Touring bike choices

heavymental

Well I guess like plenty of us, my thoughts are turning to being able to enjoy getting out and about on the bike for more than a day or two. I've always taken my road bike to a base and done day rides but I'm keen to do some longer distance touring in future. Therefore it's time to get a bike to make it possible. I'm scratching my head over options at the moment not having ever owned anything with panniers. I like the look of the Cinelli HoBootleg Easy Travel, the Surly Disk Trucker and the Genesis Tour De Fer 10 but none ticks all the boxes.

I'm thinking that fully laden, it's going to be useful to have plenty of low gears (so a triple would be good) and and also I'll be on the brakes a lot going downhill (alps/pyrenees) so at least one disk brake seems like a good idea. I'm also thinking of using mtb style brake levers and basic thumb shifters as I find braking on hoods or drops is hard on the hands at the best of times. Obviously with these specs being fairly unique, I'm possibly looking at getting a frame and building the bike myself. For info I'm a lightweight rider <10stone 5'8" and looking to do mostly road touring but possibly on poor roads and gravel for some sections.

Any thoughts on this?

mrfpb

I would recommend the Croix de Fer 10. I got one when I was planning to do ride London 5 years ago, and love it. It's a decenbt all rounder. The only -ve was not being able to get a mudguard on the front with the 35mm CX tyres. But I tend to use 28mm as a winter road tyre now, so not really an issue for touring/gran fondo's.

As it happens, I have just put a triple Sora set up on it. It would be aa cheraper change on the flat bar model than on my drop bar verion. But it's good "out of the box" as a Tourer. I think they still come with a 11-30 cassette, but a 11-34 will fit if you need it, with a longer chain.

Many may not agree with me, but I think the steel fork makes for a better ride than a carbon one. My ADV 8.8 has a carbon fork and is noticeably less comfy at the handlebars, despite the wider tyres.

If you are going for a self build, the CdF I a good frameset and can usually be found discounted.

heavymental

Yes the Genesis do look like good options. Is the Tour de Fer the same as a Croix de Fer? I'd looked at the Tour de Fer but I've always liked the Croix de Fer.

navrig2

I've been looking at this for a wee while but haven't been able to make a decision (there is no rush for me).

If you want a "name" then the bikes the OP are reasonable options but you may get more bike for your money if you look at Spa cycles.

But you want to spend some money have a look at Shand cycles.

mrfpb

I haven't compared geometry but the build on the TdF 20 (as the OP likes flat bars) looks decent, with the dynamo and lights.

heavymental

mrfpb said:

I haven't compared geometry but the build on the TdF 20 (as the OP likes flat bars) looks decent, with the dynamo and lights.

I'm still not sure on bars. My partner has a Surly Disc Trucker and I had a go on that this morning and found the position means that a long time on the drops is probably fine and bar end shifters aren't that bad. But it was heavy! I'm wondering about a titanium frame but I think it'd have to be second hand to save cash.

EDIT: Croix de Fer (rather than Tour de Fer) is looking like a good option. Plenty seem to come up for sale so I'm going to keep my eyes out for a frame or maybe a reasonably priced full bike I think. Also like the look of the Sonder Santiago. There's a few options but the CdF does seem to be an easy buy as there's a few around for sale.

raymondo60

Do check out the newest version of the All City Space Horse, a super steel frame with great geometry and all the fixings a tourer needs. My antiquated version has cantilever brakes but the latest models are disc now. It's without doubt the most comfortable bike I've owned and is a real blast too. Not as easy to source as a Genesis maybe- I bought mine from Triton Cycles - but worth the effort.

heavymental

Got myself a CdF on ebay in the end. No other bidders so got a full bike (2016) for £500 with a brooks saddle, rear rack and XT pedals which seems like a good deal. It's full Tiagra but I'm just investigating ways to get a granny gear on it as once fully laden I think I'll find I'll need it.

mrfpb

The rear mech should take a 11-34 cassette, so that's the quickest way to get a granny gear, if it still has the original 11-30 set up. A more pricey option is getting triple shifters, chainset and front mech, which will be £300 approx. Or wait for the new 10 speed GRX components to start coming down in price.

heavymental

mrfpb said:

The rear mech should take a 11-34 cassette, so that's the quickest way to get a granny gear, if it still has the original 11-30 set up. A more pricey option is getting triple shifters, chainset and front mech, which will be £300 approx. Or wait for the new 10 speed GRX components to start coming down in price.

It has a 11-32 cassette on it. I've gone for the option of a 11-42 cassette and a wolf tooth goat link which I'm told should work out ok! We'll see. I'll keep the 11-32 for flatter trips. Edit: Didn't work out ok.

gsk82

I bought a second hand condor fratello about 6 months ago. Its a really nice road bike that can take a rear pannier. I bought all the kit I need for a summer multi week ride through France (panniers, tent, dry bags, handlebar bag), but never had it all on at the same time before the virus problems.