Road bike that can handle bridle paths

[wheresthetorch]

I currently ride a Bianchi Via Nirone that I have lovingly upgraded over the 11 years that I've owned it - Centaur groupset, Hunt wheels, 28mm tyres etc. (It came with 23mm tyres and an 11-23 cassette!)

I love the bike, and it is all I really need for riding on the road - I like aluminium frames. However, the part of West Sussex that I've recently moved to has lots of lovely lanes to ride, but loads of them end in dead-ends which are only linked up by bridle paths - the alternative is busy A-roads which I'm not afraid to ride but they just aren't enjoyable - I like to hear the birds and, indeed, my thoughts.

My problem is that the Bianchi just can't deal with bridle paths surfaces - the 28mm tyres I've fitted are lovely, but the clearance is so tight under the front brake arch that the smallest lump of mud fouls it, so the bike is really only good for nice clear roads on a dry day (which is fine by me).

So, what I'm thinking I need is a sort of "All road" bike. I don't think I want an out and out gravel bike, as my riding would probably be 70% road and 30% bridle paths - so I thought maybe an endurance type bike with clearance for, say, 34mm tyres. Would that work? If so, any suggestions?

Would quite like an aluminium frame rather than carbon, and budget of about £2- 2.5K.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd be looking at a steel touring bike, take 32mm tyres easily and probably 34's.

 

[Katana]

If my memory serves me right I think some models of either Trek Domane or Emonda have tyre clearance of upto 34-36mm? If so that should do the trick as they both come with aluminium as well as carbon frames. Having said that there are quite a few gravel bikes out there which are equally capable OTR as road bikes such as Boardmans. I think now a days there is a cross over in bikes unless one’s after very specific type. Hope it helps😊

 

[fossyant]

I'd go get a second hand CX bike or gravel - does everything you want, and will take road wheels/tyres. You are limiting yourself with an endurance bike. Gravel bikes come in different flavours - from racy to almost an XC MTB.

My CX bike isn't much slower on the 38c knobblies than when on 28c slicks - very slightly slower, but I then have the option of paths/canal on my route instead. I've done some lengthy rides mixing it up. It's also great when you hit some really badly maintained country roads, full of holes or gravel.

 

[Venod]

I have this for sale in the bikes for sale section, does all you require even with mudguards that come with the bike.
Spa Elan mk1 in excellent condition, size 54cm, Tiagra 10 speed shifters, GRX 46_30 105 nf chainset 170mm, GRX front and rear dérailleurs Carbon fork, FSA Headset, 90mm Deda Stem, 44cm FSA Vero bars, TRP hydraulic cable operated calipers, 180 rotor front, 160 rear. Kinesis Crosslight wheelset with Panaracer 36mm Gravel King SK Tubeless Tyres, plus second wheelset, Mavic open pro rims fitted with Schwalbe G1 28mm tubeless tyres on Novatec Hubs,Carbon Seatpost, Flux Saddle.
Bottle Cages, Pedals, Computer Mount not included in sale.
Open to offers.

 

[wheresthetorch]

I have this for sale in the bikes for sale section, does all you require even with mudguards that come with the bike.
Spa Elan mk1 in excellent condition, size 54cm,

Yes, that would have been a good option, but unfortunately I'm 6' 2" so it would be too small. Thank you though. 👍

 

[T4tomo]

I currently ride a Bianchi Via Nirone that I have lovingly upgraded over the 11 years that I've owned it - Centaur groupset, Hunt wheels, 28mm tyres etc. (It came with 23mm tyres and an 11-23 cassette!)

I love the bike, and it is all I really need for riding on the road - I like aluminium frames. However, the part of West Sussex that I've recently moved to has lots of lovely lanes to ride, but loads of them end in dead-ends which are only linked up by bridle paths - the alternative is busy A-roads which I'm not afraid to ride but they just aren't enjoyable - I like to hear the birds and, indeed, my thoughts.

My problem is that the Bianchi just can't deal with bridle paths surfaces - the 28mm tyres I've fitted are lovely, but the clearance is so tight under the front brake arch that the smallest lump of mud fouls it, so the bike is really only good for nice clear roads on a dry day (which is fine by me).

