Shopping my first gravel bike. I'm in the USA, midwest.
Uses: I'm near the Katy trail and will most frequently ride it on packed gravel, and pavement, but I'm signed up for Unbound 50 this year and hope to do more of these events in the future. Bike packing is also something I'd like to do comfortably on this bike. Maybe some touring. Is that too many things..?
I've test ridden:
- Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon
- Specialized Diverge STR Comp (carbon, 1×12)
- Salsa Warbird C GRX 820 (carbon, 2×12)
- Rocky Mountain Solo C50 (carbon)
- Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 (alu)
- Cannondale Topstone 1 & 3 (alu and carbon)
My favorites, the ones I found most comfortable and felt most confident on, are the Warbird and both Diverges. Unfortunately the Comp Carbon is $4k and it's out of the running.
The Diverge STR Comp is on sale from Specialized directly for $3,150; one LBS has one in stock for $3,500 but said they would price match (black/purple colorway, which isn't my fave).
I can get the Warbird C GRX 820 for $3,200 from another LBS (and they offered to trade frames from a green Warbird C GRX 810 2x if I didn't like the orange color).
I feel like I can't go wrong with either, but being a newb, who knows what I'm missing. Having serious decision paralysis here. Please help!
I'd like to see this color in person, but LBS will trade a green frame for me
The black & purple are not really my jam, but I do love a matte finish
by alexandriniums