no, I won't take a sellers word that " it is spotless,  never offroad, was my grandma's bike etc..." 

So, shopped arround and got myself a Scott Speedster 20.

Yes, not carbon etc, but fit my criteria, and love the bike. 

Been riding it lots, some gravel and Road, and guess what. Absolutely love it. 

Yes there is maybe better, lighter, more blingy machines out there, but mine works great.

Would've loved the Titan, my MTB is Titan, but, couldn't get one that worked for me. (Not a fan of that groupset)

Sorry Titan.

[SSCC]

2 hours ago, ALDiRTY said:

I considered building my old Giant Anthem X into a Monstercross kinda vibe (it is full suspension)

Nah don’t do it. Full suspension is not the way. If you want to build one buy an older carbon hardtail frame that can fit at least a 38 or 40 front chainring. 

[Mongoose!]

this bike ticks all the boxes for me

 - carbon frame

- carbon wheels

- electronic shifting

- fitted with 50mm tires 

- very well priced it above points taken into account.

This is actually my size...😂 but really cannot justify another bike! 

So, if the budget is R30K (and you are size XL) this can be considered (if you still have both your kidneys....)  

 

 TITAN WITCH CARBON PRO (XL) *Carbon+Wheels-AXS-24* | Gravel Bikes | Bike Hub

[Mamil]

3 hours ago, Mongoose! said:

this bike ticks all the boxes for me

 - carbon frame

- carbon wheels

- electronic shifting

- fitted with 50mm tires 

- very well priced it above points taken into account.

This is actually my size...😂 but really cannot justify another bike! 

So, if the budget is R30K (and you are size XL) this can be considered (if you still have both your kidneys....)  

 

 TITAN WITCH CARBON PRO (XL) *Carbon+Wheels-AXS-24* | Gravel Bikes | Bike Hub

That's a lot of bike for 30k

[Jensie]

4 hours ago, Mongoose! said:

this bike ticks all the boxes for me

 - carbon frame

- carbon wheels

- electronic shifting

- fitted with 50mm tires 

- very well priced it above points taken into account.

This is actually my size...😂 but really cannot justify another bike! 

So, if the budget is R30K (and you are size XL) this can be considered (if you still have both your kidneys....)  

 

 TITAN WITCH CARBON PRO (XL) *Carbon+Wheels-AXS-24* | Gravel Bikes | Bike Hub

Damn, that is nice bike.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Must have been a typo because it's now going for R46K... or inflation is simply getting out of hand

[ALDiRTY]

14 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

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)

Thanks for the input! Yeah it'll have to be aluminium frame, I'm cautious of 2nd hand, especially Carbon.

[ALDiRTY]

12 hours ago, U1Nanimous said:

Also few years on MTB, had a similar scenario when looking for a Gravel. 

I had a few hard stops though.

1. Hydraulic brakes.

2. 2x Settup, wanted the versatility.

3. Absolutely had to be new. 

4. Budget 30k

I got a lot of flack because I didn't go 2nd hand, but really not a fan of 2nd hand carbon, too much a hit and mis in my experience, and no, I won't take a sellers word that " it is spotless,  never offroad, was my grandma's bike etc..." 

So, shopped arround and got myself a Scott Speedster 20.

Yes, not carbon etc, but fit my criteria, and love the bike. 

Been riding it lots, some gravel and Road, and guess what. Absolutely love it. 

Yes there is maybe better, lighter, more blingy machines out there, but mine works great.

Would've loved the Titan, my MTB is Titan, but, couldn't get one that worked for me. (Not a fan of that groupset)

Sorry Titan.

I'm also weary of 2nd hand, had one or two experiences that were less than ideal. You just never know the history of a bike, and I'm just not up for the gamble. Really would just like to buy the bike and not have to spend anything too soon down the line, except maybe tyres and saddle.

I'm quite light (~60kg) so the extra bit of weight with an aluminium frame, over Carbon is minimal for me.

[ALDiRTY]

4 hours ago, Mongoose! said:

this bike ticks all the boxes for me

 - carbon frame

- carbon wheels

- electronic shifting

- fitted with 50mm tires 

- very well priced it above points taken into account.

This is actually my size...😂 but really cannot justify another bike! 

So, if the budget is R30K (and you are size XL) this can be considered (if you still have both your kidneys....)  

 

 TITAN WITCH CARBON PRO (XL) *Carbon+Wheels-AXS-24* | Gravel Bikes | Bike Hub

Very well-specced bike at the price point! Sadly way out of my budget at 46k. Honestly, my initial budget was 20k, and I soon realised I'd have to stretch it a bit. So even at 30k, is a little too far me but I don't think I'll be able to get anything worthwhile for sub 25k.

[Mamil]

Thread hijack -

As my late father's child I can't ignore the confusion between "weary" meaning tired and "wary" meaning cautious. It has been giving me a facial tic.

Sorry

[betaboy]

Then switch budget to steel, often overlooked. I did see a Norco which is a great option with maybe a brake upgrade. Keep your eyes out, your bike is out there. Happy hunting.🤛🏻

[ALDiRTY]

https://bruces.co.za/products/2024-giant-revolt-1-alloy?srsltid=AfmBOopoQlXYwX52bKBOuQihxnxSTfAxSeKpxjYX-a_Npdngh_oKLo6D

This is actually also looking mighty attractive.

[ALDiRTY]

4 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Thread hijack -

As my late father's child I can't ignore the confusion between "weary" meaning tired and "wary" meaning cautious. It has been giving me a facial tic.

Sorry

🤣 apologies, thank you for correcting me. English not first language 😅

[Mongoose!]

Very nice 

And it is new...👌

definitely one of the better aluminum options in my view 

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, ALDiRTY said:

https://bruces.co.za/products/2024-giant-revolt-1-alloy?srsltid=AfmBOopoQlXYwX52bKBOuQihxnxSTfAxSeKpxjYX-a_Npdngh_oKLo6D

This is actually also looking mighty attractive.

 

I bought the 2024 version ... exact same specification, just a different colour.  Being a 2023 model, it is priced VERY well ....

 

The only thing I have spotted where they saved a few cents .... the CRANK is not GRX.  The rest of the drive train is GRX, but the 2x crank set is "FSA Omega".  This wont make any difference to your riding.

 

I LOVE my Revolt.

 

PS - As my first and only gravel bike I am not the best source for comparing this to any other gravel bikes .....  But there are a good few Hubbers doing serious gravel miles that ride the Revolt.

[Mongoose!]

My Revolt also came with this FSA crank. I replaced it with a GRX crank.

Fun fact: this crank weights 1071 g...👀...without bb.  It has a 19mm spindle.  So if you want to change the crank, you also going to need a 24mm bb.