I’m researching with the exact same parameters as you right now. The Giant Revolt AP0 is at the top of my list so far, only difference between it and the 1 being the paint and Rival vs Force.
Where have you seen the Cervelo 2024s? I was under the impression that the ones listed on the website are 2023 right now.
Looking at the Canadaian website I can see 2 models for the Rival Etap AXS 1 model, one with the Reserve 32 wheels which I know for a fact is the 2023 model and another model with the Reserve 40/44 wheels which I can only assume is the 2024 specs but I might be wrong and it could maybe be a mid-year spec change as well. Truth be told I’m actually quite pleased they changed the 32s for the 40/44 model.
I just bought the Crux Expert and it truly is an all rounder for gravel, CX and road. It feels nimble like a road bike with the 38mm Pathfinder Pros but if the gravel gets chunky throw on some 45-47mm gravel tires, lower the pressure and go for it.
Sounds like all of us are looking for the same gravel bike for the spring and coming to similar conclusions. The Crux has the clearance, threaded BB, decent road manners, but doesn’t have the frame storage or hidden cables.
Aspero has the hidden cables, clearance (barely), but doesn’t have the storage or the BB.
I think I’ll probably end up with either a Checkpoint or a MOG (but man that price).
Curious- what don’t you like about isoSpeed?
Have you done a lot of singletrack with the Crux? I’ve read that the higher BB makes it a little more twitchy than a more conventional gravel bike geometry that has a lower BB and longer wheelbase. It would bike like your sitting on top of the bike rather than into the bike.
My Diverge BB must be low, because I’m regularly striking rocks, bolders and obstacles when pedaling or at least a couple to a few times per ride depending on terrain. The Crux’s BB height 275 vs 264 for a difference of +11mm. I did ride it on singletrack a few months back and I loved the responsiveness…I’m scheduling another test ride before I pull the trigger just to be sure. What are you on @stonerider ?
Yeah the MOG does appeal. Does ENVE stuff ever go on sale? I think the concept of “value” is antithetical to their brand, so probably no.
The new Grail has storage and semi-hidden cables (though a PFBB), but none of the limited number of builds is quite what I want, nor is the 1-piece cockpit. Then again a nice Grail with Force AXS and Zipp Firecrest wheels is the same $$ as a MOG frame, so maybe a Grail with some parts swapping is the way to go. Canyons just kinda fail to excite me.
It’s just an added bunch of complexity and parts (and weight) that I don’t feel adds a ton to the bike. Hand/shoulder fatigue is typically more of a limiter for me in very long events than butt fatigue, so a compliant rear with a more rigid front isn’t something I feel like I need.
Yeah, I’m generally not a fan of proprietary/gimmicky add-ons, so I get it. That said, I am a fan of the rear isoSpeed. I’ve had it on my Madone road bike (early 9 series), a Domane(when it was Trek’s gravel bike), and most recently my Checkpoint. The Domane had isoSpeed front and rear and I had issues with the front working loose (racing chunky gravel courses), but have never had an issue with the rear IsoSpeed on any of the 3 bikes. As far as I know, all the issues Trek had with IsoSpeed were on the adjustable rear version. For me, the IsoSpeed is less about butt comfort, I just like the “hooked up” feel when you get into chunky stuff when trying to keep the power down (it doesn’t have the “bounce” you get from some of the bikes with lowered seat stays). Again, totally appreciate your position, just providing my experience in case you don’t have much time riding/maintaining a bike with it.
I’ve got a Checkpoint SL5, and am considering upgrading to something a little more race focused as well. I like the bike, but definitely not light.
I quite like the new grail, just annoys me they didn’t give it room for 45mm tires.
The Aspero5 can fit 45s comfortably? If so, maybe I’ll circle back to that again. Everyone that has one seems to like it.
Also considering the Scott gravel addict…I almost bought one when I got the checkpoint, and might look at it again.
The other issue is, ideally, Shimano comes out with Di2 GRX, and I get a bike with that on it. Of course not sure how long I’ll have to wait for that.
The new Grail will clear 45mm tires just fine; 42mm limit is with the bike-specific fenders, according to James Huang’s Escape Collective review. Seems pretty comparable to the Aspero WRT tire clearance.
Some of the other video reviews I’ve seen have said that the 40s that come on it are tight, and that 45s wouldn’t fit.
I was hopeful based on James Huangs article, but nothing else I have seen backs that one up.
Huh that’s interesting and really good to know. I’d love a direct comparison between the Grail and Aspero in this regard. It seems like 45s are slightly beyond spec for both so I’d expect them to fit but be a bit tight on both frames.
Not yet. When looking for a Gravel/CX bike I looked at the bottom bracket drop on the geometry charts. For instance in my size (54), the Giant TCX has 60mm drop whereas the Giant Revolt has 80mm drop. The Crux has a 72mm drop which is approximately in the middle so it is a true “all rounder”. Whereas you may be sitting too high on the TCX for a gravel race and sitting too low (pedal strikes) on a Revolt for a CX race. I wanted the option to have one bike to race gravel and CX.
Agree, the IsoSpeed should not be a factor one way or another. I like it, but there’s no fuss if you don’t. It’s a very simple design and adds a bit of compliance in the rear. The only reason I would worry about the IsoSpeed is if you wanted to run a dropper post because you can’t with it.
You can run dropper with IsoSpeed on the current Checkpoint SL (which has a standard round seat post for this very reason), just not an option on the SLR with the proprietary post. Weight difference on the 2 frames is negligible (they are both a bit portly, but the internal storage is nice).
I’ve been giving the Orbea Terra M a closer look; it actually ticks nearly all my boxes, save having a BB386 instead of a threaded BB:
-Frame storage
-Advertised to clear 45mm tires (so should do so fairly easily, unlike hoping you can cram 45s on a Grail/Aspero)
-Geometry seems like it’d perform well on road or gravel
-Very reasonable cable routing solution, hidden cables but not a proprietary system, and comes with an adapter to run any stem with their headset and still route cables through it.
-Useful but unobtrusive fender mounts, popular here in Seattle.
-They publish a really comprehensive manual including identification and torque spec of all small parts, which I actually really appreciate. Not everyone does this! https://www.orbea.com/content/TERRA_OMR_2022_BLUEPAPER_EN_ES.pdf
I also kinda dig that Orbeas are not super common, and I like their paint options. I had an Orca road bike in the early 2000s, which I really enjoyed.
Anyway, this is sneaking toward the top of my list. Now if only I could find one locally…
I don’t think I’d let a PF BB put me off anymore. Worst case is you’ve got to put a thread-together BB in from Wheels Manufacturing or similar. Small weight penalty and the pain of having to deal with the swap, but even the expensive ones don’t cost enough to significantly alter the value proposition of the bike as a whole.
Maybe an issue if you were still trying to run a 30mm spindle in a BB30 but thankfully that nightmare seems to be a thing of the past.
I’d definitely still spec BSA or T47 if given a choice on a custom frame or something, but if an otherwise perfect bike has pressfit that’s not really a reason to look elsewhere IMO.
Agreed; I think the idea that PF BBs creak is largely old news; tolerances as well as how the BBs themselves are made have mostly solved this issue. I still greatly prefer the process of removing a threaded BB to having to hammer out (and possibly destroy) a PF unit. But of all the “wants” on my list this is probably the most expendable.