Buying new is hard for me. The manufactures bundling & discounts on the groupset is usually significant., but always a compromise. Over the life of the ‘bike’ I quickly end up thinking of it as a “kit of parts”:
- frame
- group set
- wheels
- “trim kit” (bars, stem, saddle, pedals. As well as then the lights, computer, saddlebag, repair kit. These odd bits add up!)
Except for the proprietary bits, these all become interchangeable. Once you have a really good set of wheels (or two: road & gravel) and a good groupset, changing up frames is fairly easy.
Which Groupset? Since you already have AXS, then I would stick with that.
For me… the Shimano groupsets have been (by far) the least maintenance, most reliable, and the easiest to find parts/repairs all over the world. YMMV. If you have a favorite local shop, as the mechanics there what gives them the least issues over several years. There is no one winner, but knowing what your local resources are good at is a huge advantage.
Jumping from rim to disc wheels and from mechanical to electronic groupsets was a painful ($$) transition. Things have mostly settled down (thru axles, center lock, flat mount brakes, …) But now that I’m across the transition and have picked up (all used) 3 pairs of really good wheels (road race, gravel/winter, 650b adventure) and two complete groupsets – I have the freedom to pick up frames from the local racers, people just upgrade every year, shop employees who get great discount on new stuff and sell off the “old” stuff (last years), etc.
Which Frame: Crux (for now.) Gravel frames are still changing so fast it’s crazy. Innovations are coming out left and right. I like my gravel bike ride like my road bike. The crux won’t have all the “adventure biking” features like all the mount points for bottles, bags, fenders, etc. I also prefer riding 2x front rings. It will be harder on your body after long rattly rides than something like the Open.
This is also the reason not to think of this purchase as locking you in.