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A pal of mine is looking to invest in a new bike on the bike to work scheme and has asked me for advice. We is by no means a hardcore rider but is looking for a bike for trail riding but would also like something capable of taking panniers and a bit of touring.
My immediate thoughts are a steel 29er with rack mounts and a triple chainset, allowing road tyres to be fitted and a good gear range for touring but also having good off road ability with knobblies.
Looked at a few from the Surly range but he doesn't want to spend that much really.
I'd greatly welcome suggestions, even if that may be buy a reasonable mountain bike and scour ebay for a tourer.
I've converted steel MTB into light touring hybrids, as long as you're not carrying a shedload it's possible but beware heel/pannier strike on more compact frames*. For general purpose I think a 29er is a sound idea, should be loads of options about although they can be spendy if you buy new with decent tubes. I'm a 26er all the way, partly for economy, even (especially) my utility bike is a 26er which also benefits from smaller wheels from a load carrying perspective. If I was starting over I might go 29er as I do like that big rolling feel.
*I use Freeload racks (now marketed by Thule) which use a webbing/ratcher clamp so no need even for bosses and can swap over onto any bike I need.
Have a look at Genesis 29ers? High Latitude? Seem to be some decent deals about. Or a CX bike if he's more roadie oriented?
Oops, forgot to say Pinnacle Arkose before someone else does 😉
Shame you need a triple, otherwise the Genesis longitude would be pretty much perfect.
Thanks gents, good suggestions.
Any suggestions from the evening crowd?
I have happliy done several tours of 500 miles on my cove stiffee.
I would have thought any triple cranked mtb would be fine. I had p clips to hold the pannier rack on on the seat stays.
Fine for me.
🙂
If he's after a cheap option then you can't go wrong with an Inbred.
Shame you need a triple, otherwise the Genesis longitude would be pretty much perfect.
Funny you should mention that, it's the only bike I've seen so far that would have me considering trading all of my other bikes (except the folder) for.
Usual question - what's the commute like, distance, surface etc.?