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I'm looking for a rigid bike, but I'm struggling to settle on one that meets all of the following criteria:
From a bike shop (cycle to work scheme)
£650 to £1000
Rack and proper mud guard compatible
Able to run full guards and 700c tyres for commuting but have space to put full 29er tyres on and be properly off road capable if required
Single or double chainset
Steel if possible but happy with alloy
I'm finding a lot of commuter bikes look too flimsy for proper offroading and most 29er mtbs have either rubbish forks and a lack of mounts.
Has anyone got a bike that meets all those or do I need to compromise?
Sonder Frontier £799
Marin Pine Mountain 27.5+ but a massive bargain if they have your size @£599
Saracens Levarg FB? Won't take full 29er tyres, but in 650b can run 50mm. Just buy a set of 700c wheels for commuting on.
Genesis Vagabond ticks all those boxes if you can grab a 2019(2020 spec/price-hike of £2-300 iirc)
I used mine in commute mode and offroad mode, (35c and 2.1” respectively)
It also carries loads with aplomb, with rear rack mounts and a mid-fork mount for low-rider racks.
Without doubt the most fun commuter/tourer/atb etc I’ve ever had. I sold mine for a Longitude as my requirements changed, but miss riding the Vagabond loads tbh.
I always liked the look of the Islabike Bennin 29er. Not sure if they do a bikes to work option.
I've always liked the look of the [url= https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/speedwork-s/2019 ]Orange Speedwork[/url]. Over budget at RRP but [url= https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/orange-speedwork-s-29er-2019-bike ]Winstanley[/url] have them with 15% off.
You'd have to double check if they'll do rack & mudguards but it looks like there are eyelets on the seatstays.
Surly Bridge Club
What size, I have a small genesis altitude with a pair of rigid forks bike that I am going to split.
It is a small though, 26" not 29"
It has a 3 ring slx set up but can take racks.
Kona Dew, either the basic or up to a deluxe. 2019 is 700c and 2020 is 650b. I'd be happy taking my old deluxe for some light off roading and cycling something that is designed to be comfortable from the off makes commuting far more pleasurable.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Interested in the sonder and the vagabond. I wonder if some of the other ones would be tough enough for proper offroading. Not really keen on 27.5 ones as I've got loads of 29er tyres in the shed. Any others people have tried?