Charge Plug Titanium

F@cking awesome! Great to see it muddy and being put to use.

Looks great.
I'm looking to get a bike again, been without for far too long and I really can only get one.
Do you think a budget Ti racer/tourer is the best all rounder you can get?
My bike history is somewhat limited a Trek 1.2 and a Felt F4.
The other leading option is a Canyon Ultimate entry level CF.
Bit of a lame question but I don't know anyone who owns a Ti

Thanks for the appreciation.

I guess to answer your question, I think a bike this style is the best all rounder. Big clearances with discs means capable on/off road for a whole range of stuff. I think the Ti aspect is maybe a bit of a red herring, it's certainly nice, rides beautifully and is in theory lighter (haven't weighed it) but same could be achieved on a good quality Alu, Steel or carbon frame for cheaper I'd guess (got mine half price).

I've also got an arkose 2, which is my commuter, dynamo, flats, full guards, saddlebag etc, but it could do everything this does if I could be bothered to strip it down each time I wanted to ride.

Before that I owned a Ritchey road logic, which was as close to a perfect one road bike you could get imho, but feeling the performance of discs on the arkose was enough to convince me its what I wanted. that said, it didn't have any rack mounts.

Basically, yes, if budget stretches to Ti then great, go for it, but it's definitely not a deal-breaker if it doesn't. A bike with similar clearances and kit will do very similar job as the 'one bike to rule them all'.

Thanks.
I know a one bike to rule all is like chasing your shadow but I potentially have the budget to spend maybe up to 2k but I'll be strictly limited to one bike so need to spend wisely!
I really want a bike I'll love over anything else. As both my previous bikes were large compromises.

Totally, definitely get the bike you want, not a compromise. Was just aware that if you don't 'need' Ti then you can get similar for a lot less. I'm really happy with it, having mudguard mounts and potential for panniers is also great, so obviously makes it more flexible.

Obviously then it's just a case of deciding on wheels, groupset, tyres etc...I'm still on that today!

Ti is bling though ;-) I like the aesthetic. Oh what wheels are you thinking?
Saw a van Nicholas yesterday, with big old rims!
I'm thinking I'll get two a quick pair and the something more rugged and bombproof.

You got the frame for a great price too.
Only downside for me is only one ring on the front.

My cycling hopes are, weekend socials, the odd tri, the odd long endurance type thing.
Thing against Canyon is no finance option. Love the stage blue on the disc Ultimate.

It does get plenty of comments, either of confusion at the hearing set-up from club riders (the 42t cog on the back is massive) or fellow To owners always wanting to share how much better it is than Carbon haha. In terms of gearing, I've never needed more than the 46t X 11-42 but that's mostly just audax type stuff rather than any kind of racing or tri at all, so can understand that you might want a higher top end for sprints etc.

Similar thinking for wheels, have cosine discs which are great, but fancy something a bit more exciting, potentially looking at 650b for off road duties but not sure how much I'll have given the bent seat stays.

I can imagine the canyon is a great deal, they just don't really float my boat unfortunately. Kona are doing some nice nice terrain frame at the moment.

Time to resurrect this. Audax mode today, wet and grimy but the mudguards did their job.

Making Hay 200km, Cardiff-Hay-Cardiff. Continues to be a great bike and I'm even getting away with outdoor track training sessions with the local club. Still get continuous comments about the tyres, Compass Barlow Pass 38mm. 'How wide are those!?'.

1 Attachment

Thats great, a real Randonneur looks wise.

Cheers, very happy with it, does a lot of things well, but have settled on it being a comfy road bike.

The Charge has been in gravel mode the past weekend. Gritfest was a real success:

Much better Photos via Anthony Pease: https://www.anthonypease.com/Gritfest-Saturday/i-phnndmC/A

2 Attachments

this is nice! I like charge, my plug SSCX is great fun to ride and really versatile.
I wish charge would give out some more info on the 2018 steel frame plugs. they seem to have gone quiet on them since last year when they released a load of promo shots...
don't suppose the are any markings on the fork, or you know the make? assuming it's a 1 1/8 straight steerer?

Very nice. I know nothing about CX tyres but would like to fit some to my G/F's touring bike for more off road stuff, what size/model WTB's are they and do you rate them? Cheers!

Yeah 1 1/8 straight steerer, but nothing to indicate any kind of model etc. The paint's not the most hard wearing but good clearances to go large on tyre choice!

thanks.
i've emailed charge to see if they sell the fork seperately - mine came with the aluminium fork

Hey, these are the WTB Resolutes 42mm

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/wtb-resolute-42-tcs-light-fast-rolling-tan-sidewall-28-folding-684482?currency=3&delivery_country=190&varid=684484&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgMnYBRDRARIsANC2dfmBfJfedl5MpNmeOV2j5nfQVzC-HjlaY5nnC5AZoC3KMXjZpSptg58aAl_-EALw_wcB

This was the first ride on them and they did well, no complaints. Was running WTB Nanos before and they did well too, replaced once they wore down. Hopefully better in a wider range of conditions (a bit more mud). Definitely more 'gravel' tyres than CX tyres though.

Thanks, looks like Sigma stock them

i had a response this morning from charge about the 1 1/8 carbon fork - not available separately unfortunately, and were unable/unwilling to tell me the name of the supplier, which is fair enough i guess!

I just ordered from Bike Discount, was £2 more but no delivery issues to the UK and actually in stock there unlike Sigma.

I've got them as well, they're good!

are you running them tubelesss?

Not currently, but plan to. Not 100% sure if cosine wheels are compatible but will try.

Torino-Nice rally done on the charge. A few bike shots amongst all the incredible scenery.

2 Attachments