Uncle John or Kaffenback?

silver campaign

I have a PLanet X SL pro which I'm delighted with.

But I was thinking of getting more of a do it all bike as a second bike. I'd like to use it for possibly a short commute to work, 12km return. Maybe a bit of off road, canal path type cycling. Fit mudguards, racks and panniers, do some light touring. I've done a couple of adventure races, and there are a couple where the cycling part is more offroad and not really suitable for the SL Pro.

Now I'm torn between the PLanet X Uncle John or the Kaffenback. They both seem quite similar to me, I think my head is going with the practicalities of the Uncle John but my heart is swaying towards good looking steel Kaffenback. Any one any opinions on these..

ednwireland

not sure but you wont get any bigger than 32 on the back of the kaffenback (if thats an issue) i bought the old sand coloured one for going to work on, its about 11.5 kg built up with racks etc.



the new i think has disc brake mounts as well

Crow92

I have a planet x sl pro and also bought a sand coloured kaffenback earlier this month, I've only ridden it once so far as it's a christmas present but it's very nice and relaxing to cycle on. It's also a really nice colour I have to say. Set up with dia compe friction shifters and plan to use to when I need to commute with a lot of things and some touring in the summer.

Looks up for the job. The uncle john will be stiffer than the kaffenback.

Lumen

FWIW the Uncle John is not a stiff frame. On the turbo the BB flexes all over the place. I think that's a positive for the sort of bike it is.

Mine had very squeally brakes, as did another I saw doing CX.

It's a decent enough ride, but quite tall and pendulous compared to a road race bike.

If I had to pick one adjective it would be "agricultural".

Jawgap

I have a UJ and love it.

Lumen's description is pretty accurate.

I've set it up for winter riding and found it very stable - even out on the frosty icy roads yesterday.

It's not as skittish as a pure road bike, but neither is it as fast.

silver campaign

Thanks for the help folks.
I'll probably run with the Uncle John all right. Wait and see if they have any such thing as a January sale...