Help me build a gravel bike with a budget up to $3500

Hey guys,

I'm looking to build my first (technically speaking) gravel bike. Right now I own a rigid, flat bar 29er with 43mm Panaracer tires on Stan wheels. The bike has served me well as a commuter, social ride bike, and occasional gravel ride. I'm predominantly a roadie but would love to dip my toes in gravel as its exploding out here in So Cal.
So I was looking at bikes like Giant Revolt, Trek Checkpoint, and even the Giant TCX cyclocross bikes. But right now I'm leaning on building a Carbonda 505 or 696 with Ultegra 1x drivetrain, and 40-45mm carbon wheels under $1000. What do you think? 

Off the shelf wise my favorite ride is the Ibis Hakka MX with the 650b thunder burts. Other than that the 696 is not a bad option for it's versatility.

Thats a cool looking bike. I'm leaning towards building one since I've done the same with all four of my road bikes.

OltreForza wrote:Thats a cool looking bike. I'm leaning towards building one since I've done the same with all four of my road bikes.

Ahh ok well they sell the frameset separately.

[QUOTE  40-45mm carbon wheels under $1000. What do you think? [/QUOTE]
Curious as to why you are opting for deep dish rims on a gravel bike. Shallow rims have more vertical flex build in and will be a less harsh ride. In my opinion the Stans Grail CB7 would make for a great carbon wheelset on a gravel bike.

My choice is 505 Carbonda. 1x Shimano R7000/8000 is ok with Sram 10-42 cassette.

I vote for the Revolt. You can either go Revolt0 for 3465 or you can do the Revolt 2 and get a second set of wheels. Very nice bike, but I am a bit biased.

What's more important to you? components or frame brand? 

I probably would've gone with the Revolt 0 if I wasn't on a smaller budget. (revolt 1 comes with sram apex, revolt 2 comes with 105 and Giant's propriertary hydraulic/hybrid brakes.. which aren't bad but i'd rather have full hydraulic). The Revolt also has better standover clearance.

I picked up a Carbonda CFR696 with a set of 650b Carbon wheels from them (still waiting for the wheels to come into stock). I'm personally going to be running full ultegra with the exception of a Praxis carbon crank.. i think i'm going to fall into the $2400 range. It was nice being able to choose my handlebars, stem, & crankset vs having a groupset preselected for me. IMO the frame isn't bad for what it is.. but don't expect the frame to be completely perfect / blemish free. If i was to rate it on a scale of 1/10 it's a 9.5.

If you're in the $3500 range, I agree with Tallboy for the Revolt. It's a one shot  I love the matt black Revolt 0. Comes with Ultegra and is full carbon.. fork, frame, and not to mention the WHEELS. For the price it's extremely competitive.

BUT.. if you're picky about your components.. a Carbonda frame will run you 6-700 depending if you want extras and paint and that leaves you with $1800 after your wheelset to dump on components.

If you're going 1x.. with you remaining budget you might consider trying to source a Sram groupset instead. Don't quote me but i think they can probably cover a higher range of gears vs the ultegra rx800 which can only handle up to a 11-40 cassette (without mods)

Done, best bike I've ever owned; https://lynskeyperformance.com/gr-270-gravel-bike/
20% off code; FRAMESET20
My build:
Mavic Allroad Pro wheelset
Salsa Cowchipper bars
Brooks B17 saddle
Thomson 90mm stem
SRAM Force 22 groupo

I had the same budget basically but decided to go with the easy option - Giant Revolt Advanced 0. 

Now, I don’t actually have the bike yet - big back order in Canada.  They said it should be here in March or so.  Not having ridden the bike I really can’t say whether I’ve made the right purchase or not but it does look pretty good on paper!  

For me there was a lot of value in having the local bike shop and the manufacturer invested in my satisfaction!  I can also see where it would be a lot of fun to spend a winter planning, buying and building a new bike!  Have some fun with it!  

OltreForza wrote:Hey guys,

I'm looking to build my first (technically speaking) gravel bike. Right now I own a rigid, flat bar 29er with 43mm Panaracer tires on Stan wheels. The bike has served me well as a commuter, social ride bike, and occasional gravel ride. I'm predominantly a roadie but would love to dip my toes in gravel as its exploding out here in So Cal.
So I was looking at bikes like Giant Revolt, Trek Checkpoint, and even the Giant TCX cyclocross bikes. But right now I'm leaning on building a Carbonda 505 or 696 with Ultegra 1x drivetrain, and 40-45mm carbon wheels under $1000. What do you think? 

If you're looking Ultegra level 1x, I have a killer carbon gravel frame with Sram CX1 RD and crankset w 40 front ring & Williams cockpit. Killer bike. Stole the wheels, brakes (TRP Spyre mech)  and brifters for my Cruzbike build. All you'd need is a set of wheels, brifters and brakes. I'd sell the whole thing for $1000 which is a steal. 

I rode the bike for 2 gravel seasons geared 40 up front and 11-36 rear. Excellent combo for both pavement and gravel. Love the bike and would still be riding it but too many saddle problems over the years and finally had to shift over to recumbent.

PC

OltreForza wrote:Hey guys, I'm looking to build my first (technically speaking) gravel bike. What do you think? 

Mate, you cannot beat titanium for it's supple, smooth ride qualities, there's nothing else like it. Ride all day without fatigue, it's amazing, sooooo comfortable, totally worth the (very) slight weight penalty over carbon. If you just want to zip around a track, carbon's nice and snappy, but if you want to go adventure riding, as you suggested, you want a Ti frame, there's just no comparison, it's the ultimate. Lynskey make some of the best Ti frames out there, and they're really affordable, check it out:

Lynskey GR 270 GRAVEL BIKE

Select Your Frame Size: ML
Finish Options: Matte Satin (standard)
Frame Graphics: Black Decals (standard)
Component Package: SRAM Force 1x11 Hydraulic Disc (+$750) 
                                   (Ultegra 8020 Hydro same price)
Chainring: 50/34t (standard)
Wheelset: Stans Grail Team Disc (+$475)
Stem: FSA Omega Stem (standard)
Seatpost: FSA Seatpost (standard)

Subtotal: $4,320.00
Discount code (FRAMESET20): -$864.00
Grand Total: $3,456.00 (plus shipping)

BOOYAAH! Bike sorted!!

I would personally go for etched graphics cause they look rad, and a 25mm setback Lynskey Ti seatpost.

Good luck.