Help for a complete novice: Graro or Velobuild Aero Gravel (or just let it go)

[Luffabong]

Hi gals and guys,

I am looking for some input and am turning to you for some help.

I want a gravel for the winter because the kickr is already driving me nuts.

So choices are threefold: Get a cheap/used gravel for 1k EUR or so, get something off the shelves that looks decent (Backroad, Nuroad etc) or build something myself for good price/value and the experience.

I am leaning towards the latter but have several questions:

1. Frame: I have repeatedly stumbled across the ICAN Graro and the Velobuild Aero Race Gravel thats widely discussed here. From what I gathered the velobuild is cheaper, more sportive/aggressive but less "support" and less quality in general? I would like something that is established enough to not worry all that much about production issues let alone safety hazards.

2. Equipment: I have never build a bike before. So far I am aware, that internal routing if fiddly, I have to cut the fork etc etc. but what are classical pitfalls to be aware of?
Should I go electric shifting and am I correct in assuming that due to external batteries SRAM is easier to install? Any other reason to pic either Sram over Shimano or vice versa other than personal preference?
I have just become aware of the difference between traditional derallieur hanger and UDH, I am aware of the fact I need the correct BB, I would imagine there are more typical pitfalls?
I would kind of like to avoid sitting in the middle of a bunch of parts that dont fit together without a functioning build.

3. Wheels:
Again, kind of at a loss where to even start.
I had previously considered the Elitewheels ENT in 45/34/24mm simply because they are cheap and I have seen them on a lot of builds. The masses cant all be wrong, right?
What dimensions make sense for a normal build with 40-45mm wide tires? I wont go and do hardcore gnarly stuff.
I would IMMENSELY appreciate a rough guidance where to start for good price/value stuff. Are there brands that are considered good and reliable


If its all too much hassle I think I might opt for the easy way out and just buy a bike but I at least want to give it a fair consideration, as I think it would be really cool to learn how to properly build a bike.
Should I go buy a complete bike, which would recommend? Graro or G3 or might as well go European with Cube/Canyon/Rose?


Many thanks in advance!!!

[asagilmore]

In my experience (3 frames from velobuild) the Aero Gravel frame has been great, and wouldn't worry too much about its durability. I think they have chosen to make the frame overbuilt, so it is sufficiently durable at the cost of not being very compliant. This is to say it rides more like an aluminum frame instead of a well tuned high end carbon frame, but it is still much lighter than an aluminum frame. I think its a good deal for the money, but if you are able to bump your budget up 2-300 dollars you can get a substantially nicer frame in terms of ride quality.

The elite wheels are great, the ent-gravel have a 25mm inner width which should be fine for 40-50mm tires, just won't be as aero a profile compared to some of the newer geometry's, but function will be totally fine.

[kubackje]

Ican is way ahead in terms of quality. Velobuild is a cheap brand. From these 2 I would choose graro 10/10

[Asco]

Whichever one you end up choosing, Ican have a Graro build video on their youtube channel which I really recommend. Building the VB should be very similar.

Yes, wireless groupsets are generally easier to install. That's a big plus for SRAM but the newer Shimano 1x GRX is also wireless, as is Wheeltop.

For wheels it's a bit hard to recommend anything. Get something you think looks cool.

[Motus]

The velobuild is cheaper, weighs more or less the same and is superior in terms of clearance.

[Requiem84]

Graro likely better frame, but 45mm clearance is just too little in 2025 and on.

Velobuild is a decent frame, nothing special, just solid. Build one for my gf and she’s very happy with it.

[Ludo]

I think one needs to understand the use case for the tire clearance statement. In my case the gravel bike is used for 80% road and 20% compacted gravel trails, i don’t feel like in need anything above the 40c i am using now so 45 is plenty good. I have a SPcycle G056 and now I wish I had a lighter, more aero frame…
Isn’t the ican in same ballpark price wise as peter @XCMS gravel option?

[Requiem84]

If you ride max 10% gravel and then only easy gravel, you probably don’t need a gravel bike anyway but more an allroad type of bike.

[Ludo]

I would agree with that, but i bought the Gravel before realizing that as soon as it’s a bit more than compacted trails, the MTB is the way to go for me.

[Luffabong]

Thank you for all the input so far, highly appreciated.

I wrote to both ICAN and velobuild and asked for a quote with custom paint, havent heard back yet.
I really, really like the clean look of the Velobuild based on the builds I have seen so far.
Plus the geometry of the Ican looks much more laid back, compared to my Stevens Road bike at the very least.

"Decent quality" should be fine for me, too, as long as its safe and reliable.
Most likely 40/45c is going to be fine. I dont intend to hit the hardcore trails.

In the meantime I ordered Elitewheels Gravel ENT 45, since they were a bargain. I can still upgrade later if need be.
Made the mistake to get the Shimano Hub which I guess already determines choice of groupset...

2 quick questions for those who have already built the Velo:

- Regarding parts, do I need to purchase anything other than the bottom bracket? Im unsure if the headset requires additional bearings or anything else?

- Regarding deailleur hanger, do I have to "chose" between normal hanger and UDH or are both possible with the frame and I just have take of the hanger if I use UDH?
I read that for UDH I need to ask for 1,0 threaded through axle rather than 1,5 which seems to be default?

While at the topic, do I chose UDH or traditional hanger when purchasing the derailleur or are all derailleurs the same and its only a different way of mounting them? (As in are there different versions of SRAM Force xplr, one with UDH and one with another mount).

I will most likely go for either GRX 827 or Sram Force xplr 1x12 respectively and I dont want to order the wrong parts (again). I would assume both are good?
I would like to buy a decent group set, that I can take with me if I change frames.


Many thanks again

[Motus]

I think one needs to understand the use case for the tire clearance statement. In my case the gravel bike is used for 80% road and 20% compacted gravel trails, i don’t feel like in need anything above the 40c i am using now so 45 is plenty good. I have a SPcycle G056 and now I wish I had a lighter, more aero frame…
Isn’t the ican in same ballpark price wise as peter @XCMS gravel option?

I'm doing some testing and I'm seeing that a fast XC tire isn't slower than narrower gravel tires. For the same power (favero assioma mx), the speed (on tarmac) is more or less the same.

Consider that the 38mm are practically road tires.

[Ludo]

Shimano hub choice only limit your choice of cassette but you can get any groupset you want.