Dilemma about upgrading frame

[andylaw79]

On my commuter I'm currently running an Alfine hub on steel GT MTB frame circa 1994 (ish), it's lovely and smooth to ride on the road but on the wrong side of beefy. I love the smoothness of the Alfine hub and its been trouble free over a couple of 1000 miles, but wish it was a attached to a frame that was a bit more fun to ride (with the added option of using discs in the future) on extended rides home in the summer and the odd 30 mile jaunt out.

I've been looking at the Cotic Roadrat as a possible upgrade. I know I'll have to get the Alfine hub rebuilt into a 700c rim and a 700c front wheel built around a disc hub so I'm looking at the best part of £350 for the frame set and wheels.

My dilemma really is, will the frame upgrade give me a more enjoyable ride, a modern steel frame compared to nearly 20 year old 4130 Cromo MTB frame or would my cash be better spent on a cheap-ish road bike for a bit of summer fun and keep the MTB Alfine set-up for Autumn/Winter commuting?

Would love to hear from any Roadrat riders with an Alfine set up.

 

[andylaw79]

Anyone………I'm feeling lonely!

 

[ColinJ]

I'd go for plan B - the cheapish road bike. Merlin Cycles are doing the S2200 for under £350 which is worth a look, and there are several companies with not bad bikes in that price bracket. (You'd always get better by spending more, but I think you'd get a fun bike for that amount of money if you shopped wisely.)

 

[andylaw79]

I'd go for plan B - the cheapish road bike. Merlin Cycles are doing the S2200 for under £350 which is worth a look, and there are several companies with not bad bikes in that price bracket. (You'd always get better by spending more, but I think you'd get a fun bike for that amount of money if you shopped wisely.)

Thanks Colin, did exactly that, found a few more pennies in the coffers and have just got myself a new Boardman Hybrid Comp, fancied something with discs and from the reviews I've read it seems like a good bike for the money. Decided to single speed the mountain bike for bad weather use so there will be an Alfine hub for sale come the weekend.

 

[ColinJ]

I reckon you'll enjoy riding that!

I think the s/s MTB idea is good too. I had a racing bike converted to singlespeed and enjoy riding that for a change when I'm down in the Midlands visiting my family.

 

[andylaw79]

I reckon you'll enjoy riding that!

I think the s/s MTB idea is good too. I had a racing bike converted to singlespeed and enjoy riding that for a change when I'm down in the Midlands visiting my family.

I've had the mtb s/s before, gearing not too high and it made for a great steady paced ride. That Merlin looks like a good bike for the price, I've had plenty of mtb stuff from them in the past but forgot that they do a good range of road bikes too.