Which one?

[Glasgow44]

Hi there.

Me again! I had made a posting a while ago. I'm looking to buy a bike that I can use in bad weather/winter and also use on a multi-day tour (I might be going to France in the summer for 2 weeks or 5 days in Wales) - so I would need something that can also take panniers and be comfortable for long consecutive days in the saddle. I probably would never use pannier racks on the front, although I'd like the option (this rules out the Pinnacle Arkose below as it doesn't have the facility for front pannier racks). I had narrowed it all down to a few bikes but I've now narrowed it down to the bikes below. These are all gravel/adventure bikes (correct me if I'm wrong!) with the exception of one (The Genesis Croix de Fer 30) which has a steel frame (I took it for a test run and I was amazed at how light the steel frame is). I'm going to the Lake District this weekend to test ride the Sonder.

On looking at all the bikes below - what one(s) would you recommend for my needs:

I know that I've asked before but its all a bit of a minefield!

Thanks in advance for your help.


https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/croix-de-fer-30
https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/sonder-camino-al-sram-rival1-hydraulic-V2
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-d3-2019-adventure-road-bike-EV339948
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/...point/checkpoint-al-4/p/24971/?colorCode=blue
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/...oint/checkpoint-al-3/p/24969/?colorCode=white
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/toughroad-gx-slr-1-2019
https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/cda-10
https://www.cube.eu/en/2018/bikes/road/road-cyclocross/nuroad/cube-nuroad-blacknred-2018/

 

[vickster]

Try them out assuming they all meet your needs, i.e. Full mudguards, rack, desired tyre size, gearing (some are 1x11 like the Sonder which might not be appropriate for your terrain, touring ambitions) etc

Once you've done all that, only you can decide if everything is right

 

[Drago]

Those bikes arent all direct market competitors to one another. I'd consider your list of essential features, followed by desirable features, weigh this against the use to which you're putting the bike, compare that against your budget and compose a shortlist of 3.

Then I'd ride them all and but the one that tugged my rug the most.

 

[Cycleops]

I guess it's all a matter of personal preference.
I'd always go for a steel frame but that's just me so I'd pick the cdf. Here's another one to add to the mix;
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sequoia-2019-adventure-road-bike-EV337899
I'm a little biased as Ive got one, well, the previous model and I think it's great.
Good luck.

 

[vickster]

£1250 with Sora, mechanical discs (although Spyres are the best) and Cro mo fork

OP, have you looked at Spa's offerings being touring specialists?

 

[John_S]

Hi Glasgow44,

As has been mentioned above I'd absolutely get out there to try as many of the bikes as you can and then see what fits the bill for you. However to be honest you're already doing that because you're on your way to test the Sonder already.

Per the message from Vickster I'd definitely get myself along to Spa Cycles if at all possible and describe your needs to them and they'd probably have several bikes that they could offer to you as options as well as giving you the chance to ride them.

Following that apologies because this doesn't narrow your choice down but given the description of what you want just to add another couple of bikes to your list of ones to consider here are a couple more and they might possibly appeal if you want to buy from a British company.

The Fairlight Faran ( https://fairlightcycles.com ) is the bike that I'd buy if I currently had spares funds, as well as being allowed N+1, and I mentioned detail about it in a previous post on a similar subject:-

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/looking-for-touring-bike-bristol-area.241390/#post-5411940

If your traveling in Wales this link to a piece written about riding in Wales could be of interest (plus film link):-
https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-desert-of-wales-quoc-gran-tourer-bikepacking-shoes/
https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-desert-of-wales-film/

And here's a link to details given on the bikes that they rode in Wales including a very nice looking Fairlight Faran:-

https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-desert-of-wales-tour-loaded-bikepacking-bikes/

Again another bike mentioned in the same previous Cycle Chat post is the Temple Cycles Adventure Disc ( https://www.templecycles.co.uk/pages/bikes-adventure )
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/behind-the-design-adventure-disc
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/a-day-in-hell-an-adventure-disc-review

And following on from the above here's a video about the Adventure Disc filmed on a ride in the Brecon Beacons:-

View: https://vimeo.com/252337910


Good luck finding the right bike for you and hope that you enjoy whatever you buy!

