The Cycling Thread

I don't think there's anything wrong with Boardmans, as long as you don't get them off Halfords and expect them to be assembled properly.
You won't keep up with roadies on a gravel setup by the way, I tried it with people who I know I'm quicker than and they just rode off into the distance. Budget in extra wheels/tyres/cassette if you want to do this.

It's all quite subjective of course, but I generally like these sites for some decent gravel bike reviews (though perhaps slightly above budget).

road.cc/content/buyers-guide/16-best-ps2000-gravel-and-adventure-bikes-257269

cyclingtips.com/2020/05/our-favourite-bikes-from-the-2020-gravel-bike-field-test/

You could go road bike and then get tires and wheels for gravel. The Decathlon Triban RC 520 is a well-regarded and specced budget 'ish road bike for the price of £849.00. The wheel clearance allows for a gravel setup. Sure it's not a top brand but you can always upgrade later if you get into it

Leaves you plenty of budget for all the gear which is pretty damn expensive to be fair.

One review but there are plenty of positive reviews out there
www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/triban-rc520-disc-review/

I don't regret buying mine.

Today looked like a nice day to head about but the wind ruined it completely. Made even flat sections feel like a right slog!

If the number of gears are the same, then you’re usually just paying for less weight. Hydraulic brakes are generally preferable as the calipers should self adjust for pad wear and shouldn’t require the regular fettling of cable operated discs. Disc brakes generally are going to be a fuck on though regardless of system, I’d pay the hydro tax for a little less faff though

Disc brakes on road bikes are shit and history will prove me right

I like disc brakes on a road bike. Admit it, they look better.
(Owner of a disc brake bike)

They do sound like a fucking Goose when they get a bit mucky when you're out on a ride though

Certainly still not sold on discs, but getting rarer to see rim brakes on a new bike when I'm dreaming /window shopping for new bikes.

Other than weight and noise, what's your beef with discs? They're a bit of a nuisance with getting them aligned correctly but once they're on I can't see why you'd want rim brakes over a pair of discs

I've no issue with rims. My fixed gear has a front rim brake, because I'm not suicidal, but I do love how quickly my discs stop me

I wasn't too fussed either way but when I ordered my bike the disc version was in stock first so I went with it. Also figured as I wanted to get carbon wheels eventually, it would be better to go that route abs enjoy the slightly wider tyres with tubeless when I eventually make the move

I would've loved to felt how light the bike would've been without discs though

Tubeless is also something I dropped quickly on road, but I’m a tubular guy anyway though

I wouldn’t worry too much- buy it and ride the shit out of it 👍

Some carbon rims aren’t great in the wet, modern ones are fine though really. My ~10 year old Boras are pretty bad but the newer ones have a dimpled track that works better than my discs in all conditions. I have a disc bike for winter but I don’t like riding it, I’ll generally choose the 10 year old Boras unless it’s icy

I snatched some nice wheels off a posho with more money than sense last year, I robbed him, really, but I like to think in a way that I’ve also made his life slightly better since he can now buy some other tat (he’ll not use and then sell eventually). I don’t know what you’ve got your eye on but there are a few straight-from-China brands with an established reputation (and one they want to keep hold of), like ICAN that are a lot cheaper than the usual main brands.
My Canyon came with 60mm deep wheels, be careful the first time you go out- the wind catches them and it’s like Geoff Capes has suddenly yanked on the bars. It’s odd, but I think you eventually tune the grabby nature of the wind out and I hardly ever notice crosswinds with them now.