that "perfect" gravel frameset for 2025

[bigevil]

If you want one now, get a Tideace Noah. Bonus is that it's dirt cheap compared to all the other options. Otherwise, wait for the 2025 releases. 2024 was too soon for the mainstream brands to meet the latest requirements, but I expect we'll see quite a lot of releases in 2025.

Agree and I'll prolly do that. Tbh the wide is such a wonderful bike. I've just upgraded everything to new red xplr aside from the deraileur/cassette so I'm itching. Also love to shave a 1lb from the build but suppose I can just get stronger. Shall keep eye out and report back. I know open has a udh wide coming

[RotterdamNL]

Cube Nuroad
by far best value for uhd red xplr
https://www.bikezone.nl/Cube-Nuroad-C:6 ... -RED-XPLR-
50mm clearence. More relaxed geo
Only downside no frame storage

[Agent041]

Cube Nuroad
by far best value for uhd red xplr
https://www.bikezone.nl/Cube-Nuroad-C:6 ... -RED-XPLR-
50mm clearence. More relaxed geo
Only downside no frame storage

Nuroad is indeed the best value. Too bad new one does not look as good as the old one. 50mm clearance costs some on esteticks. But, it is just a personal opinion. Some may like it.

[magnusss]

Cube Nuroad
by far best value for uhd red xplr
https://www.bikezone.nl/Cube-Nuroad-C:6 ... -RED-XPLR-
50mm clearence. More relaxed geo
Only downside no frame storage

It also has press fit BB

[DrimeOser]

And super long chainstays. Not the prettiest frame either imo.

[ooo]

made a quick comparison table for frames with known specs:



edit: v2 fa63 fix; v3 color fix; v4 +Rondo +Grind +Scott +Bianchi +Salsa +Ari; v5 +Kaha +Buzzard +Graxx

[TheRich]

made a quick comparison table for frames with known specs:

Should have 1x and 2x clearances

[fa63]

Another vote for Laug Seigla Rigid if you don't mind the slightly wider crank stance. It might be a bit heavier than what you have in mind but that won't matter unless you are racing.

On a separate note, I am in Girona right now and rode the Traka 100 course on a rental Enve Mog with 700x45mm tires. There are some fairly technical descents (and a lot of mud after a recent rain) and the bike didn't feel sketchy at any point. It also has a very nice ride quality (though the Enve seatpost that it is built with isn't doing it any favors in terms of rear comfort).

My gravel bike at home is a Crux. I also don't find that to be sketchy at all on technical descents (I ride 47c Pathfinder Pros). I did some mountain bike racing back in the day so maybe I am a little more comfortable in those situations...

[fa63]

made a quick comparison table for frames with known specs:

Lauf Seigla Rigid is rated for a 700x57mm tire, not 50.

[hansotto089]

That's a useful table, thank you for compiling the information.

Question for the chainstay - can somebody explain why is that so important? And it seems that you dislike both 420 and 430, and 425 is the "best" value?

Thanks!

[ooo]

Should have 1x and 2x clearances

1x tire clearance is listed on official website. 2x clearance is hard to find - I will need help with this.
there are 3 clearance specs, that are rarely listed on official websites - 1x with mudguard, 2x with road fd, 2x with gravel fd

Lauf Seigla Rigid is rated for a 700x57mm tire

Thanks, updated

Question for the chainstay - can somebody explain why is that so important?

This why I prefer 425mm chainstay:
- I do like to do tight U-turns (not just for cx)
- ≥425mm chainstay makes it officially compatible with mtb transmission parts
- I don't like bent tubes designed for 420mm chainstay to fit wider tires (I do like symmetrical chainstays and round seattubes)
I don't see any cons in 430mm chainstay, but with my current preferences everything usually fits in 425mm.

[hannawald]

Should have 1x and 2x clearances

1x tire clearance is listed on official website. 2x clearance is hard to find - I will need help with this.
there are 3 clearance specs, that are rarely listed on official websites - 1x with mudguard, 2x with road fd, 2x with gravel fd

Lauf Seigla Rigid is rated for a 700x57mm tire

Thanks, updated

Question for the chainstay - can somebody explain why is that so important?

This why I prefer 425mm chainstay:
- I do like to do tight U-turns (not just for cx)
- ≥425mm chainstay makes it officially compatible with mtb transmission parts
- I don't like bent tubes designed for 420mm chainstay to fit wider tires (I do like symmetrical chainstays and round seattubes)
I don't see any cons in 430mm chainstay, but with my current preferences everything usually fits in 425mm.

In theory shorter chainstays help better agility. If you want your gravel bike to work also as a road bike with 2nd pair of some wider road tires it is something to consider.

[MarkoP]

I'm pretty torn with my Lauf Seigla Rigid (race transmission). It's an amazing bike but I kinda feel it's a bit overkill for my purposes...I genrally ride champagne gravel, fire roads and wanted to have a "winterized road bike" so I thought a gravel bike checks the boxes.

The Seigla does all that with ease but I'm wondering if I'd have been better off with a Crux or ADHX. I don't need more than 40 ish wheel clearance or anything burly to go on proper gravel trails etc. I'm feeling a bit over-biked for my needs.

I dunno...I'd entertain a trade for a Crux or ADHX or something similar. I'm happy to keep it too but just think I might get more use out of a "lesser" gravel bike.

[TheRich]

In theory shorter chainstays help better agility. If you want your gravel bike to work also as a road bike with 2nd pair of some wider road tires it is something to consider.

In theory.

I look at my long wheelbase MTB with 435mm chainstays that I navigate tight singletrack with and wonder about that theory. Reality is that it's a bike, ride it and you'll adapt to it if you try. Slower steering and more stability at lower speeds isn't necessarily a bad thing either.

One definite thing is that depending on design, the tire size limiting factor can be seat tube clearance. Especially if you hope to use mtb tires which seem to be taller relative to width, so short stays aren't going to play nicely with them.

[FreaK]

@TheRich it really depends on how you like a bike to feel. It also depends on other factors like your attitude and endurance on the bike. For instance, I don't find a sharp handling bike to be an issue when I'm tired, quite the opposite, but my back gets tired and so at a certain point I do crave a much much more compliant bike than I would have at the start of a ride. At least on gravel and bad roads. Getting your weight and the weight of any cargo in the right place in the wheelbase is the most important part.
I've been looking to upgrade my gravel/tour/commute frame for a while but for me the geometry of all the offerings is slacker than my DJ/street bike and my road bike has been able to take me anywhere my gravel bike can, albeit with 25c slicks and rim brakes instead of 38c small knobs and discs.