Devinci Hatchet? Which of these 3 builds will give me more for my money?

Hi! Need some advice! I've been looking for a new bike for an eternity (as you can see here: http://ridinggravel.com/forum/?p=post%2Fnew-allroadgravel-bike-7792146%3F%26trail%3D25).

I'm almost ready to buy a Devinci Hatchet Carbon. It has clearance for at least 40c (even 47c with 650b), a light carbon frame (1050g for a medium), decent price IMO and Devinci is a local brand. I tried in vain to find an XL 2017 locally. I found a 105 build and an ultegra build in a bigger town 3 hours away and they can ship one to me. I could also wait for a 2018 ultegra and buy at the lbs. Not sure about the color of the 2018 cause no pic in real life on the website but it has the new Ultegra R8000 and a lighter wheelset (looks like a fulcrum racing db7-1740g).

So 2017 105 build (9.22kg) with Mavic Askium all road disc wheelset (above 2000g) for 2975can$ https://www.bicyclesmcw.com/fr/product/2017-devinci-hatchet-carbon-105

2017 Ultegra (8.72kg)with Mavic Askium allroad disc wheelset for 3570can$ https://www.bicyclesmcw.com/fr/product/2017-devinci-hatchet-carbon-ultegra

2018 Ultegra (8.48kg) with fulcrum racing 7 (I think) for 4300$

I will eventually get a better primary wheelset but it seem to me that the fulcrum is a better keepers as a second one. I really like the color on the ultegra 2017.

Just to give you an idea, the price on a 2018 Salsa Warbird carbon rival is 4500$can and an ultegra 5800$, with better wheels at least

Feel free to give my your opinion. Thanks!

I'd go the 2017 Ultegra as you like that colour. To me, its important to be happy with the look.

I'm assuming you're aware the Hatchet has one of the longest and lowest frames for a gravel bike, out there (along with the Felt F1CX?). Make sure that type of fit suits you.

owly wrote:I'd go the 2017 Ultegra as you like that colour. To me, its important to be happy with the look.

I'm assuming you're aware the Hatchet has one of the longest and lowest frames for a gravel bike, out there (along with the Felt F1CX?). Make sure that type of fit suits you.

I just wish I could see 2018 colors. I don't understand why company go with those "drawing" type image of their bike on their website. Actually, I've seen the 2018 105 in picture and it looks good even if I though it was ugly on the website.

15% of discount is ok but I also wish that the price would go down a bit...  

I'm aware of the unique geo. For my ridding, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm into endurance type solo ride, mostly on road, so I don't mind the bike being long and stable. Reach on the xl is 10mm longer than my bike but with a shorter stem and stack 25mm more (but I run 30mm of spacer at the moment). So position should be really similar to my actual rig. I sat on a large and it was clearly too small.

The Devinci looks very nice.  A good overall weight even with slightly heavy wheels.  I'm not sure if Devinci likes to close out their old models but it is that time of year.  And Black Friday is coming soon too.

Here is a bike that may be worth taking a look at:  http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1206845_-1___

It has a little bit less tire clearance and is perhaps a bit heavier but well spec'd and at a very good price point.  I bought mine for $2,800 a couple of years ago when they were first introduced.  I bought it during a 20% (normally 10%) Performance Points promo to be used against future purchases.  And I would expect they would have another of these coming soon.  That would bring the net cost to < $1,700.  A lot of bike at that price.

Mine came w/DT Swiss R24 wheels which were ok but I've upgraded to XR 1501s.  I've also converted to Di2 along w/some carbon bits.  Anyway, a really nice bike.  It won't quite fit 40s but 38s are ok.  When I bought it I wanted 40s but as I've become used to riding dirt on gravel bikes I mostly use 30s as an all purpose tire these days.  I have a set w/35s for the mostly dirt days but have also used 28s for mixed road/trail events.  I also use it as a backup road bike w/25s. 

DrSpoke wrote:The Devinci looks very nice.  A good overall weight even with slightly heavy wheels.  I'm not sure if Devinci likes to close out their old models but it is that time of year.  And Black Friday is coming soon too.

