[Secret_squirrel]

Folks as above – seriously considering a Gradient purchase as a one-bike-to-rule-them-all, Road biased Adventure bike, but struggling for alternatives at a similar price point.

Best I can come up with are :
Ribble CGR Ti – but not as “sexy”
Sonder Camino Ti – but currently sold out
Laverack J.Ack – dearer

Anything else I should be considering? Maybe Planet X Tempest, but put off by the “budget” connotations. Anyone have real life experience?

Topic

[scholly9]

Test ride was at one of

Test ride was at one of Reilly Dealerships in Prudhoe, details on the Reilly website.

Tried the Gradient which was great ticked all the boxes but not sure if I need the tyre clearance the Gradient offers. Had a look at the Spectre frame and that looks more the frame that I think I require. Both nices frames.

Thanks to Chris at Cycle Art who was very helpful indeed… Lots to consider and think about; including 12/14 week frame lead time.

Additionally I dropped into the Alpkit shop at the Metrocentre on the way home and had a good look at a Sonder Colibri Titanium Ultegra; its a lot of bike for £2299.00 all in (frame and fork £1249) any thoughts and experience of this model out there? As there does not seem to be many reviews on the internet…

It has three sets of bottle mounts, rack and mudguard mounts plus fork mounts too. On first sight an impressive machine. Hmmmm.

[Secret_squirrel]

Out of interest where is the

Out of interest where is the test ride?  At Reilly or somewhere else?

[scholly9]

Appreciate your comments!

Appreciate your comments!

I am having a test ride on a Gradient tomorrow to check out the Geometry and how it feels over my first thoughts ie a Spectre. I had not considered the Vaaru MPA/GTA but will add them to the list!

Much to consider but I don’t think I need rack mounts but you never know.

[wycombewheeler]

I looked at Reilly and Vaaru

I looked at Reilly and Vaaru and both makes have 3 bottle mounts + rack mounts on their gravel bikes, but the Spectre loses the rack mounts and the Vaaru MPA loses the third bottle mount (under down tube). Personaly I prefered the rack mounts to a 3rd bottle cage and went with the Vaaru. But easy to see how someone would consider rack mounts unnecesary.

I would give serious consideration to the gradient/GTA for the full set of mounts and larger tyre clearance, although both Reilly and Vaaru will tell you they don’t handle quite as well as the spectre/MPA. But large tyre clearance allows big tyres and mudguards, or even off road tyres from some gravel riding.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I get that, I really want a

I get that, I really want a Ti bike next.  I’m thinking of a year round commuter that can do some mild off roading.  I want to like the Ribble, I love all that customisation you can do on their site, but the back end just looks…wrong to me.  

[Secret_squirrel]

Has to be Ti.

Has to be Ti. 😀

[Daveyraveygravey]

How about Temple, or would it

How about Temple, or would it have to be steel? 

Adventure Disc 2

Or a Kinesis?

[dolly]

My riding is predominantly

My riding is predominantly minor roads, I don’t need pannier mounts, so that formed my choice. Couldn’t be happier. If I were planning on riding offroad with any regularity I would have bought the Gradient. I’m sure there’s not much to choose betwen the two of them.

[scholly9]

Am thinking about getting a

Am thinking about getting a Reilly frameset (amongst others) and are pondering on either a Spectre or Gradient, what was your decision based on when going for the Spectre as it is missing panier fittings and has a reduced but still useful tyre clearance over the Gradient.

I imagine that the Spectre is more of an endurance bike?

[dolly]

I have the Spectre – similar

I have the Spectre – similar to the Gradient – it’s a lovely, lovely bike. You won’t go wrong if you choose a Reilly.

The Dolan is very keenly priced though.

[Secret_squirrel]

Great shout on the Dolan. 

Great shout on the Dolan.  Some great pricing on there.

[The _Kaner]

I have a Dolan ADX on order.

I have a Dolan ADX on order. The rim brake version (R7000).

Their Gravel variant is the GXT, disc braked, internal routed, up to 48mm tyres on 650b, 12mm thru axles, GRX groupset – from £2300.

[benthebikeman]

I too was a bit put off the

I too was a bit put off the PX Tempest but it I went for it anyway as funds were a bit tight at the time. I have had 2 full audax seasons out of it including Paris Brest Paris and lots of 80s mountainbiking on local trails, the bike is great! The geometry is very similar to the gradient as it was originally designed by Mark Reilly. weld quality is good externally and time will tell whether it lasts. I was able to build it up how I wanted as I could spend a little more on components.  Get one!

[Rod Marton]

Those names came from my

Those names came from my researches for a new bike earlier this year. Came down to a choice between a Strael and a Gradient (!) – though went for the Strael as I was looking for something a bit more road than adventure focussed. You are quite right – it is a lovely bike. Sounds like you are talking yourself into getting a Gradient, and it would certainly be a fitting successor.

[Secret_squirrel]

I will check out the Vaaru –

I will check out the Vaaru – its not a brand I am familiar with.   

Would love an Enigma, but would probably go for sacrilidge and get it at least partially painted – love their paint schemes – especially the union jack one.

If I get a Gradient or similar it will replace my Strael for which I have both 700c and 650c wheels for, so Steel not really an option.

The Gradient has almost identical dimensions to my Strael which completely by accident is the best fitting bike I have owned, so would want to replicate the same feel.

[Author]

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