What bike? - for combination of - commuting, racing and touring?

[samsbike]

Other options would include:

1. Burls - for custom ti
2. Any number of builders to do something in 631 steel

for off the peg
1. condor cycles - fratello may float your boat
2. thorn audax
3. Pearson have a couple
4. specialized tricross

But I concur with the above, you can do everything with one bike, however, it will not feel as alive as a lightweight road bike, maybe comprised by heavier luggage. It just depends what you want to feel when you ride it.

 

[Andrew Br]

I might have to retract my earlier post .
The bike that probably gets closest to your racing/touring/commuting requirement is the Orbea Avant.
It'll take 28mm tyres, mudguards and a rack and it's (partially) aero.
Carbon:-

Aluminium:-

I think that it's also available as frame and fork only.
Info here:- http://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/road/#/uso-endurance

If I were in the market for a new bike (I'm not ), I'd be very tempted.

.

 

[velovoice]

By racing I think the OP means speeding along rather than track racing/ultra competitive.

If that's true, then the Enigma Etape would be perfect for everything described.

As for the "one bike for everything" debate, I would say that my Etape is my lifetime bike, that is to say, if I had to give up all my other bikes and just have one for the rest of my life, then the I'd choose the Etape in a heartbeat and have no regrets. But... I do not do any kind of competitive riding. That's my caveat. And that, I think, is the question mark hanging over the situation @James T posed in his original post.

 

[PaulSB]

First I'm not a technical person so don't ask for detail. Can I suggest you look the new Paul Hewitt Carbon Audax which Hewitt describes as "almost the performance of a race bike with the versatility of an Audax bike." It got a great review in the recent CTC magazine and obviously the Hewitt name is hard to argue with. The review isn't on line yet it should be soon.

I'm having one built at the moment by Ewood Bikes in Blackburn. I felt the Hewitt was exactly what I needed but as I'm very loyal to my LBS wanted to go to Ewood Bikes. Ian was able to get the frame and my build is being slightly altered to suit my riding style.

I'm a 60 year old average club rider. My criteria were to have a very adaptable bike for club rides, sportives, the occasional Audax and credit card touring. I also had an eye on the fact I'm getting older and want comfort plus performance and when I retire will need something which is adaptable to touring and domestic use , panniers etc for shopping and the like. I was slightly hesitant over my choice but went for the final fit yesterday and I'm delighted with the result. Can't wait for next Saturday when it will be ready.

Hewitt charges £2150 including a free fitting, mine all be £1990 but I don't need a £100 fitting as the guys at Ewood know me very well.

 

[StuAff]

I might have to retract my earlier post .
The bike that probably gets closest to your racing/touring/commuting requirement is the Orbea Orca.
It'll take 28mm tyres, mudguards and a rack and it's (partially) aero.
Carbon:-

Aluminium:-

I think that it's also available as frame and fork only.
Info here:- http://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/road/#/uso-endurance

If I were in the market for a new bike (I'm not ), I'd be very tempted.

.

That's the Avant, not the Orca.
My local LBS is an Orbea dealer. Must remember not to look when I'm next in there......

 

[F70100]

Might this Whyte Suffolk fit the bill?

I'll split the saving with you

 

[Andrew Br]

That's the Avant, not the Orca.

Ooops.
I've corrected the original post.

Thanks StuAff .

 

[srw]

For £2000, you can get three bikes. One for touring, one for commuting, and one (if you must) for racing. Trying to find one that will do all three is like complaining that your Volvo estate won't do a decent time on a Brands Hatch track day.

 

[James T]

Sorry its taken me so long to get back folks! Working like a mad man all over london.
Answers to questions..
@2pies I have never raced in an official event. So my use of the term racing I suppose is quite vague. I have test ridden a few race bikes, some carbon, some aluminium frame and I really loved the responsiveness and the feel when you ride that type of bike. In caparison to my old touring bike which I have now passed on to my friend.

@PaulSB The hewitt is looking promising, a little over the budget but more towards what I'm after I think.
@Andrew Br I do like the look of this bike. Spec looks good, reviews look good. Expensive for the carbon version. But definitely gonna look into this one more.
@HorTs The Tripster ATR is another awesome look bike with the the right spec.

I'm still continuing the search folks. I'm speak to a few bike build specialists like hewitt for example as see if they recommend I have something completely custom build. More advice is always good.

Thanks everybody for your advice, ill be back on in next few days, keep you posted!

Cheers,

James.

 

[James T]

@srw I have thought about doing that as well. Its the just having the space to store all three

 

[doog]

Ive toured, commuted and did some roadie stuff on a Tricross for quite a few years. However it was never quite suited to touring (wheels not strong enough / carbon forks/ short wheelbase - high centre of gravity/ road triple not enough for a fully loaded tourer. Commuting was fine. I thought it was okay on the road until I bought a proper road bike and realised it was simply a cumbersome beast.

2 grand budget ? In your first sentence you stated you wanted something lighter, sleeker for fast road riding- you will never beat a proper road bike. Spend a grand on a decent road bike and your other grand on a croix de fer or similar for your commuting / light touring

 

[velovoice]

Any decision yet, @James T ?

 

[jay clock]

Agreed that three would be good, but two would also work. 1000 on a road bike that could also be commuted on, 1000 on tourer that could also be commuted on

 

[Ste pt1]

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Cross-Race-Disc-2014-Cyclocross-Bike_66592.htm

 

[Ste pt1]

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Cross-Race-Pro-2014-Cyclocross-Bike_66593.htm