Originally Posted by drewtk

Do you have a road bike now that you plan to keep? If so, I would get a gravel bike that allows for wider than 38mm tires. Then you can use the road bike for the road and the gravel bike for offroad. It's a no-compromise setup.

Before I had a gravel bike (Cannondale Topstone aluminum 105), I thought 38 would be plenty because it's so much wider than the 25's I run on my road bike. Now that I've ridden on 37's/38's on trails, I will definitely plan on getting wider tires next time for my offroad riding. Comfort is king for me on the trails, and I have a road bike so no need for a narrow all surface tire.

Now, if you plan on using the gravel bike for the road and your offroad trails are pretty smooth, 38's should be plenty. But I still say why limit yourself? Perhaps get the 2020 Checkpoint, which will take 44mm tires. The Topstone 105 is a great value, if you want save some $.