Recommend an all rounder
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Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:02 am
So I think there are a few threads that touch on what I'm looking for, but wanted to put it out to the community nonetheless and get some collective wisdom.
As the subject suggests, I'm looking for a bit of a do-it-all bike. To date, I've done about 1,000km commuting on a flatbar Giant Toughroad SLR2 - stock apart from some Conti Cyclocross Speed tyres in 35c. Prior to that, I briefly owned a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc 105. Beautiful bike but didn't end up wanting to commute on it and I also felt that the true road riding scene wasn't for me (plus, we were about to welcome our first child and I realised weekend riding wouldn't be on the cards for a while).
So, my situation has now changed as I have a new job that means I'll be working from home - hence no longer need to commute (and I just sold the Toughroad). I do still want to get out and ride though, but I've realised the kind of riding I like is "feel good" riding. I'm the kind of guy that wants a nice bike to look at and own, get out for some exercise and also maybe explore a bit down the track. Mostly pavement riding but want the ability to ride on crappy Sydney roads and paths (including going up gutters) and go slightly off the beaten path if I want to. Fundamentally, I'd like a slightly relaxed geo but not a slow bike that I can have fun riding (I only ever race against myself).
Hence I think the new adventure/all road/gravel (whatever you want to call them) bikes could be good candidates. I'm not a weight weenie but if I'm spending a good amount, I don't want something very heavy. I like the idea of 'road plus' but not necessary, however I definitely want hydraulic brakes. Part of me also romanticises about steel (I have no idea why).
The budget is $2-3k for a complete bike (I've already got everything else I need). Any immediate recommendations or thoughts?
A few things I've come across or considered:
Kona Rove NRB DL (not sure if I want alloy for that kind of money)
Bombtrack Audax or Hook
Norco Search XR Steel
Merida Silex 400 (alloy) or 6000 (carbon - not out yet)
Giant TCX Advanced SX (but decided against it as it's a bit racy)
Giant Toughroad SLR GX (too similar to my last bike? Sold out in my size anyway)
Curve Kevin of Steel (this is a bit of a impulse based on desire and would be a splurge for something special - Also, I have no idea how to size up and choose a frame based on geo)
I'm happy to wait a few months for all the new stuff to come out if I have to, but keen to hear your ideas.
Thanks in advance!
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby Thoglette » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:30 am
There's been a number of threads on this recently. A few I can find quickly are:nickobec wrote:The correct answer is whatever bike will get you out of bed and riding.
Buying an endurance bike - Hills and long distance
General mid-distance bike
Help for Inexpensive Light Touring Bike Option.
One previous response I gave included
Thoglette wrote:In addition to the Malvern Star Oppy S* a couple of other bikes have been mentioned.
Like yourself I'm a little underwhelmed at the weight of most of them: you shouldn't need to pay JP Weigle prices to get down to 10kg (excluding racks and lights - JP did 9.7 including racks, lights and luggage). I know most of them come with disks but the weight penalty should be under a kilo by now.
Thoughts on modern mass produced 650B randonneurs
MASI randonneur
Crust Lightning Bolt 2
plus frames
Velo Orange Polyvalent
Soma Grand Randonneur
Crust Lightning-bolt (some in .au)
Rawland Stag
Box Dog Pelican
Boulder All road 650
plus others. The challenge is finding any of them in .au
Help for Inexpensive Light Touring Bike Option.
Reid Granites (1.0 to 3.0)
Gios Spazio Tourer
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
- familyguy
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby familyguy » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:23 am
Fuji Jari? Seems they only bring the alu version out to Oz, but there is a steel version available. Single front ring might not be ideal, many of the others are double front.
Jim
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby Velt » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:34 am
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:22 am
The Fuji's do look good - the tread in particular is good value (but alloy and mechanical discs - Can't seem to find a steel model in Aus).
The Checkpoint (ALR5) looks good too. Got me thinking about whether alloy frame is actually a big deal, since larger tyres will make it a more compliant ride.
Winter is no good for choice, as the new bikes are all coming out over the next few months and the old models are mostly sold out.
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby familyguy » Sat Jun 02, 2018 2:54 pm
There is an Apollo which is very similar to the Fuji, though not bountiful, the Apollo Giro AR1.
Having CF, steel and alu bikes, I cant feel a hugely appreciable difference between the steel and aluminium. Of course, they are different styles as well. But if you want steel, can afford/find it, and it makes you happy, go for it!
Jim
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby 10speedsemiracer » Sat Jun 02, 2018 4:21 pm
Reynolds steel, Shimano hyd disc, 30mm Schwalbe tyres, 105/Ultegra mix groupset.
There's one for sale by a member here somewhere :
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... e#p1450034
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Sat Jun 02, 2018 5:14 pm
10speedsemiracer - good call on the Roadhouse. I'd have been interested in it but it's way too big. I'll look them up new though - cheers!
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby owly » Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:18 am
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/cyclo ... /102920242
(TRP brakes).
I'd look into learning a bit about sizing up yourself for a frame using one of the online calculators. You could also pay for a fitting session which will give you some numbers to match in a bike. Use those numbers against the geometry tables you see for a model.
