Winter / touring / adventure bike options

mikey2341

I've got permission from her who must be obeyed for a new bike. Ideally I want it fully guarded up for winter, capable of putting decent rack and panniers front and rear, and also capable of some bridleway / gravel type riding. I know I'm going to have compromise on it being jack of all / master of none type things, but wondered what people thought of these:

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/awol-elite/34123/my15-final-sale

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-elite-smartweld-16

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/genesis-croix-de-fer-20-2015.html

I can get the AWOL for 900, quite like the look of that. The diverge is the lightest, but least capable tourer, cdf looks a bargain at that price.

Cheers

gpgiant

Have a look at the Trek Crossrip, it ticks all your boxes. I've had the LTD for six weeks now as my winter bike, knocked up over 700 miles, can't fault it.

dj58

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19768967#p19768967]mikey2341[/url] wrote:

I've got permission from "She Who Must Be Obeyed" for a new bike. Ideally I want it fully guarded up for winter, capable of putting decent rack and panniers front and rear, and also capable of some bridleway / gravel type riding. I know I'm going to have compromise on it being jack of all / master of none type things, but wondered what people thought of these:

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/awol-elite/34123/my15-final-sale

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-elite-smartweld-16

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/genesis-croix-de-fer-20-2015.html

I can get the AWOL for 900, quite like the look of that. The diverge is the lightest, but least capable tourer, cdf looks a bargain at that price.

Cheers

FTFY viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13041161

wotnoshoeseh

Have to say, Croix de Fer looks good.

What about the GT Grade though - everyone has been raving about it since it was released??

DeVlaeminck

I've got the CDF 20. The only negative comment I would make is it's heavy but I'm comparing it to a lightweight carbon race bike - if you are coming from a different background it may feel more spritely. I've taken it down some quote rough tracks including a MTB trail and was surprised how well it handled it. For that price unless you want a winter trainer for fast group rides I'd buy it.

kajjal

Bikes like the diverge are very smooth on road and can handle smoother off road tracks very well. Only rough and muddy tracks become more of a challenge. It really depends what you mean by touring, how much you intend to carry and often.

bobmcstuff

I know a couple of people with CdFs now (including my girlfriend) and they are really good.

With narrower tyres on it it's handy on road and can apparently take some pretty rough off road too (I read one review from a guy who took his on MTB trail centres). Perfect adventure bike as can take panniers and mudguards plus has a lot of clearance.

I really rate them.

Ber Nard

Jamis do a nice line in tourers. I've got a 2014 Aurora Elite mostly used for commuting and I'm very pleased with it. It carries its weight well and has a very clever, easily adjustable stem that lets you get your head down for road riding or sit up for relaxed riding.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/aurora-elite-2016-touring-bike-ec122211

mikey2341

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19769242#p19769242]bobmcstuff[/url] wrote:

I know a couple of people with CdFs now (including my girlfriend) and they are really good.

With narrower tyres on it it's handy on road and can apparently take some pretty rough off road too (I read one review from a guy who took his on MTB trail centres). Perfect adventure bike as can take panniers and mudguards plus has a lot of clearance.

I really rate them.

Do you know if they can they take racks on the forks too?

mikey2341

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19768992#p19768992]DJ58[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19768967#p19768967]mikey2341[/url] wrote:

I've got permission from "She Who Must Be Obeyed" for a new bike. Ideally I want it fully guarded up for winter, capable of putting decent rack and panniers front and rear, and also capable of some bridleway / gravel type riding. I know I'm going to have compromise on it being jack of all / master of none type things, but wondered what people thought of these:

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/awol-elite/34123/my15-final-sale

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-elite-smartweld-16

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/genesis-croix-de-fer-20-2015.html

I can get the AWOL for 900, quite like the look of that. The diverge is the lightest, but least capable tourer, cdf looks a bargain at that price.

Cheers

FTFY viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13041161

Nice looking bike that, happy with it?

mikey2341

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19769081#p19769081]Kajjal[/url] wrote:

Bikes like the diverge are very smooth on road and can handle smoother off road tracks very well. Only rough and muddy tracks become more of a challenge. It really depends what you mean by touring, how much you intend to carry and often.

The aim is a self supported 10 - 14 day trip each summer ideally, sometimes camping sometimes in B&Bs / hostels etc. Off road wise I want to do more adventure cross type rides

src1

mikey2341 wrote:

Nice looking bike that, happy with it?

Thanks, and yes, very.

You do have to decide what you want it for though, as it'd not the lightest bike in the world.

I wanted: front and rear pannier racks, disc brakes and capable of light off-roading. I didn't need it to be fast, but tbh, with the right tyres, I rekon it'd be ok on club runs too.

Others I considered didn't have the right tyre clearance or front pannier racks.

bobmcstuff

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19769345#p19769345]mikey2341[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19769242#p19769242]bobmcstuff[/url] wrote:

I know a couple of people with CdFs now (including my girlfriend) and they are really good.

With narrower tyres on it it's handy on road and can apparently take some pretty rough off road too (I read one review from a guy who took his on MTB trail centres). Perfect adventure bike as can take panniers and mudguards plus has a lot of clearance.

I really rate them.

Do you know if they can they take racks on the forks too?

Yup. They also do the "Tour de Fer" which is supposed to be more stable when laden.

stavgold

I was after something similar last year and ended up building a cdf which I'm very happy with. Its fitted with a rear pannier and I may fit a handlebar rack soon. I'm currently using it for club runs with compass 38mm tyres at about 45-50psi. It's a really smooth ride and I don't find it slow.

I decided to do the build after reading this blog.
http://smutpedaller.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/genesis-croix-de-fer-frameset-2014.html

bobmcstuff

Just to let you know my mate just picked up a 2015 cdf 20 for £675 (rrp £1200) - some cracking deals to be had at the moment!

He's planning to cycle to the south of Italy this year and has been looking for a suitable bike for a while.

arlowood

Haven't seen any mention of the Planet X London Road up to now.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/london-road

Another contender IMHO as it meets the OP's requirements for full guards plus rack mounts. Also capable of going up to decent sizes in tyres for those off road gravel track moments.

I have one fitted with Michelin Pro4 Endurance on Archetype rims with Hope Pro2 Evo hubs (Moonglu handbuilts swapped for the factory fitted wheels). Smooth and quick on tarmac but still capable on towpaths and gravel tracks.

Lengthy thread on the "Your Road Bikes" sub-forum if the OP wants some feedback from current owners

viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12998860

See page 6 of that thread for some pics of ryanshattered's LR kitted out with rack and guards.