Coast to coast - what hybrid/gravel bike?
Discussion
Background: I stopped riding a bike when I passed my test. I’ve had an old Trek which is too small for me tucked in the garage for years, but have started taking my daughter out on the Bristol/Bath cycle path over the past few weeks and enjoyed riding.
The Trek:
Having decided this is definitely to small for me, I dug out a Kona Lanai that was gifted to me years back and dropped it to a mate for servicing. The shocks have seized and his advice was it’s not worth putting the money into unless I enjoy riding it.
The Kona:
I then got chatting to a mate who has a Cannondale Quick 4 XL, and was happy to lend it to me to see how I got on. I’ve taken it out for a blast on the cycle path and it seems pretty good.. definitely the sort of posture I prefer - I can’t see myself on a full on racer with Lycra etc (PBCD build!)
The Cannondale:
I now find myself in the position where I've been invited to ride from Whitehaven to Whitby on the cycle routes with some old pals. 2-3 days, 50-75 miles per day. I have no idea if i should spend some money on the Lanai (perhaps rigid forks?), buy the Quick or buy something else. The 2020 Quick comes with disk brakes so that could be an option. Used bikes are going for silly money at the moment, so I’d likely buy new. Budget I guess anywhere between fix up the Lanai for £100 or so, up to a grand if it bought something I’d love. I’m 6’2” & 100kg’s so looking best suited to XL’s? It’s tricky not being able to head to a shop to test some options out, so referring to PH wisdom! Cheers!
The Trek:
Having decided this is definitely to small for me, I dug out a Kona Lanai that was gifted to me years back and dropped it to a mate for servicing. The shocks have seized and his advice was it’s not worth putting the money into unless I enjoy riding it.
The Kona:
I then got chatting to a mate who has a Cannondale Quick 4 XL, and was happy to lend it to me to see how I got on. I’ve taken it out for a blast on the cycle path and it seems pretty good.. definitely the sort of posture I prefer - I can’t see myself on a full on racer with Lycra etc (PBCD build!)
The Cannondale:
I now find myself in the position where I've been invited to ride from Whitehaven to Whitby on the cycle routes with some old pals. 2-3 days, 50-75 miles per day. I have no idea if i should spend some money on the Lanai (perhaps rigid forks?), buy the Quick or buy something else. The 2020 Quick comes with disk brakes so that could be an option. Used bikes are going for silly money at the moment, so I’d likely buy new. Budget I guess anywhere between fix up the Lanai for £100 or so, up to a grand if it bought something I’d love. I’m 6’2” & 100kg’s so looking best suited to XL’s? It’s tricky not being able to head to a shop to test some options out, so referring to PH wisdom! Cheers!
You say cycles routes. Is this the off road or on road or 'really ' off road ?
If it was me and getting a bike a little tricky, get some rigid forks for the Kona or 'rent' the Cannondale .
Getting 1 1/8 suspension forks in a 26 er flavour is getting less , for a 'decent' quality fork. Thats just run of the mill, not heavy steel sprung forks etc.
like these :
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCR26DV/on-one-cr...
Lighter, bit nicer but sadly out of stock currently
https://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&c=92&p=78...
Or suspension, but like most , out of stock currently
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rockshox-recon...
If it was me and getting a bike a little tricky, get some rigid forks for the Kona or 'rent' the Cannondale .
Getting 1 1/8 suspension forks in a 26 er flavour is getting less , for a 'decent' quality fork. Thats just run of the mill, not heavy steel sprung forks etc.
like these :
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCR26DV/on-one-cr...
Lighter, bit nicer but sadly out of stock currently
https://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&c=92&p=78...
Or suspension, but like most , out of stock currently
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rockshox-recon...
I did it a few years ago on my Specialized road bike with 23mm road tyres and a 11-25 cassette and as the group I was with all had MTBs we even did some of the proper off road bits including the bit which avoided the road at Whinlatter. Didn't have a single puncture either which I was very happy (lucky!) with ha ha!
Thanks guys, Here the info:
Proper cycle routes - am looking at starting on 71 - then after Penrith get on 68 for a bit then 70 - then 165 to Whitby
Theres some road in between but none of it is ‘offroad’ as such as far as I’m aware.
It’s looking like the guy with the Quick will be joining us so that’s now out. I’ve found a new Trek FX3 which looks similar or could Ebay for alternatives but prices/availability is limited!
I’m still anxious the lanai won’t be up to the job even with rigid forks so i’m swaying towards the FX3
Proper cycle routes - am looking at starting on 71 - then after Penrith get on 68 for a bit then 70 - then 165 to Whitby
Theres some road in between but none of it is ‘offroad’ as such as far as I’m aware.
It’s looking like the guy with the Quick will be joining us so that’s now out. I’ve found a new Trek FX3 which looks similar or could Ebay for alternatives but prices/availability is limited!
I’m still anxious the lanai won’t be up to the job even with rigid forks so i’m swaying towards the FX3
Looks like a massive size range between the three bikes, The Trek is definitely small, but the Cannondale is a gate.
Can you really fit all of them?
If the 'Dale isn't too big, that's where I would go.
But getting the Kona sorted would just be down to putting a Project 2 fork on it, and maybe some new wheels if you're feeling extravagant. Sure the Lan'ai is Kona's budgetest frame, but it would do what you want pretty well, even if it would be a pointless investment in a cheap frame.
That said, it would be better than spending on a gravel bike unless you're feeling particularly like you want something new (in which case, Focus Paralane or Specialized Roubaix).
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Interesting topic as I am in a similar position, im currently putting miles onto my 1999 GT Arrowhead which has evolved over 20 years to be a triggers broom - only the frame is original. Anyhow it looks to me like your Kona has similar Rockshox coil spring suspension that I have. Mine had also seized after a couple of years of little use.
I found the Rockshox service manual online & stripped them down, cleaned them, fresh grease, 25ml of oil and they are every bit as good as they were new. I'd not realised just how sticky and unresponsive they'd become with only light use.
If you do invest in a new suspension fork it's worth getting one with Lock Out function for road use or set the preload higher an rebound slower to avoid trying to ride a pogo stick up hills.
I'm also thinking of getting a gravel/adventure bike. Last year when I was doing 20mile a day commute to work I borrowed a mate of mines Boardman CX Team 2015 model, on the first ride I felt i was quicker but it took a bit of getting used to as I'd not ridden a road bike in 25years! After a couple of days I'd shaved 10minutes off my journey time and felt considerably better at the end of each journey. I was suspicious about the whole "gravel" thing with 33mm tyres so took it for a blast down the local canal paths, up over the common, around some light cross country trails an it was very good. Discs brakes and additional "chicken" brake leavers were very reassuring as was the significantly more laid back geometry that gravel bikes have.
From the pictures of the bikes you have and your remark about them being a bit small i suspect you will be find it easier to find second hand bikes as many road bikes are typically 53cm+ for 5'10> and ive seen plenty of 56cm to. The Boardman I mentioned earlier can be bought second hand for around £350-450 (they were £700+ new) and the are considerably more Large than Medium :-(
I found the Rockshox service manual online & stripped them down, cleaned them, fresh grease, 25ml of oil and they are every bit as good as they were new. I'd not realised just how sticky and unresponsive they'd become with only light use.
If you do invest in a new suspension fork it's worth getting one with Lock Out function for road use or set the preload higher an rebound slower to avoid trying to ride a pogo stick up hills.
I'm also thinking of getting a gravel/adventure bike. Last year when I was doing 20mile a day commute to work I borrowed a mate of mines Boardman CX Team 2015 model, on the first ride I felt i was quicker but it took a bit of getting used to as I'd not ridden a road bike in 25years! After a couple of days I'd shaved 10minutes off my journey time and felt considerably better at the end of each journey. I was suspicious about the whole "gravel" thing with 33mm tyres so took it for a blast down the local canal paths, up over the common, around some light cross country trails an it was very good. Discs brakes and additional "chicken" brake leavers were very reassuring as was the significantly more laid back geometry that gravel bikes have.
From the pictures of the bikes you have and your remark about them being a bit small i suspect you will be find it easier to find second hand bikes as many road bikes are typically 53cm+ for 5'10> and ive seen plenty of 56cm to. The Boardman I mentioned earlier can be bought second hand for around £350-450 (they were £700+ new) and the are considerably more Large than Medium :-(
How about something like this? Only one left and it's in your size, helpfully.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/flat-bar-rc520-id_8543...
Throw away the tyres it comes with and fit some 30mm G-One Speed tyres running tubeless. And if it suits your arse, a Charge Spoon saddle. Perfect bike for the kind of riding you're talking about. And a full kilo lighter than the Trek you posted even before changing the tyres and saddle.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/flat-bar-rc520-id_8543...
Throw away the tyres it comes with and fit some 30mm G-One Speed tyres running tubeless. And if it suits your arse, a Charge Spoon saddle. Perfect bike for the kind of riding you're talking about. And a full kilo lighter than the Trek you posted even before changing the tyres and saddle.
FWIW, I've had a Trek FX 7.6 for a few years now, bought on Ride-2-Work scheme back around 2012'ish. Nice bikes!
I took it with a mate for a London to Paris jaunt for my 50th - not a big organised thing, just us (& support partner motor!). It worked brilliantly.....& I've been using it a fair bit this past few weeks.
