Help - Want a Road, off Road , Do it all flat bar bike
Discussion
Looking for some collective help here.
So far this year I've had a Lepieree Zesty AM4.0 full sus, that I loved but it was but the reality was for what I used for for it was mostly useless, So I sold that and bought a Ragley Big all 1.0 Hardtail. I bought the Ragley as after a bit of research I thought it was what I wanted/needed after the LaPierre. But I've sold that now too.
The thing I really disliked about both was the poor range on the 1x gearset. great in the park but getting to the park was a horrid experience peddling at full pelt and doing 15mph.
So I think I now want a rigid bike like an old school mountain bike, but thinking 29er but not massive tyres, and decent gearing, so gearing closer to a road bike rather than an MTB... However I've no idea what to look for, everything I look at Seems to be a Hybrid with road tires or has dropped bars(back issues so no good for me)
Any suggestions ???
So far this year I've had a Lepieree Zesty AM4.0 full sus, that I loved but it was but the reality was for what I used for for it was mostly useless, So I sold that and bought a Ragley Big all 1.0 Hardtail. I bought the Ragley as after a bit of research I thought it was what I wanted/needed after the LaPierre. But I've sold that now too.
The thing I really disliked about both was the poor range on the 1x gearset. great in the park but getting to the park was a horrid experience peddling at full pelt and doing 15mph.
So I think I now want a rigid bike like an old school mountain bike, but thinking 29er but not massive tyres, and decent gearing, so gearing closer to a road bike rather than an MTB... However I've no idea what to look for, everything I look at Seems to be a Hybrid with road tires or has dropped bars(back issues so no good for me)
Any suggestions ???
The Cube would be my initial suggestion, too. Looked at one recently as I'm thinking of moving on from my Kona Unit, for no other reason than its weight. However, a bike shop contact told me the Cube frames are toilet so the Kona's staying for now.
If the weight wouldn't bother you, the geometry/ position might make it another to consider. Mine started as a 32x18 singlespeed but is now running a 1x XT 11 speed setup spanning 38x11-46. Does me for everything from bikepacking ventures into the South Downs to century-plus rides with roadie mates.
Seen from the comfort of my bivvy
Headwind for the last 30km
If the weight wouldn't bother you, the geometry/ position might make it another to consider. Mine started as a 32x18 singlespeed but is now running a 1x XT 11 speed setup spanning 38x11-46. Does me for everything from bikepacking ventures into the South Downs to century-plus rides with roadie mates.
Seen from the comfort of my bivvy
Headwind for the last 30km
Id recommend a Cube SL Road https://www.cube.eu/en/2021/bikes/urban-mobility/f...
I have the Road Race with the Shimano 105 gears https://www.cube.eu/en/2021/bikes/urban-mobility/f...
I have the Road Race with the Shimano 105 gears https://www.cube.eu/en/2021/bikes/urban-mobility/f...
I wouldn't rule out a gravel bike with dropped bars. A lot of them don't appear to have any drop to the bars and give you a comparable position to a flat bar bike but with a more natural hand position.
Although maybe people are buying bikes too big for them and ending up with a disproportionally low saddle!
Although maybe people are buying bikes too big for them and ending up with a disproportionally low saddle!
frisbee said:
I wouldn't rule out a gravel bike with dropped bars. A lot of them don't appear to have any drop to the bars and give you a comparable position to a flat bar bike but with a more natural hand position.
Although maybe people are buying bikes too big for them and ending up with a disproportionally low saddle!
Bad back drop bars are a no noAlthough maybe people are buying bikes too big for them and ending up with a disproportionally low saddle!
Stick Legs said:
Very nice but sold out everywhere until I think June 22 !!lufbramatt said:
Can't be done , frame clearances are very tight so max is normally 32...tried on the Ragley before sellingdjt100 said:
Can't be done , frame clearances are very tight so max is normally 32...tried on the Ragley before selling
Ah yes, can see that now looking at the photos.Ribble do a flat bar version of the CGR, it's more gravel/road oriented but looks like it has room for a bigger chainset
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-orang...
lufbramatt said:
djt100 said:
Can't be done , frame clearances are very tight so max is normally 32...tried on the Ragley before selling
Ah yes, can see that now looking at the photos.Ribble do a flat bar version of the CGR, it's more gravel/road oriented but looks like it has room for a bigger chainset
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-orang...
djt100 said:
lufbramatt said:
djt100 said:
Can't be done , frame clearances are very tight so max is normally 32...tried on the Ragley before selling
Ah yes, can see that now looking at the photos.Ribble do a flat bar version of the CGR, it's more gravel/road oriented but looks like it has room for a bigger chainset
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-orang...
pick up any decent 2nd hand carbon hardtail 29er e.g Giant XTC Advanced and get a pair of rigid carbon Xcite forks off ebay. Sell the Rockshox/Fox shocks that come with the bike and voila a nice ligthweight flat bar gravel/rigid 29er. That has a full carbon frame and fork. Plus good brakes/drivetrain. Fit some decent wheels e.g set of Hunt trail wide and it would end up being a nice light weight and comfy bike too.
djt100 said:
The thing I really disliked about both was the poor range on the 1x gearset. great in the park but getting to the park was a horrid experience peddling at full pelt and doing 15mph.
Upgrade current bike/sell and buy a 12 speed with 10-51t cassette. All the range you need.Also lighter wheels and considering a faster tyre may help significantly on the speed front.
Edited by hyphen on Thursday 8th July 11:42
hyphen said:
Upgrade current bike/sell and buy a 12 speed with 10-51t cassette. All the range you need.
Also lighter wheels and considering a faster tyre may help significantly on the speed front.
Bikes have been sold, now looking for a new one, I had 12 speed( 11 - 50) in the Lapierre, the problem is with all the mtb, is you have very tight frame around the BB to fit the bigger tyres in, so the 1x would be great but not when you can only get a 30T front chainring on. Also lighter wheels and considering a faster tyre may help significantly on the speed front.
Edited by hyphen on Thursday 8th July 11:42
Hence the change of bike. Think i'm going to look at the Ribbles
I've got 1x11 on my cross bike, 11-42 cassette with a 42 chainring, decent range works from grinding uphill at 6mph and spins out about 29mph on road. I'm fairly strong so don't feel like I need lower gears (I know the rolling radius of a 29" MTB wheel is slightly bigger than a 700cx35) but I can't see the need for a 30/50 low gear on a MTB? Seems too low to be useful to me?
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff