yet another what bike thread.

[craigthecoupe]

sorry for adding to the relentless list. i'm not really so interested in a specific make/model, more what type.

in a few weeks we head off around europe for a year in our motorhome. we have a triple bike rack on the back, and anticipate using the bikes to get into town and out and around (10 miles each way most likely)

i've ridden for a while now, and have sold all my bikes except my best road bike. i wanted to take this one as we will be in some amazing mountainous areas on the way round, however, we have a 2 year old, and cant clamp a seat to the carbon frame. so, should i get a more utilitarian road bike ? gravel/CX ? or buy a second bike to use as a town bike, and take the dolan for the mountains or when i get out on my own for a bit?

seems like a waste of weight to have two bikes for me on the back of the van (plus i cant really secure them to a satisfactory level) but at the same time, having but the bike seat on the back of an old steel road bike, rode horribly.
thoughts?

craig

[Chicken Chaser]

I bought a Croix de Fer for that reason, taking on the back of a camper with a 3 year old in a trailer. Worked flawlessly and I was still able to ride it solo with some 30c Schwalbe G-Ones.

You will trade comfort and versatility for weight in that choice, but it is a very capable bike off-road. I've done mountain bike XC tracks on it without issue but at the same time it can do half centuries on the road.

The wheelset supplied is heavy so if you're looking to change anything, look at that. My 105 disc equipped one is approx 10.9kg on the scales with cages and pedals.




Does the seat need rack mounts to fit? If not, I know its carbon, but a Genesis Datum might be fine. Alternatively if not then most Aluminium framed CX style bikes would be fine.

[craigthecoupe]

thanks, i was thinking of going down that route, and maybe taking my wheelset with me for solo rides (if i can be bothered)
so in theory, i could just be looking at a frame swap, and a cheap set of wheels for when littley is on the back. i'll have a look.....

[Barchettaman]

If the little one is only 2 then you might want to look at a front-mount child seat, something like a Römer Sulky. My kids absolutely bloody loved being up front between my arms.

I'd go with a steel CX bike with 700c/32 tyres, double-sided MTB pedals, nice relaxed geometry, triple crankset if you're looking at proper Alpine routes (3x10 Tiagra), that'd be a really versatile and fun rig.

[Chicken Chaser]

Mines 11-32 and compact. It climbs ok if a little heavy. I only bother with the one wheelset, a set of Cero ARD23s. I was tempted with Hunt CX but I dont think there was much in it. Despite their light weight, theyre still strong and i've not had any issues with them on or off road. I flit between the supplied Clement 35c tyres and a set of Schwalbe G-Ones 30c. The G Ones are not puncture resistant enough to be taking off road without going tubeless but I prefer a bit more meat on the side of the tyre for anything a bit heavier going.