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I'm thinking about what might be my S-1 bike - an all-season road bike. I currently have a very durable but heavy steel bike for commute / workhorse duties, and a CF road bike for dry days. As I live in Wales, it doesn't get much use, and I can't keep up on club rides with the steel bike. So, I'd like to build a fast, all-weather road bike. I was tempted by gravel / adventure bikes, but I (sadly) have no plans to do any long-distance offroad routes, and anything else I would do on my HT. So - I want something that rides like a road bike, has disc brakes, will survive my 95kg on potholed roads, and that I won't feel guilty about taking through muddy puddles and down the occasional towpath. Also, as light as possible. 9.5kg would be nice (in XL), and non-PF bottom bracket is a huge plus. I like the Kinesis RTD (in alu), but seems like a lot for a frame. Am I missing some cheaper alternatives, or is it just that good?
On one space chicken with hunt wheels.
On one space chicken with hunt wheels.
/endthread.
Mine is an XL, with the 650b FSA Afterburner wheels it weighs 9.6kg with a pair of spd pedals, has a threaded BB, and dropper post routing. Mine is the Force 1 650b model. Could get it down under 9kg with some cabron bars and seatpost, and some lighter wheels - the afterburners are 1850g.
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How big a tyre do you want to fit? A Cannondale Carbon Synapse fits up to 32mm, takes full length mudguards, and is light / racey enough to keep up on a club ride.
Another option would be the new CAAD13, but I think the tyre clearance is slightly less. Both have press-fit BB though.
Obviously these are biased towards road, but the odd tow path isn't going to be a problem (and you did say 'road bike')
In Singletrack tradition, I'm going to suggest what I have. The new Specialized Roubaix, love mine.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-zenium-vr-105-2018-disc-road-bike/
I am just about to list this bike for sale in XL significantly cheap than the Kinesis frame and I think it meets all your criteria
There is a a new version if you prefer buying new but doesn't seem as good value at current price
How big a tyre do you want to fit? A Cannondale Carbon Synapse fits up to 32mm, takes full length mudguards, and is light / racey enough to keep up on a club ride.
^^This^^
Rented one for a few days last year on holiday, it had bags of tyre clearance with 25c tyres, was lovely to ride, had neat hidden little guard bosses.
Climbed well, descended well basically it was a great all round road bike...
I came away browsing the interweb and wondering if I could finance/justify buying one as an all-seasons road/light gravel bike. There's also an Al one I think.
If I had a coupe of grand spare I probably would have a synapse and a couple of wheelset.
a fast, all-weather road bike
OP what you describe sounds like my current road bike. I have a Van Nicholas Ti framed road bike. It weighs 8.3 kg and goes as fast as I can ;o)
Seriously though; no paint to scratch, water doesn't bother it and it's light weight.
Mine has standard Roadie Caliper brakes but I know that Ti frames with disc brakes exist. That would be my recommendation.
I think of bikes like shoes: most people could quite reasonably have need for wellies, hiking boots, running shoes, casual trainers etc.
So, covering more needs with fewer shoes would need careful selection.
My all-rounder is a Shand Stooshie - I use it for commuting, touring and road rides. In terms of road riding, I use it where I know it'll be a "lost lanes" type of ride or when the weather looks a bit rubbish. It has discs, mudguards and 28c tyres.
Without mudguards and pedals, it's about 8.5kg. That's about the same as many factory carbon "sportive" bike builds - i.e. with discs, but with fewer options for 'guards etc.
But although I do about 75% of my riding on the Shand, it's never going to be a race or fast-road bike.
So - as a further point about weight - my other needs are still covered by a steel frame, in this case a Genesis Volare 931. The build uses very similar parts to the Shand (Ultegra, carbon finishing etc), other than caliper brakes and lighter wheels. It's just over 7.5kg without pedals and very accelerative. A carbon frame would probably save another 10% in weight, but you may not feel the benefit - especially if you compromise on parts elsewhere.
If I were going for one bike, I'd recommend a steel or titanium frame (possibly custom) with slightly steeper geometry than many of the all-road bikes and a lower front end than a sportive bike. It's an investment that could pay for itself many times if you get it right.
The key is to be really sure on what riding you do (now and in the future), as there are reasons for different bike types... just as there are for those shoes!
Thanks for the suggestions!
On one space chicken
Very interesting looking bike, but definitely not a "fast all-weather road" bike, nor is it cheaper than the RTD. Also, I'll definitely want a compact chainset, not 1x
Van Nicholas Ti
I could look at many options if my budget stretched that far...
Cannondale Synapse
This is more like it - my main issue is Cannondale's use of proprietary tech and less-maintainable standards like PF30.
Specialized Roubaix
Definitely something worth keeping an eye out for 2nd hand
I don't think I was too clear in my original post - I'm keeping my steel commuter. It's about as old as me, I've re-built most of it, and ridden it almost every weekday for many years. It's kinda heavy with the rack and other accessories for carrying luggage and small children, but it's a keeper.
I'm planning a bike to replace the CF road bike - I'm happy to sacrifice a little on weight and road bike "feel" for something more durable.
a steel or titanium frame
A titanium frame would be very nice. However, given my height, a lightweight steel frame would be kinda bendy.
...my main issue is Cannondale’s use of proprietary tech and less-maintainable standards like PF30.
That can be addressed: PF30-bsa adapter
Although it would be a bit of a ballache to have to change BB/Chainset on a brand new bike...
Don't think you stated a requirement for mudguards, but if not then the Canyon Endurace AL with 105 discs is £1200 at the moment and they go up to 2XL. Think it takes 32mm tyres.