Help build a super-duper commuting machine

[Dr Murdoch]

My current commute is 13mile each way, most on road, but a relatively high number of spots where I need to bump up kerbs (to access other routes). Some sections are very rough. I'm currently using a modified 15 year old Orange MTB.

Now, I would like the challenge of building my own machine. I don't want a road bike, nor mountain bike, nor a hybrid (I know this is really what I need, but I can't bring myself to buy one). So.....

Can I buy a road frame / bars and fit mtb rims on it?

Something light and fast but could also take abuse when needed?

Budget? Probably around £750

[Usget]

Sounds like a London Road fits pretty much all of your criteria. Pablo on here is selling a frame I think, you could build up from there. It won't take MTB rims but you can fit very wide tyres on 700cs, up to 40mm I think. Disc compatible, drop bars, guard and rack mounts - what's not to like?

[NatAsp]

Usget said:

Sounds like a London Road fits pretty much all of your criteria. Pablo on here is selling a frame I think, you could build up from there. It won't take MTB rims but you can fit very wide tyres on 700cs, up to 40mm I think. Disc compatible, drop bars, guard and rack mounts - what's not to like?

This. / thread.

[Dr Murdoch]

Usget said:

Sounds like a London Road fits pretty much all of your criteria. Pablo on here is selling a frame I think, you could build up from there. It won't take MTB rims but you can fit very wide tyres on 700cs, up to 40mm I think. Disc compatible, drop bars, guard and rack mounts - what's not to like?

Thanks, that does look like what I need!

Would it be cheaper to source the parts separately and build it myself? I would do it if I could save £100 or so. Thanks for the suggestion of 2nd hand frame, but I will purchase through the bike to work scheme, so I will need to by new.

[BoRED S2upid]

You want a bamboo bike! Then you really can build every part of it.

[NorthDave]

Surely you need a CycloX? Road bike frame and rugged wheels.

[Your Dad]

This is Pistonheads, therefore you need a Mason with Hunt wheels.

/end

[Usget]

Dr Murdoch said:

Thanks, that does look like what I need!

Would it be cheaper to source the parts separately and build it myself? I would do it if I could save £100 or so. Thanks for the suggestion of 2nd hand frame, but I will purchase through the bike to work scheme, so I will need to by new.

I don't think you can buy bits and assemble them yourself on C2W, unless you know differently? I've asked a few shops before and the men from Del Monte, they all say noooo.

You could probably save as much as the C2W scheme would save you by buying pablo's frame and getting a good deal on some components. That said, it'd be more hassle. Alternatively you could wait until Planet X have a sale and then take the plunge. I'd recommend the 1x-equipped ones, but not at £999 - Eddh of this parish bought one at £770 not so long ago.

The only reason I didn't buy one is that I bought a GT Grade instead. That didn't work out so well.

[jamiebae]

Genesis Croix de Fer? You can buy a fully built bike, or buy the bits to build it yourself, and it can come from Evans Cycles too which makes bike to work stuff a bit easier. It's normally better value to buy the bits yourself too so if you want a project it fits the bill.

There's also the Genesis Vagabond which weighs as much as a small container ship but will take drop bars and MTB wheels if that's the way you want to go.

https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-vagabond-2017-...

[Dr Murdoch]

Thanks for the help thus far!

I should point out that my level of cycle knowledge stopped growing in 2001, when I last purchased a bike. I never even knew Cyclo X existed until about an hour ago....

This also means i'm unfamiliar with the terminology, so please treat me like a numpty..

What is 1 x equipped ones? One gear at the front?

The C2W scheme here where I work is a little odd, its not 'the' C2W scheme but it works in much the same way. Last year I purchased lights, tyres, front mech, clothing and new bars. No questions asked.

[NorthDave]

Dr Murdoch said:

Thanks for the help thus far!

I should point out that my level of cycle knowledge stopped growing in 2001, when I last purchased a bike. I never even knew Cyclo X existed until about an hour ago....

This also means i'm unfamiliar with the terminology, so please treat me like a numpty..

