Gravel bike choice

[Lizzyk]

Hi folks,
I'm short at just under 5ft 2ins. I'm looking at XS Genesis Croix de Fer but tempted greatly by Boardman ADV 8.9 in small. The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Anyone had experience on the comfort of each bike after 5+ hours in the saddle e off road?
Thanks.

[Cowsham]

I'd go for this -- more road orientated https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ar ... e-EV339948

Or this if your an sram man and like a bit more off road

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ar ... e-EV339949

I have the R2 ( road/tour version of the D2 -- great spec for the money with 105 / ultegra)

Looked at the Genesis bikes but didn't like the way the cables came down unsheathed too far away from the frame. The pinnacle are all in frame.

[Bonefishblues]

Deleted

[Cowsham]

Opps sorry Lizzy see the woman's versions then.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ar ... e-EV339955

I like the colour too. Mine's boring old black.

[PH]

The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Thanks.

I don't have any experience of either and there's lots of reasons you might choose one over the other. I am skeptical that there's a genuine 2 kg difference between them and positive that if there is it won't be down to the frame material. The carbon V's steel fork might account for 400g and the aluminium Vs steel frame is likely to be about the same or less. The rest will either be different sizes weighed, or maybe easily changed components (There can be 1/2 kg difference in tyres) or there's sometimes some subterfuge.
They both look nice bikes, I know people with both and they seem happy with them. I've only had one set of carbon forks, I liked them but my bikes have quite a hard non cycling life, in the works bike shed, travelling by train, stacked up outside a cafe... it's this rather than the riding that makes me nervous about damage.

[Bullsnut]

I have the Triban RC520 gravel (in small) from decathlon. I changed the crankset to a 165mm from 170mm but other than that absolutely great bike. Definitely worth a look.

[Tangled Metal]

If bike brands are anything like tent brands they probably weigh the bike duty tyres, pedals and brakes!!! How many times I've seen UL tents giving a world lightest tent weight only to put discretely that pegs and possibly even poles. Or pegs so light that they don't work.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Hi folks,
I'm short at just under 5ft 2ins. I'm looking at XS Genesis Croix de Fer but tempted greatly by Boardman ADV 8.9 in small. The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Anyone had experience on the comfort of each bike after 5+ hours in the saddle e off road?
Thanks.

I ride a Croix de Fer and it's an excellent bike. The steel frame is certainly more forgiving than an aluminium one and in my mind makes up for the additional weight.

Bear in mind though that "gravel bike" is a slightly curious term for the UK. We don't really have thousands of miles of gravel roads as they do in the States. There are Forestry Commission-type tracks in Wales and Northumberland, and some long unpaved tracks/roads in the Highlands. If you're looking for a bike to ride on this sort of thing then the Croix de Fer would be a good choice. The various southern Downs have unpaved byways and tracks that are a bit bumpier still, and a CdF can cope with those too.

If you're planning on venturing further off-road - i.e. rough bridleways, field-edge paths and singletrack - then you might want to look at something a bit burlier: wider bars, lower top tube, chunkier tyres and better clearance for the inevitable mud. Though you can ride those on a Croix de Fer, a five-hour ride on that sort of thing won't be as comfortable as it would be on (say) a Genesis Vagabond, which is my other other bike. The Croix de Fer's great strength is that it's a do-it-all bike; if you're looking for something predominantly off-road then you can afford to specialise more.

[Marcus Aurelius]

The CDF is more comfort oriented than the Boardman, the Boardman is more responsive / quicker, if that floats your boat.

[thatsnotmyname]

Hi folks,
I'm short at just under 5ft 2ins. I'm looking at XS Genesis Croix de Fer but tempted greatly by Boardman ADV 8.9 in small. The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Anyone had experience on the comfort of each bike after 5+ hours in the saddle e off road?
Thanks.

Comfort on 5+ hour rides will be relative to your fitness, your position on the bike, your contact points and (particularly for off road) your tyre/pressure choice. In that sense, either bike could be equally comfortable. Having said that, 2kg is a saving worth having either way.

