Gravel Bike Recommendations for Central Texas Showdown – 85+ Miles, ~50% Gravel

Hey y’all,

I’m thinking about signing up for the Central Texas Showdown this October. The route I’m eyeing is 85+ miles, and roughly half of it is gravel or sand. Right now, my only bike is a 2017 Trek Émonda that maxes out at 28mm tires. It’s been great, but it’s still running caliper brakes and has no internal cable routing, and I don’t think it’s the right tool for this ride.

I’m not necessarily looking for another pure road bike. I want something that can handle this kind of mixed-surface event while still being reasonably fast on pavement, and so I'm leaning towards more adventure than gravel racing. I was initially looking at the Canyon Grail or Grizl (for the adventures), but I’m open to other brands and models. I'm also not sure whether I should be leaning Alluminum / Titanium or Carbon for a Gravel Bike. However, I do think I want a 2x front drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes.

A few more details that might help:

• Budget: Around $2,100 USD. Given I mostly ride road, I don't know if I'd be willing to pay more for a gravel bike than what I paid for my Trek.
• Buy used, new, or past years models: Prefer to buy used, but willing to buy new for the right reasons.
• Riding style: Mostly endurance/fitness rides and the occasional large group rides.
• Fit preference: I ride a 52cm in Trek sizing.
• Riding Priorities: Comfort over long distances, solid performance on both gravel and road, and good tire clearance for versatility. Also, 2x front drive train and hydraulic disc brakes.

What would you recommend for this type of ride and riding style? Thanks in advance!