a Cross Check, and a Karate Monkey.
After being told by a surgeon that I may not be able to cycle again (but I can 🙂 )I was a bit hasty in selling my Pomino and singlespeed. I' probably won't ride anything as GRRRRR as the black at Laggan again so the Trance is going too.
Each spring time I wish that I had a tourer, and think a Cross Check would fit the bill, but I also want something to be able to ride the grassy and not too severe singletrack and think the Karate Monkey would fit there (No I can't have both!).
Have a nice roadbike for the summer, my older steel roadbike is too similar - Cross Check again.
Not sure about canti brakes and the seatpost mounted canti hanger though -Karate Monkey can use discs.
Will the Karate Monkey be too heavy for winter road use though....
Argh! I'm waffling on now. Help me see sense.
Cheers.
Cantis are ok with the skinnier tyres used on cross bikes. Set up is a bit of a faff, but once you have worked the brakes idiosyncrasies, it's easy from then on. You could always use mini V-brakes. The cantis give you great mud clearance though.
I'd suggest going back to a Pompino, or the neat looking [b][u][url= http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/day-one/ ]Genesis Day One*[/url][/u][/b]
I regularly ride my Pompino on the sort of stuff you are talking about.
*I'd have one in a shot if I wasn't overloaded with bikes at present.