[Joe579]

Wasn’t sure if I should post this on here or the off-road.cc forum, but it’s a road perspective I’m after I guess.

I’m currently riding a Trek Domane with Tiagra. For most of the time it’s great, and I use it both on tarmac and forest roads and so on. Sometimes on 35mm Gravelkings, sometimes on 32mm slicks, both of which seem fine.

However I do sometimes find myself wanting some lower gears than the 34/34 the Tiagra gives me, both on really steep road climbs and gravel tracks. I’m up in the Highlands so some of the off road exploring can get pretty steep.

I might be after the impossible but I’m looking for something that’ll still be good to ride on long road rides, but with the gearing to give me a bit of help on super steep stuff.

Was looking at the entry level carbon models of the Trek Checkpoint and Merida Silex. Trek has 1×13 AXS, Merida has 1×12 GRX820. I’ve got Hope 20Five Pro5 wheels on my current bike so can swap them over (with a new freehub) if they’ll be better than the stock wheels.

Any thoughts on which of these might be better on road? I know the Silex is supposedly more MTB-like, but there isn’t a version of the Mission that has like for like specs (unless you go over £3k)

Cheers

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