Recommendations for Gravel Frame & Wheels

[Maximus]

Hi There, I'm new here...
I'm sure there are similar threads, leading me there might help too.
I'm looking to get a gravel frame for lightweight and short woman (163cm, sub 50kg).
it will be leisurely riding (possibly even flatbar), no racing. Some might call it endurance riding.
Criteria:
- no problems
- rack mounts
- reasonably lightweight
- tire ideally up to 45mm. maybe 40mm will do.
- Price < Euro 1000 all inn (frame only).
- internal routing would be nice, but not necessary.
- will be built with mechanical GRX 810 1x12.
- unpainted
- delivery in max. 4 weeks, shorter helps

The bike will be built with a suspension fork (Rock Shox most likely).
I have the option to buy a new OPEN UP (1st gen) in Size S for EUR 1200 - so keep that in mind as a reference.

Ideally I'd like to get a light weight gravel wheelset too. shallow (max 30mm), does not have to be super wide, but min 23mm inner width would be good. Here weight is really important too.

For both I want something solid. No huge experiments. Price is second priority, but cannot spend big bucks either.
I've had good experiences with other direct form CN products in the past (rims long time ago, forks, etc...), so looking for this option here as brand awareness of the rider = 0.

Your input is well appreciated. Many thanks!

[Tijoe]

I always like to throw a wrench into the gears of peoples planning.    If your usage for the bike is casual or longer distance riding on gravel and less time will be spent on pavement, and flat bars may be a reality, take a look at 29er hardtails. 

Reasons.
1.  There are 3 to 4 carbon hardtail frames available through Aliexpress that weight less than 1000grams and have proven to be very durable.*
2.  Instead of being forced into a gravel frame geometry where the selection for short travel forks with 40 to 50mm of travel makes you have to pay a premium for a fork that really doesn't provide much travel/impact relief, you can spend less money on a better Fox or Rockshox 100mm or 120mm travel fork that weighs the same and is much more tunable.
3   You can pick up a 29er carbon fork for around $100 and you can quickly swap out the suspension for the carbon fork, if you start riding more on pavement than trails.
4  Most hardtails will fit larger tires than most gravel bikes.  You can always run narrower tires.
5. Since hardtails have a slacker head tube angle, they are more stable and comfortable to ride. 

Negatives:
- The frame bottom bracket height sits higher than a typical gravel frame.  Therefore your CG is a bit higher
- Most hardtails use Boots 148 rear hubs.  If you have other gravel bikes, they probably use 142 rear hubs, so your other wheels can't be we swapped onto this bike.
- The crank Q factor is wider than on most gravel bikes.
- Most hardtails are 1X versus gravel bikes being 2X.  Many like the simplicity of only having to shift a rear derailleur.  (A 1 X 12 drive saves the weight of a front derailleur.)

Edit: * Example  https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802796251755.html

[Maximus]

Thanks for the Input Tijoe. That is a relevant point. However here we are well past the point if Gravel or MTB. I've than them all, Gravel bikes that look like MTBs and and MTBs that look like gravel bikes. They are all cool and the there is no clear boarder between what is a Gravel Bike and what is an MTB anymore.
As mentioned above and in my original post. I'm looking for a decent gravel frame for a lightweight rider.

[Serge_K]

The Grevil clone from Peter from Xiamen carbon speed. It's on their website under gravel frames, from memory.
I have one, it's great. Trust me, i'm a stranger on the internet.
it ticks all your boxes.
Pinarello is very good at smaller sizes, and it's basically a clone.
if you have acne, it will clear it.
if you have dandruff, it will cure it.
You can tell him Serge le manifique sends you. You will gain nothing. I will gain nothing. But i get to call myself Serge le magnifique.

[SillyMochi]

Serge is such a goof 

But he ain't wrong about the frame. It could be a good match for what you are looking (if you like the "exquisite" shape and form). As I was shopping around for a sporty gravel frame a few months ago, I came up with a shortlist that might be of interest to you as well:

• xmcarbonspeed CS-GR01 (the one mentioned above) ~800 USD single paint w/o handlebar: https://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1639
• Lightcarbon  LCG087-D - was actually my favorite (mini suspension - not sure how much it does but I like to try new things - and storage in downtube) but they only come in sizes S, M, and L which were too small for me. You should not have that issue: https://www.lightcarbon.com/lightcarbon-gravel-frameset-with-micro-suspension-downtube-storage-plus-handlebar_p243.html
• Tideace FM-GV201 NOAH - race-gravel frame; also comes with downtube storage. Prices are higher than other Chinese factories but visible on website directly ~900 USD: https://tideacebike.com/products/fm-gv201-noah-carbon-gravel-bike-frame?variant=42818324136119
• Tantan GR201 - same frame as the NOAH but at a lower cost ~840 USD incl. single paint and handlebar. They do not have a webshop so you need to order via email (like with most Chinese direct to consumer "brands") http://tantancycling.com/index.php?_m=mod_product&_a=view&p_id=1139

I decided for the tantan in the end as they had the better prices than tideace and I have no issue with going through an email order (did that before). Tideace offers a more "western style shopping experience" at a quite a premium which I wasn't willing to pay. It might be more appealing to "first time shoppers". The prices above are for reference only for shipping and taxes to Germany. They might differ quite a bit depending on which country you are living in.

[jonathanf2]

I can't say enough good things about the Ceccotti RF25/SPCycle G056 gravel frame which are exactly the same frameset, but different vendors. I picked up my RF25 from the Surprised Store on AliEx. Paint was good, bottom bracket was smooth and the internals were clean. The frame has survived rainstorms and the desert with no issue. It's very solid, but not overly heavy. Mine was about 1150g in small. I think the XS would fit you well, though I'd double check with the seller. The geometry is quite slack, so I think it would accommodate a suspension fork quite well. It has plenty of rack mounts and if running 1x GRX, I think sub 8kg or even low 7kg is doable with this frameset and the right wheelset.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806071494498.html

I'd also recommend Easedon wheels on AliExpress. They built me sub 1100g climbing wheels and I've been eyeballing their asymmetric gravel wheelset as well. They allow quite a bit of customizing as well. No issues with my wheelset, they work great.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807911065375.html