What bike to replace my dead hybrid commuter?

[I like Skol]

The day I hoped would never come is here.

My much loved commuter bike is finished due to a fatigue crack developing in the aluminium frame. There have been many, many happy miles in the last 8yrs and the bike has exceeded expectations in terms of comfort, speed, reliability and enjoyment so will be a hard act to follow. In fact, when I was involved in a serious RTA earlier this year on the way home from work one night I was actually glad I was on my fancy 'best' carbon bike and not the hybrid because the hybrid is my favourite, most difficult to replace by a long way.

Anyway, I have no choice now and need something to join the stable in it's place, but as expected I am struggling.

There is nothing in the current GT range that fits the bill.

My preferred option, and something I have often considered over the years, is a Kaffenback Frameset from Planet X. Cheap & cheerful and should allow pretty much all the bits from the dead bike to be swapped straight on. Problem is they only seem to have small and medium while I will need a Large or XLarge. No word from them on lead time for the bigger sizes but I don't expect it will be anytime soon so as a plan A this idea is dead in the water from the start

The other option that is very high on the list is this beautiful deep green steel KONA. I lusted for it when replacing my crashed carbon GT earlier in the year but opted to get another Grade as it takes the 35mm knobblies I have for off-road use. I am happy that it is drop bars instead of flat. Although I like commuting on flat bars I am equally at home on drops, hence occasionally taking the Grade to commute on nice days when there was no need to carry stuff or for mudguards. I can live with the fact it is specified with 'only' 30mm tyres.
The main problems making me hesitate with this are as follows;

• It is stupidly expensive for a utility/commuter bike. The money isn't an issue and if it puts a smile on my face the way the Traffic did then it would be money well spent regardless. The Kona is now available with 25% discounts but £1.4k is still a silly amount for a neglected commute hack even though financially the cycling to work fuel savings alone will repay the purchase and running costs at least double if I keep it as long as the Traffic.
• It is so similar to my carbon 'best bike' as to be the same bike to a layperson (and my wife), many of whom will simply say why not commute on the Grade? This is a valid point except for the reason I got the hybrid in the 1st place. Which ever bike I commute on needs panniers and guards and once these are fitted that bike is no longer the weekend toy it was before, leaving me short of a bike. Once burdened with rack and guards the Kona will no longer be a steel copy of the Grade.
• My wife will not understand the justification of spending £1.4k on 'another' bike

What other options are there? I have spent a week or two casually looking but no bike or brand is catching my attention sufficiently raise my interest. I must be missing something so I turn to the good people of cyclechat for ideas. All suggestions welcome and my reasoning is open to debate however my final choice may not be reasonable or sensible, but when I see the 'right' bike I will know it.

Main criteria are;

• Steel frame. This is the 3rd aluminium frame I have cracked in my cycling life (but the 1st one not covered by warranty).
• MUST take pannier rack and mudguards
• Disc brakes
• Rigid frame/forks, absolutely no suspension even remotely considered so just don't OK
• Minimum tyre clearance for 28mm but would prefer room for 32 or 35mm if possible

I think that is the main requirements, we can discuss anything else as it comes up.

TIA, Skolly

 

[vickster]

Genesis Croix de fer? Always seem to be framesets on fleabay?

Anything in the new Spa range? Aubisque is it?

 

[pawl]

The day I hoped would never come is here.

My much loved commuter bike is finished due to a fatigue crack developing in the aluminium frame. There have been many, many happy miles in the last 8yrs and the bike has exceeded expectations in terms of comfort, speed, reliability and enjoyment so will be a hard act to follow. In fact, when I was involved in a serious RTA earlier this year on the way home from work one night I was actually glad I was on my fancy 'best' carbon bike and not the hybrid because the hybrid is my favourite, most difficult to replace by a long way.

Anyway, I have no choice now and need something to join the stable in it's place, but as expected I am struggling.

There is nothing in the current GT range that fits the bill.

