kaffenback 2, genesis CdF or charge plug 3

[Chonker]

I've decided I want a winter trainer/commute bike with disc brakes for fairly cheap (will be put through the cycle to work scheme) and I think have narrowed it down to these three contenders.

The kaffenback 2 is better equipped, with tiagra 10 speed, and BB7 calipers, but has the smallest tyre clearance, my intention is to put cross tyres on it in summer for off-road so that is a concern. Also the location of the rear caliper mount is stupid.

The genesis CdF and charge 3 both have sora 9 speed. I wonder if this is actually the step down it seems? My experience of 10 speed is of the 105 on my ribble sportive bianco, which I find is quite fiddly to adjust on the cassette compared to the old 9 speed bike I had (which had some unlabelled shimano crap with thumb shifters). I guess because cramming more sprockets into the cassette will always make the adjustment tolerance tighter. Both of these bikes have the rear caliper sensibly mounted. Of the two I think I prefer the genesis, mainly because it has 'reynolds' tubing, where as I've not heard of 'tange' tubing. I'm aware that this is probably reynolds marketing machine at work

 

[vickster]

@Leodis had a Kaffenback for a bit

 

[Chonker]

Actually..

The Verenti Substance CX1.1 might be the winner. at £528 it looks like a bargain considering it's the same spec as the genesis.

 

[outlash]

Looks like you might have lost out a bit there, it's now £600. If you wasn't looking to a bit of off roading there's this: http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-audax?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes

Tony.

 

[Leodis]

Thanks Vickster

I would go for the genesis CdF, I think the PX frames are pretty cheap steel from the far east, its how they keep the price so low.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Thanks Vickster

I would go for the genesis CdF, I think the PX frames are pretty cheap steel from the far east, its how they keep the price so low.

Whereas, of course, being made of Reynold 520, the CdF has a frame made from pretty cheap steel from the far east no?

 

[Leodis]

Whereas, of course, being made of Reynold 520, the CdF has a frame made from pretty cheap steel from the far east no?

I would go for Reynold over some unknown any day. Horses for courses.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I would go for Reynold over some unknown any day. Horses for courses.

How is a custom double-butted chromoly tubeset, even with a new fangled externally butted top tube, from an established UK re-seller, with thousands of satisfied customers and a rep for good after-sales service "some unknown"?

Unless you've actually been to the factory in Taiwan that makes Reynolds 520 tubes under licens e to inspect the product yourself....

 

[Chonker]

So you think the Kaffenback is the one to go for?

Any thoughts on the sora 9 speed vs tiagra 10 speed question? I'm not sure I want 10 speed on a 'beater' bike.

the Verenti is still showing as £528, it looks like I spent my way to 'platinum' status last year so 15% off. It too has Reynolds 520 tubes (which may be gas-pipes, I'm actually not that fussed, I'm more interested in how good the welds are!)

 

[Leodis]

How is a custom double-butted chromoly tubeset, even with a new fangled externally butted top tube, from an established UK re-seller, with thousands of satisfied customers and a rep for good after-sales service "some unknown"?

Unless you've actually been to the factory in Taiwan that makes Reynolds 520 tubes under licens e to inspect the product yourself....

Lol give over, PX buy and sell cheap from the far east. Their after service was rock bottom, they took massive investment from the chap Dave Loughran they are investing in customer service, well more like throwing money at it and agreeing to whatever the customer wants or says. I sent the bike back with that arrived with a flat spot on the rear.

I would avoid them in future.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

So you think the Kaffenback is the one to go for?

Any thoughts on the sora 9 speed vs tiagra 10 speed question? I'm not sure I want 10 speed on a 'beater' bike.

the Verenti is still showing as £528, it looks like I spent my way to 'platinum' status last year so 15% off. It too has Reynolds 520 tubes (which may be gas-pipes, I'm actually not that fussed, I'm more interested in how good the welds are!)

I'd not worry about Tiagra 10 speed being in some way inferior to Sora 9 on any bike beater or no.

The verenti is good vfm and if you are ok with the sales model then what's to worry about. Of the original 3 I'd have said Kaffenback for my money. As to the welds, quite likely all the frames came out of the same factory!

(520 ain't gas pipe btw, just reynolds' attempt at a cheaper entry level quality tube set with their name on it)

 

[sazzaa]

I'd go for Tiagra over Sora.

 

[Chonker]

Well I went ahead and ordered the Genesis CdF in the end, I still think I'd prefer 9 speed and Genesis is a brand I quite like (racing in the pro peleton on steel is super cool!).

The Verenti put me off with the weird sizing.

Hope it's okay!

 

[Leodis]

I am sure it will be a great ride.