Gravel frameset recommendations, anything I've missed?

[jonathanf2]

I'm checking to see if there are any gravel framesets I should put on my radar before the upcoming 11.11 sale? I just need something that's cheap and sturdy. This bike will probably stay mechanical and I'll most likely stay between 38-45c tires.

So far I'm slightly leaning towards the Flyxii FE-806 cyclocross frameset. I like it since it reminds me of the Crux and it's cheap. Flyxii messaged me saying 45c tires should fit and I don't plan riding in the mud.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804619460838.html

I'm also looking at the SPCycle SP-G056 gravel frameset or the Ceccotti RF25 frameset variant which seems to be the same. This frame will probably handle better on the trails, but I don't find it a particularly attractive. The Surprise Store on AliEx seems to have the best discounts that can be added to AliEx sales coupons.

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

Any other carbon frames I should consider? Thanks for the recommendations!

[Cnasta]

Airwolf would be on my radar:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007046393214.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=272-267-0231&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&&albagn=888888&&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=nl1005007046393214&ds_e_product_merchant_id=109199260&ds_e_product_country=NL&ds_e_product_language=nl&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=20701318733&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw05i4BhDiARIsAB_2wfCYoSFWSA5lfVOVAs87aeUff-6zI6RUx-mQkLXtH0Kshb7CgSqUGu8aAsJrEALw_wcB

BXT:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007195559899.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller.11.26e9pTUGpTUGkH&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40196.366991.0&scm_id=1007.40196.366991.0&scm-url=1007.40196.366991.0&pvid=389b4f4a-1a23-41b3-8afb-8a4e3bbd959a&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40196.366991.0,pvid:389b4f4a-1a23-41b3-8afb-8a4e3bbd959a,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238116%232002&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%211420.97%21568.39%21%21%211523.18%21609.28%21%40210384b217285045217404593e8c67%2112000039974501559%21rec%21NL%211852096397%21X&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A

Better looking SPCycle:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007445331174.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.15.361czFdezFdeyj&_gl=1*1vshpqa*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3Mjg1MDQ1NDcuQ2owS0NRancwNWk0QmhEaUFSSXNBQl8yd2ZDWW9TRldTQTVsZlZPVkFzODdhZVVmZi02ekk2UlV4LW1Ra0xYdEgwS3NoYjdDZ1NxVUd1OGFBc0pyRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3Mjg1MDQ1NDcuQ2owS0NRancwNWk0QmhEaUFSSXNBQl8yd2ZDWW9TRldTQTVsZlZPVkFzODdhZVVmZi02ekk2UlV4LW1Ra0xYdEgwS3NoYjdDZ1NxVUd1OGFBc0pyRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*MjUzNDczNDMwLjE3MjUzMDA4Mjc.*_ga*NjE2MzIxNzk1LjE2NjczOTg1MzA.*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*MTcyODUwNDQ0NC4xNTEuMS4xNzI4NTA0NTc5LjI3LjAuMA..&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld

[jonathanf2]

Airwolf would be on my radar:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007046393214.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=272-267-0231&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&&albagn=888888&&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=nl1005007046393214&ds_e_product_merchant_id=109199260&ds_e_product_country=NL&ds_e_product_language=nl&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=20701318733&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw05i4BhDiARIsAB_2wfCYoSFWSA5lfVOVAs87aeUff-6zI6RUx-mQkLXtH0Kshb7CgSqUGu8aAsJrEALw_wcB

BXT:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007195559899.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller.11.26e9pTUGpTUGkH&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40196.366991.0&scm_id=1007.40196.366991.0&scm-url=1007.40196.366991.0&pvid=389b4f4a-1a23-41b3-8afb-8a4e3bbd959a&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40196.366991.0,pvid:389b4f4a-1a23-41b3-8afb-8a4e3bbd959a,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238116%232002&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%211420.97%21568.39%21%21%211523.18%21609.28%21%40210384b217285045217404593e8c67%2112000039974501559%21rec%21NL%211852096397%21X&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A

