3T Exploro

skyblueamateur

Looking at sacking off a few bikes and just having an all purpose bike for mainly road riding and occasionally off road.

The 3T Exploro looks like it suits the bill but I think something maybe more road oriented may be more fitting.

Looking at spending between 2-4k

MidlandsGrimpeur2

It depends how off road you want to go?

If is just for the occasional bit of gravel, canal paths etc. then you are probably better going with an endurance oriented road bike and sticking wider tires on it.

If you are after a gravel bike, then it will come with compromises on the road.

I have an open up, which was designed by the same guy behind the 3T bikes, Gerard Vroomen (who started Cervelo). I run 35mm tires and a 1x groupset which is aimed more at the gravel side. It works fine as a road bike but with the tire width and gearing, it obviously means you sacrifice a fair bit of speed on the road.

As you say, you are leaning more towards road, so I suspect the 3T or similar might not fit your needs. I would be looking more towards a synapse or the spesh roubaix type of bike.

skyblueamateur

MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:

It depends how off road you want to go?

If is just for the occasional bit of gravel, canal paths etc. then you are probably better going with an endurance oriented road bike and sticking wider tires on it.

If you are after a gravel bike, then it will come with compromises on the road.

I have an open up, which was designed by the same guy behind the 3T bikes, Gerard Vroomen (who started Cervelo). I run 35mm tires and a 1x groupset which is aimed more at the gravel side. It works fine as a road bike but with the tire width and gearing, it obviously means you sacrifice a fair bit of speed on the road.

As you say, you are leaning more towards road, so I suspect the 3T or similar might not fit your needs. I would be looking more towards a synapse or the spesh roubaix type of bike.

Ah thank you. That has just confirmed what I was thinking tbh.

I think endurance probably is more suitable. Any recommendations for something a bit more left field then Cannondale or Specialized?

molteni_man

skyblueamateur said:

Looking at sacking off a few bikes and just having an all purpose bike for mainly road riding and occasionally off road.

The 3T Exploro looks like it suits the bill but I think something maybe more road oriented may be more fitting.

Looking at spending between 2-4k

Hi. A close cycling friend of mine bought one late Summer last year. He absolutely loves it! It’s a great looking bike ( I am a bit envious!) and it’s definitely not a slow bike either! It will do everything! He rode it across the Winter and we’ve been a fair bit of gravel too - New Forest and Hampshire bridleways etc.
In an ideal world two sets of wheels would be brilliant. One set with wider more knobbly tyres say 40’s and another set with more smootherroad orientated tyres say 30’s. But this is not entirely necessary of course. ( I ride an Orro Terra C with 38mm Hutchinson Overides which do off road and on road v well)
Don’t dismiss the 3T. It’s a great looking bike in the flesh and definitely worth consider ing for what you outline. I’m a big fan of my Orro Terra C too which is cheaper with some good availability.
Happy hunting !

MidlandsGrimpeur2

I think endurance probably is more suitable. Any recommendations for something a bit more left field then Cannondale or Specialized?

In terms of bike manufactuers I have owned bikes from (not endurance specific frames though), I would check out Look, BMC and Cervelo. They each offer an endurance bike (Optimum, Roadmachine and Caledonia respectively) that should fall within budget, depending on spec.

Also heard good things about Mason, if you were in the market for a metal frame.

skyblueamateur

Thanks both. Some good advice.

Was looking at BMC so will do a bit more research.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

No worries.

If you haven't seen one in the the 'flesh' and can travel, I would recommend Cycle Division in Barton-under-Needwood (Staffs). They usually have a fair few BMC in stock, and Tom and Daryl who do the day to day running are good guys and know they're stuff. Have purchased bikes from them myself and have only good experiences.

MattFalle

Planet X Spitfire frameset, wheels to suit, Campsg Chorus groupset

You can't go mega off road but canal paths/cobbles/etc no dramas.

Utterly mega, well below budget.

I'd not pin my love on Cervelos - at RRP/near on I don't think they are that great and I've had 3.....

MattFalle

Ti London Road?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLRTIRIV1/planet-x-london-road-titanium-sram-hrd-rival-1-bike?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=23/05 - Offer ends Midnight (XubEMP)&_kx=rspFV9QZhCpsQCR4M2WOvTL65OI1vFPCzBiRzruJZTc=.UcSugg#CBPXLRTIRIV1

skyblueamateur

Cheers guys.

TBH I'm being a c0ck and probably looking at buying something for the sake of it.

I purchased a Van Nicholas Chinook a few years ago but after a few spills on my Triban RC520 gravel I completely lost my bottle and have mainly been on the Wattbike for the last few years.

Convinced myself that wider tyres and disc brakes were a necessity even though it was on 30's and disc brakes I had the spills

The Van Nicholas is a bit of a hodge podge of Campag parts from Mirage to Veloce so might just look at trying to source Potenza. Is Chorus worth the extra?

MattFalle

skyblueamateur said:

Cheers guys.

TBH I'm being a c0ck and probably looking at buying something for the sake of it.

I purchased a Van Nicholas Chinook a few years ago but after a few spills on my Triban RC520 gravel I completely lost my bottle and have mainly been on the Wattbike for the last few years.

Convinced myself that wider tyres and disc brakes were a necessity even though it was on 30's and disc brakes I had the spills

The Van Nicholas is a bit of a hodge podge of Campag parts from Mirage to Veloce so might just look at trying to source Potenza. Is Chorus worth the extra?

Yes. Buy Chorus.

Chorus is beautiful and lovely and works perfect and is jaw droppingly lovely.

You need it.

skyblueamateur

Sold.

Never had anything fancier then Veloce but much prefer that to 105.

I have Zonda's fitted with 10spd Veloce cassete. Would the Zonda's be okay for 11 spd Chorus?

MattFalle

Top work that man - excellent, excellent plan.

Big phat het.

Not sure offhand, but give it a go and see. My Zipps fit both 10&11 so well worth a bash.

If it doesn't work buy some Bora.

And deffo keep us updated on the build.

#ooh.exciting.

Wheelspinner

Yeah Campag freehubs will take 9, 10 or 11 speed, no spacers required usually.

pblakeney

skyblueamateur said:

The Van Nicholas is a bit of a hodge podge of Campag parts from Mirage to Veloce so might just look at trying to source Potenza. Is Chorus worth the extra?

I got Chorus with my winter bike in 2011. Apart from brake blocks, cables, chains and cassettes everything else is original and working 100%. Money well spent.

And Potenza is now obsolete.