Sounds daft, but I’d really recommend trying a fixed gear for something like that. Maybe look for something like a Surly Steamroller, Genesis Day-One, Specialized Tricross Single-Cross.
I love my fixed gear/gravel/tracklocross build for mucking about on local bridleways and a bit of winter road riding.
I’ve got a singlespeed Roadrat with hydraulic discs and file tread cross tyres, sound perfect for what you want.
Mostly road riding but with the ability to spot a new track and think ‘I wonder where that goes’
Regards gearing, I’m in the Borders and use 42/18 which is fine for all the road hills around here, a few offroad climbs I struggle with. On trips to Lincolnshire I go for 42/16 but could maybe go bigger still
Used Kona Paddy Wagon. Classic road geometry and steel frame. Room for decent mudguards (pdw). Mine has carbon fork and better wheels. It’s a fabulous ride on which I do most of my rides.
Look for a second hand Charge Plug singlespeed (the bright pink one from a few years back, although they came in black also).
Big tyre clearance, fun handling, light for the price, is the last bike I’ll ever sell
+1
I’ve got the black version.
It’s got really nice geometry for a cheep bike. Rather than just lopping a degree or two off the head angle it’s got a slightly shorter stem (100mm on the large) and longer TT so it matches a road bike for fit without feeling unsteady off road.
Currently doing a good job as my longer distance commuter and winter trainer.
And +1 for going fixed. Although I can’t deal with anything more off road than gravel with it. As soon as things get steep, bumpy or jumpy I need my freewheel.
Posted 2 years ago
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