I’m not allowed another bike, due to space issues, and want a dedicated winter/commute bike so was thinking of getting either a London Road or Kaffenback frameset and with a new set of wheels and transfer all the parts from my old commuter across. So with only £50 difference which would be the best bet? The LR comes with a carbon fork and pannier and guard mounts on the back, compared with only one set of mounts on the Kaffenback.

Or anything else to look at for around £200?

Unless you want a size small all the London Roads have gone back up to £299

If you can trawl through it there’s some info about a couple of issues with the London Road on this thread. It seems to mostly boil down to the seat tube (internal diameter being wider than stated) and the head set (quite a particular specification that doesn’t leave much choice). There’s a lot of people who are pleased with theirs though.

Bollox! Looks like it will be a Kaffenback then. I’ve read the LR thread and was happy to give it a go, but not sure bows it’s gone back to double the Kaffenback

I have a Kaff, it is a wonderfully versatile and strong frame. It is also full, dull, dull to ride, it brings little or no joy to me on the road, though it’s pretty good fun for light off road duties.

I always thought that ‘Tea and Coffee’ design looks really good

One of the LR owners who was happy with the frame. But I wouldn’t pay more than the £150 for it. Kaffenback will make an excellent winter commuter / tourer. Plus seatpost and headset are more likely to fit properly…

Love my Kaffenback. Tourer, hub geared, flat barred, fat tyres, skinny tyres. Every time feels like a new bike. Went single speed at the weekend just waiting for the bullhorns to be delivered for my about town and commuting incarnation.

So how to run proper guards and a rack on the Kaffenback at the same time with only one set of mount holes?

Recently put on full guards, presumably a longer bolt will let you use the same hole, the disc racks have spacers anyway.

Perfect, think a frame will be ordered tomorrow 🙂

I like the Kaf, although I thought tyre clearance was quite limited?

My XL Kaff II frame and fork are about to go up for sale. Just saying 🙂

What wheels are you going for?

What size Kaff and what colour are you looking for?
I have one going if you’re after a medium…

Planet X Kaffenback 2012 model
Steel 54cm (Medium), also has has interchangeable rear drop-outs so can be run geared or single speed

Generally very good condition but a bit of paint missing from around the seat tube where it’s been held too tightly in a work stand.
Bought from this forum for a touring project that’s been shelved.
£70

Pictures of all the above on – http://1drv.ms/1DurIoJ

also

Surly Cross Check 700c forks
Black 700c road/cyclo cross forks – v.good condition, long steerer, but not measured.
£35
Bought from this forum to go with the Kaffenback, but project shelved.
Apologies to original seller for using their photos, but they’re still on: