Can Anything Match the Kinesis T2?

Doomism

I've been shopping around for nearly a month now and I think I've finally met my match. The Kinesis T2, either custom built by a trusty LBS, or pre-built by Kinesis. I've heard a lot of good things via forums/reviews, but I was wondering if anyone knows of anything that will match it, or surpass it, without breaking the bank. (£1000 budget)

For me, I'm sold on the following features;

Clearance for mudguards and 28mm tyres.
Robust enough for some light touring and loaded commuting.
Road Geometry (The reason I don't want a CX bike)
It will be my only bike, so seems like a good "all year round" multipurpose bike.
Lighter than a dedicated touring bike within the same price bracket.

My previous bike was an old hefty steel 80's racer, which I loved, but I want something with a wider gear range and a little lighter. (Anything has to be better than that, right?)

I want to load the bike up a bit, but also use it unloaded for long distance and fitness rides. With regards to the loading aspect, I'd like to start out with a decent 32h hub front and rear, so lightweight racers are generally out of the question. Perhaps at a later stage I would like to upgrade the wheels, or have a second wheelset for quick blasts on local fitness rides.

Other bikes that seem to come close are, Dolan Preffisio, and Trifosi CK7. The Dolan doesn't seem to have the clearance and I'm unsure the Trifosi does too. That said, I'm not so keen on the look of the Trifosi. :? I've also tried a few cyclocross bikes, which were great, but I find myself keep coming back to more road-like geometry.

I think I've covered everything... Thoughts?

I'm off to the LBS to get a price on a budget T2 build.

keef66

Just make sure you don't look at a Tk3, cos you'll want one of those instead, and probably break your budget.

passout

Genesis Aether, if you can find on - they stopped making them. Its an alu version of the equilibrium.

Doomism

passout wrote:

Genesis Aether, if you can find on - they stopped making them. Its an alu version of the equilibrium.

I didn't realise they were Alu. I saw them in an online sale not so long ago, but not sure they had my size. I'll have to take a second look around. I think I missed the boat with the last 2012 bike offers

keef66 wrote:

Just make sure you don't look at a Tk3, cos you'll want one of those instead, and probably break your budget.

Yep, I am well aware of the Tk3, but trying my upmost to resist spending more. Ideally, would like to spend less of course.

danlikesbikes

Have a T2 myself so my biased opinion is no nothing can match it :-)

Mine was a shop build & partly with leftovers from my summer bike but original spec was to have all new & came in under your budget.

The higher spec'd model was OK but for the money I'm not disappointed or left thinking if only I had spent a bit more

Doomism

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Have a T2 myself so my biased opinion is no nothing can match it :-)

How did you go about sizing, and knowing if it was going to be the bike for you?

I'd hate to put something together only to not enjoy the ride afterward, although in this case I'm pretty sure its a good all round ride and we can all tweak parts to make it more comfortable/efficient.

£1000 is the absolute maximum, so I'm shopping around online to see how low I can get the build price. After all, I'm not after the latest, top of the range drive chains and wheel sets for now.

Doomism

Also just stumbled across the "Surosa Toledo".

Great price and seems to fit my spec on first glance... Any Surosa riders here?

danlikesbikes

Doomism wrote:

How did you go about sizing, and knowing if it was going to be the bike for you?

I'd hate to put something together only to not enjoy the ride afterward, although in this case I'm pretty sure its a good all round ride and we can all tweak parts to make it more comfortable/efficient.

£1000 is the absolute maximum, so I'm shopping around online to see how low I can get the build price. After all, I'm not after the latest, top of the range drive chains and wheel sets for now.

LBS for sizing as they did the build option & where I bought my summer bike from. As for the ride I went with the carbon front fork & seat post which does make some difference in damping the vibrations & run large tyres too. So whilst it feels a bit slower (as you'd expect over the summer stead) it is very steady and good handling.

Had a quote to either build from scratch or use a few components from my summer bike as was buying some new wheels for that at the same time (with the intention being to swap them over) but went for a part swap & part sell a few bits on Ebay. Went pretty low spec on the groupset TBH & kept the stem & bars pretty low spec'd too.

passout

Doomism wrote:

passout wrote:

Genesis Aether, if you can find on - they stopped making them. Its an alu version of the equilibrium.

'I didn't realise they were Alu. I saw them in an online sale not so long ago, but not sure they had my size. I'll have to take a second look around. I think I missed the boat with the last 2012 bike offers '

Yep, it's 6061 alu with carbon legged forks - a nice frame. I guess they could sell more steel ones though hence no aether. Shame, I really like mine. That said i was considering selling and replacing with Kinesis Tripster so that i can go off road too. I think the Aether or a Kinesis would be my choice.

Doomism

Cheers for the input guys.

Don't need anything fancy as far as components go. If it's solid at the core, then everything can be eventually upgraded. Could save me a few bob. The tripster looks a lot of fun. The CX bikes are very tempting, as you can pretty much go anywhere with them, but I spend so much time on the road I'm not sure it would see it's full potential.

I've emailed a butt load of questions to the Surosa guys to find out a little more about that ride. Again, it seems like a better price point and trying to keep an open mind.

hugo15

I went to the LBS with the intention of getting a T2 but ended up with a TK3!

antonyfromoz

I was just reading a comparison test in Triathlon Plus and they picked the Norco Valance A1 over the TK3. I haven't ridden any of them and have no connections to the firm but I have noticed some good reviews (magazines and customer feedback) about the Norco range so they would probably be worth a look before you commit. From the pictures/articles they don't appear to come with mudguards fitted as standard but they have the clearance and fittings. They also come with 105 at the quoted price of £1000 so appear to be good VFM. Happy test riding!

Doomism

hugo15 wrote:

I went to the LBS with the intention of getting a T2 but ended up with a TK3!

Don't you just hate when that happens? :roll:

How is the Tk3? It's not actually that much more than the T2, but I'm spending enough as it is.

antonyfromoz wrote:

I was just reading a comparison test in Triathlon Plus and they picked the Norco Valance A1 over the TK3.

I overlooked the Norco. Might have to track down a test ride to see how she fares. The only thing missing is some sturdier wheels. Ideally want 32 spokes. I think I'd feel a little more secure with tougher wheels on a long weekend tour. But, at £850, the Tiagra setup would do me fine.

cooper.michael1

I feel you are being too simplistic in discounting all Cross bikes because of the 'cross' geometry. Cross bikes geometry varies massively dependant upon their intended usage, and it is a complete myth that all cross bikes are 'versatile' - try sitting on a Ridley race machine and you'll find yourself on a honed race ready bike designed for a one hour cross race.

I own 2 bikes both cross machines, one set up for the road the other more a touring/commuting/all round machine. My Planet X Uncle John (with 25c tyres) is just as fast as the Italian road bike it replaced, and much more fun to ride. With a quick change of wheels it can be a touring/commuting/off-road cross bike.

The Cotic X is a real do it all bike (with 28c tyres), can throw anything at it. Completed the C2C on this bike, perfect for short tours, use it for work to get around. Again a change of tyres (to 32c) and it is a full off road machine...might even fit some disc brakes one day.

In terms of versatility both bikes are different but great...look at the actual geometry not the type of bike.

passout

cooper.michael1 wrote:

I feel you are being too simplistic in discounting all Cross bikes because of the 'cross' geometry. Cross bikes geometry varies massively dependant upon their intended usage, and it is a complete myth that all cross bikes are 'versatile' - try sitting on a Ridley race machine and you'll find yourself on a honed race ready bike designed for a one hour cross race.

I own 2 bikes both cross machines, one set up for the road the other more a touring/commuting/all round machine. My Planet X Uncle John (with 25c tyres) is just as fast as the Italian road bike it replaced, and much more fun to ride. With a quick change of wheels it can be a touring/commuting/off-road cross bike.

The Cotic X is a real do it all bike (with 28c tyres), can throw anything at it. Completed the C2C on this bike, perfect for short tours, use it for work to get around. Again a change of tyres (to 32c) and it is a full off road machine...might even fit some disc brakes one day.

In terms of versatility both bikes are different but great...look at the actual geometry not the type of bike.

I've looked at the 2 bikes you own - looking at tripster now but haven't fully dimissed these, especially the planet X. Which is best off road and & which has the best tyre clearance? Cheers.

Doomism

cooper.michael1 wrote:

I feel you are being too simplistic in discounting all Cross bikes because of the 'cross' geometry.

Oh, The cross bike option is back to haunt me once again!

I tried a Charge Filter cyclocross recently, which looks a lot more "road", which is why it appealed. I wrote it off based on weight and the 36/46 crankset at the time. I also started steering away from looking at CX bikes as I wasn't sure how much off road I'd actually be tackling as I spend pretty much all of my cycling time on the road. I'm sure the geometry on some CX bikes is road orientated, but so far the ones I have ridden (norco, marin, charge) felt a little too relaxed for my liking.

I did also attempt to test ride a GIANT TCR out of curiosity. But they didn't have my size in. Could they order in one to try? I asked the biggest bike company in the world... No. They couldn't. What is up with that? :shock: (this was from an actual GIANT branded dealership/showroom).

After a while, looking at all the road bikes and cross bikes out there, it was just becoming a bit of a headache. So I have been focusing my efforts towards a road bike.

Cross is lingering in the back of my mind, but definitely would like something more road/cross orientated if so....

Arrgh, the choice.

nawty

I have a carbon forked Racelight (the original T2) and the skeptic in me says there will be little difference between that and the newer version.

To ride it is rather nice, very sporty geometry which is perfect for my commute and pretty comfy too. Granted it isn't as nice as my CAAD 10 but then it is half the price.

The only thing I would say about the build is that the saddle isn't the best (but fine) and neither is the bar tape - my hands get pretty jarred on 30+ mile rides (granted some of that is the bike itself but it shouldn't be that different from the Cannondale new tape is going on soon).

All in all I am delighted with the bike as I got the frame cheap and the 2012 build kit for a steal of a price which means I get the 10 speed Tiagra groupset which is very good and upward compatible with all the better Shimano kit so you can upgrade bit by bit if you like.

Also, I quite like having something a little different...

Doomism

nawty wrote:

I have a carbon forked Racelight (the original T2) and the skeptic in me says there will be little difference between that and the newer version.

How would you say it is over long distance? Would you say it's a comfortable ride? Considering I upgrade the bar tape and saddle?

There's a few good build kits out there at the moment, so should be able to get well within budget.

hugo15

Doomism wrote:

How is the Tk3? It's not actually that much more than the T2, but I'm spending enough as it is.

I've only done half a dozen rides on it so far, but I'm really happy with it. The TK3 is my winter bike, but as I spend nearly as many months riding it as I do my summer bike I decided to push the boat out and get the better frame.

Bordersroadie

Doomism wrote:

How would you say it is over long distance? Would you say it's a comfortable ride? Considering I upgrade the bar tape and saddle?

I've just passed the 1000 mile mark on mine, a T2 with DC07 carbon fork, 105 and handbuilt wheels and my most recent impressions of its comfort are the same as my first.

My previous mudguard bike was an old 531 framed bike that served me well for years. I expected the aluminium T2 to be harsh-riding, but it isn't, in fact it's as good as the old 531 to be honest. Both wore identical tyres (25c Gators) and 32h handbuilt wheels. I've done long rides on mine and will be more than happy to take it for the Fred Whitton in May if it's a really wet day, it's that good for long hilly distances.

nawty

Doomism wrote:

nawty wrote:

I have a carbon forked Racelight (the original T2) and the skeptic in me says there will be little difference between that and the newer version.

How would you say it is over long distance? Would you say it's a comfortable ride? Considering I upgrade the bar tape and saddle?

There's a few good build kits out there at the moment, so should be able to get well within budget.

I couldn't really comment as aside from commuting I've only done one 35 miler although it was perfectly fine for that.

Aside from the planned bar tape I've just fitted a Fizik Arione to give that saddle a try and when one comes up cheap in the sales I'll get a carbon seatpost as the one in the build kit was pretty heavy and hopefully the carbon one will be a bit more forgiving.