Gravel frame for beginner build

[Phil]

Hi,

I want to build my first gravel bike and I'm looking for a good frame to start around 250-300 USD.
The goal is not to build the perfect bike, instead I want tolearn how to build abike and want to improve my skills and
upgrade the bike from time to time and also test different components (chains, cassettes etc.)
Do you have any recommandation? Alloy frame would be prefered, but carbon is also okay.
Thanks for the support. 

[jonathanf2]

I've been eyeballing this alloy gravel frameset for awhile. It has internal cabling, but should be easy with an alloy frameset. 27.2mm seat post and a fork that will allow 180mm disc rotors without an adapter. This might seem minor, but once you go 180mm on gravel, you won't go back! Though I'd wait for an AliEx sale for maximum savings to get it closer to the $300 USD mark. I'd also ask for a spare derailleur hanger if possible.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807287923022.html

Other options are the Seaboard, Timetry, IZip and Sodce alloy gravel framesets which should be of similar pricing with their own features. The cheapest carbon gravel options would be the Flyxii frameset FE-02 or FE-03. Again, timing your purchase during a coupon sale should get you close to your price point. After that prices go up. Though for about $400 USD (during a sale) the Ceccotti RF25 is an amazing value and worth the extra cost over the other options. That's what I went with when I upgraded last month. 

[00Garza]

Not many options in that price range.
You can try these, but I've not seen or heard of any builds with them.

$305.00 | 700C MOSSO 700GVL GRAVEL Road Bicycle Frameset Aluminum Alloy Disc Brake Frame Thru Axle 12x142mm Bicycle Parts
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNc2Mhv

$342.29 | SPEEDONE 700C Road Bicycle Frame with Rigid Fork Set Ultralight Aluminum Alloy Internal Routing Gravel Bike Frame 142x12mm Frame
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLJoZVl

[jonathanf2]

Not many options in that price range.
You can try these, but I've not seen or heard of any builds with them.

$305.00 | 700C MOSSO 700GVL GRAVEL Road Bicycle Frameset Aluminum Alloy Disc Brake Frame Thru Axle 12x142mm Bicycle Parts
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNc2Mhv

$342.29 | SPEEDONE 700C Road Bicycle Frame with Rigid Fork Set Ultralight Aluminum Alloy Internal Routing Gravel Bike Frame 142x12mm Frame
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLJoZVl

That Mosso frame has an alloy fork and the Speedzone has ugly welds! 

Sometimes going too cheap isn't worth it when you can spend a little extra to get more refinement. In the long run it'll make the build experience easier.

[Phil]

Thanks for all the recommendations.
I decided to pay a little bit more and go with Seaboard GR02.
There are a lot of builds here and I also found some great videos on YT.
Iz seems that this frame is good.
Is there a vendor you recommend?
I found this one on Aliexpresse with a good pricing.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005170135333.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004687746073.html

[00Garza]

Good choice. This brand has a good reputation.

The first vendor has pretty bad reviews. I think the second one is better.

[jonathanf2]

I've seen a Seaboard frameset in-person. The paint work looks great on that frame. Post your build-up when you get it and feel free to ask questions!