HELP ME DECIDE WHICH BIKE

[Eberle303]

Hello all. I am new to the forum and will be purchasing a gravel/cross bike within the week or so. I think I have it narrowed down to a top 2 or 3. I call upon the experienced field members here for comments and suggestions. I grew up on BMX and went to a  GIANT hard tail MTB. I live in Colorado between Boulder and Denver. This next bike will serve as a short commuter and a weekend fun camping bike with a possibility of competing in a race for fun. I have decided to def go with a 1X setup. Spending no more than $2,000. The bikes I am currently leaning towards is the JAMIS Nova Pro($1899). The CANYON Grail AL 7.0 SL($1899). and The GIANT TCX Advanced($2000). 2 of the bikes have the exact same drive train and components of SRAM APEX 1. The CANYON having the SRAM Rival 1. The only one I was able to test ride was the GIANT. Thank you again for any suggestions. All will be considered. 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcx-advanced

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/novapro.html

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/grail/grail-al-7.0-sl/2197.html?dwvar_2197_pv_rahmenfarbe=SR%2FBK&dwvar_2197_pv_rahmengroesse=2XL#all-components-section-tab

[Zviedrs]

(09-05-2019, 06:41 PM)Eberle303 Wrote:  Hello all. I am new to the forum and will be purchasing a gravel/cross bike within the week or so. I think I have it narrowed down to a top 2 or 3. I call upon the experienced field members here for comments and suggestions. I grew up on BMX and went to a  GIANT hard tail MTB. I live in Colorado between Boulder and Denver. This next bike will serve as a short commuter and a weekend fun camping bike with a possibility of competing in a race for fun. I have decided to def go with a 1X setup. Spending no more than $2,000. The bikes I am currently leaning towards is the JAMIS Nova Pro($1899). The CANYON Grail AL 7.0 SL($1899). and The GIANT TCX Advanced($2000). 2 of the bikes have the exact same drive train and components of SRAM APEX 1. The CANYON having the SRAM Rival 1. The only one I was able to test ride was the GIANT. Thank you again for any suggestions. All will be considered. 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcx-advanced

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/novapro.html

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/grail/grail-al-7.0-sl/2197.html?dwvar_2197_pv_rahmenfarbe=SR%2FBK&dwvar_2197_pv_rahmengroesse=2XL#all-components-section-tab

Welcome to BikeRide!
Three beautiful gravel bikes here, definitely should try out some cyclocross action! My support for the 1x chainring setup choice. I have had first couple months of 1x experience with my MTB and it's been going pretty well. Feels like less clutter and enough gear options even for hard uphill climbs, yet I have to work on adjusting the gears - currently they sometimes tend to jump up or down +2 instead of +1.

Back here in Europe I've been most in touch with Giant bikes, and I can surely vouch for them. However, with very similar components I would actually consider Canyon's more from these three options. Rival should be in theory a slightly better/lighter group than Apex + 10/42 cassette with one less tooth Canyon's DT Swiss C 1850 wheels ar know to be strong and durable. Price also seems friendly for the value you get.

These are my first thoughts. How was the test ride with Giant?