You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
For a mate who'll be using it for his daily London commute and maybe the occasional longer ride.
Preferably with 105 over Sora and guard bosses wouldn't go amiss.
He's already browsing Pauls Cycles and I've discounted the offerings from Rose Bikes because I don't want to push his budget that much. Yet 🙂
ta,
The Boardman CX Team was around that with discounts recently (including BC membership). I haven't checked to see if they are still that price though.
[url= http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3278&g=697424&p=697459&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Cyclocross%20Bikes&gclid=CKy_gdSm7MYCFUPLtAodOj4PSQ ]Genesis CDA on sale here[/url]
'Only' Claris, but a decent frame, carbon forks and TRP Spyres.
EDIT: Also has the guard mounts you need. Plus is a 'gravel' bike so no probs associated with a 'proper' CX bike.
A CX bike with no mounts, knobbly tyres and steep angles doesn't sound like the kind of bike you'd want to commute on at all.
A tourer however generally has mounts, good clearance, drop bars, relaxed geometry, that sounds perfect.
[url= https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRDAPEX/planet-x-london-road-sram-apex-urban-bike ]London Road?[/url]
[url= http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-reynolds-525-steel?part=BB15RIB525STEEL&sub=conf_BB_ALL&bike=1 ]Ribble?[/url]
Evans were selling Norco Threshold A2 for 580 last month.
Back up to 720 now I think, but worth keep an eye on
Got mine a week last Friday, love it - way better than I ever anticipated.
Planet X sometimes has offers on the Kaffenback, I just got one at £650 with Sram Apex groupset . Not really a CX but would be up for the job.
Saracen hack 2 at freeborn for 650ish. Cable discs (which are very good), full Tiagra 10spd, carbon forks.
Commute 32 mile round trip on mine, stick knobblies on for CX and rode Paris-Roubaix sportive earlier this year.
And the seat post fits 😉
London Road looks tempting.
Just been on Evans and sorted "Adventure road bikes" by price - Arkrose one down to £630?
Unlikely to get 105 at that price point - end of season sales starting to build up steam might get you very lucky, suspect that he's £100-150 shy of what he's asking for.
Thanks all, I'll pass your recommendations on.
The thread title is perhaps a tad misleading...whether it's marketed as road, tourer, CX, gravel, adventure yada-yada, a bike with the features that you've highlighted is what he's after.A CX bike with no mounts, knobbly tyres and steep angles doesn't sound like the kind of bike you'd want to commute on at all.A tourer however generally has [b]mounts, good clearance, drop bars[/b], relaxed geometry, that sounds perfect.
There may be a bit of flexibility in the budget...no harm in pointing out what's available for a few £ more...Unlikely to get 105 at that price point - end of season sales starting to build up steam might get you very lucky, suspect that he's £100-150 shy of what he's asking for.
Any more for any more?
I've no experience of Shram Apex; any good?
I've seen it reviewed as above tiagra and just below 105 in terms of comparisons between groupsets.
Cheers, Steve
Apex is imo about as nice as Tiagra, but lighter weight than 105.
I've only ridden my Kaffenback equipped with Apex a couple of short rides so far, works as a groupset should, can't comment on longevity only thing I can say is the shifters might take a little getting used to.
All depends how die hard shimano you/your friend is.
Cheers, Steve
If it's more touring / commuting orientated perhaps something by edinbrugh bicycles = Revolution Country Explorer '15.
Not tried them but they have a rep for good value bikes. I've had sora on my very well used cx and sub sora on my commuter for the last two years - they're both fine
What about a Kona Rove Al? Only Claris but I love mine. A bit heavy but very comfortable
Just noticed Planet X has the Kaffenback at £650 until Sunday again, I think the straight bar is cheaper again.
Nice bang for your buck there, plus steel is real......
Cheers, Steve
Dunno what size you're after but Alpine Bikes sale just started - they had a basic CDF for £600 ish and 'Dale CAADX 105 for £700 this morning...
Further discounts on the Pinnacle Arkose at Evans at the moment...
Arkose 3 @ £850 has 105 5800 but may be too far over budget I guess...
Evans have some other 'adventure' bikes on offer too that might be worth a look.
Norco Search S3
Only because I've just ordered one myself.
Chromoly steel and only Sora, but £520 to put towards a bit of 105. Has plenty of rack and guard mounts (flip chips for the guards)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-s3-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec072577