Sub £1000 road bike

[RowntreesCabana]

Not a "racer" as such but a tourer.

After several years out of the saddle I finally dug out the old mountain bike, had it serviced and took it out for an hour. It was a pleasure not riding in lycra, not looking over my shoulder for any approaching amateur roadies and not giving too hoots about being overtaken. I took in the scenery, stopped when I wanted to take a snap and made my way casually through villages I'd not yet seen.

So, I want to knock out the mileage and the mountain bike just won't do for that and will be used for simply knocking about on the trails for short periods. I'd like a relaxed touring bike, something that will be reliable, well built and comfy when sat on the saddle for 8 hours. Only rules are no disc brakes, and I want 3 chainwheels.

So far I've seen a few from Fuji, Ridgeback and Dawes. Are there any other manufacturers worth considering?

[ecsrobin]

RowntreesCabana said:

Not a "racer" as such but a tourer.

After several years out of the saddle I finally dug out the old mountain bike, had it serviced and took it out for an hour. It was a pleasure not riding in lycra, not looking over my shoulder for any approaching amateur roadies and not giving too hoots about being overtaken. I took in the scenery, stopped when I wanted to take a snap and made my way casually through villages I'd not yet seen.

So, I want to knock out the mileage and the mountain bike just won't do for that and will be used for simply knocking about on the trails for short periods. I'd like a relaxed touring bike, something that will be reliable, well built and comfy when sat on the saddle for 8 hours. Only rules are no disc brakes, and I want 3 chainwheels.

So far I've seen a few from Fuji, Ridgeback and Dawes. Are there any other manufacturers worth considering?

Any reason why no disc brakes and 3 chainwheels? We are now in the era of discs on all bikes (they really are much better than a rim brake although if you disagree there's a thread somewhere on here for you to post on)

And with modern chainsets 3 chainrings up front are becoming less common, I have a 10spd and 11spd on my bikes and was looking at a bike the other day with 12 speed! My 10spd has 2 chainrings but is kept in the largest and maybe this summer I'll find the time to go to single ring.

For me I'd be looking at Genesis bikes.

My favourite: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/mult... with discs and 2 rings.

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/tour... With discs and 3 rings.

[RowntreesCabana]

ecsrobin said:

Any reason why no disc brakes and 3 chainwheels? We are now in the era of discs on all bikes (they really are much better than a rim brake although if you disagree there's a thread somewhere on here for you to post on)

And with modern chainsets 3 chainrings up front are becoming less common, I have a 10spd and 11spd on my bikes and was looking at a bike the other day with 12 speed! My 10spd has 2 chainrings but is kept in the largest and maybe this summer I'll find the time to go to single ring.

For me I'd be looking at Genesis bikes.

My favourite: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/mult... with discs and 2 rings.

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/tour... With discs and 3 rings.

I live in an area with a lot of very steep hills, and I'll be looking to potentially carry a few bags too, as will be using the bike for commuting.

Disc brakes are just a huge bother when they go wrong, the need for servicing etc.

[Barchettaman]

I'd be looking for something second-hand & lightly used, first.

[RowntreesCabana]

Barchettaman said:

I'd be looking for something second-hand & lightly used, first.

I'm open to that, just looking for suggestions of bike manufacturers and models outside of what I've mentioned. The Genesis bikes look alright that have been mentioned.

[anonymous-user]

I'd go for a CX bike but fit 32mm Marathon type puncture proof tyres.
More relaxed position for ambling about. Robust enough to go down trails etc. My Kona Jake is a great all rounder. Not sure if newer models have discs though ..

[RowntreesCabana]

Will the cx bikes have eyelets on the frame for pannies etc?

And are single front chain rings suitable for getting up the majority of all steep inclines?

Edited by RowntreesCabana on Wednesday 1st June 14:26

[matt-ITR]

RowntreesCabana said:

Disc brakes are just a huge bother when they go wrong, the need for servicing etc.

Not true.
They are not a bother, but granted you might not know how to fix them like V-brakes or calipers. Nothing that can't be learnt quickly and easily with a few very basic tools.

I wouldn't bother with a triple. With a compact double and large range, 11-32 cassette they are defunct.

[anonymous-user]

What size would you want?

[RowntreesCabana]

matt-ITR said:

Not true.
They are not a bother, but granted you might not know how to fix them like V-brakes or calipers. Nothing that can't be learnt quickly and easily with a few very basic tools.

I wouldn't bother with a triple. With a compact double and large range, 11-32 cassette they are defunct.

My only experience was with the mountain bike. I purchased new pads and a service kit to bleed the system as they'd gone soft. Cost about £45 altogether and I couldn't sort it out, so sent it off to the local bike shop who found a pin hole in the fluid reservoir which was sucking in air. That was another £40. Its put me off them to be honest, though this was 10 years ago.

The whole idea I have about the bike is that it should be pretty simple to fix.

That's interesting about the chain rings, I'll ignore the need for a triple up front and take on board your recommendation for a compact double.

[RowntreesCabana]

JPJPJP said:

What size would you want?

I'm a touch under 6ft so suppose a 54/56 frame.

[anonymous-user]

RowntreesCabana said:

Will the cx bikes have eyelets on the frame for pannies etc?

And are single front chain rings suitable for getting up the majority of all steep inclines?

Edited by RowntreesCabana on Wednesday 1st June 14:26

My Kona has eyelets but a triple chain ring. But it's a few years old .. Worth a look though

[ecsrobin]

RowntreesCabana said:

Will the cx bikes have eyelets on the frame for pannies etc?

And are single front chain rings suitable for getting up the majority of all steep inclines?

Edited by RowntreesCabana on Wednesday 1st June 14:26

This is the 2016 version of my bike, eyelets for panniers and mudguards http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/cyclocross-...

I prefer hydraulic discs (unless they're the avids I have on my giant) but the ease of maintenance on cable discs (and the power is quite impressive).

I really think for your requirements a bike in the Genesis range is best suited for you. I rode a friends and it had to be the most comfortable bike I've ridden over a distance.