Any suggestions or advice?
These are the terrains i normally ride on but i want something faster (lighter). The gravel is normally like what’s in the picture but can get bumpy occasionally if I go further away from the city. I currently have a trek fx2 (2×9) and I’m deciding on these opinions:
Trek Domane AL5
Trek Checkpoint ALR5
Specialized Allez Comp
Specialized Diverge 4 Alloy
Canyon Grizl 7 Raw
by Unable-Bar-9205
16 Comments
Gravel or Endurance, but go with the Continental Terra Speeds
Really a question of what tire width you are going to prefer.
You could do that on a road tire and it would probably be fine. You may want something in the mid 30mm range for comfort with a little compromise on the road.
I owned Trek hybrid bike before. I now have Checkpoint ALR 5. All these bikes will be upgrade over FX2. You will be able to ride faster; more efficient; less effort; and longer & further.
Based on your photos, you can go either gravel or endurance. Gravel give you option for wider tires for more off-road riding. Endurance has advantage on road.
Domane and Checkpoint cost the same, have same weight, similar geometry.
Domane is 2x; Shimano 105 groupset; lowest gear ratio is 1.0; I believe widest tire per spec is 38mm. Advantage is more gears and more resolution in gearing; so easier to find right cadence/speed.
Checkpoint is 1x; SRAM Apex groupset; lowest gear ratio is 0.9; widest tire per spec is 50mm. Advantage is 1 extra low gear for hill. And you are not limited by tire width if you decide to ride more gravel.
I also have bike with 105. 105 shifts and feels nicer than SRAM Apex. But my 105 doesn’t have clutch, so I get some chain slap. I believe the newer 105 does have clutch, so won’t have that problem.
Have you considered a Polygon all-road or gravel? Much less expensive and with 45mm tire clearance probably would fit your needs quite well.
https://bikesonline.com/collections/gravel-bikes
Honestly my road bike with 28m tires could handle all that.
Since you’re coming from a flat bar hybrid, either option will feel way faster. The terrain in your pic looks pretty smooth — an endurance road bike like the Domane would crush that while still handling occasional gravel. The Checkpoint/Grizl give you more tire clearance (up to 45mm+) if those bumpy sections get rough, but you’ll sacrifice some speed on pavement. Think about where you spend 80% of your time — if it’s mostly paved with occasional gravel, go endurance road. If you’re 50/50 or want adventure routing options, gravel bike. Also check your local trails — some gravel paths are basically hardpack and don’t need big tires.
I recommend a gravel bike instead of an endurance road bike. The difference on asphalt is relatively small, but a road bike performs only moderately on rough terrain or gravel. I ride similar routes, and I’d recommend a gravel bike with 35-38 mm tires. However, I also sometimes go fully into the forest and onto rocky fields, so in your case you might be fine with slightly narrower tires.
I would personally go with a gravel bike. Sacrifice a little speed for increased versatility
Pittsburg. Smallman St.
Knew it.
Had the diverge for 5 years on exactly this (plus chunkier stuff), upgraded to the Checkpoint. Still prefer the Diverge tbh. I think you won’t regret going with that one!
How much of your ride is picture 1 and 2 of packed dirt roads?
IMO you could get away with an endurance/all road bike that maxes out at a 40mm tire honestly. If you wanted to eventually ride gravel, just get a gravel bike that can do 45mm+ tire clearance and just run a semi slick if commuting
See you on the GAP!
But seriously, I’d recommend going a bit more gravel oriented and running slicker tires for low rolling resistance. I ride a heavy steel gravel bike with Little Big Ben tires and it does great on literally all of the surfaces and streets you shared.
I would ride that on my skinny road bike with 25’s
I have a Domane AL5 w 35’ tires. I use for gravel and road. Good for long rides on either terrain.
I have a Fiori from 1989 with downtube shifters and 700×23 tires on it that would eat this all day.
Ride what you have or what you want, if that’s going to make you want to ride more.
How much time or how far will you be riding off road? I would go with the endurance road bike and stay away from tiagra.