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Hey guys, I am in the search of a new bike.
I currently own a aero road bike and want to add a fun do it all bike, leaning more towards the off road / singletrack technical stuff spectrum.
Price should be around 2k, maybe with a more quality frame than components so I can upgrade later.
Two bikes that I found that maybe suit that would be the gestalt x11 and the nukeproof digger factory.
Does anybody have any other suggestions?
Or do you guys think that I should look more towards the cx spectrum given the fact that I don’t plan on spending above 3hours on that bike and that it should be the most capable technical bike?
Thanks a lot in advance
Cheers J
From those two I’d go for the Marin. It’s on my list of bikes I’d like to own and seems like a great bike for a bit of everything type riding.
For what you describe I’d be looking at a hardtail though. I had a NS RAG+ for a while and riding off road resulted in a broken rear mech and wasn’t much fun tbh. Great for groomed trails, bridleways and towpaths, technical off road not so much. That could just be the way I ride though.
I looked at those two but went with a Kona Libre. I went with the carbon model (last year's in the sales) but I see they have a Al version too. It wasn't based on any test rides so can't compare with the other two. It was mainly based on the 80s two-tone paint job if I'm honest, but I'm very happy with it (particularly given the current restrictions).
I find anything gnar miserable on drop bars even up high. And I find drop bars with many positions are only really useful on long 4hr+ rides.
So I think I'd be better off with a rigid mtb with gravel tyres.
Hm I'm not sure, I think I am set on dropbars because it should "complement" my road riding. I am not planning on tackling gnarly mountain bike trails, just some flowy(?) technical singletrails without big jumps etc.
So basically I am searching for an bike to train bike riding skills on that can not be trainer on a expensive road bike.
Not sure if I make any sense though 🙂
The bike should also get me to the montain up the montain and down the mountain.
If you’re set on drops I’d also take a look at the Whyte Gisburn and Friston. Both within your price range. The NS RAG and Rondu Ruut might also be worth a look. Still think a hardtail would be the best for what you describe though. Slightly compromised on the road, but better everywhere else.
Alright what would you suggest as a hardtail I should look to?
I’d be looking at XC hardtails. I’ll be honest in that I have no idea what’s good or not in that field. I tend to ride steel mid to long travel ones so never paid much attention. For your budget there should be a lot of good bikes to choose from though. Hopefully somebody with more XC knowledge will show up soon.
I think it depends a lot on exactly what you will actually doing on the bike. For me a gravel bike is an endurance road bike that can cope with farm and forest tracks. So a ride might be 50 miles of road with 10 miles of tracks and I’d far rather do that on a gravel bike than an XC MTB. If I wanted a bike to ride 10 miles to and from the trails and I was going to spend most of the ride off road I’d take the MTB. It’s all personal preference, but if you are basically a roadie who wants to ride a few tracks I think you might find an XC MTB a drag on the road. Only real way to find out is to try though.
Hm I don’t plan on taking the bike to Mountainbike parks just cruising through the local woods, doing simple road commutes etc so I guess time wise it would be 33%tarmac 33%gravel and 33%light singletrails. But what is even more important is that it should be a bike that I can use to become a more technical rider given the fact that I spent the last years pretty much just going straight on tarmac as fast as I can, I feel I lack skill in other bike handling fields.
The nukeproof one looks real nice imo. And 650b is much more fun.
Might feel a bit draggy on tarmac but worth it when you leave it.
But what is even more important is that it should be a bike that I can use to become a more technical rider
By technical rider what do you mean? If possible I’d look to throw a leg over one of the gravel type bikes and an XC HT, see which one feels right. If your from a completely road background the drop bar bike might work.
I just think that they are very compromised on any sort of technical off road terrain, even woodland singletrack. More-so than a HT is on the road sections. That’s just my opinion and personal experience though.What Roverpig has said is good advice tbh.
Hm by technical rider I mean the fact that I kind of limited with my roadbike, first because I can't afford to crash it and second the skills you can master on a roadbike are quite limited. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to get a second fun bike to through around not being limited by the fact that it is an roadbike and to use to become a more complete cyclist, if I make any sense 😀
Do you have any suggestions HT wise? looked into some like the Whyte 901 or Nukeproof Scout 275
Thanks all of you so far!
One key off road skill is line choice and you can certainly practice that on a gravel bike. But riding over rough ground on one can quickly get old and if you see yourself skipping down Singletrack and hopping over stuff then an MTB will be much better for learning those skills.
Ignore the naysayers, i use my gravel bike (Arkose with 45c tyres) for loads of woodland single track mixed with fireroads and a bit or tarmac and its was more fun than any of my mountain bikes.