The solid front fork makes it that might lighter, I would say (esp as the 7.6 is carbon), but of course then I load it up with a rack, pannier, etc, so perhaps not so light!
I like the more upright position: feel I am too old for drop bars now! Flat bars with the little end bits - you can see them on a snap I took last Sat - an overly confident 56KM run for the morning - way too hot for it!
Whatever you get, you'll have an adventure!
I took it with a mate for a London to Paris jaunt for my 50th - not a big organised thing, just us (& support partner motor!). It worked brilliantly.....& I've been using it a fair bit this past few weeks.
The solid front fork makes it that might lighter, I would say (esp as the 7.6 is carbon), but of course then I load it up with a rack, pannier, etc, so perhaps not so light!
I like the more upright position: feel I am too old for drop bars now! Flat bars with the little end bits - you can see them on a snap I took last Sat - an overly confident 56KM run for the morning - way too hot for it!
Whatever you get, you'll have an adventure!
I'm currently looking at doing the Leeds-Liverpool canal over 2-3 days with some buddies for a charity ride. Possibly a little more off-oad in places but I have a GT Transeo 3.0 with lockable front fork and disc brakes which I love. First time I've ever really looked at bikes in detail rather than just buying a cheap mountain bike and thinking they are all equal
I've added some bar ends ( pretty clever ones that you can unscrew and they have tools inside them) but other than that it's stock
I've added some bar ends ( pretty clever ones that you can unscrew and they have tools inside them) but other than that it's stock
I made a few more calls this afternoon and Trek Bristol received a delivery of FX3’s this morning! Considering I was looking at a drive to Braintree for the one mentioned this morning that’s a result!
I took one on a loop around Park St (steep Bristol road) and all was well. Mine still boxed so will be set up Monday for collection.
I’d rather regret spending money than regret taking the wrong bike! It’ll also mean I can tear the shocks apart on the Kona for possible off road use after.
Will update with pics once it’s home, thanks all.
I took one on a loop around Park St (steep Bristol road) and all was well. Mine still boxed so will be set up Monday for collection.
I’d rather regret spending money than regret taking the wrong bike! It’ll also mean I can tear the shocks apart on the Kona for possible off road use after.
Will update with pics once it’s home, thanks all.
The FX3 made it home on Monday and I’ve been for a few rides since far. All going well, apart from the usual sore bum when in the saddle more than a couple of hours. I’ve ordered some bib shorts so hoping these will arrive soon and make a difference!
As I’m going from ‘haven’t ridden since a teenager’ to C2C within 5 weeks, I might start a progress thread if it’s of interest? Inspiration to anyone thinking of trying it and something to laugh at for the 25kph+ club?!
As I’m going from ‘haven’t ridden since a teenager’ to C2C within 5 weeks, I might start a progress thread if it’s of interest? Inspiration to anyone thinking of trying it and something to laugh at for the 25kph+ club?!
That looks pretty nice.
If the backside is aching too much, there could be a problem with the saddle fit. Sometimes too much padding makes it uncomfortable, and the narrow razor blades are better. This is what I use, and apart from being lighter, it's surprisingly comfy - it's due to the shape fitting me, rather than extra padding.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MTB-Road-Mountain-Bike-...
My advice would be to swap the pedal for SPD type, and get some shoes to fit. It sounds a bit overkill, but improves your pedalling efficiency and foot position.
People have mentioned bar ends. Cracking idea. On longer cycles with flat handlebars, your wrists will ache. Unfortunately, flat handlebars with no bar ends will leave your hands nowhere to go, and increase the discomfort. Bar ends allow a change in position which help enormously. (And they help to go up hill).
I cycled Lands end to John o Groats on a similar bike, with very few problems (except maybe for the legs every now and again).
Best of luck, and keep up the posting.
If the backside is aching too much, there could be a problem with the saddle fit. Sometimes too much padding makes it uncomfortable, and the narrow razor blades are better. This is what I use, and apart from being lighter, it's surprisingly comfy - it's due to the shape fitting me, rather than extra padding.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MTB-Road-Mountain-Bike-...
My advice would be to swap the pedal for SPD type, and get some shoes to fit. It sounds a bit overkill, but improves your pedalling efficiency and foot position.
People have mentioned bar ends. Cracking idea. On longer cycles with flat handlebars, your wrists will ache. Unfortunately, flat handlebars with no bar ends will leave your hands nowhere to go, and increase the discomfort. Bar ends allow a change in position which help enormously. (And they help to go up hill).
I cycled Lands end to John o Groats on a similar bike, with very few problems (except maybe for the legs every now and again).
Best of luck, and keep up the posting.
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