I would love some advice from people who have been in similar situations.
I have a dream built in my mind that is very similar to the first picture – a Mosaic GT2X decked out with a Shimano mechanical GRX group set and carbon wheels for a 700×2.25 platform.
However, the local bike shop I’m going through is taking its sweet time getting in touch with Mosaic and starting this build. The build will likely break my budget, which is approx 12k.
Just recently, I came across a secondhand open wide. It’s built around a 650b platform with a campy Ekar groupset. Plus, lots of enve trim. I’ve seen the bike; it’s crazy light and rides pretty well. The previous owner has used it for the tour divide, but it’s been sitting in his garage for the past year. The quote for the bike, including a bunch of custom frame bags, is 8K.
I’m a bit torn about what I should do. The secondhand bike is cheaper and includes a lot of useful extras, but it is not quite the build I was looking for.
My primary purpose of the build is for serious adventure gravel for multi-day/week trips. I want something bullet-proof and fixable in remote places, going with mechanical and a titanium frame for the dream build.
Is it better not to break the bank and just lean into the good deal, or if I’m already spending so much, might I as well continue on the track of building my dream?
by ooddiss
9 Comments
Are you talking USD? Is’t 8k a lot for that second hand bike?
The open up ekar looks to be 4000 EUR new.
My 2 cents would go for the wheel size. Do you want to ride some trails? Then go with 28″ wheels with enough room for 29″ tyres. With a budget that high i wouldnt go with something not perfectly like i want it. Btw what currency are the 12k?
My guess is that a Shimano drivetrain is more fixable anywhere.
I think you’re better off waiting for your LBS. The OPEN seems very far apart from your dream setup.
If you’re willing to spend 8k, you can do much better than a used OPEN. The second hand market is full of bikes that are very optimistically priced. This is one of them IMHO.
First picture in Morocco?
These two bikes are just so different. Did you look at other custom titanium than the Mosaic? Or even non-custom titanium? I think that if you got that used Open, you’d ride it and think “this is okay, but I really wanted the Mosaic.”
Which one gets you excited? That’s the one you should go with.
Go for the Mosaic. I had them paint a T-Lab bike I have.
You might check them out – decent value for unique Ti frames.
12 k..😂😂😂, sure