My road riding comprises North Downs lanes – often pretty ropey lanes, not smooth surfaces and plenty of sharp short hills. My old road bike with skinny tyres feels skittish so looking for comfy road bike for quick blasts (not going off-road), that can take fatter tyres (28c) and ideally has disc brakes. Nice and light suits me! And with lowish gearing. Had a look at Genesis Equilibrium but some say quite heavy. Genesis Fugio looks good but to CX based maybe and I won’t be going off road. Enigma look good but lots of £s.

British made would be nice, and looking at titanium or steel.

What sort of thing to look for as I’ve zero roadie knowledge!?

1

looking at titanium or steel.

2

What sort of thing to look for as I’ve zero roadie knowledge!?

Well due to 2 I wouldn’t start with 1 🙂

1

looking at titanium or steel.

2

Nice and light suits me!

Well due to 2 I wouldn’t start with 1 😉

Actually the answer is what I went for* as I knew nothing either and that is the best Giant Defy in your budget

*This is stw where that is always the answer

Well steel isn’t going to be light, so don’t bother with it.

I wouldn’t rule out aluminium or carbon fiber frames, very limiting just going for titanium. Although if it must be Ti then the Sabbath September AR-1 Disc would tick your boxes.

http://webshop.singularcycles.com/en/Products/Singular-Kite.html

Brace yourself for the Tripsteristas.

Van Nicholas Amazon

Kinesis GF Ti.

Mason Cycles are down your way – get in touch & go test ride one.

Mason Resolution Frame(Steel)£1500
Mason Definition Frame(Alu)£900

Mason Cycles Film

But if that’s too much for a frame look at Trek Domane Disc, Cannondale Synapse Disc, or Giant Defy Disc – all endurance models for rough roads & light in carbon.

http://webshop.singularcycles.com/en/Products/Singular-Kite.html

Except it is neither light, nor a road bike.

For a road bike with discs and clearance, also consider the Cannondale Synapse disc, and something from Ridley like the X-Trail.

thanks all.

The interest in steel or ti is simply a ‘desire’ thing – emotional and not rational! Accept that there’s a weight penalty but on the flip side, there’s a bit more love from me! So would rather aim for something a bit niche, exotic, different etc again accepting there’s a premium to pay.

In the true fashion of recommending what I own, have you considered a Charge Plug 5?

Ti frame, discs, carbon fork, 1 X 11 road geared , but fine for fire roads.

Any views on Genesis Equilibriums … lots of frame option, incl. stainless steel?

Tripster.. Purely for the ability to throw some 40c tyres in it and go charging off onto some trails. Throw some decent road tyres on it and it will comfortably sit at 18mph on a road ride..

Aus – I’m selling my 58cm Genesis Equilibrium Disc frame/forks (2014).

Lovely condition, with headset/seat clamp/post

I have the original steel fork, as well as an immaculate carbon Kinesis DC37 (uncut steerer), and another carbon fork with a slightly smaller (around 20mm) axle-crown length.

My email’s in my profile if you’re interested.

Rick – London

and go charging off onto some trails…

Except:
I won’t be going off road.

So:
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Models/Racelight/GF_Ti-DISC
😀

https://bowman-cycles.com/product/pilgrims/ worth a look. Cheers 1 shed.

Croix de Fer 20 in Reynolds 725.

Nice enough to be nice, but cheap enough not to feel silly.

Try one out though, Genesis come up small i beleive

How about a burls to? But light you need cf- Jamis renegade elite.

I don’t have one nor have I ridden one but Enigma (you mention) have a few handsome disc models. If I was in the market for one I’d have them on the candidate list I think (I have an old Airborne Carpe Diem).

Planet X Hurricane?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXHURFOR22/planet-x-hurricane-sram-force-11-titanium-disc-audax-bike

Or their Pickenflick cx bike if you want it a bit burlier and more tyre clearance.

Shand Stooshie?