One for the road...and off road

lakesluddite
lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
edited November 2018 in Road buying advice
Okay, It's not something I want to admit, but it is time to go N-1 :(

Due an incoming TT/Triathlon build, space has to be made, so I have decided to ditch the darkside (MTB) that was bought for winter, sell my current commuter/winter/wet weather bike (Genesis Equilibrium hydro disc) and replace with a hybrid of both. I was thinking of essentially having a set of wheels for the rough stuff, and also icy conditions (studded ice tyres), and then one set for the road. The wheels will sort themselves out, but am really looking for either recommendations, or readers experiences of these few that I am considering.

Budget is circa £900-£1200 but could perhaps go a little higher (depending on what I get for the outgoing pair), and the essentials are hydro disc brakes, mudguard mounts and the ability to take at least a 35mm tyre, preferably up to 40mm. And as light as possible (although I think most of these come in around 10kg).

So far I have come up with the following (either second hand on ebay to fit budget or new):

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bik ... uroadrace/

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bik ... ecaadx105/

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bik ... ossracesl/

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-roc ... 14799.html

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cx-shimano-105/

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman- ... -2019.html

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLASL ... cross-bike

Also, just seen this at Cycle Republic - with 10% BC discount could be had for £1400 which seems a bargain for a carbon frame with hydro disc.

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman- ... -2019.html

So...whad'ya think?

Comments

  • Tetragrammaton1
    Tetragrammaton1 Posts: 72
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc-5 ... 54421.html

    On line have run short of size L, and a couple of other frame sizes, but unless you’re about 6ft plus, that’s not a big problem ( and the physical stores may have some size L, if needs be). It looks like a hell of a lot of bike for the money.
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    Tetragrammaton1 wrote:
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc-520-disc-road-bike-navy-105-id_8554421.html

    On line have run short of size L, and a couple of other frame sizes, but unless you’re about 6ft plus, that’s not a big problem ( and the physical stores may have some size L, if needs be). It looks like a hell of a lot of bike for the money.

    True, much bang for the buck. Not sure about the Tektro mech/hydro calipers though. I realise they are essentially hydro in their execution, but good lord they are fugly. 105 at that price though!
  • edward.s
    edward.s Posts: 226
    those TRP HY/RD cable/hydro brakes are actually pretty good. My son is running them on his bike after I had an attack of upgrade-itis and went full hydro. They aren't 100% as good as the hydros, but they are probably 95% as good, certainly loads and loads better than any cable mechanical discs I have used, even the gucci 'both pads move' ones.
  • Gouldy-89
    Gouldy-89 Posts: 49
    https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mob ... prod168783

    Rated very well by cycling weekly, currently looking at it for my n+1 for the more of road :)
  • tangerineowl
    tangerineowl Posts: 101
    https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... draulic-V2
  • Tetragrammaton1
    Tetragrammaton1 Posts: 72
    edward.s wrote:
    those TRP HY/RD cable/hydro brakes are actually pretty good. My son is running them on his bike after I had an attack of upgrade-itis and went full hydro. They aren't 100% as good as the hydros, but they are probably 95% as good, certainly loads and loads better than any cable mechanical discs I have used, even the gucci 'both pads move' ones.

    They are surprisingly good.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,657
    The new Aluminium Canyon Grail thingums..?

    Rose do something similar too. Then find the appropriate wheelset.
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    ddraver wrote:
    The new Aluminium Canyon Grail thingums..?

    Rose do something similar too. Then find the appropriate wheelset.

    Yes, the Canyon Grail 6.0 looks nice as well - another to add to the short(but getting close to long)list!

    I suppose as well the ever increasing list gives more choice gearing wise as well, plenty of x1 and x2 groupsets in there. Never had x1 before, but willing to give it a try.

    Cheers.
  • joenobody
    joenobody Posts: 563
    Vitus Substance? I think I've seen positive reviews of it elsewhere on this site.
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    JoeNobody wrote:
    Vitus Substance? I think I've seen positive reviews of it elsewhere on this site.

    Yeah, cheers Joe - I did look at that one, lovely looking bike, but a bit of a porker at over 11kg (being steel I suppose that's the price you pay for the good looks!).

    Anyway, one of the second handers came off at a good price this morning, so barring any spanners in the works post purchase, I'll be the proud (second) owner of a Cube Cross Race SL (Ultegra) come the weekend!

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