My preferred option, and something I have often considered over the years, is a Kaffenback Frameset from Planet X. Cheap & cheerful and should allow pretty much all the bits from the dead bike to be swapped straight on. Problem is they only seem to have small and medium while I will need a Large or XLarge. No word from them on lead time for the bigger sizes but I don't expect it will be anytime soon so as a plan A this idea is dead in the water from the start

The other option that is very high on the list is this beautiful deep green steel KONA. I lusted for it when replacing my crashed carbon GT earlier in the year but opted to get another Grade as it takes the 35mm knobblies I have for off-road use. I am happy that it is drop bars instead of flat. Although I like commuting on flat bars I am equally at home on drops, hence occasionally taking the Grade to commute on nice days when there was no need to carry stuff or for mudguards. I can live with the fact it is specified with 'only' 30mm tyres.
The main problems making me hesitate with this are as follows;

• It is stupidly expensive for a utility/commuter bike. The money isn't an issue and if it puts a smile on my face the way the Traffic did then it would be money well spent regardless. The Kona is now available with 25% discounts but £1.4k is still a silly amount for a neglected commute hack even though financially the cycling to work fuel savings alone will repay the purchase and running costs at least double if I keep it as long as the Traffic.
• It is so similar to my carbon 'best bike' as to be the same bike to a layperson (and my wife), many of whom will simply say why not commute on the Grade? This is a valid point except for the reason I got the hybrid in the 1st place. Which ever bike I commute on needs panniers and guards and once these are fitted that bike is no longer the weekend toy it was before, leaving me short of a bike. Once burdened with rack and guards the Kona will no longer be a steel copy of the Grade.
• My wife will not understand the justification of spending £1.4k on 'another' bike

What other options are there? I have spent a week or two casually looking but no bike or brand is catching my attention sufficiently raise my interest. I must be missing something so I turn to the good people of cyclechat for ideas. All suggestions welcome and my reasoning is open to debate however my final choice may not be reasonable or sensible, but when I see the 'right' bike I will know it.

Main criteria are;

• Steel frame. This is the 3rd aluminium frame I have cracked in my cycling life (but the 1st one not covered by warranty).
• MUST take pannier rack and mudguards
• Disc brakes
• Rigid frame/forks, absolutely no suspension even remotely considered so just don't OK
• Minimum tyre clearance for 28mm but would prefer room for 32 or 35mm if possible

I think that is the main requirements, we can discuss anything else as it comes up.

TIA, Skolly

Make sure it has two wheels,brakes.

Good luck with your search.

 

[si_c]

I know that you're after a steel frame, and this isn't that, but I'm wondering if it might give you something to think about.

Edit: This one more or less fits the bill, plus bonus dyno lighting.

 

[Threevok]

I feel your pain - I cracked two GT Avalanche frames and have now moved to an On One Inbred, which I also use for commute

 

[Milkfloat]

With your run of luck an aluminium frame with a lifetime warranty sounds like the best way to go - you automatically get a free new one every 5 years or so.

However if you want steel, I echo @vickster, get a frame and transplant over your existing parts.

 

[Salty seadog]

Make sure it has two wheels,brakes.

Good luck with your search.

Very wise.

 

[ColinJ]

I picked up this CAADX for about £500 on eBay. I could have ridden it as it was for a commute but I changed the gearing and one brake for the hills. Big tyres, rack and mudguards, no problem. (I haven't fitted the mudguards yet.)

Ok, it IS aluminium but it is so damn chunky that I can't believe that you would break it by just riding it.

 

[I like Skol]

Spa is a good call @vickster. I have previously discounted the Genesis range as the whole bikes don't appeal to me but may revisit this decision. Spa has given me some inspiration though.

I know that you're after a steel frame, and this isn't that, but I'm wondering if it might give you something to think about.

Edit: This one more or less fits the bill, plus bonus dyno lighting.

Really like the looks of the Pinnacle but single speed isn't going to cut it for this bike. If it was just the commute then maybe, but this bike does sooooooooo much more including 100+ mile rides and gears are a necessity.

With your run of luck an aluminium frame with a lifetime warranty sounds like the best way to go - you automatically get a free new one every 5 years or so.

However if you want steel, I echo @vickster, get a frame and transplant over your existing parts.

I don't think I have been unlucky except on the second occasion. 1st bike was a cheap far eastern MTB which cracked around the seatpost clamp. Second bike was a roadbike with low miles that cracked lengthways along each side of the top tub from the seatpost intersection. Current bike has probably lasted a reasonable lifetime for an ali frame? 20,000 all-weather and sometimes rough miles with an ali frame is reasonable IMO. I feel ready to try something different though so a good steel frame is calling. Having to go down the warranty route every few years doesn't sound appealing.

