I wasn't planning to buy a new bike (I've had a LOT of issues with my Fyxation Quiver ARC since buying it but was planning to just tough it out and try to get them fixed/maintain the bike better), but these two bikes I've had my eye on for a while are both on sale right now. The MEC bike has mechanical brakes, Sora and a steel fork and is $1240, the GT Grade has GRX/Tiagra, hydraulic brakes and a carbon fork for just $200 more which seems like a bargain. The GT seems like the obvious pick but I wonder if it's a bit of overkill for what I need, as it will mainly be a road commuter with some chill gravel rides on weekends. It also doesn't have anything to mount a rear rack to which is a pain as I usually ride with panniers.
I am also hesitant about buying bikes from non-bike stores, ESPECIALLY sport chek – I know the Grade is a good bike and GT is loads better than the other brands that Sport chek normally sells. However, I am worried they may not set it up right. My previous bike was from one of those "bike, board and ski" type stores and they did not put my bike together properly. There is a proper bike store near me that also has the Salsa Journeyer Sora for $1350, placing it squarely in the middle of these two options.
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6015-894/provincial-trail-1-bicycle?colour=Gravel+Grey
by C4D3NZA