Edit: the Curve steel Kevin is now up for you to drool over.
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby Thoglette » Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:00 pm
Perhaps not, but there are certain frame design options which exist in steel that are de classe in CFRP and Al.V-meister wrote:Thanks for the insight Jim - I probably wouldn't notice too much of a difference between the different materials, particularly with plush tyres.
You know, like frames and forks that aren't so rigid that they remove your fillings.
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby CKinnard » Tue Jun 05, 2018 12:21 am
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/toughroad-slr-gx-0
I think it is a good choice. Giant have the best warranty in the game.
The compact frame comes in handy at low speeds on rough ground.
It has discs, 40 inch tires, hydraulics...
Giant are the best value for money in my view.
Though the paint jobs are the most generic.
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:52 pm
SO nice - especially in the green! If I knew what I was doing, I’d buy a frame set and put something together. Just wouldn’t know where to start and how much to expect everything to cost.owly wrote:
the Curve steel Kevin is now up for you to drool over.
Absolutely - can never really go wrong with a Giant. I would’ve pulled the trigger on one of those but they sold out in my size nationally!CKinnard wrote:You did list this bike.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/toughroad-slr-gx-0
I think it is a good choice. Giant have the best warranty in the game.
The compact frame comes in handy at low speeds on rough ground.
It has discs, 40 inch tires, hydraulics...
Giant are the best value for money in my view.
Though the paint jobs are the most generic.
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:50 am
That said, Specialized have a bit of a discount going on their Sequoia models, so I'm contemplating a Sequoia Elite if I can get a deal in my size.
Seems like a good do it all bike, albeit a little heavy but I think it'd be enjoyable (test ride will tell) and a spare set of wheels (eventually) could help bring the weight down.
Cheers for all the advice thus far,
V
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby lewie15 » Sat Jun 09, 2018 3:18 pm
I was looking at pretty much all of the bikes you listed, but went with the Scott in the end. I got it for $3100, through Bike Bug. It's got plenty of tyre clearance and well specced for the price. I've run 35 mm and 40 mm tyres on it. Still plenty of clearance with the 40 mm tyres.
Here's a link to a 90 km ride I did today with the bike, with a few pics - https://www.strava.com/activities/1626150316
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Sun Jun 10, 2018 7:19 pm
Nice work lewie, and nice bike. Seems stock is limited on these too. My Sequoia idea has all but died too, for the same reason. 99 Bikes are getting the Silex 6000 carbon in soon, which could be worth a look for $2,900.lewie15 wrote:Have a look at the Scott Addict Gravel Disk 30 https://www.bikebug.com/scott-addict-gr ... 78611.html
I was looking at pretty much all of the bikes you listed, but went with the Scott in the end. I got it for $3100, through Bike Bug. It's got plenty of tyre clearance and well specced for the price. I've run 35 mm and 40 mm tyres on it. Still plenty of clearance with the 40 mm tyres.
Here's a link to a 90 km ride I did today with the bike, with a few pics - https://www.strava.com/activities/1626150316
Failing all that, I'll be waiting a few months for all the new stuff to come out and see if there's anything good!
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby Defy The Odds » Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:15 pm
Edit: just read they sold out in your size and you already purchased the Scott.
Enjoy the bike mate looks great !
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby V-meister » Fri Jun 15, 2018 10:10 am
Thanks mate, wasn't me that bought the Scott though, it was a suggestion from lewie. I'm still bikeless and at this stage will wait the few months for all the new models to trickle out!Defy The Odds wrote:http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=97225
Edit: just read they sold out in your size and you already purchased the Scott.
Enjoy the bike mate looks great !
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby nickdos » Fri Jun 15, 2018 6:55 pm
https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polyg ... ke~1716572
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby lindsaybo » Wed Jul 04, 2018 12:41 am
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Re: Recommend an all rounder
Postby Paddles » Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:19 pm
My neighbour and sometimes cycling buddy (he's a few km/h quicker than me on average and generally rides bigger loops) has just bought a runout 2018 Toughroad GX0 and it is fantastic. He has no problems keeping a 27-28km/h average for 45+km road loops on the flat roads we have around here so these bikes are also pretty impressive all rounders but I believe that most stock is now gone.
The main criteria for me was to have space for bigger tyres because our pine forests around Beachmere can be sandy and loose and also hydro brakes as the mini v's on my Speeder bush basher just don't cut it. I also wanted to be able to throw a set of 32's on for road cycling with mates and not be penalised too much by a heavier touring style bike.
My short list was:
- Norco Search XR S - $3k rrp
- Specialized Sequoia Elite - $2.5k rrp
- Merida Silex 400 - $2.1k rrp
All three bikes have a local Caboolture dealer for me and have pretty much identical running gear with Shimano 105 and RS505, two of them are steel/carbon fork and the Silex is Alloy/carbon fork. The Sequoia has a heavy duty wheelset. I ended up ordering the Merida as it was aluminium which suits our coastal environment and the LBS was happy to sell me one for $1.9k which was the cheapest price and I reckon is awesome bang for my buck. Delivery is supposed to be this week and I cannot wait.
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