Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

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  • In need of some hive mind input here.

    Summer is as good as done and the plan was to get functionals for touring next year for me and the girlfriend. Budget is around 2-2.5k euro's but that would include bags, racks, lights and such.

    The original plan was to get 2 kaffenbacks and have custom straight forks made for panniers and do some kind of matching paint job. Build it up with a 2x11, cable discs and some nice bombproof wheels.

    Have also been looking at complete builds like AWOL, Ogre, Trek 920 and a Cdf. But there always seems to be a caveat. (maybe just in my head)

    The new Sequioa stirred things up a bit, we both like the faster geo but prices for the Elite are a bit steep. Accounting for racks, bags and a new dyno front wheel, will be at the far end of our budget.

    Any other frames or completes I need to be looking at? Discs are preferred and enough braze-ons/eyelets for anything imaginable. Ideally these would also be used for pro-muting and light cx/gravel/off road stuff.

  • I think two AWOL's is probably the right thing to do. Then get some cheap pre-built dynamo wheels from Rose Bike's and some Ortlieb's. Probably the quickest/cheapest way to do things.

    Custom forks sounds like a total ballache.

    But, if you like to go fast, why not just get some frame bags and strong wheels built for whatever road bikes you have?

  • We (read: the girlfriend) need to haul way more shit that would fit into framebags alone. Looking into a 6 week camping trip through Norway and Sweden as I can fix a cheap trip on the Volvo cargo ship from Ghent to Brevik/Gothenburg.

  • Ah, fair enough. If you're gonna be hauling front and rear panniers, I'd stray away from the Sequoia anyway. The fork can only take 2.26KGs on the fork and from looking at the frame bags that accompany the Sequoia, frame bags are the goal with that bike.

    I reckon an AWOL or Disc Trucker would fit the bill nicely. If flat bars are an option then I don't think you'll find better value for money than the Genesis Tour de Fer 20. Comes with lights and racks - if you can find one that is. Though the AWOL Elite is on sale at the moment. Also cracking value: https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-awol-elite-2016-touring-bike-EV244912

  • Haven't thought about fork load on the Sequoia, thanks for that! :)

    Loading will probably be front paniers + rando + seatpack + framebag (and maybe rear paniers for me)

    Flatbars don't really do it for me, also have a pair of TT bars I would like to mount and that would be too anti for my taste.

    Will be dropping by a local Specialized dealer later to see if they have any 2016 AWOL deals. Although not really keen on the white frame color for the Elite. Any online retailer have the 2016 AWOL Expert frameset in discount?

  • Also bear in mind the 2017 versions are coming out

    AWOL Elite 2017 RRP $2500,- New Tiagra, racks & dynamo

    AWOL 2017 RRP $1200,- comes with the new Sora group!

  • AWOL Elite looks amazing!^^ TRIPLE!

  • Nicer colours too.

    But I read people say the AWOL weighs 15kg unloaded. FML.

  • A heavy touring bike?! Whatever next...

  • GF is looking for a new bike.

    <£1000

    Must be able to fit mudguards & at least one pannier rack.

    Not too aggressive.

    Well geared for touring with luggage.

    Reasonably light <10kg (she hates carrying it upstairs)

    Bonus if its available on C2W.

    Suggestions?

  • Something alloy made by Pinnacle. An Arkose or whatever they're called. Great bikes.

  • Those look pretty good for the cash, actually. Cheers.

  • buy my macho man 52cm?

  • My Comp from a couple years back did not. I don't remember exactly, but it was more like 13 stock w/o racks.

  • C'mon-there's heavy then there's heavy. My retro steel Mercian with guards, racks and dynamo is around 11kg. @larsenroad is saying 13kg minus racks. That's beefy for a frame with those delicate looking rear stays.

    Adding a couple of kg onto the frame isn't necessary with modern manufacturing and a quick gander suggests it's more down to the spec of the components/wheels. Trek 920's got a far better spec and is lighter (albeit alu and £300 more expensive...) and seems every bit as functional.

    Anyway, got a lead for buying a secondhand 920 frameset which is tempting, but still thinking about ogre/salsa.

    Need to source some reasonably priced hydros too.

  • Pics/size/specs?

  • thanks for this, will definitely check it out!

  • Current state of my functional Soma Wolverine -

    Took it on a short tour like that and it rides really nicely.

  • I dunno, quick search suggests Marakesh is 14.5kg w/o pedals, Tour De Fer 20 is 15.3 w/o pedals. Surly LHT/DT are 13-14kg w/o racks/guards/pedals.

    I think my Troll's 15kg and that's mostly a ratty-but-still-nice parts bin build...

  • Genesis Tour de Fer is an almost complete package.

  • Said he didn't want flat bars tho.

  • Bars are easily switched, but will keep it in mind.

    For now a couple AWOLs sit on top of the list. Those will need the fewest modifications to get it up to wanted specs.

    The girlfriend saw this on instragram and would consider doing something similar it on a white AWOL Elite. She's crafty so could pull it off.

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Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Posted by Avatar for lessmann @lessmann

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