Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

It would just be for pottering out in the lanes while it's wet as this bike has all the guards....

In other news: I've got a stock pair of at least 4 year old arkose wheels (ss and disc)

F r e e

Think i've still got these?

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/335023/#comment14937897

Might even have an mtb mech somewhere.

Anyone running 700 x 50c GB guards on an arkose? Trying to work out off they’ll fit or if I need smaller tyres (hopefully not)

Have PM'd

I don't know when your tour is planned but if you're on a budget I'd wait for the Decathlon Riverside brand relaunch (June 2020). You can see the different prototypes on IG.
I know it's flat bars but they have invested a lot of money into it and it's going to be better value for money than the bikes you have mentioned.

Wowsers. These would do it....

MTB Mech = MTB cassette and chain?
As I've got slx wheels for this dream, it should work ok.

PM. COMING .

2020 I plan a month in the Caucasus (Georgia and Armenia), America is plan for 2021.
Do I see it right that the Riversides are all alloy frame & alloy fork?

Does it have to be dropbar?

https://surlybikes.com/bikes/bridge_club

I ride a 2018 Arkose Alfine, with 8spd bar end shifter. Works well, with a rare gear shift caused by a knee bump when out the saddle. I like the setup

Had 55mm fitted.

Thanks. That's good to hear.

Yes. Triple butted and hydroformed 6061, lifetime warranty. Not unlike the Koga World Traveller, which is the reference after all.

I too enjoy the bar end shifter on the A8 to the point that normal shifters weird me out

I rode an Arkose 2 a lot a couple of years back and really liked the bar-ender. I like the rigid brake levers and the way the shifter was a bit further out of temptation's way, sort of like a variable SS at times. They're not for racers, I don't race so these days I prefer them to STIs for this type of bike. They do work better with bikes where you're in the drops a lot, if you're mainly on the hoods because you slammed your stem you might not like them so much. Still, even then they're not that far away.

@Chalfie why no STIs again?

Here's the deal:
Migrate all of my cx bike old 105 1*bodge over lose hydro braking .

Migrate just the rear mech, stick a bar end shifter, keep hydro braking.

Bike is rarely used but has mudguards and I'm starting to need (mentally) to pop out on a bike at the weekend.

Alternatively, move a new old groupset onto cross bike and stick guards on.

Putting a bar end shifter on, new mech, stick a cassette on, new chain, rotors. Winning.

I'd just do cable discs ...

I know right?
It just feels easier and less faff to chuck a bar end shifter on. And would mean two bikes move up to 11 speed.
Old cross stuff has had a hard life of not being looked after well for at least 4 years.

I bet for the price of a bar end shifter you could get Claris full grouppo

I hate you.

Is that what you meant to write there?
Why not "get Sora?" Really put the boot in.

Get a bar end shifter it's fine. The stock non-sti hydro brakes are really good, suspect you'd be disappointed if you spent money and effort on hydro STIs

Nah, Sora's too expensive ... Claris is cheaper ;)

But on a serious note ... I hate bar end shifters ... They're shit. STIs all the way. If your components on the CX bike are chewed through and it's a winter bike with guards etc, a cheap grouppo might actually make sense?

What about the new cable actuated hydros? Heard good things about them