So, what I'm thinking I need is a sort of "All road" bike. I don't think I want an out and out gravel bike, as my riding would probably be 70% road and 30% bridle paths - so I thought maybe an endurance type bike with clearance for, say, 34mm tyres. Would that work? If so, any suggestions?

Would quite like an aluminium frame rather than carbon, and budget of about £2- 2.5K.

what you need is the new Infinito!
https://epic-cycles.co.uk/bianchi-infinito

Arcadex AL also available if you insist on alu frame.

 

[freiston]

I came here to suggest a Spa Elan too - the Mk2 is well in your price range and Spa will tailor the build to your requirements. I've never ridden one but I have bought a bike (custom specced Rove) from Spa and would recommend them.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

My old Cube road bike has clearance for 32mm tyres, but there's numerous paths I've ridden on my gravel ebike in the past ~14 months that I'd never consider on the Cube and I doubt I'd touch them with ~34mm tyres either! Having clearance for at least 45mm tyres, if not 50mm, is massive!

Honestly, I'd jump at the Boardman ADV 8.9s in the current sale at £960, especially if you access to another discount code from BLC; British Cycling etc. before I think it's 15th June because they're doing 20% promo codes.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/grav...ure-bike-orange---s-m-l-xl-frames-240699.html

 

[Venod]

I came here to suggest a Spa Elan too - the Mk2 is well in your price range and Spa will tailor the build to your requirements. I've never ridden one but I have bought a bike (custom specced Rove) from Spa and would recommend them.

Interesting that you have a rove, the reason I am selling the Elan is I mostly use it for road riding, although it is is very capable off road, I was knocked off last August and now feel very uncomfortable riding in traffic, so I thought a rove to use mainly as a rigid MTB would suit me, I would consider building with a Rohloff Hub, I have had a Rohloff before in an Orange P7 frame and quite liked it.
Do you use the Rove off road or more of a touring/adventure ride.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I don't really appreciate the various different categories of bike etc. but has OP considered a Genesis Croix de Fer. Several versions, built-up versions all Reynolds tubbing but they do sell a Ti frame.

It used to be a "classed" as Cyclocross bike but one that actually server quite a lot of different uses well. For me it's a nice bike but for OP's requirement OP is the best judge.

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/products?categories=the-bikes~croix-de-fer

 

[wheresthetorch]

Lots of very different suggestions here - to be expected - but all very helpful. I will spend a bit more time mulling over your responses, and checking out the various links you have sent. Thank you. 😊

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

... so I thought a rove to use mainly as a rigid MTB would suit me, I would consider building with a Rohloff Hub, I have had a Rohloff before in an Orange P7 frame and quite liked it.

Couple of years ago I changed from rear derailleur (10 speed) to a Rohloff Speedhub 14 on my tadpole recumbent. I love it (despite the price) but also they are heavy. Weight on my tadpole for on roads is not an issue for me but I do wonder if the extra rear weight might be more of a consideration for bridle paths.

I don't have much experience of cycling on bridle paths so I'm hypothesising here wondering what those who do ride them would think. Raising the question rather than making suggestion.

 

[vickster]

Plenty of aluminium 'adventure' bikes out there eg https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...x-g3-gravel-adventure-bike-chromeblack__14137

or eg Balfes selection
https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/gravel--adventure-bikes/aluminium/unisex/onsale

 

[Venod]

Couple of years ago I changed from rear derailleur (10 speed) to a Rohloff Speedhub 14 on my tadpole recumbent. I love it (despite the price) but also they are heavy. Weight on my tadpole for on roads is not an issue for me but I do wonder if the extra rear weight might be more of a consideration for bridle paths.

I don't have much experience of cycling on bridle paths so I'm hypothesising here wondering what those who do ride them would think. Raising the question rather than making suggestion.

I used the Rohloff on the Orange P7 frame a lot, did the red route at Dalby with it, you are right it us a bit heavy for extreme MTB, I was doing a lot of MTB Orienteering Events with it, so I went back to derailleur gearing for lighter backend and improved maneuverability on the rough stuff, but I would have no problems with it on on less severe terrain, what I did like about it was you are never in the wrong gear to set off after a sudden stop.