Charge Plug 3 or other steel alternatives

kwmlodozeniec

Hi all,

Looking for a steel road bike. Why steel? Would like to do some touring with racks and panniers in August so need something comfortable. My budget is around £800 mark and at the moment I am looking at the Charge plug 3 2014 (http://www.chargebikes.com/plug/plug-3). It looks interesting but I cannot find any reviews anywhere. Bad sign? Was thinking of the Kaff 2 from PX but not quite sure about getting a bike on mail order, would rather something I can pick up in my LBS as they normally throw in a free service six weeks in.

Any suggestions for alternatives or maybe some of you know more about the Plug?

Cheers,
Kris

antonyfromoz

The plug tends to get good reviews from owners and the plug 4 was well reviewed on roadcc (same frame but some upgrades i think): http://road.cc/content/review/112830-ch ... -road-bike - it appears as if the tyres were seen as the major issue... Another option would be the Genesis CDF, which also tends to get quite well reviewed although in the past I have read a review (possibly roadcc too) where it was compared a bit unfavourably with the Croix de Fer, with the comments mainly relating to its weight (the actual difference between the two current models according to Genesis's own website is 200grams so I am not sure if this was a valid complaint). Perhaps see also: http://chordandcadence.wordpress.com/20 ... -cdf-2014/ When I was looking for this type of bike (ended up getting a Norco Indie Drop instead) I found the cheapest advertised prices to be at Epic Cycles where they have them for £799 which is £50 less than they usually sell for: http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Genesis_Croix_de_Fer.html The other bike that usually gets fairly good review is the Kaffenback, as you have noted. I suggest you look on the commuting boards in this forum where this bike has its own thread. On a side note, the Plug 3s are currently on offer at various shops so I would get one soon if you want one, especially if you are in a common size range: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-3-2 ... 5360606256

HTH!

kwmlodozeniec

Thanks, antonyfromoz.

I had a look at the CdF and it does look nice, I think I might actually prefer it to the Kaff. As you said Epic have them for £799, which is not bad at all. Genesis have already announced two of their 2015 bikes so I might wait a bit and see if the price drops on the 2014 model. Still intrigued by the Plug but cannot find any reviews of the 3 model. Plug 3 seems to be quite similar spec wise to the CdF, bar the full Sora groupset on the latter.