What ‘One does it all’ bike……

[sevenfourate]

I may have been non existent here for some time. But I’ve been doing more cycling than in quite some time. Most of it on my Sons 27.5” wheeled , non suspension fork, fat (2.0’s) road tyred Carrera Hybrid.

And for backroads, Urban exploring, light off-road / paths / Gravel tracks it’s been awesome and I love it !

Not desperate to purchase right now. Infact I’ve been holding off so I’m 100% sure…..but I’m keen to buy something newer (Similiar) to gain some Tech, more gears / wider range, some hydraulic not mechanical disc brakes etc.

I’m erring on the thought of buying a bladed forked bike again. But do wonder if I’d be widening my options if I bought a Hardtail MTB - and had knobblies on for Winter. While fitting more road-based rubber and locking the forks out in Summer. Maybe even 2 sets of wheels ?

Or - one of the below. ***Probably in my order of preference right now:

https://www.freewheel.co.uk/saracen-levarg-fb-varrn2237

https://alpkit.com/products/sonder-frontier-sx-eagle-rigid

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-bikes/marin-dsx-hybrid-bike-2024-in-blue__33558

Thoughts welcome !! 😎

 

[OldShep]

I bought a used one of these in 2019 and with a change of bars, to Geoff, it really is my Do it All https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/toughroad-slr-1-2022
I keep 3 types of tyre for it, road, gravel ( used most) and 50 mm knobbly.

 

[Cycleops]

Surely a DIA bike should be a gravel bike? Mine is. That's unless you don't like drops.

 

[sevenfourate]

Surely a DIA bike should be a gravel bike? Mine is. That's unless you don't like drops.

Plenty of flat-bar gravel bikes around these days 😁 My first link in my original post is one. And yes - I think I’d prefer not to have drop bars……

 

[sleuthey]

In my experience having 2 sets of wheels seemed good on paper but in practice I spent just as much time adjusting the brakes and rear mech after a wheel change as I would changing the tyres.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I really like that Marin but the riding position is a little low for me, the Alpkit Frontier looks best though.

 

[sevenfourate]

In my experience having 2 sets of wheels seemed good on paper but in practice I spent just as much time adjusting the brakes and rear mech after a wheel change as I would changing the tyres.

I hear you 😎

Rim brakes I presume ?

If using discs: and wheels with exactly the same (Good condition) rear derailleur I’d like to presume this wouldn’t be the case 🤷‍♂️

 

[sevenfourate]

I really like that Marin but the riding position is a little low for me, the Alpkit Frontier looks best though.

Thanks 🙏

I was l lead to the Sonder by ‘accident’ after coming across a Gravel-Track cycling Holiday company advertising their trips. I wondered what bikes they used in their hire fleet (Presuming they’d want something bombproof / low maintenance etc.) They used the Sonder. Primarily the solid / non suspension fork versions too…...

At this point it’s top of my list too. Especially because of the personalisation available when purchasing.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I'd just ride what you have got unless your son wants it back.

 

[sleuthey]

I hear you 😎

Rim brakes I presume ?

If using discs: and wheels with exactly the same (Good condition) rear derailleur I’d like to presume this wouldn’t be the case 🤷‍♂️

Yes rim brakes. I found that adjustment of the rear mech barrel adjuster was necessary as even with wheels/ cassette of the same spec it's only got to be 1mm offset to need adjusting

 

[sevenfourate]

I'd just ride what you have got unless your son wants it back.

Oh i hear you 👌

I’m intent on hanging it out as long as I can - and not rushing in as I’ve done too many times before. And most certainly keeping current for Winter use - even if I do buy another.

*Especially as I’ve fitted riser bars, tyres of choice, decent pedals and grips, new gear parts / chain; and new L/H switchgear etc to keep running / upgrade / personalise recently.

The only thing I really think I’d truly ‘benefit’ from (Enjoyment alone 🤷‍♂️) is a couple more gears; and a wider range. Perhaps just keep it and upgrade / swap out to a 1x 10 when my next drivetrain component needs changing. I’m also thinking that’s a fair chunk toward a new steed at that point however. Plus every other component would be new too…….

 

[sevenfourate]

Yes rim brakes. I found that adjustment of the rear mech barrel adjuster was necessary as even with wheels/ cassette of the same spec it's only got to be 1mm offset to need adjusting

Worth knowing 👍

On a modern 1 x 12 with fine margins; the romantic idea (?) of 100% painless wheel-swaps does perhaps sound ‘idyllic’ in that case.

*I’ve got no issue swapping tyres out.

 

[sleuthey]

Worth knowing 👍

On a modern 1 x 12 with fine margins; the romantic idea (?) of 100% painless wheel-swaps does perhaps sound ‘idyllic’ in that case.

*I’ve got no issue swapping tyres out.

+ The more you change tyres the easier it is due to flexibility of the tyre and technique efficiency

 

[HLaB]

Plenty of flat-bar gravel bikes around these days 😁 My first link in my original post is one. And yes - I think I’d prefer not to have drop bars……

What sort of distance are you thinking of? I prefer drop bar my self; 90% of the time I'll ride upright like you would on a flat bar bike (on the hoods) but with distance, I'll mix it up and be on the hoods/flat/drops its more comfortable on the hands/back. I'd rather have that choice. Its also good being to hunker down when there's a bit of a wind (on hoods with a drop of the elbows or in the actual drops). I like the drop of the elbows in traffic as drivers seem to be more alert to a change in my body position when I straighten the elbows and move upright.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I'd get the Sonder though if you do decide to go for it.