Speccing a gravel bike
Discussion
£750 for the frame, Ares wasn’t lucky enough to get the whole bike for that.
Loving PX yo-yo pricing at the moment, current sale prices for bikes are higher than normal prices were earlier this year. They chucked an extra £200-300 on popular models for a couple of weeks in November and then they’ve reduced them by £150-250 for Black Friday.
Loving PX yo-yo pricing at the moment, current sale prices for bikes are higher than normal prices were earlier this year. They chucked an extra £200-300 on popular models for a couple of weeks in November and then they’ve reduced them by £150-250 for Black Friday.
Your Dad said:
£750 for the frame, Ares wasn’t lucky enough to get the whole bike for that.
Loving PX yo-yo pricing at the moment, current sale prices for bikes are higher than normal prices were earlier this year. They chucked an extra £200-300 on popular models for a couple of weeks in November and then they’ve reduced them by £150-250 for Black Friday.
Ah, I see. Thanks!Loving PX yo-yo pricing at the moment, current sale prices for bikes are higher than normal prices were earlier this year. They chucked an extra £200-300 on popular models for a couple of weeks in November and then they’ve reduced them by £150-250 for Black Friday.
The PX pricing is yo-yo as you say, I think many places do that in general, but I just got fed up and bought it in the end, although not as cheap as it was a month ago.
Siao said:
Ares said:
Siao said:
Hi to all, newbie in PH here!
Just got a Planet X Titus, waiting to get it delivered next week. Wife got it about a month ago (they had a sale where it was down to £1750, bargain) and is super happy. I tried it and it is such a different ride from the CF road I am using (I mean, obviously, but I am still amazed about the amount of comfort).
The only thing I am debating is going tubeless, never had it before so I have not looked it up properly. Always had tubes, even on my mountain bike.
Also, I wanted to ask Ares, what is the cylinder attached at the third bottle space, under the down tube? Seems like a tool kit or something, but is it in a bottle holder or screwed straight to the frame? Can't tell from the pic!
That's what my frame is! (although to break your heart, I paid £750 for it last February Just got a Planet X Titus, waiting to get it delivered next week. Wife got it about a month ago (they had a sale where it was down to £1750, bargain) and is super happy. I tried it and it is such a different ride from the CF road I am using (I mean, obviously, but I am still amazed about the amount of comfort).
The only thing I am debating is going tubeless, never had it before so I have not looked it up properly. Always had tubes, even on my mountain bike.
Also, I wanted to ask Ares, what is the cylinder attached at the third bottle space, under the down tube? Seems like a tool kit or something, but is it in a bottle holder or screwed straight to the frame? Can't tell from the pic!
)Definitely go tubeless.... I'd be a few punctures in on mine by now if I wasn't.
As for the cylinder, it's a tool keg/box. Bolts are there on the frame to fit.
https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/accessories-c11/bot...
As for the price, ouch... They advertise the normal price as £2300 or so, so I thought that £1,700 was a good deal. How on earth did you get it for only £750??? That's a third of the original price!!
I'll invest in the tubeless from January, buying two bikes (and pedals, etc.) just before Christmas hurts a bit financially, so I'll be making use of my spare tubes (if needed) until then.
Bike looks awesome by the way. I did consider the Ribble and the Dolan, but the Planet X won me over. Especially the looks, wife's one came without decals which makes it so beautiful.
PX were advertising a built bike for £14/1500 at the time, with the SRAM Force 1, but with low spec wheels.
Ares said:
£750 was for the frame only. I added SRAM Force one gears & brakes, Mavic Allroad Wheels and WTB Horizon 47 tyres. All came to about £1600 IIRC.
PX were advertising a built bike for £14/1500 at the time, with the SRAM Force 1, but with low spec wheels.
Still better deal overall, nice one! Thanks for the repliesPX were advertising a built bike for £14/1500 at the time, with the SRAM Force 1, but with low spec wheels.
Ares said:
£750 was for the frame only. I added SRAM Force one gears & brakes, Mavic Allroad Wheels and WTB Horizon 47 tyres. All came to about £1600 IIRC.
PX were advertising a built bike for £14/1500 at the time, with the SRAM Force 1, but with low spec wheels.
Ah, so this is bizarre. I got the bike last week and it is so different to my wife's (that one is similar to yours). For example, mine came with the Fulcrum 800's, which are a bit better than the 900's that came with the other bike.PX were advertising a built bike for £14/1500 at the time, with the SRAM Force 1, but with low spec wheels.
The most striking difference is in the rear of the frame. The geometry is somewhat different (my bike seems generally lower and a bit longer) and also the forks (mine came with screws for attaching paniers, win). Finally, mine has all the decals while the other one has nothing on it (which looks better in my opinion). They are both same size frames, so I am not sure why the differences. Could it be that they have two versions of the bike? Both are the 2020 models; I suspect that the first one may be the 650b version, although it came with 700 wheels.
