Road bike recommendations

Also considering just going to my LBS and getting an Allez as I like the frame and I can have a ride on it first...

Allez a good start, try out a couple different sizes and see which felt like a better fit.

Allez is like a ford fiesta. Just perfect, but nothing special.

Good bikes.

Not that kind of fiesta.

This kind;

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1997-FORD-FIESTA-GHIA-BLUE-ZETEC-low-mileage-5-doors-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/TE4AAOxyWt5SUcTQ/$T2eC16R,!)wFIZ98jtQVBSUcTNwFM!~~60_35.JPG

Paging Scoble...

Can you get 28mm rubber and full length guards on a Genesis Equilibrium 10?

At the same time, obvs.

In theory with a true 28mm tyres, yes it's possible, but will be tight, would recommend a 25mm that'll give a reasonable clearance.

Your main concern is the mudguard width, 35mm SKS just about fit well.

OK. Cheers.

Racking my brains for OTP steel road(ish) bikes with guard fittings and clearance. Anything you'd suggest looking at around the £1300 mark?

Would need to be available in a small size too, say 48-50cm.

Obvious candidates would be Surly, Salsa, Genesis, Pearson, Charge

With 28mm and mudguard?

A lots of road frame with clearance often claim to have such clearance, but turn out not to offer that,

Another option that can do 28 and mudguard is the All City Mr Pink, they come in 47cm but the Reach is 375mm (same as 50cm equilibrium), the other disadvantage is that it come with press fit BB.

Surly Pacer definitely won't have room for 28 and mudguard for sure (and the smallest one in 42cm Reach is 377mm).

What about Tokyo Fixed Wide Open Dream Machine? they're £260 on their website from £475, geometry look sensible on the smallest model.

Sorry was constantly editing as I write.

28 and a mudguard would be good. The idea is that she can still ride it comfortably when the road surface gets a bit muddy / dusty - think dirt roads in France etc. But it still remains a road bike at heart.

Good shout on the TF frame - that's the kind of thing required.

Much ninja edit! If you think of anything else please let me know.

There's the Spa Audax, steel and a Ti version.

There's the Spa Audax, steel and a Ti version.

Yep - is there anywhere you can sit on one, localish to London?

Another option is the Velo Orange Pass Hunter.

Personally if you intend to do a bit of gravel that does not required a CX bike, clearance for 32mm tyres and mudguard can make all the difference if you don't mind the retrogrouch appearance and canti/mini v.

The 51cm reach will be slightly shorter than measured due to it's slack seat tube (in-line post needed).

Yep - is there anywhere you can sit on one, localish to London?

They sell direct. You could try YACF or CTC and get lucky finding a local with one in the right size.

Bob Jackson End-End but i guess you need to build it yourself the frames 'fairly' otp though

I asked Bob Jackson on the geo of their audax frame on the smallest size - they have a whopping 76 degree seat tube, almost TT like.

OK. Cheers.

Racking my brains for OTP steel road(ish) bikes with guard fittings and clearance. Anything you'd suggest looking at around the £1300 mark?

Would need to be available in a small size too, say 48-50cm.

Obvious candidates would be Surly, Salsa, Genesis, Pearson, Charge

kinesis racelight tk3.

Probably not what you're after, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Comes in smallish sizes (HT 52.5) http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/944151/products/kinesis-racelight-tk3-road-bike-105-fatbirds-build---blue.aspx

Kinesis worth considering but tricky because you can't really try them out. Alu and tapered fork might be a bit brutal in small sizes too (the CrossLight certainly is).

Can add the Singular Peregrine to the longlist though. Aren't Kinoko a Sinlular dealer?

As far as I remember, they are.

Bear in mind that the smallest Peregrine is designed for 26", but can work with 650b with it's huge clearance if you wanted more decent tyres choice (which incidentally i got a pair of cheap 32c you can have).

^^ I think Mosquito have them.

But you're probably right. I'd have thought that with 28mm tyres you're looking at a comfy enough ride.

Hi-Bike have got some very good prices on Storck F&F's at the moment. I bought mine from them last year and they've been good to deal with.

http://www.hibike.com/shop/catalog/n532c42dd0fcad/Road-Bike.html

This is bonkers cheap no?
£999

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT6800/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-6800-road-bike?utm_source=The+Planet+X+and+On-One+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=3627bb7278-25%2F04%2F2014+Pro+Carbon&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_561486488b-3627bb7278-272228313&mc_cid=3627bb7278&mc_eid=dd41eb6147

still looks gash, has only 1 cage mount on the small too

yes, but for the money, and that you can get it on cycle to work