Recommend me a entry-level gravel/bikepacking bike

[rain dogs]

along the same vein of a Niner RLT 9

must have:
Fork Mounts (bottle bosses) which support decent weight (~10kg)
Thru axles and Disc brake
Ability to mount a FD
Clearance for up to 700x45mm
Aluminium or lightweight steel frame.
Road/Cross/Gravel geo (no mountain bikey things)
not be a Trek, Giant or Specialized (sorry if that irks someone, but preferably not one of those big brands)

Just wondering what things are out there that I'm sure I haven't seen.

[weisan]

Salsa Journeyman (https://salsacycles.com/bikes/journeyman/2019_journeyman_apex_1_700_black)


https://salsacycles.com/files/bikes/_medium_image/Journeyman_Apex_700_Black_UpperCarousel-1_1920x1080.jpg

[nublar]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/kestrel-carbon-sale-event/kestrel-ter-x-rival1x.htm

[trener1]

Have a good look at the Jamis Renegade line, very nice bikes and differs price points depending on what the components were and how much you want to spend.

[Powerful Pete]

I second the recommendation on the Jamis Renegade line. Have a higher end one and only good things to say about it.

[bcroslin]

2018 aluminum Cannondale Topstone. My LBS is blowing them out for about $1500.

[yinzerniner]

2018 aluminum Cannondale Topstone. My LBS is blowing them out for about $1500.

Those things are HEAVY AF! But otherwise pretty nice.

The 700x45 might be close to impossible with a weight under 20lbs, Alu or Steel and affordable. There are options like the Bombtrack Beyond and Hook EXT, or the Mason Bokeh but they'll either climb well above 20lbs or well above $3k for a decent build.

Renegade Elite might be the way to go as it gets closes to meeting all criteria. Or even the Salsa Warbird with external bottle mounts.

Or if you don't mind going the mail order /weird non-big guys route, a Grail CF in either CF or AL could be a good starting point. CF for lighter and the crazy bars, but the AL should be able to tick most you boxes with some component changes.

[tombtfslpk]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/kestrel-carbon-sale-event/kestrel-ter-x-rival1x.htm

Interesting, too bad it's only available in a couple of small sizes. If my wife was more interested in non paved roads.....I can dream.

[JAGI410]

Salsa Journeyman. Hands down. Great bikes, nice spec for the money. I'd be all over the pink 650B one if I had room in my stable.

[nesteel]

The Journeyman DOES NOT have thru axles. I have one, and I still really wish Salsa would get with the times and make them thru axle for 2020. C'mon already............

[bitpuddle]

I’d check out All City’s Gorilla Monsoon. Fun bike, and you can build it so many different ways.

[happycampyer]

Not sure of all of their features, but would any of the Rodeo Labs frames meet your requirements? I think the Flaanimal model is steel, and is reasonably priced.

[adhumston]

Niner RLT steel maybe?

[72gmc]

Flaanimal and Jamis both look good.

If you didn't have the no-mountain-bikey req I'd say one of the Jones completes.