Looking for a bit gravel racing frameset

[MF_one]

Hello all

I am looking for a gravel frameset that looks a bit racing and less adventure/bikepacking

which frameset would you recommend?

At the moment I have 4 options:
1) Velobuild 2025: https://www.velobuild.com/products/2025-velobuild-carbon-fiber-racing-gravel-bike-frame
2) Ican Graro: https://triaero.com/collections/gravel-bike-frame/products/graro?variant=41579579801711
3) Mondince Frame Gravel Bike Frame FM316: https://mondincecycle.com/product/2026-aero-design-t47-bracket-gravel-bike-frame-fm316
4) Carbonda CFR707 https://carbonda.com/road/cfr-707.html
 
Do I miss something?

Best

[Blueberry]

I think it depends what you're looking for but personally I'd go for the Mondince since it seems to have the biggest tire clearance of those three. Where I live, gravel biking is basically just underbiking on MTB trails so being able to fit big tires is a must. That rules out the Graro and VB options for me. The Mondince one does have a really low BB which sort of implies that it's really meant for bigger tires and you might actually be risking scraping the BB a bit more if you run smaller tires.

"looks more like a race bike" vs "race bike" can be two different things. If looks is the important part, pretty much any frame with some deep rims and big, knobby tires usually looks pretty cool and race-like. If you really want performance, I'd say investing in good wheels and tires is more important than the frame. Get whatever frame has the features and looks you like the best (do you want: downtube storage, big tire clearance, aero tube profiles, lighter weight, custom paint options, yes/no fork mounts, fully integrated cables, high/low stack, price point, shorter wheelbase, etc.)

I see ICAN has this "newest gravel frameset": https://www.icanbikes.com/Products-list/newest-carbon-gravel-frameset-with-udh-g9/
it looks just like the graro and has the same tire clearance but also includes downtube storage. Maybe that could be another option for you.

[Lanfi]

Carbonda 505sl

[MF_one]

Thanks for your view.
Overall agree, the only thing is that the VB admits 50mm as tyre clearance, same as Carbonda. I though that could be the maximum tyre size I would mount. Was thinking actually to mount something around 45mm width.
Down tube storage for me is not a must.

Will deep dive a bit more before I take the final decision
Thanks!!

I think it depends what you're looking for but personally I'd go for the Mondince since it seems to have the biggest tire clearance of those three. Where I live, gravel biking is basically just underbiking on MTB trails so being able to fit big tires is a must. That rules out the Graro and VB options for me. The Mondince one does have a really low BB which sort of implies that it's really meant for bigger tires and you might actually be risking scraping the BB a bit more if you run smaller tires.

"looks more like a race bike" vs "race bike" can be two different things. If looks is the important part, pretty much any frame with some deep rims and big, knobby tires usually looks pretty cool and race-like. If you really want performance, I'd say investing in good wheels and tires is more important than the frame. Get whatever frame has the features and looks you like the best (do you want: downtube storage, big tire clearance, aero tube profiles, lighter weight, custom paint options, yes/no fork mounts, fully integrated cables, high/low stack, price point, shorter wheelbase, etc.)

I see ICAN has this "newest gravel frameset": https://www.icanbikes.com/Products-list/newest-carbon-gravel-frameset-with-udh-g9/
it looks just like the graro and has the same tire clearance but also includes downtube storage. Maybe that could be another option for you.

[ricchirock]

Velobuild is a great frame, but if you're looking for comfort go on something else. Aero seatpost makes it stiff for your back