I need a commuter for a 18 mile each way commute and to ride out with my local CTC group who tend to use MTBs, CXs, and hybrids as they do the odd cycle track, gravel path etc.

Currently I am using my Condor which is an all out steel road bike. This is ok but I do not want to shag it on the commute and getting punctures on the Sunday CTC ride (odd bits of Flint working their way into the tyre wall)

Options at the mo is Cotic escapade, road rat, singular, or surly straggler.

Budget would be £1,000 to £1,500.

Perfect steel or to but not adverse to carbon or alu

Suggestions?

There’s a lot of Pinnacle Arkose love on this forum. You could also save yourself a ton of money and get a Mango Point AR

Pinnacle Arkose – great bikes – am selling mine but only because I also have a Ti Tripster. Arkose not far off the Tripster in ride quality and very versatile.

EDIT – Dammit beaten to it by Shermer 👿

One off these frames and build it to your own lovely spec 😀

Charge Plug by the way

I’ve just got a Specialized Smart weld Diverge and very happy with it. More than capable of doing what you want.

Thx guys…

Andy how much are you selling your Pinnacle for and where are you?

Good suggestions which I will look up

i’ve just sold my Whyte Kingr Cross which for £700 was brilliant, if I was to get another CX it was simply be a Genesis Crois De Fer. Kinesis stuff is also very nice too.

‘Ard as nails Kaffenback…..

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GaBf1N]IMG_20160411_192706[/url] by Stephen Williams, on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegadeseries.html

I have the Expat and it would make a great commuter.

There’s a view that this is an ugly bike – I can see why others might think so, but I think it looks quite good in real life and it rides really really well both on and off road. Takes guards, has discs and is comfortable. Giant Revolt 1

Marin Four Corners, £700, so loads in your budget for dynohub, lights, racks, guards and lighter tyres, .

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/YBCL53808/188—frankenfat—18– 😈

But change to hydraulic discs!

If the Kaffenback is too utilitarian:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/kaffenback

There is always the Bish Bash Bosh….especially if you want to use your budget….

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOBBBRIV1/on-one-bish-bash-bosh-sram-rival-1-hrd-adventure—gravel-bike

Or with a few more gears

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOBBBRIV22/on-one-bish-bash-bosh-sram-rival-11-hrd-adventure-bike

They announced it just after I bought my Kaffenback and wish I waited as these look ace!

Cheers, Steve

Croix de fer. Tried quite a few before purchasing…. Pinnacle / boardman / kinesis all ally frames.. I found them a bit harsh to be honest.

Croix is biased more towards Road / gravel / touring as opposed to all out cx. Just watch the sizing on any cx bike you go for…. The geo changes so much between manufacturer’s.

I’m just about to get one of these….

https://www.orrobikes.com/bikes/road/terra-gravel-road

Going to use it pretty much for what you describe.

How about an Orange RX9, Bikescene had a load of cheap frames going for £200 so for your budget it could be built up into a nice bike. Arkose fan here, only got rid of mine because I have Niner RLT now. The Plug and Croix de fer are both great bikes too.

I found the GT Grade a good option, nice and fast on the tarmac and good on the rough stuff with a tyre change. Well in budget too.

Giant TCX SLR1 here. Fantastic bike and the D-fuse composite seat post is really complyant. A really versatile bike. Mine: https://goo.gl/photos/r5x6BkopdBP8pWAa7

Locked the bike up in town earlier next to a Norco, looked pretty capable and pleasing to the eye.

Could have been this one: https://www.evanscycles.com/norco-search-c-105-2016-adventure-road-bike-EV243354

That Orro looks nice…..

Thx guys

Excellent options

It is interesting to see different frame materials. They all seem valid at this price point. Even Ti sneaks in with the kaffenback

One of these and a nice holiday with the change? It’s a Croix de Fer frame with FL last bars…
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m89b185s800p0/GENESIS/EX-DISPLAY_and_EX-DEMO_BIKES/HYBRID

Thx guys
Excellent options
It is interesting to see different frame materials. They all seem valid at this price point. Even Ti sneaks in with the kaffenback

I’m pretty certain the kaffenback is steel, non? Or have they done a Ti version?

Kaffenback is Maxwall custom double-butted chromoly steel and a lot of it from the weight….. Pickenflick is Ti

http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/bikes/cyclocross-bikes/on-one-pickenflick

Cheers, Steve

I’d get the Kite with that budget. I do have a soft spot for Singulars though. They look good and ride well.

That particular build might take you over budget through! Edit: Maybe not though, I was just looking at the carbon tubs and the King headset. Maybe the rest of it isn’t all that shmancy.

Although it’s old and doesn’t have disc brakes the Ribble 7005 Winter or Reynolds 525 would do what you want with money to spare.

The Ribble winter frame is crazy cheap. Isn’t it £60 or something?!?

It’s £90 including fork and headset. Only enough room for 23mm tyres though..