I'm in the market for a disc-braked, carbon forked, roadish geometry gravel bike that will fit both 650bX2.0 (ish) AND 700X34 (ish) wheels/tires and be fun to ride un/lightly loaded but still up to a credit card tour. My plan is to have two wheelsets, the 700c set up for mostly paved rides, the 650b for mostly dirt. I have two candidates that meet those requirements on paper/computer but I'm having a hard time choosing. I'm going to leave brands off to keep things as unbiased as possible. Both choices as listed are about the same money, give or take a manageable amount, for frame/forks that I'd swap decent parts from another bike to, along with some new parts due to compatability/changing preferences. Qualifier, I'm 55 and I don't want a real racy fit as I my needs have and will likely continue to trend towards a shorter reach, higher stack as I age.
1) U.S. made steel frame with choice of carbon fork, not a custom/one man operation-made by a biggish US producer of steel frames, designed and sold by a famous guy/iconic brand. It's built of a mix of lighter weight good brand steel tubing. Aesthetically, a nice looking frame though the color choices are somewhat limited. Pluses, US made, probably a reasonably light/lively ride, the fit is closest to what I'd choose in a custom (though we're talking a matter of millimeters between the two choices) threaded BB. Minuses, probably not that much lighter than my current steel frame/fork, rim braked bike, and I've owned a lot of steel frames and got an itch for something different.
2) Asian made 3/25 butted titanium frame (6/4 headtube, dropouts, etc) with choice of carbon fork. I like the idea of ti generally, but couldn't swallow the price, though this one is a good value. It's a tiny brand, based in a bike shop not too far from me (well, a couple hundred miles) It's kind of similar to Rawland (but in conjunction with a bike shop) where a guy had some bike design ideas in mind and just went ahead and had them built to spec in Asia. It has slightly more clearance for bigger tires in both wheelsizes, fwiw. Pluses, titanium! Lighter and more durable finish than the other, supporting a "local," guy, biggest change (in a good way) from what I've been riding. Minuses, pressfit BB - ugh, racier fit than the other (slightly longer reach and shorter stack) though again, within a matter of millimeters, and unknown/untested support if the frame fails, is off-spec, etc, though I like what the guy's doing, and don't mind taking a chance on such things, generally speaking. (I have owned two Rawlands, sold them both tho, for thinning the herd reasons, mainly)
I know it's hard to advise on such matters, that it's really up to me, etc, but I'd like to hear what you guys think. I can/will list brands with links at some point in the conversation if it seems helpful. Thanks, Steve
