u/194051001

Hi all,

Im finally looking to upgrade my bike after riding the same one for the past 6 years, and I'd love some advice from people with more gravel experience.

Back in March 2020 during the COVID lockdowns, I bought a Cube Aim hardtail MTB with flat pedals. Since stores were closed, I basically told the salesperson, "I'm completely new and just want a good entry-level bike that can do a bit of everything," and that's what I ended up with.

I've actually really enjoyed it, but looking back, about 95% of my riding has been on pavement and bike paths, with only the occasional gravel path or easy trail. It's served me well, but at around 14 kg it's starting to feel heavy, especially on longer rides and climbs.

I live in Calgary, so most of my riding is:

-City pathways and roads

-Weekend rides in the foothills and mountains

-Some hard-packed gravel, but nothing technical

-Commuting (~9 km each way) when weather allows

I've decided a gravel bike makes more sense than a road bike. I'm not chasing maximum speed or racing—I value comfort much more than being in an aggressive aero position. I'd rather have a bike that's comfortable enough for 3-6 hour rides while still feeling fast and efficient on pavement.

My budget is around $2,500-$3,000 CAD.

What I'm looking for:

-Way lighter than my current bike

-Comfortable geometry

-Durable and low-maintenance

-Reliable, crisp shifting (I'm leaning toward a 1x drivetrain)

-Hydraulic disc brakes

-A bike that climbs well and feels fun on long rides

-I'll also be switching to clipless pedals and gravel shoes.

These are currently at the top of my list:

Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 $2599 CAD

Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 $3099 CAD

Giant Revolt 1 $2199 CAD

Giant Contend AR 1 (not technically a gravel bike, but I'm still considering it)

Specialized Diverge

Norco Search A GRX?

Cube Nuroad EX?

For those who have owned or ridden any of these, what would you recommend? Are there any major pros/cons that don't show up on a spec sheet? Is there another bike in this price range that I should seriously consider?

Thanks in advance!

Hi all,

Im finally looking to upgrade my bike after riding the same one for the past 6 years, and I'd love some advice from people with more gravel experience.

Back in March 2020 during the COVID lockdowns, I bought a Cube Aim hardtail MTB with flat pedals. Since stores were closed, I basically told the salesperson, "I'm completely new and just want a good entry-level bike that can do a bit of everything," and that's what I ended up with.

I've actually really enjoyed it, but looking back, about 95% of my riding has been on pavement and bike paths, with only the occasional gravel path or easy trail. It's served me well, but at around 14 kg it's starting to feel heavy, especially on longer rides and climbs.

I live in Calgary, so most of my riding is:

-City pathways and roads

-Weekend rides in the foothills and mountains

-Some hard-packed gravel, but nothing technical

-Commuting (~9 km each way) when weather allows

I've decided a gravel bike makes more sense than a road bike. I'm not chasing maximum speed or racing—I value comfort much more than being in an aggressive aero position. I'd rather have a bike that's comfortable enough for 3-6 hour rides while still feeling fast and efficient on pavement.

My budget is around $2,500-$3,000 CAD.

What I'm looking for:

-Way lighter than my current bike

-Comfortable geometry

-Durable and low-maintenance

-Reliable, crisp shifting (I'm leaning toward a 1x drivetrain)

-Hydraulic disc brakes

-A bike that climbs well and feels fun on long rides

-I'll also be switching to clipless pedals and gravel shoes.

These are currently at the top of my list:

Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 $2599 CAD

Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 $3099 CAD

Giant Revolt 1 $2199 CAD

Giant Contend AR 1 (not technically a gravel bike, but I'm still considering it)

Specialized Diverge

Norco Search A GRX?

Cube Nuroad EX?

For those who have owned or ridden any of these, what would you recommend? Are there any major pros/cons that don't show up on a spec sheet? Is there another bike in this price range that I should seriously consider?

Thanks in advance!