John

 

[Glasgow44]

Hi Glasgow44,

As has been mentioned above I'd absolutely get out there to try as many of the bikes as you can and then see what fits the bill for you. However to be honest you're already doing that because you're on your way to test the Sonder already.

Per the message from Vickster I'd definitely get myself along to Spa Cycles if at all possible and describe your needs to them and they'd probably have several bikes that they could offer to you as options as well as giving you the chance to ride them.

Following that apologies because this doesn't narrow your choice down but given the description of what you want just to add another couple of bikes to your list of ones to consider here are a couple more and they might possibly appeal if you want to buy from a British company.

The Fairlight Faran ( https://fairlightcycles.com ) is the bike that I'd buy if I currently had spares funds, as well as being allowed N+1, and I mentioned detail about it in a previous post on a similar subject:-

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/looking-for-touring-bike-bristol-area.241390/#post-5411940

If your traveling in Wales this link to a piece written about riding in Wales could be of interest (plus film link):-
https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-desert-of-wales-quoc-gran-tourer-bikepacking-shoes/
https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-desert-of-wales-film/

And here's a link to details given on the bikes that they rode in Wales including a very nice looking Fairlight Faran:-

https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-desert-of-wales-tour-loaded-bikepacking-bikes/

Again another bike mentioned in the same previous Cycle Chat post is the Temple Cycles Adventure Disc ( https://www.templecycles.co.uk/pages/bikes-adventure )
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/behind-the-design-adventure-disc
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/a-day-in-hell-an-adventure-disc-review

And following on from the above here's a video about the Adventure Disc filmed on a ride in the Brecon Beacons:-

View: https://vimeo.com/252337910


Good luck finding the right bike for you and hope that you enjoy whatever you buy!

John

Thanks very much for your very helpful and informative post - I've already test ridden the Genesis Croix de Fer 30 and I was really really surprised about how light the steel frame was. I'm going to the Lake District this weekend to test ride the Sonder. I appreciate your suggestions but these bike shops are too far from me (i.e. Bristol) - I think the Lake District distance would probably be the furthest I would go - they are the only ones I can see that seem to do Sonder bikes, hence the reason why I'm making the trip; the Sonder was a recommendation from a friend.

Thanks again

J

 

[biggs682]

@Glasgow44 the Cdf is a classy bike for sure
But as others have said worth having a chat with Spa and or Sjs to see what they offer and sjs are only based in Bridgewater so fairly local for sure

 

[vickster]

The Ti CdF is on sale...
Or the Spa Elan is a decent price

 

[Glasgow44]

@Glasgow44 the Cdf is a classy bike for sure
But as others have said worth having a chat with Spa and or Sjs to see what they offer and sjs are only based in Bridgewater so fairly local for sure

Thanks for your reply. I don't think Bridgewater is local to me!

 

[biggs682]

Thanks for your reply. I don't think Bridgewater is local to me!

I thought you were Bristol based from the earlier post below

I appreciate your suggestions but these bike shops are too far from me (i.e. Bristol) - I think the Lake District distance would probably be the furthest I would go - they are the only ones I can see that seem to do Sonder bikes, hence the reason why I'm making the trip; the Sonder was a recommendation from a friend.

Thanks again

J

 

[vickster]

I thought you were Bristol based from the earlier post below

There might be a clue in his user name?

 

[biggs682]

There might be a clue in his user name?

That's what confused me even more

 

[vickster]

That's what confused me even more

How so...he's in Glasgow...hence Bristol is too far and the Lake District doable as he says

 

[biggs682]

How so...he's in Glasgow...hence Bristol is too far and the Lake District doable as he says

I blame the cuppa soup