So, seems the Croix de Fer flat bar project may be dead in the water, so I'm looking at alternatives.
Non-negotiable needs:
- Steel
- Disc brakes
- Long (c. 450mm plus) chainstays
- Mounts for mudguards
- Mounts for racks front and rear
Negotiable nicities:
- Flat bars (will be fitting these anyway but it would be nicer to start as I mean to go on)
- Through-axles
- Flat-mount calipers
- Horizontal top tube
- Mudguards
- Rack
- Low cost
- Low theft appeal
Tbh I'm not sure I'd find something that ticks all of the above boxes at any price, but it's all worth mentioning. I'm open to anything that comes close to fitting the required criteria although appreciate that certain required facets will rule out picking up an old cheap frame as a base.
Current favourites are the Genesis Tour de Fer (looks good but falls down on sloping top tube, IS-mount calipers, QR wheels and to an extent cost depending on age / variant) and the Fuji Touring disc (similar thoughts to above; 450mm chainstay length makes viability a bit more marginal but I prefer the aesthetic of the lugged fork).
Yet to look at stuff from the likes of Surley although they're likely to be pricey and have an inkling that something like a Ridgeback Panorma might make a good budget choice; while it appears that some of the late Dawes Galaxies could be had with discs but again need to do my homework.
I'd be happy with a frameset only or complete bike as I already have / have in mind much of the groupset and finishing kit, while I also have a spare set of wheels that could be put to use if necessary.
Thanks
Non-negotiable needs:
- Steel
- Disc brakes
- Long (c. 450mm plus) chainstays
- Mounts for mudguards
- Mounts for racks front and rear
Negotiable nicities:
- Flat bars (will be fitting these anyway but it would be nicer to start as I mean to go on)
- Through-axles
- Flat-mount calipers
- Horizontal top tube
- Mudguards
- Rack
- Low cost
- Low theft appeal
Tbh I'm not sure I'd find something that ticks all of the above boxes at any price, but it's all worth mentioning. I'm open to anything that comes close to fitting the required criteria although appreciate that certain required facets will rule out picking up an old cheap frame as a base.
Current favourites are the Genesis Tour de Fer (looks good but falls down on sloping top tube, IS-mount calipers, QR wheels and to an extent cost depending on age / variant) and the Fuji Touring disc (similar thoughts to above; 450mm chainstay length makes viability a bit more marginal but I prefer the aesthetic of the lugged fork).
Yet to look at stuff from the likes of Surley although they're likely to be pricey and have an inkling that something like a Ridgeback Panorma might make a good budget choice; while it appears that some of the late Dawes Galaxies could be had with discs but again need to do my homework.
I'd be happy with a frameset only or complete bike as I already have / have in mind much of the groupset and finishing kit, while I also have a spare set of wheels that could be put to use if necessary.
Thanks

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