Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

But provides incredible strength and the clearance for 29er tyres or mudguards.

I came to love mine (on the Robin Mather), after initially also thinking it was foul.

^^ So does having p-clip hanging off the seat stay.

I'm torn between a Cross Check and a Croix Der Fer, it would have to be bought using the bike to work scheme so would need to come with decent components OTP.

I am liking the new colour up there so currently leaning towards that one.

2015 Croix de Fer, component are a massive set-up from the 2014 one (TRP HY/RD brakes, longer headtube, etc.)

Yeah I had seen that, I've got ages to make a decision anyway as it will be January probably before I can buy one. I'm sure I'll change my mind plenty of times between now and then.

Despite owning a Cross Check, I'm not sure I'd necessarily buy one again. I love riding it and don't intend to replace it but there are a few things I wish it did differently after riding it for a couple of years.

Make sure you ride a couple of sizes before you do decide to get one, as @edscoble said they are long and low. You're likely to end up running a bunch of spacers under the stem whatever size you go for.

Yeah well if I was going down the Surly route I'd try a few out in Keep Pedalling.

What do you wish it did differently? I'm basically after a 'do everything' bike that I can use for commuting duties but still be fun to ride up hills on weekends.

Yeah I had seen that, I've got ages to make a decision anyway as it will be January probably before I can buy one. I'm sure I'll change my mind plenty of times between now and then.

Perfect, by the time January come, there'll be a decent selection of disc brake road/CX bicycles for you to choose (such as the Trek Domane Disc, Specialized Diverge, etc.).

I'd focus on the 2015 Genesis Equilibrium Disc instead of the Croix de Fer, it'll be much more fun for weekend rides than the Croix de Fer.

I loved my CdF, but find it too sensible and stable for weekend ride, great on towpath though.

Nice one, yeah I really like the look of the Equilibrium, there was a cherry red one someone just built up in Current Projects (non disc) that was really nice.

I want something with mudguards, that I can stick some panniers/saddle bag on for work but then go out and so some fun miles with on weekends. Equilibrium looks like a safe bet.

I dont mind saving some money to put towards it too if it comes in above the bike to work scheme limit of £1000

plus, I have the Pompino for towpath.

Raleigh Revenio Disc is another one worth checking out, SRAM 11 speed with TRP HY/RD and a reasonable £1,150 price tag;

I need mudguards though. Manchester winters are very wet :(

This but with mudguards is essentially what I'm after.

Swapping the onone pompino @c0gsucker?

Pretty sure you can squeeze 28c + SKS Chromoplastics on the Genesis.

For the type of riding you want to do (and if you're going out with the 01fix1 guys) you're probably better of getting something slightly-more road 'specific' than the Cross Check, just get a rear brake, freewheel, drops and levers for the Pompino and you've got a killer SSCX bike that'll handle most of the off-roading around here...

Swapping the onone pompino

@Tp88 Nahh keeping that, love that bike, but I want something with gears for some longer rides and hills and stuff, but I dont want to get a fancy road bike because I still want to be able to go out riding in shit weather and stick some panniers on for riding to work/going away on weekends.

The pompino is great for mooching around and canal paths and stuff.

I dont want to get a fancy road bike

Sensible road bikes > fancy road bikes any day

just get a rear brake, freewheel, drops and levers for the Pompino and you've got a killer SSCX bike that'll handle most of the off-roading around here...

This is actually my plan for the Pomp, gonna stick a freewheel and drops on when have some spare cash and continue using it as my beater/canal path/dirt track/shopping bike.

Why do curved top tubes exist?

Sorry that post's referring to that Raleigh above.

Kona have got a couple of good looking bikes out, in the Salsa vaya/ croix de fer vein

I really like the look of that Kona Rove

Equipment level doesn't seemed that appealing.

^ what he said. Murican bikes = hipster tax = not getting your money's worth. Genesis being local (esp 2015 range) are amazing value, great design and well made. Chapeau alby and genesis crew for balancing both sides so well.

Or a rather dull answer would be get Canyon inflite al no loading though.

Genesis are definitely my first choice based on everyones views, I'm not massively keen on the fork on the 2015 Equilibrium disc but I think I can look past that.

Or a rather dull answer would be get Canyon inflite al no loading though.

^that is nice!

I'd wait on second gen inflite AL for general improvements and 11sp shimano 105 5800. Given the amount of stuff 9.55kg isnt bad overall weight incl guards.