In any case, I love it, such a smooth ride on the road, it just glides. I'd easily recommend this bike to whoever is looking around for a titanium gravel.
loskie said:
in many cases the finishing components of the declared spec if not available may be substituted for an equivalent or higher spec one (usually the latter)
Yeah, this is certainly true for some components, but the big difference in the frames is something that got me wondering. I have tried both obviously and there is no issue whatsoever, just curious as to why this would be happening.With all the new bike excitement worn off I'm not in love with gravel riding or to a lesser extent the Dolan.
Bike wise all is well and good but the joy isn't the same as jumping on twitchy carbon bike.
Riding solo mostly (same pre-covid) and the short gravel routes near me aren't as fun as getting head down on the road.
Think it's likely to end up 90% commute/winter trainer and 10% occasional off road jaunts with friends. For the road 1x grx is a bit of a limitation, jumps don't annoy me but lack of range does, for the whole package Ti gravel bike is a bit of overkill.
Biggest takeaway is I love 1 handed gear changing and now want di2 with synchro shift. N+1....
Bike wise all is well and good but the joy isn't the same as jumping on twitchy carbon bike.
Riding solo mostly (same pre-covid) and the short gravel routes near me aren't as fun as getting head down on the road.
Think it's likely to end up 90% commute/winter trainer and 10% occasional off road jaunts with friends. For the road 1x grx is a bit of a limitation, jumps don't annoy me but lack of range does, for the whole package Ti gravel bike is a bit of overkill.
Biggest takeaway is I love 1 handed gear changing and now want di2 with synchro shift. N+1....
Dnlm said:
With all the new bike excitement worn off I'm not in love with gravel riding or to a lesser extent the Dolan.
Bike wise all is well and good but the joy isn't the same as jumping on twitchy carbon bike.
Riding solo mostly (same pre-covid) and the short gravel routes near me aren't as fun as getting head down on the road.
Think it's likely to end up 90% commute/winter trainer and 10% occasional off road jaunts with friends. For the road 1x grx is a bit of a limitation, jumps don't annoy me but lack of range does, for the whole package Ti gravel bike is a bit of overkill.
Biggest takeaway is I love 1 handed gear changing and now want di2 with synchro shift. N+1....
Oh no! Sorry to hear that. FWIW I'm loving my GXT more and more each time I ride it, and my carbon roadie has taken up residence on my Tacx, which is where it will stay until Spring.Bike wise all is well and good but the joy isn't the same as jumping on twitchy carbon bike.
Riding solo mostly (same pre-covid) and the short gravel routes near me aren't as fun as getting head down on the road.
Think it's likely to end up 90% commute/winter trainer and 10% occasional off road jaunts with friends. For the road 1x grx is a bit of a limitation, jumps don't annoy me but lack of range does, for the whole package Ti gravel bike is a bit of overkill.
Biggest takeaway is I love 1 handed gear changing and now want di2 with synchro shift. N+1....
Not sure where you live, but if the roads around me were less rural, potholed and muddy, and there was less off-road riding available, then I too would be probably be less enamoured riding a gravel bike around. But for me around here it's absolutely perfect, just so versatile. However, I will say it again, I just don't get the 1x thing for any bike that's going to spend any time at all on tarmac...it just seems to go against conventional wisdom, and is also backed up by science if you put the ratios on a spreadsheet and compare it to a road bike. I'm so sure it's the modern equivalent of single speed mountain biking...cool and trendy but ultimately not ideal!
Could you fall in love with it again by swapping to 2x?
Don't really get this- I have a 42 chainring and a 11-42 cassette on my CX bike- can crawl uphill at 6mph offroad and don't spin out until about 29-30mph, which is fine for me especially on slippery roads this time of year. Much faster than that and it's down to gravity rather than pedal power anyway!
I've been using it for more off road than on road though- more like a XC mountain bike substitute than a road bike substitute- and like the way it shrugs off mud. Love being able to dive off down a bridleway if I fancy but can still maintain a decent pace on the road linking them up.
Do prefer 2x on my summer road bike though.
I've been using it for more off road than on road though- more like a XC mountain bike substitute than a road bike substitute- and like the way it shrugs off mud. Love being able to dive off down a bridleway if I fancy but can still maintain a decent pace on the road linking them up.
Do prefer 2x on my summer road bike though.
lufbramatt said:
Don't really get this- I have a 42 chainring and a 11-42 cassette on my CX bike- can crawl uphill at 6mph offroad and don't spin out until about 29-30mph, which is fine for me especially on slippery roads this time of year. Much faster than that and it's down to gravity rather than pedal power anyway!
