Nearly Time to N+1

rollingscone

Chaps,

Time to press fire on a replacement for my Franken-Commutourer before I run out of money for one of a number of reasons.

Thinking a budget of €1k-1300, which I know isn't great but, I should have worked harder in school.

Looking at a CX w. discs - the Focus Mares AX4 Randonneur they had on Bikediscount.de would have been ideal, 10spd, BB7s, racks and mounts would have been ideal but I missed the boat on that one.

Basically I want to have:
1. Something to give trailing around the back end of CX races a go.
2. A winter bike/tourer option, w. singletrack options for ropey weater.
3. Commuter/pannier donkey.

So nothing pure without eyelets, but also not a Fauxclocross bike like the Tricross.

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas?

OldBean

I heard you like Pass Hunters...

H.E. Pennypacker

This squeaks in under €1300 including delivery:

http://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000-772640/aid:772643

rollingscone

Passhunter will have to wait till a more leisurely phsae of my like, have looked at that Rose, it's pretty close to the top of the list at the moment.

Lookee pretteee

OldBean

Bah! If disc brakes are on your list... There'll be a disc Pass Hunter released... Kinda soon. Can PM you photos if you're interested. Or you're welcome to give mine a spin if you'll fit on a 60cm.

Do you have parts that you could build up from a frameset? Get a Genesis 725 frame and have a light, sturdy road bike, with clearance and carrying capabilities.

rollingscone

Really want something I can give CX a go on, hence the lack of interest in Fauxclocrosses.

Passhunter is beautiful, too beautiful for beating around in the mud.

smacl

Rose seem to be among the best value for what you get at the moment, but the delivery wait is a bit frustrating. Expecting mine in two weeks now, you're welcome to try her out for a spin once she gets here. What sold me on Rose was being able to configure the bike to suit your exact needs at reasonable cost and relatively light weight.

OleRodrigo

Canyon Inflite AL ?

https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3621

H.E. Pennypacker

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Canyon Inflite AL ?

https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3621

Its a very nice bike but would those eyelets be suitable for panniers?

OleRodrigo

H.E. Pennypacker wrote: »

Its a very nice bike but would those eyelets be suitable for panniers?

Good point.

Its a decent cyclocross bike all the same, and looks good for light touring and commuting with a light backpack.

Mind you, I'd probaby go with a Croix De Fer to tick all those boxes.

Alek

You already know my advice! CdF all the way - perhaps the 2015 alu version, will be cheaper and a tad lighter.

Alu (CdA)



http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/b-road/cda-10

Steel (CdF)



http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/b-road/croix-de-fer-10


If you go for self-build, you can have a 10kg bike under 1400e, much better specced than the above (shimano 105 and HyRd hydraulic brakes, deore XT or Swiss DT24 wheels):

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/bikes/angled/croix-de-fer-frameset.jpg

magicbastarder

do you have one of those, Alek?

Alek

I have Croix de Fer 2014 built by myself. As far as I know geometry is the same across the series.



You have actually seen it!

magicbastarder

yeah, that's what i was wondering; a friend is considering the cda-10 (see the 'gravel bikes' thread).

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057452076

Alek

The only thing I would change in any of the ready-made Genesis bikes is the front brake, to TRP Hy/Rd. I found purely mechanical disc brakes to be not reliable enough for the front on the long run (need to be adjusted too often), while they are adequate on the back. Its a +100e investment though.

tigerboon

Or a Genesis equilibrium 10 disc. Built for roads but with CX wheels, disc brakes and lowest gear 34/30 should get you through anything. The old exchange rate may work against you at the moment though.

Alek

Genesis equilibrium

Tyre clerance is much tighter on this, I am afraid. May be no-go for CX.

ray o

OldBean wrote: »

I heard you like Pass Hunters...

oh no.....i've just been led back to the VO website. I spent an unhealthy amount of time lusting at that site a few years ago and I think I had just about gotten over my addiction. Here we go again!

outfox

Alek wrote: »

Tyre clerance is much tighter on this, I am afraid. May be no-go for CX.

25 mm is about the biggest, with mudguards. Without mudguards, 28 mm is about all you'll squeeze in.

OleRodrigo

outfox wrote: »

25 mm is about the biggest, with mudguards. Without mudguards, 28 mm is about all you'll squeeze in.

Ive squeezed mudguards on with 28mm. This years model though, might be wider clearance.

Alek

For CX you'll need at least 38mm clearance: 33mm for the tyre and the more the better for mud

tigerboon

Alek wrote: »

Tyre clerance is much tighter on this, I am afraid. May be no-go for CX.

Can't post pics yet. Are you talking about the disc model?

Alek

tigerboon wrote: »

Can't post pics yet. Are you talking about the disc model?

Here they say 28mm without mudguards.

http://road.cc/content/news/123804-genesis-bikes-launch-2015-range-more-equilbrium-disc-croix-de-fer-models

rollingscone

And then there's always the Boardman...

rollingscone

rollingscone wrote: »

And then there's always the Boardman...

Joking aside there's the Croix de Fer 10 from Hollingsworth for €1100 with 9spd Sora and their inhouse Cromo tubing.

Brian?

rollingscone wrote: »

And then there's always the Boardman...

A mate just picked one up. Not bad value.

rollingscone

Brian? wrote: »

A mate just picked one up. Not bad value.

