I’m looking to buy my first gravel bike because I am racing the crusher in the tushar. I found an orbea Terra for a really good deal and I am considering buying it, but the Santa Cruz Stigmata and the Canyon Grizl have caught my eye. Any suggestions for which one I should get?
I ride a size 54-56 and I would probably get a 2x drivetrain because I plan on using it for a bit of road riding/fast group rides.
$4000 is probably my max
What gravel bike should I buy?
The red one. 
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I prefer the black one.
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Isn’t the Crusher a point to point race that is mostly uphill? In that case maybe something lightweight, with smaller chainring 
It’s just a gravel bike. They’re all good! Pick what’s in your price point, and what’s available.
Is the Crusher in the Tushar a rough course? Maybe look for a Lauf fork or some whacky elastomer suspension design.
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@mcneese.chad has a ‘good bikes’ target list, IIRC. Maybe he’s willing to share here.
I guess it depends on his goals. If I am understanding you right, you are referring to my comparison Google Sheet I used to look at stuff like geometry and specs. As such, it’s bikes around 56cm size for my height, and only models I have bothered to research as one’s that I would consider buying.
No idea what size this rider needs, and I don’t have any data on the Orbea or Canyon since I have never considered them.
For people to make their own comparisons, I like the following tools:
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Here is a super quick example of bikes mentioned, but I spent no time matching specs since I don’t know the budget of interest here:
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For a closer look at geometry, I like the following site. You are restricted to comparing 2 bikes at a time, so creating an account and using the “Collection” function is worthwhile.
Outside of that, there is not nearly enough info shared to make any recommendation.
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Giant Revolt. Lots of build options and competitively priced. I may buy a new one just to get the updated geo and ability to put a dropper in that mine won’t support.
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Diverge.
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This one, say no more.
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Not a bike recommendation, but good info on the ride. My understanding is that it’s about 50/50 road/gravel, with long steep climbs, some washboard, and fast, loose downhills. I know Sofia won it on a hardtail mtb.
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Plenty of good ones to pick from, but I really love my Warbird.
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@DocSavage thanks for the suggestion I’ll look into it!
Sounds like the answer to the thread is: None. Buy a hardtail instead…
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No love for the Aspero?
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Serious question – what do you like about it?
I own a Salsa fat bike and have been totally satisfied with it. Early window shopping for a new gravel bike myself. And Warbird seems like a totally nice bike, but kinda ‘regular’ compared with some of the others. No Future Shock, no tuning chip, suspension or some of the similar features and niceties you see in this category.
Hey Dallin, Great question! If you are open for a new suggestion, I would recommend the new Kies from A-D Bikes. It is a durable, steel frame, that fully built up weighs about 19lbs. It is handmade in the USA and has a sweet paint job! It’s affordable and looks great! Here’s the link to the A-D website: https://a-dbikes.com/. I am sponsored by A-D Bikes and am truly impressed by the quality of their bikes (I’m rather picky). A-D Bikes is a restoration of the Austro-Daimler bike company from the 80’s. Best of Luck for your race!
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Loads of good gravel bikes - just get the one you like the look of the most and fits you well.
Save all your stress for when you come to choose your tyres - you’ll need it 
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Just built my Giant Revolt Advanced Pro frameset up a few weeks ago and I’m super happy with it. I went with a SRAM Force AXS mullet setup with two sets of wheels: one with 700x45c Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H’s for hardpack dirt and pavement-ish rides and another set with 700x50c Maxxis Ramblers for mud season and chunky gravel/Class IV roads/singletrack.
I’ve only had a few very mellow shakedown rides but the fit is great, it handles well, and has been very comfortable. Pretty excited to get some serious miles on it this year.
A) in the looks department., the Warbird is a smoke show
B) the frame, specifically the rear, has flex in it to soak up bumps. If I were doing something like Unbound, I might upgrade to a redshift stem. Otherwise I’ve found the ride buttery smooth over typical gravel and rough roads.
C) it’s long and stable. I’ve upgraded the wheels and it’s also light.
D) did I mention it looks good?
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Press fit BB, yikes.
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