N+1..I think

[steveindenmark]

In the past couple of years choosing a new bike has become even harder. The design and choice has gone crazy. Its like being a kid in a candy store with a big bag of cash. I dont know where to start first.
My N+1 Wish list grew out of proportions. Every time I have mentioned what bike I may like, people have come back with half a dozen other good bikes to add to the list.
So what do I want.? An everyday summer bike I can use for commuting on roads and rough tracks. Something I can use for bike packing or touring with panniers. It must have:
1x11 chainset
Shimano GRX
Be able to take 700 and 650 wheels
It has to be light
Have plenty of bosses
Can take big tyres
Hydraulic disc brakes.

After a lot of searching I think the Marin Headlands 2 could tick all the boxes. Its not a brand I know much about but gets good reviews.

Have a look and give me your opinion.

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/20-headlands-2

 

[DRM]

Ticks all the boxes, I have a Gestalt 2, it's a fantastic bike, very stable and quick on &off tarmac, but spec wise not in the same league (aluminium frame/2x Tiagra/no dropper post) the spec looks good for the money, there's plenty of mudguard/rack/bag bosses on those frames, you know it makes sense........ go on treat yourself

 

[jowwy]

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al/

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-blue-gravel/

meets all your criteria

 

[John_S]

Hi Steve,

There’s very little that matches the happy thoughts of N+1.

I’m not wanting to make any decisions harder by adding options to your list but how about considering these options.

Steel framed bikes:-
If you like steel frames how about something from one of the following. I've not gone into the details of the specs of each bike but several of the ones below are pretty customiseable in terms of the spec you can get them with such as groupset and perhaps wheel options depending on which bike it is. My apologies if they don't all tick all boxes that you want.

Fairlight Secan (steel frame and carbon fork)
https://fairlightcycles.com
https://road.cc/content/review/248008-fairlight-cycles-secan

Or take a look at the Fairlight Faran version 2 when it's released soon in about August I think.

Shand Stoater (steel frame and steel fork) (they have customiseable build options so I'm sure you could get 1x)
https://www.shandcycles.com/
https://off.road.cc/content/news/sh...-their-versatile-touring-and-gravel-bike-2729

Condor Cycles Bivio Gravel (steel frame and carbon fork)
https://www.condorcycles.com/collections/cyclo-cross-bikes

Brother Cycles Kepler Disc (steel frame and steel fork) (check out The Woods Cyclery (thewoodscyclery on Instagram) for a few nice build examples of the Brother Cycles bikes). Or the Brother Cycles Mentah frame and get it built up with your spec and it's available with either a carbon or steel fork according to your preference.
https://www.brothercycles.com/shop/bikes/kepler-disc-complete/
https://www.brothercycles.com/shop/frames/mehteh/?mc_cid=7745ef82ac&mc_eid=f6dc82fb05

Temple Cycles Adventure Disc 1 (you'd just have to check with them about the 650b wheel compatibility)
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/pages/adventure-disc-collection

The Lightblue Robinson V2 or alternatively their Darwin bike which are both available in various different build options including 1x drivetrains (Steel frame and steel fork)
https://www.thelightblue.co.uk/Sport/complete-bikes
https://road.cc/content/review/light-blue-robinson-v2-rival-1x-272543

Ritchey Outback
https://eu.ritcheylogic.com/eu_en/bike/frames/outback-frameset

All City Bikes and one of their bikes such as the Gorilla Monsoon, Space Horse or Cosmic Stallion
https://allcitycycles.com/bikes

Bombtrack bikes and one from their range of bikes (I think that they might do a mix of steel and alumium framed bikes):-
https://bombtrack.com/gravel/

Maybe one of either the Kona Rove or Sutra Bikes:-
https://www.konaworld.com/bikes_road.cfm

Or a Chumba Terlingua Steel
https://www.chumbausa.com/made-in-usa-gravel-bikes

I also wondered if you can spec a Cotic Escapade with Shimano GRX:-
https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/escapade

Or if you want an aluminium frame:-

Mason Bokeh
https://masoncycles.cc/shop/categories/bokeh-bikes

Condor Cycles Bivio Odyssey
https://www.condorcycles.com/collections/cyclo-cross-bikes

Good luck with making your N+1 choice and sorry for adding more food for thought!

John