New road bike that can take panniers

jazpearson

I'm hoping to get my 1st road-bike soon, so apologies for any daft questions. I have always used my mountain bike as a sort of hybrid, but i'd like something more suitable and would like some advice on what i should go for.

I'm also going to get this on a cycle to work scheme, so my budget is around £1000.

At first glance, i have been looking at the following two bikes:

1. Giant Defy Disc 1: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-1-disc-2016
2. GT Grade Al X: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-grade-al-x-2016/

So i'd like a road bike for mostly riding on the roads, but i also do the occasional off-road. I also do a 5 day cycling tour each year, which is mainly roads, but some off-road, hence the need for the pannier rack. Will both of these bikes be able to be fitted with one?

I was also wondering about the speed of the bikes, relative to each other? Is an adventure road bike a lot slower than a normal road bike?

Are there any better bikes out there that would suit my needs for a similar budget?

Also, i'm 6' 5" if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance.

ForumNewbie

These two bikes don't look like the type that would take a rack and panniers.

Just been looking at this one, which is a bit heavier, but a very nice bike for the reduced price, and would meet your needs:
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/genesi ... de-16.html

Hinaultscrapcousin

Personally I'd ditch the panniers and use frame bags, large saddle bad and a handlebar bag.

hsiaolc

Forget the panniers

Get one of these each.

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/rapha-% ... 01XXBLKXXX

&

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/rapha-% ... 01XXBLKXXX

And you are sorted.

I will go for Giant Defy Disc 1 for around that budget.

jazpearson

Thanks guys, that's helped a lot.

Hinaultscrapcousin

Look at AlpKit if you don't want to pay over-inflated Rapha prices.

peat

Something like a Genesis Croix de Fer would be up your street. Go-anywhere, loads of mounting options. Nice bikes.

hsiaolc

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

Look at AlpKit if you don't want to pay over-inflated Rapha prices.

Hmmm those two items are the same price as the original maker. The Rapha looks so much better (exactly the same but different colour scheme).

Alpkit sell the same things? I can't find any.

Hinaultscrapcousin

hsiaolc wrote:

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

Look at AlpKit if you don't want to pay over-inflated Rapha prices.

Hmmm those two items are the same price as the original maker. The Rapha looks so much better (exactly the same but different colour scheme).

Alpkit sell the same things? I can't find any.

You can't find AlpKit saddle bags and handle bag bags? Did you even look on the website?

LukeTC

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

Look at AlpKit if you don't want to pay over-inflated Rapha prices.

If their bags are half as good as their bouldering mats in terms of quality you'll get great value for money too

jazpearson

LukeTC wrote:

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

Look at AlpKit if you don't want to pay over-inflated Rapha prices.

If their bags are half as good as their bouldering mats in terms of quality you'll get great value for money too

AlpKit or Rapha?

peat

At a guess, Alpkit. Rupha aren't renowned for bouldering stuff.

janwal

Check out the Boardman cx team at Halfords and other shops,down to £899 at moment.Better hydraulic brakes and takes rack if needed.Probably better gear ratios for touring aswell as it is set up for taking a larger cassette.Very good reviews around on it.Can get it on cycle to work scheme aswell.