I've been using it for more off road than on road though- more like a XC mountain bike substitute than a road bike substitute- and like the way it shrugs off mud. Love being able to dive off down a bridleway if I fancy but can still maintain a decent pace on the road linking them up.
Do prefer 2x on my summer road bike though.
Echo that, I have exactly the same ratios on my Gravel Bike....never left wanting on or off road.I've been using it for more off road than on road though- more like a XC mountain bike substitute than a road bike substitute- and like the way it shrugs off mud. Love being able to dive off down a bridleway if I fancy but can still maintain a decent pace on the road linking them up.
Do prefer 2x on my summer road bike though.
Dnlm said:
Riding solo mostly (same pre-covid) and the short gravel routes near me aren't as fun as getting head down on the road.
Where do you live? I'm blessed in South Wales with mile upon mile of gravel forestry roads, but appreciate that a lot of people don't have that. See a lot of people using very muddy bridal paths, but that makes little sense to me on a gravel bike.A 33mm "full mud" tyre like a Challenge Limus or Specialized Terra Pro (or even an "all rounder" like a Challenge Grifo) is surprisingly effective in mud compared to the higher volume semi-slicks you often see on gravel bikes. with the bonus that a rigid gravel or CX bike has less to clean and fewer bits to wear out (suspension forks, pivots, shocks etc) when covered in crap.
Hard-Drive said:
Not sure where you live, but if the roads around me were less rural, potholed and muddy, and there was less off-road riding available, then I too would be probably be less enamoured riding a gravel bike around.
However, I will say it again, I just don't get the 1x thing for any bike that's going to spend any time at all on tarmac...
With you on these two things. London where I am isnt great for gravel (10 mile commute to trails heavy in pedestrians). 1x 42t is 'ok' on the 42-11 gravel wheelset but road one is 36-11, and makes 15%ers at the end of a ride tough (have to check with LBS if this was stock or wheel capacity related). I Actually spin out on both - enjoy being stupid on descents However, I will say it again, I just don't get the 1x thing for any bike that's going to spend any time at all on tarmac...
Suspect the biggest thing is personally not loving gravel - went to the south downs in one of the brief periods between the bike arriving and lockdowns ending. Just preferred cycling up and down tarmac hills to the decent trails there.
My fingers are crossed that lockdowns end by spring and some group trips on the likes of King Alfreds Way change opinion!
What do you think re comfort, particularly on the road? I've found the GXT itself decent, but not noticed the Titanium magic carpet effect tbh! Have always been a bit funny though, replaced a Ribble endurance bike with aero Venge after finding it comfier.
lufbramatt said:
A 33mm "full mud" tyre like a Challenge Limus or Specialized Terra Pro (or even an "all rounder" like a Challenge Grifo) is surprisingly effective in mud compared to the higher volume semi-slicks you often see on gravel bikes. with the bonus that a rigid gravel or CX bike has less to clean and fewer bits to wear out (suspension forks, pivots, shocks etc) when covered in crap.
Echo the cleaning bit, especially on a 1x. I usually take mine to TSC for a full wash...but if it's closed, and It's too cold to mess about with my Karcher, I take it to the local garage and use their car jet wash.£2 for 5mins. High Pressure cold pre-wash, Low-pressure hot pre-wash, quick once over with hot brush, cold high-pressure rinse.
Then home and spray GT-85 over it and keep it somewhere warm.
lufbramatt said:
Don't really get this- I have a 42 chainring and a 11-42 cassette on my CX bike- can crawl uphill at 6mph offroad and don't spin out until about 29-30mph, which is fine for me especially on slippery roads this time of year. Much faster than that and it's down to gravity rather than pedal power anyway!
You might not get it, but it's definitely a personal thing. Spinning like a top to do 30mph would massively p*ss me off, I like to be nearer 80/85. But then I knew that so avoided 1x Dnlm said:
With you on these two things. London where I am isnt great for gravel (10 mile commute to trails heavy in pedestrians). 1x 42t is 'ok' on the 42-11 gravel wheelset but road one is 36-11, and makes 15%ers at the end of a ride tough (have to check with LBS if this was stock or wheel capacity related). I Actually spin out on both - enjoy being stupid on descents
FYI I'm west, near richmond park. With a bit of thinking I can get to box hill (and beyond) from RP with barely any riding on road. Certainly not taking the a car to somewhere to ride (unless MTB), it's pretty much THE reason for a gravel bike. TBH having done years of road miles, and getting very fed up of car aggro, traffic and covidiots, the ability to get off the roads is just about saving my desire to ride a bike. Personal / YMMV of course.The cassette size is never dictated by the wheel. Generally I'd expect you'd want more gear range off road, and smaller gaps on, which might explain the difference. But I'm 100% certain you can put a 42 on the road wheels.
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