[Closed] Thinking of building up a Roadrat

Flat bar road bikes usually have a longer top tube. What's the difference in TT between a medium Kaff and a small Road Rat?

I've did use one as a flat bar commuter, it's still hanging up in the garage, 1x9, really like it. The reason its in the garage though is I couldn't fit full mudguards with 35c tyres and the sliding dropout on the rear was a pain when yoiu had a puncture.
I will probably dust it off when the trails dry up in the summer

I got one on B2W scheme last year for commuting and it is great. I'm struggling to justify keeping my road bike to be honest since i'm not a mad keen roadie - the Rat is more comfortable, not much slower on short to medium distance rides, more robust, more convenient, more versatile. Can't compare to other similar frames, but either way it is a great piece of kit.

I had one and hated it. It was OK as a commuter at first, but add mudguards and a rack and it all fell down miserably. Too hard to get the back wheel out and too flexy to carry much of a load. Luckily I bought it used and sold it for the same price.
(If you're 5'8" you'll be between sizes, too)

I've got one and use it as a commuter and on the weekends for longer rides. Currently furthest has been ~40 miles but that should be upping up to a goal of 120 miles for the Dunwich Dynamo in July. Mines a SS and I love it!
Although mine is a 'short' version with drops. I'm pretty sure for a flat bar option you would have to go for the 'long' version.

Owned a roadrat and now a pompetamine. Despite being much cheaper, the pompetamine rides MUCH better.

As for the roadrat, what peterpoddy said.

I've never had mine loaded up with a lot of weight but I'm struggling to recognise some people's comments they find the frame flexible. I'm 90kg, so no lightweight and am pretty powerful in the legs and have noticed no significant frame flex. The forks do bend a bit under heavy braking but nothing that is detrimental to the bikes handling and feel. to me the frame feels pretty solid. However I like to climb seated so don't pull the bike around much. A mate of mine likes to get out of the saddle a lot and haul the bike around and is always breaking spokes, so maybe my riding style is more mechanically sympathetic.

Had one and sold it because:
- rear wheel pain to remove with puncture
- couldn't fit full mudguard
- rear wheel shifted under load (prob just needed chain tug)
Replaced with Surly Disc trucker which is brilliant.
Steel is nice.

Owned mine for about 4 or 5 years. Used it geared, single speed, flat bar, drop bar, with rack and panniers, with rim brakes and discs, for daily commuting, semi-fast road riding, riding to the pub, towpath and sustrans stuff, for multiple days touring. SKS chromoplastics with a bit of bracket fabrication can be fitted close enough to 23c tyres that you don't notice them from a distance (I'm pretty fussy about getting guards right).

5'8", ride a small/long. Been great. The rear wheel removal issue everyone seems to moan about is only when running a rear mech, and actually adds no more than 20 seconds to the whole process. Rear end does feel a bit wobbly when fully loaded. Mine's going a bit rusty in a couple of places too. I'd buy another though - I love the versatility. They're great at keeping the options open for folk like me that want lots of different bikes but can only afford one.

I've never had mine loaded up with a lot of weight but I'm struggling to recognise some people's comments they find the frame flexible. I'm 90kg, so no lightweight and am pretty powerful in the legs and have noticed no significant frame flex

I did. Then I tried towing a trailer with shopping in it. Only did that the once.....
I replaced mine with a Cararra Subway for £195 brand new and that was a better, if slower, bike.
I also had a Saracen Helix (Flat bar road bike, alloy frame) before the Roadrat, which was far superior to the RR in every way. Shot myself in the foot selling that one I think.....!

Really like mine for comfort , dont load it up often , when i do its wallowy as owt

But this i see as a bonus coming off a tricross that after a 300k working week was killing my back despite being exactly the same set up dimensionally as my road bike which can do 300k days back to back without too much pain - and i never carry a backpack.

I take my work stuff in a carradice camper long flap and its just right , currently got drop bars , barmits , chromoplastics and 700x35 winter marathon ice spikes on. Weighs about 40lbs when loaded on a work day at the moment, in summer i rattle on some 700x25c slicks and it motors.

Dont really see the issue with removing the rear wheel , just left the rear of the guard the distance of the drop outs from the tire. Alfine hubs on the other hand.

I like my Rat, never tried to carry a fridge with it mind. One man's bendy is another man's comfy I guess. Not sure it does anything special, though.

I've had my medium long Rat for 2-3 years now and absolutely love it. Of all the bikes I've had and have this one will never be sold. It's ridden every day on my short commute and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

I could imagine they might be a little wollowy if loaded right up but I guess that's what makes it such a comfy ride when not loaded

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Thanks for the reply folks

I appreciate PP and others comments about the frame being er orrable when loaded but loading up is not something I am contemplating, I will keep the Kaff for that I just want a comfortable road play bike

Alas at 5'8" as otheres have said I am in between sizes but because I use a medium Simple (26er) and Soul because the Small was too short I will have to wait for the next delivery unless a medium pops up at the right price 😉

I like mine. I had it set up as a road fixie and it worked fine with full mud guards. It's now set up as a fixed 29er of sorts and it's fun for that too although the clearance is tight.