Vantage
Carbon fibre... LMAO!!!
- Location
- Behind everyone else, Bolton
I've not seen one with that option off the shelf but I've seen a couple that were converted by their owners.
If I found the money for a bike, what would you advise?
- Thread starter Time Waster
- Start date
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N0bodyOfTheGoat
Über Member
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
Mine came from PaulsCycles for the same price six months ago, but if XL fits you, this is a cracking deal for £1249.
https://www.rmcycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/gt-egrade-bolt-deep-teal__22360
https://www.rmcycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/gt-egrade-bolt-deep-teal__22360
Time Waster
Guru
Yes but it is not for that on its own but other uses as well. As well as cost there is a space limitation to owning one bike for every use so I have always tried to own one bike for as much use as possible.
The main use is commuting and local riding. Touring is a potential future thing and a compromise. One that I made when I toured on my current road bike from PX. I will never have space, money or inclination to buy a pure tourer as that is not my first, second or third use for any bike need. I added it as a throw on extra.
PS I do actually own a full on tourer, but it was bought for another feature. Namely it is a recumbent bike which is why I bought it, to scratch that itch.
Time Waster
Guru
Actually, I am an XL bike size. A bit early to see such a bargain as I would have to budget and save up before I actually get anything. It will sell at that price before I could buy it.
Did I read it correctly? It was an e-bike?? What was the chainring as I could not see it in the details? Was it 1x or 2x?
Just seen that it is a 46T/30T chainring and 11-34T 10 speed cassette. Possibly a good gearing for me. I have a 2x with a 50T big ring and 11-32 cassette on the back. A little faster for the same cadence but not so much that I would care. Besides its an e-bike so its the slow bits that it benefits the most. A good bike for someone at a good price I reckon.
Time Waster
Guru
BTW it is good that if 10 cyclists were asked for a bike recommendation then it would likely result in at least 10 recommendations, but probably more!! That is what I want, a wide range of potentials to get things worked out in my head. I do not know what would really suit me but the more suggestions I have to look into the chances are I will work it out for myself in the end.
froze
Veteran
- Location
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
There are good options out there for $1,500 or less. Cannondale Topstone 4 is a good example, it has mechanical disk brakes which is great for off road camping, or on long road journeys because less tools need to be carried to fix them and their easier to fix then hydros. While it does have lower grade Microshift components, but you can always replace them with better components when they fail, but they'll last at least 5 years. This bike also has quite a few fasten points to put frame bags on as well as strap stuff to the fork. This bike sells for less than $1,200; it's made of aluminum and weighs around 22 pounds.
Another better option, but does cost more, is the Kuna Sutra, it will run you $1,600, but you get a lot more for that extra money vs the Cannondale, there will be no need to buy a front pannier rack or fenders because it comes with them, so those items alone will save you roughly $200 that you will have to spend to get on the Cannondale. To save money they recently went from Shimano Deore to Microshift Sword, which is a better derailleur than what Cannondale uses. This bike also has a lot more mounting points on the frame and fork than the Cannondale. The brakes are a hybrid mechanical/hydro system, the fluid is contained in the brake caliper with no hoses going to it, instead a cable goes to it, this reduces leakage by a lot over pure hydro brakes, and they are easier to fix but they still might have to be bled on rare occasions. The maintenance difficulty is in the middle between full hydro brakes and full mechanical. The Kuna is made of steel and will weigh about 32 pounds.
The Cannondale is the better buy price wise, but the Kuna has more features and comes with higher end components, the Kona has more growth potential for adventures because it can carry more weight, in other words, with the Kona you'll have more flexibility and less restrictions, so over the long run the Kuna would be the better bike.
If you want more of a faster gravel bike and don't care as much for doing camping on it, then go with the Cannondale, but if you want a bike that can do it all and do it all well then go with the Sutra.
Another better option, but does cost more, is the Kuna Sutra, it will run you $1,600, but you get a lot more for that extra money vs the Cannondale, there will be no need to buy a front pannier rack or fenders because it comes with them, so those items alone will save you roughly $200 that you will have to spend to get on the Cannondale. To save money they recently went from Shimano Deore to Microshift Sword, which is a better derailleur than what Cannondale uses. This bike also has a lot more mounting points on the frame and fork than the Cannondale. The brakes are a hybrid mechanical/hydro system, the fluid is contained in the brake caliper with no hoses going to it, instead a cable goes to it, this reduces leakage by a lot over pure hydro brakes, and they are easier to fix but they still might have to be bled on rare occasions. The maintenance difficulty is in the middle between full hydro brakes and full mechanical. The Kuna is made of steel and will weigh about 32 pounds.
The Cannondale is the better buy price wise, but the Kuna has more features and comes with higher end components, the Kona has more growth potential for adventures because it can carry more weight, in other words, with the Kona you'll have more flexibility and less restrictions, so over the long run the Kuna would be the better bike.
If you want more of a faster gravel bike and don't care as much for doing camping on it, then go with the Cannondale, but if you want a bike that can do it all and do it all well then go with the Sutra.
