Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Mrak just bought one of those, I think he's in Scotland touring on it so will probably have some feedback.

Specialized AWOL - https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/264379/?offset=50#comment12398407

I thought about the vaya and tried out the cross check.
The vaya looks a little relaxed compared to the two frames I'm considering, more like what I'm riding now. The cross check nearly swung it but the tt is so long and I'd quite like a frame from a company in the UK.

How about the London Road?

I've just got one of these. Haven't had a chance to really test it, but it's been good so far.
Everyone appears to have different views on groupsets. My only other point of reference is the 10 year old 105 on my other bike. SRAM Rival feels positive but a bit crude in comparison.

If I had known, for my ideal commuter, I'd have gone for Ed's suggestion:-

http://www.lfgss.com/comments/12394902/

Genesis Croix De (insert number here) ?

Genesis will be heavy but Thorn is heeeaaavvvyyy.

Yeah also thought about genesis but I used to have a genesis mtb that I never really got on with, that kinda put me off.
Probably going to go for the brother, the main things that are holding me back are the branding, I know it's superficial but I'm not overly keen on it, and the fact that I can't really find any decent reviews. I know there are some people on here who have them but there isn't too much info online except on trendy sounding websites like 'the radavist'.

I do like the snazzy paintjob though.

If a perfect sized Roberts appears on here or ebay then that'll trump the lot.

I mean... to be honest. It's a 4130 frame with 4130 forks and canti studs. It's going to be heavyish, strong, reliable, comfortable. How well you get on with it just depends on the geo to be honest.

The geo on the Brother suits best, ideally I want a 56cm st and 54cm tt, the Brother comes closest to that with its 54cm st and 54.5cm tt. Thorn offer a short tt version but it's not in stock.

Sounds like you know what you want to do :-)

Yeahhh I guess so. Just not totally convinced because of the logo, but this is the wrong thread for that kind of moaning, Iceflame out.
Cheers JB

The new brother paintjob is a perfect way to use up the leftover paint from the previous paintjob

I love the environment/nature and retro/vintage. Win/win for me.

bit of a curved ball but the pelago stavanger with the weak euro is a bit less than a Brother and has disc mounts

http://www.pelagobicycles.com/store/components/framesets/stavanger-2014-frameset.html

geometry might not suit though, but they do look good

or cheaper a Pinacle Arkose

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-2015-adventure-road-frameset-ec116252?country=GB&currency=GBP&esvt=1032-GOUKE737452&esvadt=999999-0-33216-1&esvcrea=61234510136&esvd=c&esvo=EV214311-L-KHAKI&esvaid=50080&gclid=CN-frM-G78YCFQgGwwod-dcCXQ

One of my friends has a Kepler which he has been riding hard for over a year, he loves it, so much so that he's going to replace it with the disc version when they bring one out.

but Thorn is heeeaaavvvyyy.

The touring model is (for a very good reason) but the rest like the audax are normal.

Long story cut short; you're comparing apple and orange.

Thorn's an audax/road frame, whether the Brother is an CX/tourer frame.

@Iceflame
Is this too lightweight

http://hubjub.co.uk/index.php/frame-and-forks/rawlands-nordavinden-detail

Arkose

Er... complete with eccentric bb for £225?

Oh FFS I haven't even finished the non-disc-crossbeik-project yet. Now I have to start again with new wheels and brakes...

:[

I'd back the Salsa vaya or maybe even fargo. The fargo doubles as a 29er MTB really, I really like mine. Check my thread if you want :)

Now that's a good call. Nice frame!

Thorn have a reputation they'd like to keep, as such they're super super cautious about everything thing. A they don't sell stuff unless they're 100% on what it can do.

And amen to that, personally I would rather have a slightly beefier/weightier frame and know it's gonna be fit for purpose and last a good while.
Surly seem to be of a similar mindset, heavy, yes, but will go forever.