Everyone I know who has one uses it exclusively as a commuter....

coastwatch

Kona Jake would tick all the boxes,

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/1645/kona-jake

Brian?

rollingscone wrote: »

Everyone I know who has one uses it exclusively as a commuter....

Doesn't mean it can't be used for Cyclocross though.

rollingscone

All true, the Kona looks like a real option too...have always wanted something in steel though...aaaargh

rollingscone

Ok. This just got real, the executive branch has just authorised a purchase.

Severely tempted to get the Croix de Fer 10 from my LBS but not sure about the Mjölnir chromoly.

OleRodrigo

rollingscone wrote: »

Ok. This just got real, the executive branch has just authorised a purchase.

Severely tempted to get the Croix de Fer 10 from my LBS but not sure about the Mjölnir chromoly.

Be grand.

I've a chromoly steel bike with proprietary tubing and there's no discernible difference with the established brands ( KVM, Reynolds, Columbus etc ). Maybe in 20 years time I'll have something else to add to that..

rollingscone

Well, I just pulled the trigger, and got the LBS to order the Croix De Fer 10 for me....

1. I should have looked longer and harder at alu options with better groupsets but 1.(a) I've wanted a steel frame with a kind of classic look ever since I first saw a Surly and 1.(b) I've really been researching this for far longer than I have been officially researching.

2. The Sora is a bit of a bummer but then a friend w. Tiagra told me he didn't really like it compared to the Ultegra on his good bike, certainly doesn't seem to be worth €400 in the difference along with the lighter grade steel:
2(b) although the 725 frame that Alek has is definitely lighter than the "Mjolnir" Chromoly I have the luxury of a separate Alu roadbike and having test ridden a "Mjolnir" Genesis Day One I still loved the ride quality even if it's not the lightest.

3. The mechanical discs are at least of an allegedly higher, less fiddly quality than the BB5s or BB7s on most of the alternative options although I may 3(a) follow Alek's example of upgrading at least the front to hydraulics.

4. I'm a firm believer that since I am not the natural competitor type that the best hope of using a bike lots is to love it, and I love the Croix De Fer's looks, I'm hoping that this frame will live through many groupsets and wheelsets as my commuter, tourer, randonneur, winter workhorse and CX race loser.

There...I think that's me nearly talked down out of the panic side of my post purchase butterflies...

OldBean

We need some photos.

magicbastarder

what's your LBS? hollingsworth?

ford2600

I'll probably be strung up but I wouldn't worry about groupset. If it works and you like feel of it, who cares?

Buy good quality lubed cables and have bike set up properly and off you go.

Happy riding.

BTW I find Tiagra fine have 30k ish on levers, brakes and crankset and it's fine once I take my own advice(see paragraph 2);)

smacl

Congrats and enjoy! Lovely bike.

OldBean

ford2600 wrote: »

I'll probably be strung up but I wouldn't worry about groupset. If it works and you like feel of it, who cares?

Buy good quality lubed cables and have bike set up properly and off you go.

Happy riding.

+1

Besides, once you're happy with the frame, you can upgrade as suits your requirements and wallet.

rollingscone

@Magicbastarder - Thinkbike
@Ford2600, Noted. Just tuned up the Tiagra on my dad's bike and he said that it felt like his gears hadn't been working before.
@OldBean - Have to get it before I can photograph.
@Smacl - I'll need every tooth of that 11-32!

OleRodrigo

Well wear sir.

Right, well its just about time to start thinking about new wheels. :pac: Let me take the opportunity to give a thumbs up to H Plus Son Archetypes.

Radial

Nice one, lovely frame and classic looks and I know you'll put it to good use. You'll be king of the commuters heading down the canal.

Have been looking at one also, but will have to wait until my Bike to Work comes up again in December. The problem with the wait is that I'll probably set my sights on something else in the meantime. It'll have to be steel though!

Looking forward to seeing this in the flesh and very interested in the ride equality of the 'Thors hammer' steel. Maybe I can talk you into a short spin if it's not too big.

When are you expecting to get it?

Beasty

Thread title remains valid - what's next in line?


:pac:

Alek

Great! Let me know when she (he?) arrives!

rollingscone

Radial wrote: »

Nice one, lovely frame and classic looks and I know you'll put it to good use. You'll be king of the commuters heading down the canal.

Have been looking at one also, but will have to wait until my Bike to Work comes up again in December. The problem with the wait is that I'll probably set my sights on something else in the meantime. It'll have to be steel though!

Looking forward to seeing this in the flesh and very interested in the ride equality of the 'Thors hammer' steel. Maybe I can talk you into a short spin if it's not too big.

When are you expecting to get it?

It won't be getting used on my current piddly commute.

Sadly there's no hope of a btw for me until well into the future.

smacl

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Well wear sir.

Right, well its just about time to start thinking about new wheels. :pac: Let me take the opportunity to give a thumbs up to H Plus Son Archetypes.

Hmmm, just thinking earlier that the first upgrade to the new bike will be a decent dynamo wheel and light. Winter is coming.... (and with Rose's effing delivery times the first frost will be on the ground before i see the new bike).

OleRodrigo

smacl wrote: »

Hmmm, just thinking earlier that the first upgrade to the new bike will be a decent dynamo wheel and light. Winter is coming.... (and with Rose's effing delivery times the first frost will be on the ground before i see the new bike).

Same, they are working out very dear though - will be relying on the ole USB chargeable for a while yet.