Caliper

I'm looking for an entry level gravel race bike, would like to keep it under $2k. I like the idea of going carbon, but am not totally opposed to alloy either. Mostly I want light and a good ride + tire clearance. I'm also partial to SRAM equipment.

Right now, I'm gravitating toward the Raleigh Roker Comp as it seems to check all the boxes for me. Having to do some assembly on delivery doesn't bother me at all; I've got the tools and experience removing every component on a bike. But I was wondering if there is something else out there that I should be considering before pulling the trigger on a Raleigh?

Lazyass

Raleigh doesn't have the Roker on their website anymore or you would get it for the corporate discount price which was way less than what you'd pay now. If you want SRAM the steel Tamland 2 is $2150 and the Willard 3 is $835. You need to get the code and sign up for an account if you don't have one. The Tamland has a really nice wheelset and a Reynolds 631 frame.

Caliper

The corporate discount is still a thing? Every time I tried to click a link for it, it came back dead so I'd assumed they had changed things. How does one get a code?
I had been eyeing the Willard until I found the Roker available again, and that price is pretty darn nice.

Lazyass

The code I used was CYCLE4TAW. You have to type it in, not copy and paste. Diamondback uses the same code.

Caliper

Thanks! That worked.

Of course, they're out of my size (58) in the Willard 3... I could probably fit a 56, but would need more stem at least.

Even without the corporate discount, is the Roker worth another grand to get carbon and hydro discs? It's still less than the Tamland with the corp discount and the carbon should be a bit lighter. It seems like comparable other bikes are in the same or higher price range, especially when the Raleigh comes with great gravel tires out of the box. Or, should I be considering something else entirely? It seems like Raleigh bikes are offering a great value at the moment, am I missing something?

shoota 

You're not missing anything, the Raleighs are a great value. If I hadn't gotten my Tamland for $750 I would have gone with the Roker. Hopefully the hubs Raleigh used this year are better than last year's because they are GARBAGE.

chas58

Rokers are one of the best bikes gravel bikes out there, and last time I looked were selling WAY BELOW CORPORATE DISCOUNT. Get one while you can, it the bike bargain of the year. I've seen new ones still on Ebay.

Metieval

the Roker was a one off for Raleigh as the designer is no longer with them. The designer of the Roker is with Noble bicycle.

However..... If you can find a Roker for sale it will be for WAY LESS $.



https://www.noble-bikes.com/gravel

Lazyass

If you can get the Roker for a good deal then snag it. I'm planning on buying a DB Haanjo 5C EXP. Most won't like the groupset but I do. I can only imagine how smooth a carbon frame with 650bx47's would ride. My Podium race bike rides smoother than any steel race bike I've ever had. I got it for less than $1200 in April when they went on sale for an additional 25% off, I've been hoping the Haanjo's would go on sale. I don't want to wait much longer and take a chance my size sells out.

Caliper

Where was the corporate rate on the Roker Comp? I'm seeing $1850 or so for pricing elsewhere right now.

Lazyass

That might be less than the corporate price was. According to this article, the regular price was $2899.

https://bikerumor.com/2016/10/18/ib1...e-bikes-kinds/

Caliper

Oh, so that's a pretty significant drop then...

I guess I'd better hurry up and decide 58cm or 56cm. I'm about 6' so definitely leaning toward the 58, but the stack on the 56 is comparable to my current (paved) road bike and the slightly lower BB is tempting.

shoota 

I'm 6' and went with the 56cm. The stack is pretty high, my stem is almost slammed.

chas58

Just off the top of my head, the corporate price was around 2K, and the best I saw a few months ago was around $1700 (saw one shop that had them for $1600, but they seemed to be a "new" retailer, and I wanted to make sure I could return it if it didn't fit well). The sport models I saw were around $1200. The point is, you don't need a corporate discount.

They are a little more slack, upright, stable, heavier than what I wanted, but are ideal for the people who want a gravel only or more "endurance" geometry.

Caliper

It is tall compared to a road frame, but I've also got long legs that make me second guess things. How much drop do you have to the bars with your saddle height? I'm thinking I'd be around 10cm of drop on that frame and not sure about that on dirt roads.

This would definitely be gravel only or nearly so. There are very few paved roads near me that are safe riding on the pavement so any ride from home touches little pavement.

shoota 

Crap dude I don't know, I'd have to measure but it's not insane saddle to bar drop. If you have long legs and arms then a 58cm might be better. The standover is pretty low and I don't have long legs.

Caliper

Sorry, I'm an engineer so usually geek out on all the numbers...

shoota 

Me too

jbell_64

the factory weinman rear wheel hub was shot in my tamland in under 1,000 miles....

Metieval

OP is looking for and
so why did the Tamland even come up?

tangerineowl

Its 100 over budget, but don't forget the Kestrel Terx:-
Gravel Cycling Forum | Riding Gravel

shoota 

Wow that's a good deal.

Caliper

I did say light and a good ride

The budget is in part self imposed, so it's somewhat flexible for the right ride... The spec sheet is top notch there, but the BB drop is too small for me. Having another bike with 85mm drop, I definitely want a low BB here (but, before someone says Diverge, I also want road bike-like stack)

I really want the feel of a standard road bike, just with fat tires. That's basically how I ride on gravel roads.

shoota 

Allied Alfa Allroad then. Just a weeee bit over budget.

https://alliedcycleworks.com/pages/allied-alfa-allroad

Caliper

Hmm, I'm actually kinda disappointed. Only clearance for 38's?