Adventure road bike

[Jumbosausage1]

Thanks guys, I'm going into Evans today so will take a look at a few. I take on board about keeping it under £1k and that's what I'll do. There seems to be a better range at Evans than Halfords, is that fair to say?

 

[Pale Rider]

Only you will know what's comfortable, but it is likely you will prefer a bike on which the saddle is close to the same height as the top of the handlebars.

There really is an ocean of choice at around £1,000, and you would be hard pressed to find a bad bike.

Establishing a relationship with a good local bike shop would be a benefit, especially if you are not keen on home maintenance.

Staff at the shop will also point you in the direction - literally - of local routes, and you may find out about group rides and clubs/groups.

I believe some shops will accept Halfords vouchers.

 

[vickster]

Cycle heaven in York accept the halfords cycle2work scheme
https://www.cycle-heaven.co.uk/finance

If you go the Halfords route (rather than independent), Cycle Republic is generally a better bet than Jack of all trades Halfords (and CR allow test rides). There’s one in Leeds
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/leeds-store

 

[BigMeatball]

Cycle heaven in York accept the halfords cycle2work scheme
https://www.cycle-heaven.co.uk/finance

If you go the Halfords route (rather than independent), Cycle Republic is generally a better bet than Jack of all trades Halfords (and CR allow test rides). There’s one in Leeds
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/leeds-store

I highly recommend cycle republic too.

Bought my bike there and they were brilliant. You can do test rides, they help you with bike fitting, and they offer a free service 6 weeks after purchase (or at least they offered it to me).

 

[Nibor]

neither Halfords or Evans will let you top up directly and that includes Tredz. Many independents accept Halfords vouchers and will let you top up.

 

[tribanjules]

Look at the pinnacle pyrolite etc. Evans design and own label so was vfm.

 

[User169]

Adventure/Gravel/Cyclocross are pretty much the same type of bike with the same features: drop handlebars, larger tyres, aluminium frame with carbon fork, disk brakes. There are plenty of good brands from halfords and evanscycles to choose from: cannondale, pinnacle, boardman...they're all excellent bikes.

Agree that adventure/gravel are the same thing, but a true CX bike likely won't have the bigger clearances that are common on adventure/gravel bikes and won't have rack and mudguard bosses.

 

[Cycleops]

Agree that adventure/gravel are the same thing, but a true CX bike likely won't have the bigger clearances that are common on adventure/gravel bikes and won't have rack and mudguard bosses.

Likely have racier geometry and a shorter wheelbase too.

 

[vickster]

My Boardman is called ‘CX’ and came with big knobbly tyres. No issue with fitting rack and full mudguards

 

[Cycleops]

My Boardman is called ‘CX’ and came with big knobbly tyres. No issue with fitting rack and full mudguards

That's more to do with marketing.

 

[BigMeatball]

Short off-topic: I put some clip-on mudguards on my boardman adventure bike...took them off 10 minutes later because they made the bike look like something my grandpa would ride

BUT, mudguards are a must if you're intending to use the bike for commuting and for any other situation where you can't take a shower immediately afterwards

 

[Nibor]

Halfords have this https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...CU-SrFklW0wUc-BhcMDX_ihddZcjzF7gaAloVEALw_wcB seems really well specced my colleague loves his

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Adventure bikes is a new category invented to fill the gap for desire for a new bike after everyone who had a 26er MTB upgraded to a 29er or 650-er. Once that market was saturated, they searched for the next new thing and invented adventure bikes.

Not everyone with 26er MTB's "upgraded" to the bigger wheels and suspension. I have several MTB's, and they are 100% 26", 100% rigid, 100% steel, and 100% rim braked. And I see plenty of very similar "obsolete" bikes to mine still in regular daily use.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Don't forget Decathlon have some of the best vfm bike packages out there. Don't know if they accept C2W vouchers but worth a look;
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc-520-gravel-adventure-bike-105-id_8554425.html

I am desperately trying to resist one of those myself.

the fact that we have spent nearly a grand keeping our blooming cat alive recently is helping

 

[vickster]

I am desperately trying to resist one of those myself.

the fact that we have spent nearly a grand keeping our blooming cat alive recently is helping

Don’t forget to budget for new wheels!