Better looking SPCycle:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007445331174.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.15.361czFdezFdeyj&_gl=1*1vshpqa*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3Mjg1MDQ1NDcuQ2owS0NRancwNWk0QmhEaUFSSXNBQl8yd2ZDWW9TRldTQTVsZlZPVkFzODdhZVVmZi02ekk2UlV4LW1Ra0xYdEgwS3NoYjdDZ1NxVUd1OGFBc0pyRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3Mjg1MDQ1NDcuQ2owS0NRancwNWk0QmhEaUFSSXNBQl8yd2ZDWW9TRldTQTVsZlZPVkFzODdhZVVmZi02ekk2UlV4LW1Ra0xYdEgwS3NoYjdDZ1NxVUd1OGFBc0pyRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*MjUzNDczNDMwLjE3MjUzMDA4Mjc.*_ga*NjE2MzIxNzk1LjE2NjczOTg1MzA.*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*MTcyODUwNDQ0NC4xNTEuMS4xNzI4NTA0NTc5LjI3LjAuMA..&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld

Airwolf seems to have earned a bad rep on here and BXT seems to ignore you if you have issues. I'm good with SPcycle, their shipping is ridiculously fast and my last frame from them has been solid, but I find their paint mediocre.  Also I didn't notice the G068. It looks better than the G056 in my opinion. I prefer the seat stay design on the G068 and I don't need fork mounts either. Though it comes in 100g heavier. Maybe the down tube is a bit stiffer? I'll put this one on my radar.

[Tijoe]

I'm looking for a boost gravel frame that fits up to 50mm width tires.   Anyone see any boost gravel frames on Aliexpress?   I could go down to 45 tires. 

If I go with a frame that fits smaller width tires. then I'll keep using my present gravel bike frame.

[jonathanf2]

I'm looking for a boost gravel frame that fits up to 50mm width tires.   Anyone see any boost gravel frames on Aliexpress?   I could go down to 45 tires. 

If I go with a frame that fits smaller width tires. then I'll keep using my present gravel bike frame.

Why not build a rigid boost MTB frame instead? I live in the urban city and close enough to the trails, but I prefer riding from my front door. My gravel needs lean more towards 65/35 road/dirt.

I would keep my current gravel frame as well, but it's from 2017 and I'm concerned there's cracking in the frame. I'm not sure if it's just the paint or actual frame damage. I might try doing a carbon repair job if (damaged) and repaint, but I want to secure a replacement frame if it takes awhile to fix.

[Tijoe]

Why not build a rigid boost MTB frame instead? I live in the urban city and close enough to the trails, but I prefer riding from my front door. My gravel needs lean more towards 65/35 road/dirt.

I would keep my current gravel frame as well, but it's from 2017 and I'm concerned there's cracking in the frame. I'm not sure if it's just the paint or actual frame damage. I might try doing a carbon repair job if (damaged) and repaint, but I want to secure a replacement frame if it takes awhile to fix.

Yes, I am already doing this.  I reconfigure my Spcycle 29er hardtail frame to:  Carbon rigid fork with either flat or "H" bars, or put on my 100mm travel Sid fork with either flat bars or "H' bars.  I recently rode a 590 mile Bikepacking ride with this bike using the rigid fork and it was set up to carry all my gear.  Worked out great overall.

I want a frame similar to a Salsa Cutthroat that has a shorter wheelbase than a typical rigid 29er, lower BB than a mtb bike, and can handle 50mm tires, preferably with a 148mm boost rear end with shorter rear triangle.

[Serge_K]

i have built 3 VB gravel bikes (002 & 003) and Peter Xiamen Carbon Speed's grevil clone. the 002 is mine, and the grevil too. I found the 002 sluggish on the road so i quickly bought a full on road bike, but on gravel i enjoyed it. The grevil is very capable on the road, you dont get bored. When the off road is sketchy, for example on steep stuff, you have to lean forward otherwise you lift off.

