New multi-purpose bike buying advice (gravel racer)

[Nicolato]

I'm up for a new bike and I'm keen to hear of anyone's experience riding the sort of bike I'm thinking of buying. I commute and ride for pleasure. Because of where I live (Kraków, Poland) I travel over a wide range of surfaces whilst doing this including bumpy road, sandy path, gravel road and smooth cycle lanes. Whilst checking out various possible types of bike I saw this and was delighted that this type of bike is starting to be commonly available:

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adv ... oad/cda-20

Light, wide tyres, simplified gearing, internally routed cables, can take mudguards, disc-brakes, a fairly upright riding position, agile but relatively comfortable too. Seems perfect for me! I believe this class of bike is known as a "gravel racer".

I like the look of the Genesis Cda-20 above - but has anyone here ridden it? What was it like to ride? Can anyone suggest other similar bikes I could try out? All thoughts and suggestions gladly received!

 

[EasyPeez]

I'm very happy with my Genesis - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-disc/equilibrium-disc-10
I haven't seen the CdA range in the metal though, much less ridden one, so can't comment on that model. Are you inclined towards that over the Croix de Fer for budgetary reasons? I'd always take a steel frame over aluminium given the choice so would lean towards the CdF (or the Equilibrium Disc comes with CX wheels and would take 32" tyres to cope fine with your stated riding conditions if you fancied a sportier ride). The CdA looks good value if the ride isn't too harsh though.
Another option that I like the look of is the Raleigh Maverick, going for just over £700 on Wiggle currently -
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=12131

Others worth a look in that price range?
http://www.feltbicycles.com/International/2015/Bikes/Cross/FX-Series-83946/f85x.aspx
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/cannondale-caadx-sora-15
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike
Or if you can stretch the budget a bit....
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSRIV22/planet-x-xls-sram-rival-22-cyclocross-bike

 

[Fab Foodie]

Whyte Dorset fulfills your criteria.

 

[vickster]

Might be worth considering that the OP is in Poland, I don't know if Planet X, Halfords etc deliver there. I assume Genesis are available there and accessible. The genesis site lists this retailer http://www.rockandroad24.pl

 

[EasyPeez]

Might be worth considering that the OP is in Poland, I don't know if Planet X, Halfords etc deliver there

Sorry, I'd not considered that. Good excuse for a shopping and cycling holiday in Blighty?!

 

[vickster]

Not much good for local after sales (I'd personally not buy a bike from overseas,too much hassle if there's an issue, can be problematic enough buying online in UK)

 

[Nicolato]

Thanks everyone who posted a reply. With your help and a little more thinking about what I really want/need, I have decided to buy a Genesis Croix de Fer 30. I am thinking of putting slightly bigger tyres on it than the Continental 700x35c it comes with - to help cushion the uneven roads around where I live.

 

[EasyPeez]

Thanks everyone who posted a reply. With your help and a little more thinking about what I really want/need, I have decided to buy a Genesis Croix de Fer 30. I am thinking of putting slightly bigger tyres on it than the Continental 700x35c it comes with - to help cushion the uneven roads around where I live.

Excellent choice! Costs quite a bit more than the CDA you were originally looking at I would have thought? Gorgeous bike though. The 35c tyres would be ample for the bad roads where I live so you might want to try them out before shelling out for anything else. I guess your roads might be even worse than mine...