Choosing between a used full-carbon gravel bike and a new aluminum one is a classic fork in the road. The Raleigh RXC, a 56cm used carbon fiber gravel bike, is listed at $1,499. The Bombtrack Tension 2, a new 700C aluminum frame bike with a carbon fork and SRAM Rival 1 hydraulic brakes, is listed at $1,085.65. The roughly $413 gap is only part of the decision: the bigger question is whether you want to start with a modern 1x11 hydraulic setup or pick up a used carbon platform with a 2x10 drivetrain.
Quick Verdict
If you value a clean slate and hydraulic disc brakes, the Bombtrack Tension 2 is the more direct choice for a road gravel rider who wants a new bike with a 1x11 Rival drivetrain. If you prioritize a full carbon frame and are comfortable buying used, the Raleigh RXC offers a road-oriented double-chainring build with a Rival rear derailleur.
Comparison at a Glance
| Bike | Listed Price | Price Bar | Condition | Frame / Drivetrain |
| Bombtrack Tension 2 | $1,085.65 | | New | Aluminum frame, carbon fork, Rival 1 hydraulic disc, 1x11 |
| Raleigh RXC 56cm | $1,499.00 | | Used | Carbon fiber frame, carbon fork, SRAM Apex shifters, Rival rear derailleur, 2x10 |
Where Each Bike Wins
Pick the Bombtrack Tension 2 when you want a new bike with modern hydraulic braking, a simple one-by drivetrain, and a listed price that leaves more room in your budget. The 40-tooth narrow-wide chainring and 11-36 cassette give it a wide range without a front derailleur.
Pick the Raleigh RXC when a full carbon frame is a priority and you want a 2x10 setup with a Rival rear derailleur. The 46/36 crankset paired with a 12-27 cassette puts the emphasis on closer road-like gearing for mixed pavement and gravel.
Product Notes
Bombtrack Tension 2 Gravel Bike 700C Aluminum Frame & Carbon Fork, Rival 1
The Bombtrack Tension 2 is the new bike in this pair, with an aluminum 6061-T6 double-butted frame and a full carbon fork. Its SRAM Rival 1 build pairs hydraulic flat-mount disc brakes with a 1x11 drivetrain, using a 40-tooth narrow-wide chainring and an 11-36 cassette. The spec also includes Hunt 4 Season wheels, a T47 threaded bottom bracket, and rack/fender mounts on the frame. For a road gravel rider who wants a simple one-by setup in new condition, this is the easier starting point. The main trade-off is frame material: you get aluminum rather than carbon, so a full carbon frame is not part of this package.
Used Raleigh RXC, Carbon Fiber Gravel Bike, 56cm
The Raleigh RXC is listed with a carbon fiber frame, carbon fork, and a 56cm frame sized for riders about 5'9 to 5'11. The drivetrain is a 2x10 SRAM setup: Apex shifters and front derailleur, Rival rear derailleur, and an FSA Gossamer 46/36t crankset with a 12-27 cassette. It runs 700x38c Schwalbe cyclocross/gravel tires. The condition is used, so you're accepting light cosmetic wear on the carbon frame rather than starting from new. It also uses Tektro brakes rather than the hydraulic Rival brakes found on the Bombtrack, which is worth weighing if you plan to spend time on steep or loose gravel. If you want a carbon fiber platform and don't mind a used 2013 bike, the RXC gives you a double-chainring setup with a Rival rear derailleur.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the Bombtrack Tension 2 when you want a new road gravel bike with hydraulic disc brakes and a 1x11 drivetrain. Choose the Raleigh RXC when a full carbon frame and a 2x10 drivetrain with a Rival rear derailleur matter more to you than starting from new. Both bikes are firmly in the road gravel category; the right pick comes down to whether you want a new one-by aluminum build or a used carbon two-by.