I can recommend the grevil clone, it ticks a lot of boxes (T47, 50mm clearance, a zillion mounting options, quality frame from someone who cares, affordable...).
Now, 95+% of my riding is done on the road, so i'm no expert, but still. Nice bike. And Pinarello is praised for its geometry in general, so there's that.

I definitely wouldn't get a frame from airwolf, this forum is full of horror stories, or at the very least, you're pretty much guaranteed to have problems with the frame. And Peter makes wheels too, so you can get all the stuff you need in one box. Idk if he does discounts for 11.11, but it's worth asking :p

[jonathanf2]

i have built 3 VB gravel bikes (002 & 003) and Peter Xiamen Carbon Speed's grevil clone. the 002 is mine, and the grevil too. I found the 002 sluggish on the road so i quickly bought a full on road bike, but on gravel i enjoyed it. The grevil is very capable on the road, you dont get bored. When the off road is sketchy, for example on steep stuff, you have to lean forward otherwise you lift off.

I can recommend the grevil clone, it ticks a lot of boxes (T47, 50mm clearance, a zillion mounting options, quality frame from someone who cares, affordable...).
Now, 95+% of my riding is done on the road, so i'm no expert, but still. Nice bike. And Pinarello is praised for its geometry in general, so there's that.

I emailed Peter about the CS-GR029 frameset which looks to be the same CX frame from Flyxii (geo matches up). I'd be interested in a gloss finish, since Flyxii doesn't offer paint or gloss. I don't need anything fancy with gravel. I feel like most gravel riders in my area have overdone rigs. They remind me of US off-road enthusiast with overbuilt Jeep or Toyota SUVs, a sh*t ton of accessories bolted on, but only ride to the shopping mall with their worn down knobby tires!

[jonathanf2]

After looking at a bunch of different framesets, I think I'm leaning towards the Flyxii FE-03.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806495680162.html

The geometry nearly matches my SPCycle SP-027D road frame (which rides really well for me), but tweaked for gravel. The FE-806 is a bit off for me geometry-wise and visually the SPCycle SP-G056/G068 don't look that attractive to me once built up. I have a type when it comes to bikes! 

Hopefully the 11.11 sale discounts are good this year.

[Ultramic]

Airwolf seems to have earned a bad rep on here and BXT seems to ignore you if you have issues. I'm good with SPcycle, their shipping is ridiculously fast and my last frame from them has been solid, but I find their paint mediocre.  Also I didn't notice the G068. It looks better than the G056 in my opinion. I prefer the seat stay design on the G068 and I don't need fork mounts either. Though it comes in 100g heavier. Maybe the down tube is a bit stiffer? I'll put this one on my radar.

Did you see the geometry on the G068 ? you are not going to be relaxed on this frame even running a 800mm stem. The G058 is a similar shape to the G056 but with a much more relaxed geometry.

[jonathanf2]

Did you see the geometry on the G068 ? you are not going to be relaxed on this frame even running a 800mm stem. The G058 is a similar shape to the G056 but with a much more relaxed geometry.

I'm probably going to write-off the G056 and G068. No offense to the owners, but after looking at thread pictures of built frames, I didn't find them visually appealing.

My main priorities are decent fit, price and durability. I do like my current gravel bike, but I'm worried about minor cracks in the head tube/down tube which I'm now monitoring to see if they're expanding. I'm not entirely sure if it's just paint or actual structural damage.

[Daviddavieboy]

I'm probably going to write-off the G056 and G068. No offense to the owners, but after looking at thread pictures of built frames, I didn't find them visually appealing.

 Very fair point. I built up a g056 for the very reason it didn't look like every other bike out there. It's a bit of a dog going up hills but fast as hell on level gravel/road.