What is 1 x equipped ones? One gear at the front?

The C2W scheme here where I work is a little odd, its not 'the' C2W scheme but it works in much the same way. Last year I purchased lights, tyres, front mech, clothing and new bars. No questions asked.

Yep 1 x equipped ones are one gear at the front. I've only ridden mountain bikes with that setup but found the gears ran out at the top end compared to a traditional compact chain set.

If you aren't bound by the usual cycle to work issues then the world is your oyster. I have a custom built CycloX which I love and my brother raves about his Croix de Fer. Steel or Aluminium frames coupled with 32 or 35 tyres are super comfy and will easily mop up curbs, bridleways etc.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I used to have a hyrbrid with a tripple, in the end only the 39 ring worked with a 25-11 cassette on the back, those ratios worked fine for me, I could put a decent average down , the route included a steep up and down, with lots of flat and gradual climbs. I used to pedal out of it at 35mph , sometimes I would manually lift the chain on to the front big ring and nudge 45mph on the hill at the end


Then again I did it on a single speed as well

[SteveSteveson]

Sounds like what you need is a cannondale slate but 1/3 the price. Not much help, but possibly something to inspire a build.

[rexel1]

Usget said:

Sounds like a London Road fits pretty much all of your criteria. Pablo on here is selling a frame I think, you could build up from there. It won't take MTB rims but you can fit very wide tyres on 700cs, up to 40mm I think. Disc compatible, drop bars, guard and rack mounts - what's not to like?

I bought one of these when they were on offer about 6 months ago, on 37mm tyres. My commute (12 miles each way) takes me across a mixture of road surfaces, including a few road bumps. I honestly think it's the worst bike I've ever ridden. Ridiculously stiff, I've tried everything to help out the ride, lower pressures, different tyres, different saddle. I'm astonished they get such good reviews.
Both my £200 Halfords mountain bike running Marathon Plus tyres and my road rat (Road plus tyres) were a good 5-10 minutes quicker simply due to their better ride.

[HardtopManual]

Boardman CX team is now in your budget. Nice enough frame, SRAM 1x groupset with hydraulic brakes, decent tyre clearance. Much better than the Planet X.

£1000 RRP but has £200 off at the moment. Another 10% (£80) off with British cycling membership which costs £23 means it's yours for £743. Leaves £7 for... umm... a spare inner tube.

[Some Gump]

I just don't get the 1x fad. Why limit your gear range be to save a few grammes on a commuter bike loaded with panniers and bits? People say "maintainance" but it's the chain that wears, I've never had a single front shiver issue in 6kmiles..

[HardtopManual]

Some Gump said:

I just don't get the 1x fad. Why limit your gear range be to save a few grammes on a commuter bike loaded with panniers and bits? People say "maintainance" but it's the chain that wears, I've never had a single front shiver issue in 6kmiles..

It's got a 10-42 rear cassette, i.e. massive range, and the fact that you don't have extremes of chainline means the chain should last longer.

[Some Gump]

10-42? The gaps between ratios must be massive! Chains are 16 quid, I'm still far from convinced

[Barchettaman]

As you have mentioned jumping kerbs etc. I would strongly suggest you get a handbuilt wheelset.

I would go with at least 32 spokes, front dynamo hub, LED lights with Standlicht, mudguards and a rear rack.

Drop handlebars, STI shifters with CX interrupter levers, a Brooks saddle.

At least 28mm tyres, maybe 32mm on the rear at least.

If you're doing 200km a week commuting in all weathers the bike is going to need regular maintenance so I suggest you get handy with the spanners too! I only started learning how to work on the things because I was fed up paying the bike shop to do it when I smashed up my gear.

Best of luck

[Dr Murdoch]

Thanks for all the responses, I've learned an awful lot since the initial post!

I think I may just buy one off of the shelf. My cycle in today reminded me why I thought about upgrading, its now urgent.

Ive started another thread for recommendations for cyclo x bikes, but Ive taken on board the comments posted on here, all of which have helped me give me some idea what to look for, and what to look out for..