Make sure it has two wheels,brakes.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks for the advice, very helpful......

 

[si_c]

Really like the looks of the Pinnacle but single speed isn't going to cut it for this bike. If it was just the commute then maybe, but this bike does sooooooooo much more including 100+ mile rides and gears are a necessity.

Fair enough, perhaps another look at the Genesis though?

 

[vickster]

Make sure it has two wheels,brakes.

Good luck with your search.

In fact he may not even need those if just buying a frameset

 

[Sbudge]

It doesn't meet your 'steel' criteria but the Cannondale 'Bad Boy' is an absolute hoot to ride. I tried one out in US and left with a very big smile on my face.

 

[John_S]

Hi I Like Skol,

I'm sorry to hear about the fatigue crack in your current frame and the need for a new bike.

But as it's presented you with a chance for an N+1 that's always a good thing. On the face of it although as you've said spending this money on a commuter bike might seem to be quite a bit of money in comparison to the costs associated with running a car it should compare very favourably with that.

One reason for noticing your post is because I saw that you're interested in the Kona Wheelhouse and whilst I don't have the same bike I have something very similar in the 2016 version of the Kona Roadhouse ( http://2016.konaworld.com/roadhouse.cfm ). I was really lucky because I managed to pick one up at a hefty discount when the considerably more expensive 2017 model had been released. For me this is my best bike and for me personally I absolutely love it!

However just as some background about me although I've been cycling regularly for over 30 years I'll hold my hands up to never having owned many bikes in that time because I tend to hang onto what I have for a long time and make maximum use of it. Ignoring the first few childs bikes that I had the first bike that I remember choosing was a Raleigh Mustang MTB which was followed by a Raleigh Apex MTB with both of these bikes being used for everything from off road to long road rides. This was followed by a Trek 7.1FX flat bar hybrid aluminium commuter. More recently I got a Genesis Day One Alfine 8 and lastly the Kona Roadhouse. I just wanted to give a bit of context because I'm not somebody who has owned a load of very nice carbon race bikes for example and so I've no idea what they are like to own & ride. However for me personally I absolutely love the Kona Roadhouse and I really enjoy riding it. But I do appreciate that perhaps for people who have experience of many more bikes than me or for those who are used to riding racier machines from lighter materials they might have a different view of my bike if they stepped on it. I guess it'll all be subjective and in the eye of the beholder according to what bikes people are used to and what they're expectations/ requirements are.

You have probably already read reviews all about the Kona Wheelhouse but if you've not already read them some of the original Kona Roadhouse reviews might be of interest due to the bikes similarity to the Wheelhouse and in general I thought that it received positive reviews:-

https://road.cc/content/review/182237-kona-roadhouse


View: https://youtu.be/ltLN1bOXS10


https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gea...modern-road-bike-with-a-thirst-for-exploring/

But for me it's pretty much the perfect bike and I enjoy riding it every time. 99% of my riding is commuting and the Roadhouse is my best bike which I use in late spring, summer and early autumn. I then use the Genesis Day One, which has mudguards, a pannier rack and dynamo lights, during the winter and on other bad weather days during the year. Therefore I apologise but I have absolutely no idea either how easy or hard it is to fit mudguards or a rack to because I've never tried. I'm lucky in that I don't have to get to work carrying too much stuff and so most days it's a case of lunch, clothes for the day, wallet, phone plus a few spares/tools and I commute on mine using an Apidura saddle pack.

As mentioned the vast majority of the bikes use is for commuting but I've also used it for weekend rides if I get the chance as well as audax. I've also it on light off road gravel stuff quite a few times and I've found it to be perfectly capable enough for me.