[Bonefishblues]

Hi folks,
I'm short at just under 5ft 2ins. I'm looking at XS Genesis Croix de Fer but tempted greatly by Boardman ADV 8.9 in small. The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Anyone had experience on the comfort of each bike after 5+ hours in the saddle e off road?
Thanks.

I ride a Croix de Fer and it's an excellent bike. The steel frame is certainly more forgiving than an aluminium one and in my mind makes up for the additional weight.

Bear in mind though that "gravel bike" is a slightly curious term for the UK. We don't really have thousands of miles of gravel roads as they do in the States. There are Forestry Commission-type tracks in Wales and Northumberland, and some long unpaved tracks/roads in the Highlands. If you're looking for a bike to ride on this sort of thing then the Croix de Fer would be a good choice. The various southern Downs have unpaved byways and tracks that are a bit bumpier still, and a CdF can cope with those too.

If you're planning on venturing further off-road - i.e. rough bridleways, field-edge paths and singletrack - then you might want to look at something a bit burlier: wider bars, lower top tube, chunkier tyres and better clearance for the inevitable mud. Though you can ride those on a Croix de Fer, a five-hour ride on that sort of thing won't be as comfortable as it would be on (say) a Genesis Vagabond, which is my other other bike. The Croix de Fer's great strength is that it's a do-it-all bike; if you're looking for something predominantly off-road then you can afford to specialise more.

One thing for the OP to consider is if Genesis do spec tubes differently for different sizes. The same tubeset that might be floaty-comfy for you might be unyielding in the small size that is being considered. Test ride is the answer, as often, I think.

[mattsccm]

Looking at components may affect your choice.
Do you fancy a single chain ring or double? 1x has come from the MTB side of things. Some people think its wonderful, some the opposite. Do you have experience of this sort of thing?
Tyre clearance. If you are pushing the limits a bit might you want to have the options of bigger tyres? Check what is the maximum.
Gearing. What scope is there for adjusting or changing ratios? SRAM 10 speed is interchangable between MTB and road. 11 speed raod is the same as those so you can do as I do and use 10 speed MTB rear mechs in an 11 speed system. Shimano is more complicated.
That question about string length is so much easier to answer.

[1982john]

Hi folks,
I'm short at just under 5ft 2ins. I'm looking at XS Genesis Croix de Fer but tempted greatly by Boardman ADV 8.9 in small. The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Anyone had experience on the comfort of each bike after 5+ hours in the saddle e off road?
Thanks.

I had Cdf but it did not work for me in the end as the gears did not go low enough for off-road riding and as you say the weight was not ideal.

I sold it and got a Cannondale topstone (alu) which is working out really well so far. Let me know if you want to know anything about it.

[Cowsham]

Hi folks,
I'm short at just under 5ft 2ins. I'm looking at XS Genesis Croix de Fer but tempted greatly by Boardman ADV 8.9 in small. The reach is the same but Boardman comes in at nearly 2kg lighter because it's aluminium. Anyone had experience on the comfort of each bike after 5+ hours in the saddle e off road?
Thanks.

I had Cdf but it did not work for me in the end as the gears did not go low enough for off-road riding and as you say the weight was not ideal.

I sold it and got a Cannondale topstone (alu) which is working out really well so far. Let me know if you want to know anything about it.

The topstone 105 is a really good choice and was the other bike I was looking at when I choose the R2 -- the topstone was a bit too off road for me -- I wanted a touring bike but the topstone may suit you the best -- £1500 this year but see if anyone has last years bike.

[ddot]

I've had a Boardman ADV 8.9 for about 18 months or so. Didn't use it offroad but put some 28mm tyres on and mudguards and used it as a winter bike. It has been pretty good, brakes are great and have done some longish rides on it. However I didn't like the saddle and changed it for a Spa one.
One thing on the size, have you tried one, I'm 5ft 7in and opted for a Small which has been fine, I note that you are 5ft 2in, just wondered if it may be too big, don't think they do an extra small!