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    ISO: Carbon or Steel gravel frameset with wide tire clearance.


    Hola!

    I'm looking for reccomendations for a new gravel frame/fork combo.

    I'm currently eyeing out the Fairlight Secan 3.0 as it has a beautiful 700×53 tire clearance and I do enjoy the Steal/Carbon fork combo at the moment on my current bike.

    What are other options on the market (other than a Salsa Cutthroat) that also has a gravel/race geo characteristics, Bikepacking mounts and either a carbon frame or steel frame paired with a carbon fork?

    by bessikapedale

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    27 Comments

    2. iLoveMaples on

      i own a Secan and it’s amazing. why not just go for it? I think the bikes are really well made and also very comfortable to ride. Quality is really good. I built mine myself

    4. PBJslaya on

      You’re asking questions that AI was designed for. Let’s just see what generative AI thinks you should be riding.

      Otso Warakin Steel
      • Tire Clearance: Up to 700c x 50mm
      • Features: Chromoly steel frame, adjustable geometry, mounts for fenders and cargo
      • Note: Versatile all-road bike suitable for various terrains

      Knolly Cache Steel
      • Tire Clearance: 700c x 50mm (frame), 700c x 55mm (fork)
      • Features: Adventure-ready geometry, carbon fork with adjustable offset
      • Note: Designed for comfort and control on rugged roads   

      Chumba Terlingua Steel
      • Tire Clearance: Up to 700c x 50mm
      • Features: Handbuilt in the USA, stainless steel sliding dropouts, compatibility with various drivetrains
      • Note: Built for versatility and long-term durability

      All-City Gorilla Monsoon
      • Tire Clearance: 700c x 42mm
      • Features: 612 Select chromoly steel tubing, mounts for racks and fenders
      • Note: Combines classic style with modern versatility

      Marin Nicasio
      • Tire Clearance: Up to 700c x 45mm
      • Features: Series 1 or 2 butted 4130 CrMo frame, disc brakes, fender and rack mounts
      • Note: Budget-friendly option with reliable performance

      Surly Midnight Special
      • Tire Clearance: 700c x 42mm
      • Features: 4130 chromoly steel frame, designed for road plus tires
      • Note: Excels on rough pavement and occasional gravel

      Genesis Croix de Fer
      • Tire Clearance: Up to 700c x 45mm
      • Features: Reynolds 725 heat-treated chromoly frame, multiple mounting points
      • Note: Proven track record for long-distance touring and adventure  

      Salsa Fargo Ti
      • Tire Clearance: Up to 700c x 50mm
      • Features: Titanium frame, designed for bikepacking and off-road touring
      • Note: While not steel, its capabilities are noteworthy  

    5. Jabaniz on

      Surly Midnight special, I’m running 700×47 no issues, with 650b you can got quite a bit wider

    6. McMa on

      You didn’t say anything about price, so I’ll add the beautiful, Italian made Cinelli Nemo Tig Gravel 😉

    7. MrSaltyBacon on

      Lauf Seigla has about the most tire clearance you’ll find and is relatively racey with a few frame mounts

      You could also look at something in Titanium, it will give you some of the feel of steel without worrying about rust, and much lighter.

    8. docshay on

      The Secan is sick, just go with that. It’s a slightly more aggressive geometry than what I needed in my gravel bike, so I got the Lynskey GR300.

      Rodeo Labs also has a Flaanimal and something else that are great.

    9. mikebikesmpls on

      I got the Secan 3.0 and it’s amazing. The others I was seriously considering were Niner rto, Wilde rambler sl, rodeo labs flaanimal.

      The cutthroat is not a race bike (unless you’re racing the tour divide), it’s more of a mountain bike with drop bars. The warbird is their gravel option, which is also fantastic if you go with a carbon frame.

    10. mcnelson373 on

      Yeah just get the Secan. I love my 2.5 and have a friend who just got the 3.0. They are fantastic bikes.

    11. redfishdookiefish on

      Rodeo Labs Flaanimal and Trail Donkey both have big clearance. I’ve been eyeing them up for my next bike.

    15. first-alt-account on

      Secan for sure.

      I have an original model and prefer that geometry to the slightly changed geometry on newer versions, but the new frames are even better designed and well worth the investment.

    17. Delicious-Ear8277 on

      I have the Ti Lynskey PRO with 6/4 Ti. I have 45s on it now and it rides great. The frame is not cheap!!

    21. ElGrandeSchnob on

      Otso’s Warakins are steel or titanium, they are another good option.

      A decent amount of cargo mounts, fairly speedy geometry, and can clear 29 x 2.1 MTB tires if you’d like ( or even bigger if you want to push it and have perfectly true wheels 😈)

      I’ve been riding a stainless steel Warakin for almost five years with no complaints, I’ve done everything from bikepacking trips to speedy centuries on it.

      I would agree with another poster though, if you’re looking for something more similar to the Cutthroat you should get an Otso Fenrir instead since it’s more of a drop bar mountain bike that can still be set up to be racey.

    22. mmciv on

      I went Secan. Arriving late August so keep in mind there may be lead times involved.

    23. andrewthesailor on

      Wilier Adlar. I own one, clears 50mm easily, it also has dedicated racks. On paper it’s haevy, but it’s mostly due to rithey bars and mtb tubes.

    24. dostoy320 on

      I’ve been really happy with my Otso Waheela C. The Secan was on my list for sure when I was shopping. It’s a beautiful bike.

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