that "perfect" gravel frameset for 2025

[jo.k]

The Ican Graro ticks a lot of boxes, doesn't it - but AFAIK it has a proprietary seatpost design that locks you in, and the only compatible seatpost (their own) has a rather large setback. Not great in a world of "progressive fits". I don't think I'd be able to use one without a saddle with extra long rails or some other trick. Maybe going with a 52 instead of a 54 could solve it (74 deg STA vs. 73.5). A shame, as I really like the look of this frame.

[treyxt]

The Ican Graro ticks a lot of boxes, doesn't it - but AFAIK it has a proprietary seatpost design that locks you in, and the only compatible seatpost (their own) has a rather large setback. Not great in a world of "progressive fits". I don't think I'd be able to use one without a saddle with extra long rails or some other trick. Maybe going with a 52 instead of a 54 could solve it (74 deg STA vs. 73.5). A shame, as I really like the look of this frame.

Max 45c tire isn't cutting it these days

[jo.k]

We'll see. I know that big tire sizes are popular on US gravel, but I remain unconvinced about the need for MTB tires on european gravel courses thus far , even if those tires test fast on BRR and the aero penalty is small. I like how my bike handles with something like a GravelKing SK 38 and I'm not sure how much I'd like a 2.1" MTB tire. YMMV obviously. If I could have huge clearance everything else being the same - sure, I'd take it.

[treyxt]

Do any frames accommodate 50c tires with a front derailleur? For example Dylan Johnson uses 2.1 race kings with a front derailleur on his felt... any others?

[boots2000]

When I ride my Tarmac SL8 I imagine a gravel bike with bars and tuibng profiles that look like it, but with clearance for 2.2 tires!

[TheRich]

@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.

Any bike is a mountain bike if you want it bad enough, but a more suitable bike is more suitable and will be easier and therfore quicker. Not to say gravel bikes should be mountain bikes, but they shouldn't be road bikes either.

What I'm really saying is that you shouldn't automatically assume different is bad or refuse to use a different technique in a different situation. I think gravel bikes are reaching a point of maturity like mountain bikes 5 or so years ago being a little longer, a little lower and a little slacker. People thought they needed MTBs with steep HTAs and short wheelbases but it turns out they didn't and more stability basically changed the game.

Not to say someone needs a new bike, but you also wouldn't go car shopping to buy the previous model at the price of a newer one with better features. It's possible to believe that your current car (or bike) is fine while still acknowledging that the newer model is better and that's what you'll get when that time comes.

[treyxt]

What are thoughts on the Kanzo Adventure?

[treyxt]

What are thoughts on the Kanzo Adventure?

or the Revel Rover? Both I have seen online for sale near me for cheap.

[fa63]

Do any frames accommodate 50c tires with a front derailleur? For example Dylan Johnson uses 2.1 race kings with a front derailleur on his felt... any others?

I run my Crux as 2x (SRAM Force AXS Wide) with 47mm Pathfinders. It is pretty tight at the FD, not sure if a true 50mm tire would fit without touching.

[RotterdamNL]

Do any frames accommodate 50c tires with a front derailleur? For example Dylan Johnson uses 2.1 race kings with a front derailleur on his felt... any others?

not much frames can actually fitt 50+mm tyres with 2by setup
New cube nuroad has 50mm clearence, 3t racemax (not all configurations in 700c), giant revolt with flip chip. Tideace noah is big question

[ooo]

gravel frame list update

Salsa Cuttthoat C with 29 x 3.0″ tire up front and a 29 x 2.4″, udh and 2x

Ari Shafer 50c with udh/bsa68/430 chainstay, plenty of room for 2x

I like how Ari Bikes advertise "a 1.5”x 1.5” headset diameter"
this information is also listed in my table, 1.5x1.5 headtube is listed as "IS52 (IS52)" in yellow
(while older taper headtube models are listed with this text "IS42 (IS52)" in orange)

I have tried to add 2x clearance info, but I can't find it for many models

[CarlosFerreiro]

I wonder if this kind of pushing of the design parameters maybe takes frame designers to look at moving/rotating the FD mounting position a bit forward?
Just looking at my bike a GRX front mech on 31-11 has about 1cm spare. A bit forward and a 1cm rotation about the big ring circumference gets you a fair bit more clearance, for a body/battery anyhow, if not the FD cage.
I wonder when the shifting performance takes a real hit.....

[Requiem84]

gravel frame list update

Salsa Cuttthoat C with 29 x 3.0″ tire up front and a 29 x 2.4″, udh and 2x

Ari Shafer 50c with udh/bsa68/430 chainstay, plenty of room for 2x

I like how Ari Bikes advertise "a 1.5”x 1.5” headset diameter"
this information is also listed in my table, 1.5x1.5 headtube is listed as "IS52 (IS52)" in yellow
(while older taper headtube models are listed with this text "IS42 (IS52)" in orange)

I have tried to add 2x clearance info, but I can't find it for many models

Wanted to say compliments for making this great list, thanks!

[smartyiak]

How about this:

https://bikerumor.com/all-new-mondraker ... avel-bike/
https://granfondo-cycling.com/mondraker ... 2025-test/

Yes, it's a Mondraker, so it's SPENDY...but not anymoreso than the Ridley.

Pro: 50 tire clearance, burrito box, UDH, the spendy one is <8kg.
Con: price, 1x only.

[Lina]

How about this:

https://bikerumor.com/all-new-mondraker ... avel-bike/
https://granfondo-cycling.com/mondraker ... 2025-test/

Yes, it's a Mondraker, so it's SPENDY...but not anymoreso than the Ridley.

Pro: 50 tire clearance, burrito box, UDH, the spendy one is <8kg.
Con: price, 1x only.

Why would someone get this over Tideace Noah?