2016 bikes

Have a test ride booked tomorrow.

Bigger clearances this year and liking the new bars.

Anyone have any experience of the TRP HY-rd?

That's the one

It'll feel a little slower (handling wise) but extremely stable, it'll do well for your commuting need.

My other advice is to look at the Equilibrium for an alternative choice, the disc version will feel closer to your road bike in term of handling, but with some of the benefit of the Croix de Fer.

Hey man, just noticed the LBW is your LBS, mine too, that's where I've just been looking at the 2016 models

Yes! Has been since they opened the first shop.

Can't recommend them highly enough.

decided to build up the 2016 croix de fer 725 with shimano hydro brakes, mudgards, rear rack and son lights and syn dynamo.
i only can't decide if i should keep the original fork, the curved carbon fork or something different. would love to have a straight fork (carbon or steel), but better looking, especially a classier crown if i would choose steel. any ideas? advice?? never had a cdf before.

Hallo Ed,

Would you deem the equilibrium capable of gravel road riding and touring/bikepacking?

Charge Plug 4 2016 = 105 group Spyres 42C tyres and under £1000

I went touring on this:

So the Equilibrium would be fine.

Pretty sure it's got clearances for 28mm plus 'guards so you shouldn't have any problems with 30-32mm gravel tyres.

Can't comment on the fork but is 105 loads better than TRP hyd?

The crois de fer 30 would be a real stretch to find an extra £500

Any bike will be fine for that as long there's a minimum clearance for at least 28mm tyres.

105 is full hydro, HY/RD is half but need compressionless and careful set up to make it feel just like a full hydraulic.

Would you push the budget for full hyro ed?

I've got the 105 hydro, they are excellent, my girlfriend as the HY/RD, or rather she's got three- two that live on the bike and one that is constantly being refurbished to get the little fucker to work again, which once refurbished gets swapped for whichever one on the bike has stopped fucking working.

Ahh my LBS said the same, great when they are working....

I notice there is a sram version in between. Will need to have a think

If you can, go for it, otherwise HY/RD is enough.

Would I be able to tell the difference between the stock 440g tyres and a pair of 350g Continentals?

Yep

On the CdF? the tread on the stock tyres is more all-round for road and towpath, so going for a slick one will make it feel slightly more nimble, like the Schwable Kojak at 295g.

Cheers, I like consistency across my vehicles and I've got Contis on my car

Schwable Kojak

Fucking love these.

Contis hybrid tyres are crap, apart from the Gatorskins which is above average, and they only go up to 32mm (and heavier).

Schwable make the best hybrid tyres.

Went for the Croix de Fer 20, looking forward to collection.

Noted

Green?