Despite having a posh ti gravel bike and a Stooge, the bike i tend to ride more than any other is my old Singular Peregrine, run Singlespeed with 45c tyres, it is so comfy and suits riding the routes i do here in the Norfolk Alps...
Trouble is it is getting a bit decrepit like it's rider and despite spraying Waxoil in frame, years of winter abuse mean that the frame is developing a noticeable flex in the rear and BB shell shows a lot of rust.
So in trying to find a replacement, i am after a steel (ideally) easily singlespeedable, brake disc-ed, drop bar bike with decent tyre clearance...
So far i have:
Surly Straggler, can find a few black ones, but new colour is "salmon" (pink) and headtube is always low on these.
All City - Arise - difficult to track down...
Soma Wolverine - again difficult to track down and up to £769 for frameset which seems a little rich...
Singular Swift - and drop bar it - but again, not many about..
What have i missed?
Thanks
I replaced my Peregrine (it cracked through the downtube at the end of the lug, that was a scary ride home before I realised what had happened) with a Bombtrack Arise; Charlie the BikeMonger sells them.
I really wanted a Soma Wolverine for the split stays and ability to go belt-drive in the future but really couldn't justify the extra (I use putoline chain wax so hardly have to lube the chain anyway).
Happy to send you some pics or chat, email in profile.
Thanks mate, Charlie doesn't seem to be stocking any Bombtrack bikes at the moment.. it seemed best to buy an Arise direct from Germany, but they seem to waiting for 2019 model to come in..
Happy with the Arise? How does it differ to Peregrine in ride?
The Wolverine does look good with the split stays, but the £769 does seem a lot.
I like that Swift, getting as difficult to find one of those as it is a Peregrine
Have you considered sending your Peregrine for refurbishment?
Steel frame after all, and there's plenty good framebuilders here.
I like that Swift, getting as difficult to find one of those as it is a Peregrine
Drop Sam an email; there's supposedly a new catalog of bikes in the Spring (when the new Pegasus arrives).
Thanks all.
The Bombtrack Arise look lovely...
the frame is developing a noticeable flex
No it isn't, unless it's about to snap.
Rust usually means nothing structural too
Give the Genesis Vagabond a look. Monstercross 29x2.1" steel frame with discs. I managed to get one about Easter last year and haven't ridden my other bikes since. Super fun bike, goes everywhere (if You're brave enough) and takes a right beating (when you are a bit too brave).
I use some 35c gravel tyres for the easier or long haul smoother gravel routes, the 29er tyres for wet and muddy or long distance rocky stuff. The cable brakes are ok when bedded in, but long technical descents may leave you wishing for hydraulics. I quite like the end shifters, but not an issue if you are going single speed.
Geometry reminds me of old school atb. Great fun to ride.
Send it for a respray. I doubt its getting flexy with age- you've probably just noticed it and now its on your mind!
The [url= https://www.wheelsports.de/Fahrradteile/Rahmen-Rahmensaetze/Singular-Kite-Rahmen.html?force_sid=tc0ob0alv1u2kmi80l1k2fnfi0&listtype=search&searchparam=singular ]Singular Kite[/url] still seems to be available. I'm not sure how it compares to the Peregrine but would be lighter that a Swift.
Not steel, but cheap and with pseudo-steel looks (to me at least)
Arkose Alfine frameset:
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-alfine-2017-frameset-EV294333
Or the full bike is £800 or less
the frame is developing a noticeable flex
No it isn’t, unless it’s about to snap.
Rust usually means nothing structural too
I'm glad someone picked up on this. get it checked for cracks then get it resprayed.
alternatively sell the frame to me...
Get it blast cleaned (find somebody who is used to cleaning small 'delicate' parts, not normally cleaning steel fabrications or lorry trailers).
Get it checked by NDE methods (Non- destructive examination) such as dye-penetrant or magnetic particle inspection. These methods will find if any cracks are starting or are present.
Paint it.
Assemble it.
Ride it.
Enjoy.
If you think it's flexy, check the tubes at the end of the lugs very carefully - that's where mine went.
The Bombtrack Arose is nice, really like it. Maybe not quote as compliant as the Peregrine and the geo is different. I also rode an alu CX bike for 3 months in the interim while sorting the replacement so it's difficult for an accurate comparison.
Or in a similar vein (and probably equally hard to find) - Gryphon - def. take tyre clearance you're after, drop bar, just not that many around these days..
