I’m looking to replace my 12 year old Aravis Audax bike (853 frame and forks, Shimano 105) with something a little more versatile. Certainly fancy disc brakes and slightly wider tyres than my 28mm as I’m now well into my sixties ( 6’3” and 100kg to boot).
i’ve been looking at titanium bikes ( this could be my last bike so pride of ownership comes into the equation) and particularlybthose more ‘affordable’ from Spa ( the Elan ti), Ribble (CGR ti) and Planet X (London Road, Roadrunner). Finding it difficult to compare as geometries, on paper at least, seem so close to me. Also getting a bottom gear slightly lower than 1:1 (27 gear inches on a 700) seems problematic, especially with the one by setups.
My use is predominantly minor roads, day rides, lightweight touring ( none of that camping mullarkey for these ageing bones) and moderate off road such as towpaths, old rail tracks etc. it would be nice to open up a few new route possibilities but I won’t be tackling rough stuff !
Awkward as all three of these companies are ‘up north’ and I’m down in Somerset.
The London Road looks a great deal right now but not available in my size (XL) until late September. Would the Roadrunner have adequate tyre clearance ? The Elan offers ( hopefully) more gearing options ( will a 46/30 GRX chainset work with a Shimano 11/32 cassette ?) but looks more of a tourer than a gravel bike.
so confused . . . comments or suggestions welcome.
i’ve been looking at titanium bikes ( this could be my last bike so pride of ownership comes into the equation) and particularlybthose more ‘affordable’ from Spa ( the Elan ti), Ribble (CGR ti) and Planet X (London Road, Roadrunner). Finding it difficult to compare as geometries, on paper at least, seem so close to me. Also getting a bottom gear slightly lower than 1:1 (27 gear inches on a 700) seems problematic, especially with the one by setups.
My use is predominantly minor roads, day rides, lightweight touring ( none of that camping mullarkey for these ageing bones) and moderate off road such as towpaths, old rail tracks etc. it would be nice to open up a few new route possibilities but I won’t be tackling rough stuff !
Awkward as all three of these companies are ‘up north’ and I’m down in Somerset.
The London Road looks a great deal right now but not available in my size (XL) until late September. Would the Roadrunner have adequate tyre clearance ? The Elan offers ( hopefully) more gearing options ( will a 46/30 GRX chainset work with a Shimano 11/32 cassette ?) but looks more of a tourer than a gravel bike.
so confused . . . comments or suggestions welcome.