Reilly Gradient alternatives

Those names came from my researches for a new bike earlier this year. Came down to a choice between a Strael and a Gradient (!) - though went for the Strael as I was looking for something a bit more road than adventure focussed. You are quite right - it is a lovely bike. Sounds like you are talking yourself into getting a Gradient, and it would certainly be a fitting successor.

I have a Dolan ADX on order. The rim brake version (R7000).

Their Gravel variant is the GXT, disc braked, internal routed, up to 48mm tyres on 650b, 12mm thru axles, GRX groupset - from £2300.

I have the Spectre - similar to the Gradient - it's a lovely, lovely bike. You won't go wrong if you choose a Reilly.

The Dolan is very keenly priced though.

Am thinking about getting a Reilly frameset (amongst others) and are pondering on either a Spectre or Gradient, what was your decision based on when going for the Spectre as it is missing panier fittings and has a reduced but still useful tyre clearance over the Gradient.

I imagine that the Spectre is more of an endurance bike?

My riding is predominantly minor roads, I don't need pannier mounts, so that formed my choice. Couldn't be happier. If I were planning on riding offroad with any regularity I would have bought the Gradient. I'm sure there's not much to choose betwen the two of them.

I looked at Reilly and Vaaru and both makes have 3 bottle mounts + rack mounts on their gravel bikes, but the Spectre loses the rack mounts and the Vaaru MPA loses the third bottle mount (under down tube). Personaly I prefered the rack mounts to a 3rd bottle cage and went with the Vaaru. But easy to see how someone would consider rack mounts unnecesary.

I would give serious consideration to the gradient/GTA for the full set of mounts and larger tyre clearance, although both Reilly and Vaaru will tell you they don't handle quite as well as the spectre/MPA. But large tyre clearance allows big tyres and mudguards, or even off road tyres from some gravel riding.

Appreciate your comments!

I am having a test ride on a Gradient tomorrow to check out the Geometry and how it feels over my first thoughts ie a Spectre. I had not considered the Vaaru MPA/GTA but will add them to the list!

Much to consider but I don't think I need rack mounts but you never know.

Test ride was at one of Reilly Dealerships in Prudhoe, details on the Reilly website.

Tried the Gradient which was great ticked all the boxes but not sure if I need the tyre clearance the Gradient offers. Had a look at the Spectre frame and that looks more the frame that I think I require. Both nices frames.

Thanks to Chris at Cycle Art who was very helpful indeed... Lots to consider and think about; including 12/14 week frame lead time.

Additionally I dropped into the Alpkit shop at the Metrocentre on the way home and had a good look at a Sonder Colibri Titanium Ultegra; its a lot of bike for £2299.00 all in (frame and fork £1249) any thoughts and experience of this model out there? As there does not seem to be many reviews on the internet...

It has three sets of bottle mounts, rack and mudguard mounts plus fork mounts too. On first sight an impressive machine. Hmmmm.

It's a small world!

Would appreciate your thoughts too?

Like dolly, above, I went for the Spectre over the Gradient just over a year ago.  In my case I decided that I was going to do more road than gravel riding, and I didn't need the rack mounts.  Did a couple of 400km rides on it and it was perfect.  I've also done a bit of light (dry) gravel riding on it and it's been fine, even with the road tyres.  I'm now planning for a second set of dynamo wheels so I can run both road and gravel tyres.  

I've got SKS Longboard mudguards for the winter, which work very well.

I'd recomment the mirror finish logos - they are the business.

I'm sure whatever you choose will be awesome :).