A light tourer with low gears for the alps?

[annabanana]

Hello hello people! This is the first time I sign up on a forum about something I’m not knowledgeable on… It feels weird asking for advice… I hope I’ll be able to give back to the community by taking part in some non-bike discussions here…or give some travel insights... or if someone need some advice/shelter in Switzerland do not hesitate to message me (as long as you don't ride a car I’ll welcome you ).

There are a lot of questions going through my mind, so I’ve decided to write down the things I’m curious about in an OOPS MASSIVE TEXT sorry… I don’t expect anyone to bother answering it all, but hopefully you guys will be able to help me with one or two things you feel like you have good advice on. Basically looking for a new bike. To do what? Well well…

I live in the alps, and my summer commute is a 700m elevation (uphill on the way back) with some short segments of a 15% slope (short 25% segment down my house but honestly I just get off and push my bike on the way up AND the way down since it scares me too much). Truthfully sometimes going home makes me want to die (but then it’s so pretty). In the past two years I have done it with a hybrid bike I hate (gear range not low enough, really damn heavy bike and frame too small). Now I have about 1500£ to use on a bike and my main goal is to make all this uphillyness only as painful as it needs to be. Since I don’t know much about anything, I have decided to buy a ready to ride machine and not bother assembling one myself. Well not this time…

The other thing is I often have to carry quite a lot of random things for my job (about 10kg in a 30litres volume I’d say). I’ve always had panniers and never tried any “bikepacking” bags, but maybe I should? Because I always have tons of things with me, I have looked into “light” tourers coming with a rack already installed. Also I find looking at road bikes intimidating because of the often longer reach and sporty posture, and I like being midly upright. Another thing is I would fancy taking this bike for travelling (just bivy bag and stove, I’d say about 15kg). Now do you think I can look into touring bikes for my daily hilly commute (looking at bikes between 13.5 and 15kg)? Or do you think I am crazy and should start checking the shiny sporty lighter bikes for my commute and buy another bike for touring??
I need disc brakes and some basic gravel abilities, probably a rack unless you all can convince me to get a saddle bag+frame bag combination instead? Also I don’t need to cycle on snow because in the winter there is a bus running (hallelujah).

I came across the Jamis Aurora elite but the gear range is not low enough. I heard this is easily fixed… Anyone can enlighten me? Would you advise against?
I also like the Kona Sutra tourer (gear range lower but probably still not low enough??), but it’s 2kg heavier than the Jamis… Do you reckon this is just a silly psychological thing?
Any input on these two bikes?
Any other ideas for bikes available in Europe? (Just not interested in VSF fahrrad manufactur).

About me: I guess I’m fairly fit and flexible… I’ve cycled in Nepal and across a few European countries so I suppose this makes me vaguely experienced... but shamefully I am still an absolute noob when it comes to understanding the actual machine

Another last question about changing from drops to flatbars on the same frame: I used to love road handlebars but abandoned them a few years ago after a wrist injury. I’ve recently started using them again (borrowed a friend’s bike) and I think my wrist is mostly healed… but if the pain comes back, I assume I would not be able to fit a flat bar on the same frame with altering the reach too much... but how about a butterfly bar if inclined further? Can butterfly bars equal the reach of the drops? (I know I would need to change shifters etc but talking worst case scenario here).

 

[the snail]

I don't think you need a touring bike - too heavy, I think a 'light tourer' or audax bike, or a relaxed road bike, say <10kg with rack mounts and a light weight rack would suit you. I have a genesis equilibrium, which pretty much fits your requirements, although it's a drop bar bike - will build up under 10kg, take a rack, mudguards if you want, and 28mm tyres. Triple chainset gives a wide range of gears. Light enough to be fun unladen and ok up hills, but will carry enough to go touring at a pinch. I don't know if it would work with flat bars though - there's a big difference in reach between flat/drop bars and I think you're better choosing one or the other and sticking with it. With the right fit/geometry I don't see why you should be uncomfortable with either type of bars, if you don't have the bars too low putting too much weight on your wrists

 

[vickster]

Are you willing to buy online after email comms? If so, try spa cycles in northern England who are specialists in touring type bikes, happily offer triple chainsets and will build to your specs. I assume they'd discuss shipping to Switzerland

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Are you willing to buy online after email comms? If so, try spa cycles in northern England who are specialists in touring type bikes, happily offer triple chainsets and will build to your specs. I assume they'd discuss shipping to Switzerland

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/

OP, this is exactly what you should do. They will build you something that will be to your very specific requirements.

 

[alicat]

I'd echo the recommendation to go to Spa Cycles near Harrogate. And discuss with them your issues about drop handlebars. If it comes to it you can turn the bars the other way up and turn the into bullhorns and then use the same controls.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Welcome Ms Banana. I have always loved the Kona you mention, but I ended up with a Surly Disc Trucker as my tourer. It is very heavy though.

My Ti Spa Cycles Elan with a triple was about on the button with your budget and it will do well as a light tourer. I love the geometry and particularly the look of the sloping top bar. It is very beautiful and I can sit on it all day long.

I have some Hurraw Baobab Banana lip balm which I also recommend for chapped lips at altitude. It came with the bike.

 

[annabanana]

Thanks you all jolly lovely people, I really appreciate that free help

I don't think you need a touring bike - too heavy,

Ok thank you for clarifying that for me! I think I was looking at touring because I never bought a brand new bike (always had someone tweaking old ones for me but not anymore) and there was a limited choice of bikes (which was a good thing given how overwhelmed I am with choice and the jargon). Basically you think the difference between a 10kg and 14kg bike is a factor worth considering when choosing a bike for this hilly commute? Good to know!

don't know if it would work with flat bars though - there's a big difference in reach between flat/drop bars and I think you're better choosing one or the other and sticking with it. With the right fit/geometry I don't see why you should be uncomfortable with either type of bars, if you don't have the bars too low putting too much weight on your wrists

It's not about weight but the wrist position when in the drops, maybe I should try different stem rise but so many everyday moves still hurt, just learnt to avoid them. But again cheers for clarifying, I should make that choice beforehand and stick to the handlebar then.

Are you willing to buy online after email comms? If so, try spa cycles in northern England who are specialists in touring type bikes, happily offer triple chainsets and will build to your specs. I assume they'd discuss shipping to Switzerland

Yes cool! I need to buy from the UK anyway to spend some remaining British pounds on an old bank account, so any small shops suggestions always welcome!!

My Ti Spa Cycles Elan with a triple was about on the button with your budget and it will do well as a light tourer. I love the geometry and particularly the look of the sloping top bar. It is very beautiful and I can sit on it all day long.
I have some Hurraw Baobab Banana lip balm which I also recommend for chapped lips at altitude. It came with the bike.

I am very likely to go for that same bike now. So very likely. About the lip balm I'm probably missing something, but let's just say ok cheers for the suggestion. Truthfully I had always considered chapped lips to be my destiny but I'll give it a try

And discuss with them your issues about drop handlebars. If it comes to it you can turn the bars the other way up and turn the into bullhorns and then use the same controls.

Right after my injury a friend turned mine into "moustache" (or whatever it's called) and it felt like 95% of the bars were useless but bullhorns might be tempting, especially given I'm kind of always wishing I could reach further on the bars on the steep climbs.

 

[vickster]

I'm just waiting on delivery of one of these (with a spec specific to my needs and wants). Spa are very helpful and have bikes ready in the shop for demo (maybe try to choose a less rainy day than I did). The Elan is nice, I just preferred the Sabbath finish and finishing personally.

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p3845/SABBATH-AR1-Disc-105-(5800)-TRP-HY-RD

Lovely area for a holiday too!