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My bike needs are converging towards 'The One Bike' as I get older, and manufacturers jump on board with components that facilitate matching drop bar controls with wide range MTB drivetrains.
Framesets like the Stooge Scrambler and Fearless Warlock interest me: beefed up gravel bikes that can take bigger tyres. In the past you could just monstercross an old hardtail if you wanted to go down this route, but as modern geometry has got longer and slacker that option has been shut down.
What frames are there other than the Warlock or Scrambler? What is the likelihood outfits like PX or Sonder will jump on this niche and crank out cheaper versions? Or should one be looking at old skool geometry 29er frames on e.g. AliExpress?
Fairlight Secan 2.5 will take 27.5x2.4 according to them.
Salsa Cutthroat, not cheap but a couple on Ebay. Burly in that it takes a full 29er wheel but it's a "big frame" built for a large frame bag and big days in the saddle rather than singletrack. See also the Fargo for a more compact frame and steel.
Surly Ghost Grappler also has bikepacking credentials but more compact and relaxed geo than above and 650b.
Singular Gryphons are landing in December - https://singularcycles.co.uk/collections/all-frames
I took my On One Whippet out for it's first proper ride yesterday. It seems relatively short compared to most bikes now and I was wondering how it would be with drop bars. I was making use of some inboard bar ends which is what got me to thinking about drop bars on it
Just how big a tyre do you want to go? I can run 29 x 2.25 in my Kona Sutra LTD and the latest ones also now have internal dropper post routing.
If you want to go bigger than that they I’d add a +1 on the Singular option. I’ve got a Rooster set up singlespeed which will happily run 29 x 3.0 and thinking trying some Surly Corner Bars on it soon.
Edit. The Ghost Grapplers look fantastic. If I didn’t have the Sutra I’d be definitely after one.
Stooge rambler is the beastie you want, framesets are due in the next few weeks. Drop bar monster trucking madness that will happily do trail centre silliness as well
^ I was going to say I think the rambler sounds more like what you're on about than the scrambler. (I am looking at the scrambler or dirt bomb as a trail bike but outside my price range)
To me the Gryphon looks hard to beat, still.
I think if you want drops for the hand positions off-road then tyre volume and OD needs to be maxed out for easy-rolling to go with the bars, and I'd want a geometry to bring the bars and wheels together (which isn't easy). I'd count out anything that doesn't take 29 x 2.3 as 650B just doesn't do it for extended off-road time, or anything that's overbuilt.
Yes, the Rambler, not the Scrambler. Gryphon looks nice, but too rich for my tastes. I'm waiting on next year; I have this (vain?) hope that Shimano will make all their road, gravel and MTB stuff work seamlessly together for 2023...
^ you'll be able to when it's all Di2 at 12s GRX / Deore level, along with new 105. Just a shame about needing the Di2 bit.
The Genesis Vagabond is probably worth a look too, although prices have gone up there also.
The Cascade would be my choice, if I had the money / could find a way if justifying such a bike.
I dabbled in monster cross before, putting together a SS Genesis Fortitude with drop bars. It didn't properly work out for me, partly it was too long. But also, it felt like the worst of both worlds between a Hardtail and a gravel bike ... not as nimble and quick as the gravel bike, not as capable as the HT.
But, in my heart, I'd still like to try again.
What is the likelihood outfits like PX or Sonder will jump on this niche and crank out cheaper versions?
Planet X did briefly do a drop bar version of the Bootzipper when it was launched. I'd consider one if they did it again.
I don't have an ideological preference for steel. In fact, the 'best' frames I've had have all been aluminium: light, stiff, better climbers. I'd steer clear of some of these suggestions for that reason.
My Secan takes a 27.5 x 2.3, maybe a bit more depending on tyres. Agree with the point about 29 over 27.5 for longer offroad but had a Gryphon which I liked and the Secan is a much nicer ride, and way more versatile.
In the spirit of 'suggest what you've got' I'd add another vote for the Salsa Fargo.Basically a drop bar rigid mtb, it certainly works for me...
pipedream alice?
I suspect that, once you start to look, there are a surprising number in the beefed up gravel bike/drop bar mountain bike camp.
Some ideas here https://bikepacking.com/index/drop-bar-mountain-bikes-29er/ (some are eye wateringly expensive).
I don’t have an ideological preference for steel. In fact, the ‘best’ frames I’ve had have all been aluminium: light, stiff, better climbers. I’d steer clear of some of these suggestions for that reason
Have you already ruled out the Sonder Camino? It doesn't have biggest tyre clearance (by a large margin) but the headtube angle is 69°, which is about as slack as it gets for a drop bar bike right now. Everything else I'm aware of with that HT angle is made of steel or carbon..
I’d be looking at a lightly used Genesis Vagabond. The older Mjolnir cromo ones (non-725) pop up for about £5-600
Burly as, designed for drop bars and will take up to 29x 2.35/2.4 depending on gearing/chainline. I found it perfect on 2.1 Nanos running Deore 2x10
Check with Genesis for sizing as my M was a bit too small for medium me.
The Camino and Fairlight are a bit too far along the 'Gravel' end of the spectrum compared to what I'm thinking of. I'm 6'4" which makes frame size choice easy. Personally I'm happy enough with 27.5" tyres if I can size them up (currently on 2.1" 650b crowbarred into an old Lava Dome frame).
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Did you buy anythimg? I've suddenly a huge urge to buy a Stooge Rambler. It would be run with 700c 40mm ish tyres and 650b MTB tyres. Anyone ridden one?
No, I'm a skinflint. But the MTB drivetrain has 4300+km on it and will krap out this winter. When it does I intend stripping down both the MTB and the Lava Dome mentioned above, combining the best bits of both with a new rolling chassis to create...I'm not exactly sure what yet. It might involve flared Redshift bars and 2.35" 29er wheels.
Love how that Cotic Cascade is basically a Salsa Fargo 😀
Iv just built up a Titus Silk-road, these are available as drop bar or flat bar bikes, I couldn't decide and in the end went for the on one Geoff (Jones copies) Id still quite like to try it on drops. I'm running 2.6 WTB Rangers on it at he moment and enjoying it.
As a side note I also have a Nukepoof Digger, its also a perfectly decent gravel bike its dunning 42mm tyres. Its faster on the tarmac bits but less comfortable when getting a bit further off road.
I guess it depends what most of your riding will be.
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There must be a Surly or Salsa that fits your requirements.
Don't fancy the Surly gaspipe tax, but like that view up Ennerdale.
Cheers guys. There are loads of options. The Stooge is actually quite good value. Certainly cheaper than salsa or Surly at £690 grand and fork. I’m quite committed wheel wise to 650b and 700c wheels
I shall continue to ponder
Of course a sonder Chamino is cheaper still
That Rambler is SO much your bike ampthill 🙂. I'll be most disappointed if you aren't on one when we next meet.
I guess my interpretation of a cross bike counts. Twin top tubes but predates Stooge.
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