Here is a bike that may be worth taking a look at:  http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1206845_-1___

It has a little bit less tire clearance and is perhaps a bit heavier but well spec'd and at a very good price point.  I bought mine for $2,800 a couple of years ago when they were first introduced.  I bought it during a 20% (normally 10%) Performance Points promo to be used against future purchases.  And I would expect they would have another of these coming soon.  That would bring the net cost to < $1,700.  A lot of bike at that price.

Mine came w/DT Swiss R24 wheels which were ok but I've upgraded to XR 1501s.  I've also converted to Di2 along w/some carbon bits.  Anyway, a really nice bike.  It won't quite fit 40s but 38s are ok.  When I bought it I wanted 40s but as I've become used to riding dirt on gravel bikes I mostly use 30s as an all purpose tire these days.  I have a set w/35s for the mostly dirt days but have also used 28s for mixed road/trail events.  I also use it as a backup road bike w/25s. 

Thanks for your input! The X-Trail was on my short list but I couldn't find a black/orange one. I could still get a C-40 large in powder blue heavily discount (same price than hatchet). I've been on 35c for a few years now, even on the road and I am curious about bigger tire. Ability to run 40c or more is appealing to me...
 
I've looked for some time at US website (Why Cycle, Lynskey GR-250, Performance for Ridley or GT Grade, etc) because being in canada, some brand are not available here. But when you take exchange rate, duties and the hassle in case of warranty problem, it's not worth it in my opinion. Maybe for something very exclusive or custom (like ti bike) I would risk it... But Performance price are so good!!

Anyway, I'm trying to get the price down a bit tomorrow on the Hatchet... Hopefully I'll have a new bike soon

It sounds like you've done your research.

I've got a couple of riding buddies who have purchases the GT Grade through Performance too.  They're quite a nice bike at a great price but, I think, a level below the Ridley.

Another friend just bought her Ridley - from Competitive Cyclist I think.  It's black w/gold.  I've not seen it yet but, based on the photos, looks nice.  Mine is the black w/orange.

I also have a Niner RLT Steel on which I have a set of WTB Nano @ 40c.  Between the steel frame and the large tires it rides so smooth compared to the Ridley.  I use that bike on days when it's almost all trail.  The tires are nice on dirt but not so much on pavement.  That said, I'm probably going to sell it as I prefer the higher performance of the Ridley and I have a great mountain bike for the all trail days.  But, I'm also considering a hardtail too at some point.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.  I'm sure it will be nice.

New bike day... I was able to get the price down a bit. For an Ultegra build, I'm pretty stocked about what I paid. Build quality and attention to detail seem really good. After torquing everything, I went for a quick spin. The bike is long and stable. It's really stiff at the bb. I think I will need a shorter stem. It looks to me like shifters are installed too low on the handlebars? 

Stock tires are Maxxis Refuse 40c. I have around 7.5 mm of clearance at chain stay and more than 10mm around the fork so probably something bigger in dry conditions would fit.

On my not so accurate (?) bathroom scale, the bike is 20.4 lbs with Time Atac 8 carbon pedals which is ok for such a big bike. 

For futur upgrade I will go tubeless and would like another wheelset (wider and lighter). I should be able to lose at least 500g of rotational weight. Then a sub-compact crankset (44-30 or 44-32). I've been running a 38T with 11-32 9 speed cassette for a while so that 50T diner plate looks huge to me!

Hopefully, I will log some miles before fatbike season... Sorry about the kitchen pic

Looks good.

Yeah; I'd roll the bars down, and swing up the hoods.

I spent 2 hours to remove handlebars tape, set shifters properly (hopefully), try to wrap the used tape then trying different position, torquing everything... Now cables are a bit long!

I did a proper (short) ride so, in case someone is searching for info...

I rode 35km on pavement with tires around 37/40psi. The bike is really really confortable. I'll try to fiddle with tire pressure because it was probably a tad low for pavement. But the bike was so quiet and stable across pot-hole, man-hole, bad pavement etc. Really confidence inspiring. I scored a PR on a technical descent and in some flatter section as well. I really like the handlebars (FSA adventure) with their flatter section on top and flared lower section. I felt so in control in the drops. I really like the saddle so far (Fizik Aliante R5).

Here's some closer pictures. I'm not sure going bigger is a good idea in the back... but maybe I'll try it anyway!