Update: my bonded carbon frame has been retired, and now I don’t know what to do next.

Hey all, after posting my bonded carbon Diamondback WCF a few days ago I talked to my local carbon repair guy. He’s into vintage bonded carbon frames as well. He said he suspected that the frame joints were in fact failing. I decided to officially retire the frame. I swapped all the parts over to a trek 7000 frame.

Here’s my dilemma. I’m not sure if I like the 7000 in this setup very much. It’s super ugly. I also am starting to feel like the corner bars, while simulating drops, and mostly compromises in each hand position. I want to try drops on an another build, but I have no idea what I should use as a starting point.

I could use the trek 7000 and swap around all the drivetrain parts, again. I could also get another vintage bike like a trek 930. Apparently the 20” lugged 930 frames had the same top tube as the Poseidon redwood I used to have. I have a set of 3×8 sora shifters so that would be a cheap/easy build. I also have the Ross mt Whitney that Is 3×8 and I could get a set of the crust towel racks for. I also have a 29er rockhopper but I’m trending towards smaller wheel sizes.

Or I could just get a new gravel bike like a gorilla monsoon or VO chessie.

Help me get over this analysis paralysis!!

Pics for reference with all my various mock ups