In terms of some other options I saw that you'd already sent a message in this recent thread but there could be some other bikes suggested that could appeal and fit your bill.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/all-i-want-are-discs-and-mudguards.240066/page-2

I do like the look of Temple Cycles Adventure Disc but that could maybe blow the budget.

https://www.templecycles.co.uk/pages/adventure-disc-landing

I also all of the bikes by Fairlight Cycles! You can also buy Fairlight bikes as a frameset only if you're transferring over components from your current bike.

https://fairlightcycles.com

One reason that I really like the Roadhouse is because the geometry just seems to work for me and it's very comfortable over distance and a lot more comfortable than my Day One (which has a more aggressive geometry, some steeper angles, longer reach, lower stack) is over a similar distance. Perhaps because of my background having had more flat bar bikes than drop bars, maybe because I'm not that flexible or perhaps just due to my body type/shape I like quite an upright position compared to be long and strung out with a low down slammed stem trying to get as aerodynamic as the professionals. When looking at the geometry charts of my 2016 Roadhouse I could get very similar geometry on Fairlight bikes in the tall version of their frames. This is another thing that appeals to me about the Fairlight bikes because they offer both regular and tall version of their frames in order to suit more people and you can find out more about this here.

View: https://vimeo.com/180866780


https://fairlightcycles.com/why-fairlight/fit-function-form/?v=79cba1185463

Also if you don't already have the benefit of bike fit data for you don't have to be an expert in order to figure out which frame size and version (regular or tall) is correct for you because all you do is select the model of bike that you want from the Fairlight website and then you can enter both your height and inside leg measurement and it will recommend which frame is best for you.

If I had enough money and I could persuade my wife that N+1 was a good idea then I'd be getting myself a Fairlight Faran and kitting it out with dynamo lights, a rack and mudguards. One reason for this is because when it's dark I like commuting using dynamo lights and my Kona doesn't have a hole at the top/front of the carbon fork crown in which to mount a dynamo headlight. Whilst I completely understand that there are other ways to mount a dynamo light (handlebars and other ways etc.) I like mounting my dynamo light at the fork crown. That's something that I believe Fairlight offer whether it's their steel fork on the Faran or the carbon forks on either the Strael or Secan bikes. However on this subject I've absolutely no idea of Kona have changed/updated the design of their carbon forks to include a hole at the fork crown for mounting a dynamo light.

The only problem if you like the Faran is I'm not sure if they'll have your frame size left because they've said on their instagram page that they only have certain size frames left because they're planning an updated version for release but that might not be in time for you.

Lastly just in case you fall over a pot of gold tomorrow another option, but it would be a bit of a dream bike requiring more cash, would be the Isen Workshop All Season bike if you had enough money to spare. Although that being said I've never seriously looked at the mounting points, geometry etc. to see if it would suit me because I know I can't afford it but it doesn't hurt to dream of N+1.

https://www.isenworkshop.com/all-season
https://www.isenworkshop.com/gallery
https://www.instagram.com/isenworkshop


Good luck getting the right bike for you!

John

 

[John_S]

Following the above if you like the green colour of the Kona Wheelhouse then maybe the green Condor Fratello Disc could appeal.

https://www.condorcycles.com/collec...-bikes/products/condor-fratello-disc-frameset

However I do completely appreciate that this isn’t one of the cheaper options but if you got the frameset only and we’re transferring over components then maybe it comes within range of your budget.

And just back to Fairlight for a moment there are reviews of two of their bikes here and they seem to get a good write up. It was just food for thought again if your transferring across components I didn’t know what your budget is for a frame only.

https://road.cc/content/review/240016-fairlight-cycles-strael-20

https://road.cc/content/review/248008-fairlight-cycles-secan

 

[I like Skol]

Still floundering in my search for a bike and keep coming back to the Kona because I fear it has got my heart rather than my head.

I have looked at many of the suggested bikes in this thread and the other SIMILAR THREAD and they are just not generating any level of interest for me.

The Planet X option has been confirmed as a non-starter. They don't know when there will be another production run on that frameset so that's my preferred cheap option for a steel frame scuppered.

I thought I had come up with a good cheap compromise. THIS GT hybrid was a possibility. I thought I could buy the whole bike and use the frame as a replacement then sell as many of the other bits as possible. This would have left me on an aluminium frame again but it would be cheap and no worse than before. Again this is a dead end as there are only smaller sizes left in the UK.

I like the principle behind buying a Genesis or Spa steel frame but just cannot get over the apparent styling mess that has been made of the rear drop-outs!

Genesis Croix de Fer :-

Even worse is the Spa Aubisque :-

Why are they like that when it doesn't have to be so?

I know it is only for commuting so such details shouldn't matter but I really am going in circles ending up back at the Kona.

I'm going to give it a few more days while I work my shift and then unless anything else crops up I think it will have to be the Wheelhouse.....