Hardtail frame - one true all-rounder - decisions decisions!

Basil Hume

I started out the year with 3 bikes (commuter, singlespeed and MTB), but I've now downsized to just my Pace RC305 hardtail. I realised that I spent the least time on my nicest bike, coupled with the need for more space at home due to our first baby! :roll:

I cycle every day to work (4 mile round trip), then on the trails at weekends - either on Bristol singletrack or rougher terrain around my parents' house in Wales. I also do 50-70 mile road tours 4-5 times a year, when a pannier rack is essential.

The Pace is fine on my short commute and for the trails, but I'm not convinced it's good for touring. That said, the cheapest option would be a proper no-mounts pannier for the Pace - although I can't find any that will fit...

I want to stay with one bike, so I'm also considering replacing it with a frame that is slightly longer and has pannier mounts, e.g.:

- On-One 456 Ti (£1,100)
- Ragley Ti (£1,300)
- Orange P7 (£450)
- Orange R8 (£550)

I'm not too concerned about the cost, but there's clearly a big gap between the steel and titanium models. Would you splash out on a new frame or try to adapt the Pace?

Help and advice would be greatly appreciated! Is anyone else just on one bike like me? :shock:

supersonic

I'd forget the R8, much more XC biased. I assume by 'allrounder' you plan to take in some heavier type trails than XC.

If money is no object, has to be one of the Ti frames (or a Ti frame) - you just save so much weight over an equivalent steel frame. Ideally you need to test them out.

Also if you know what ypou want, Van Nicholas have custom geometry options.

DVV

Not much advice on the frame I am afraid, but I would save enough money to have two sets of wheels, one light set with slicks on and one burlier set with decent off-road tyres.

The Spiderman

If money is no object have a look at Enigma bikes.They do custom builds including a lovely new Columbus framed steel frame,so you could probably ask for rack mounts or a custom length top tube.

My mate has had 2 of their ti road bikes and they have been excellent.

Basil Hume

By "all-rounder", I'm talking about a frame that can MTB with the best of them (and take a 130mm fork), but also be reasonable on the road for longer trips and ideally have pannier mounts. A bit of a tall order!

These are two racks that have caught my eye:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=14332
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=28820 (side supports can be added to this one)

Would my Pace ride like a bag of nails on a longer road ride with one of these panniers fitted? Am I better off looking at a frame like one of the ones above?

MacAndCheese

Santa Cruz Chameleon would be my choice if I had to only have one hardtail bike...not sure it has pannier mounts though.

funkywigster

just got a ragley mmmbop frame it's only £275 so thought it was worth a try
it's got the same geometry as the ti and is only 3.7lbs
so far i have to say it's riding great i put float 32rl 130mm on and it flies down the trails and climbs nice too.
i'm riding it on fast rough trails with short sharp climbs so not sure about road tours but it's great on the trails and you could build a very light strong hardtail for the price of the ragley ti frame
should be good for the 4x track aswell

Splasher

Contrary to your request (apologies for that), I'd recommend a second bike. In an ideal world:

Who wants to go mountain biking with a pannier rack fitted?
Who wants to commute and tour with 26" wheels?
Who wants to commute through the winter without proper mudguards?
Who wants to lock something as nickable as a Pace up and leave it (you probably don't now but it makes touring so much better if you can leave the bikes without worrying).
In about 6 months, who wants to go mountian biking with a baby seat on?

I have this as my family, commuting, touring, shopping, resevoir/tow-path cruiser:



It cost less than either of those Ti frame, it has fast pattern Cross tyres on so it's fine on fire-roads etc. It carries laptops, picnics, touring kit, pulls a trail-gaitor, gets left in town and at the station, keeps the winter muck off my trousers and keeps my mountain bike free of kids seats, pannier racks, mudguards etc. so Ican enjoy that without having to rebuild it every time.