It seems like the biggest difference will be shorter reach, which will be welcomed….The Checkpoint is a really long bike, in contrast to the Kaius.
Those are some huge differences for stack and reach… the stack and reach numbers that canyon publishes for the Grail are not comparable to other frames - they effectively include the stem reach/rise (because of those wacky handlebars).
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Glad you pointed that out…I was going to mention that @oldandfast was going to have to also factor in the reach for the integrated HB / stem systems, especially since the specs for those systems are fixed and can’t easily eb swapped out.
Also worth noting that the BMC only comes in a 36mm width HB (I’m pretty sure this is that model).
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But red is scientifically proven to be at least 8 feet faster.
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I’m not familiar with feet in this context, it seems like a weird imperial unit for power and aerodynamic drag. Can you quantify the advantage in metric? 
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I have and absolutely love my UPPER and will never be getting rid of it…
That being said, if I was building up the same bike now, I’d likely go for something like the Crux to get more tire clearance. I can barely squeeze 42mm Pathfinders in my UPPER.
Isn’t the Open WI.DE exactly what you want? It is an UP(PER) with more tire clearance and a more relaxed geometry. Officially, the WI.DE fits up to 46 mm 700c tires and 2.4" 650b tires.
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@oldandfast , just in case you hadn’t seen the FD for the Sram Red cranks will limit your tyre size.
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I was close to going with the WI.DE, but the main thing that moved me to the UPPER was 2x compatibility. I was building up a do it all bike that would be my road bike 50% of the time and wanted 2x gearing!
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I see. AFAIK front derailleurs often limit the amount of tire clearance, especially for electronic drivetrains.
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I would say it fully depends. With 1x13 or 1x12 you can have the same range and (mostly) steps of a compact setup. If you live in a mountain area a 2x is probably more suited. Anything else a 1x would be my choice. I live in the Netherlands in a part where it’s actually hilly. And 1x13 has been the best choice I’ve ever made.
I have a Rondo HVRT with two pair of wheels. A 650b set with 45mm Pirelli’s. And a 56mm deep aero set. Two cassette sizes, 10-36 and 10-46 with matching chains ofcourse. Depending on my terrain, hilly gravel or actual mountains the 10-46. Flat gravel and road the 10-36.
Combine this with the Favero Assioma powermeter where you can swap spd/spd SL cleats and you have a n=1 bike and setup.
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I went with a Crux 1x. Use it as my road bike and gravel. I like not having the integrated cables, firstly much easier to pack into my bike box for travel, secondly if I’m doing a really big day on the gravel and I’m chasing a little more comfort I chuck on a redshift stem.
Bike weighs in just over 7kg with road wheels on.
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Yes, it flares out to 42mm.
Good point: However, I do know/feel the reach of Grail is on the longer side.
Thanks for pointing this out!. It implies that the only bike (from the selection) that can handle 45mm and 2X is the Scott Gravel Addict, which comes like that stock.
I might have to test it myself.
Yes, I live up in the mountains. I really like having the 50-11 combination in the false flats. I’m running a Frankenstein 50-34 with 11-40 cassette, which gives me everything I need. However, I will still keep this bike and the new one can have a more traditional setup with less range.
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Here’s Brennan’s “new” bike for this season. It’s the same frame with some modifications and they talk about him breaking carbon frames in the past.
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The Workswell 358 looks like a great aero gravel frame. Only wish the geometry wasn’t so casual and pedestrian. Way too much stack for the reach…
How much do these frames cost? Is this equivalent to BXT or other similar China direct company on AliExpress?
Having narrowed the field to 3 bikes, now I’ll go deeper while I set up the logistics for test, can’t find one in my area and will have to travel 2-3 hours some weekend to have a chance.
The sizing charts are interesting:
BMC Kaius 01
Scott Addict Gravel Tuned
Trek Checkpoint SLR9
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That’s why it’s best to use one of the handy geo comparison tools, to get into stuff like Reach & Stack to name a few dimensions of interest. Those and more should be focused on once you get a basic size idea from any brands recommendations.
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Yes, it seems that the recommended size by Scott is inadequate. I will need to get recommendation directly from bike fitter, give the size of this purchase.
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The Boone is a better competitor to the Kaius, Crux, and Aspero than the Checkpoint.
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