Sturdy flat-bar city/touring/expedition bike?

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Sturdy flat-bar city/touring/expedition bike?

(20 posts)

Started 6 years ago by davecykl
Latest reply from Arellcat

Tags:

city-bike touring expedition

davecykl
Member

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a new go-anywhere bike, for use around town, day (and longer) tours,and capable of handling some off-road use (forest trails, etc).

I have a personal aversion to drop bars, so I am looking for something with flat bars (and bar-ends).

Minimal maintenance is also important (1, I'm lazy; and 2, what if I have a mishap in the relatively middle of nowhere), so I want something with disc brakes, and without suspension forks (aside: why is it often so hard to find anything other than entry-level mountain bikes or hybrids without suspension forks, not everyone wants or needs them?!).

It goes without saying that being able to fit mudguards and both rear and front racks (if not already fitted) is essential.

Something like the Genesis 2018 Tour de Fer 20 is possibly almost exactly what I'm looking for, but it's a bit more expensive than my preferred budget (although having said that, I see that BikeTrax offer interest-free credit...). It's a shame about the hospital ward green colour of the current model, however...

Can anyone suggest/recommend any other similar alternatives available from local bike shops? Many thanks!

Posted 6 years ago #
steveo
Member

I was reading your brief and thought: ah, this man wants a TDF. Do they not do a TDF 10? I love my CDF but drop bars.

Posted 6 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

If what you want doesn't fit the current market segments you have to cough up or build it yerself.

I'm guessing a build is oot the question so...

https://www.cyclingabout.com/2018-co-op-cycles-adv-4-2-touring-bike/

Posted 6 years ago #
sallyhinch
Member

If you're not in a massive hurry, Common Wheel in Glasgow will build you a bike from an old frame more or less to your specifications (they have quite strong opinions about what bikes should or shouldn't have - I don't know where they stand on things like disk brakes for instance).

https://www.commonwheel.org.uk/bike-shops.html

Posted 6 years ago #
neddie
Member

This could do the job:

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/fairfax-sc4-belt

Posted 6 years ago #
crowriver
Member

A few options at EBC. Pity they don't do their own bike range any more...

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/specialized-sirrus-disc-2018.html

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/marin-muirwoods-29er-2018.html

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/kalkhoff-durban-pro-2018-mens.html

Posted 6 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

@nedd1e_h

Good call. Wheels a bit weedy for trail riding otherwise very nice.

Posted 6 years ago #
Ed1
Member

Have they stopped making revolution bikes?, I thought that a year ago when went in, but was wrong they just don’t carry much inventory think they are a bit skint. It may be that sold of last year’s revolutions and the new one is not in yet?

Posted 6 years ago #
crowriver
Member

" It may be that sold of last year’s revolutions and the new one is not in yet?"

That's what I thought but no Revolution bikes on web site for at least a year IIRC.

Posted 6 years ago #
gembo
Member

During my ongoing boot saga with EBC one of the co-op mentioned their suppliers had all upped their charges considerably. This was in relation to acquiring a hex tool for less than twenty quid.

So maybe Taiwan is playing hardball.?

Was back in tonight and heartened to see Mr G. I do like him. But the boot saga has not been resolved (not EBC 's fault and spesh being unhelpful) However, I am being given freebies at Evans, they are clearly trying to win me over whereas EBC seem less than bothered.

Posted 6 years ago #
davecykl
Member

Thanks, all, for your advice so far!

Tour de Fer 10 is (sadly for me) a drop-bar model...

That Co-op Cycles bike does look rather nifty, but I suspect not available this side of the pond, unfortunately?

Common Wheel definitely do good work, but, yes, certain people there do indeed have "strong opinions" sadly (and let's just leave it at that).

The Marin Fairfax SC4 Belt is even more minimalist than I was thinking of (hub gears, belt drive), wow. It could certainly make a very good commuting bike, but I'm not sure if I'd fancy my chances if something went wrong with the belt out in the sticks, unfortunately!

The Marin Muirwoods was already on my "maybe" list, thanks. The Kalkhoff Durban Pro looks very interesting, but I don't recall seeing it at EBC, I must check again (or is it a web-only model?).

The Specialized Sirrus Disc (and similar "chunky" road bikes), I had been wondering about this style of bike as a possible starting point, but wasn't sure whether they are really OK for semi-regular trail use or not, since that's not really what they are designed for?

And, yes, I very much miss EBC's Revolution bikes as well, I had heard that they had stopped making them, sadly? With hindsight (and a better bank balance!) I really wish I had got myself a Courier Disc to use specifically as a commuter bike (so that my main bike wouldn't need to be quite so much an all-rounder)!

Posted 6 years ago #
chdot
Admin

“So maybe Taiwan is playing hardball.?“

Can they? So much stuff from many other far flung cheap labour countries.

UK bike industry used to complain about ‘competition from the east’ (meaning Japan). Forty years ago Japan was very worried by Taiwan. Then China really got going (with ‘joint venture’ help from UK companies).

Lost track of where boxes are coming from now, but it includes Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.

Posted 6 years ago #
crowriver
Member

"co-op mentioned their suppliers had all upped their charges considerably."

Brexit, the gift that keeps giving. £ plunged against $, € in 2016 and has not recovered very much since. I can imagine that wholesalers for parts etc. have run their stocks of pre-Brexit widgets down and now have to order at post-Brexit prices.

Bit shocked that no Revolution panniers, or indeed anything much available online.
Am guessing that own-brand stuff results in lower margins than premium brand stuff. So just not selling until and if exchange rate improves? Could be a long wait! Sad days for EBC...

Posted 6 years ago #
wingpig
Member

If you want flat bars but also bar-ends then consider bullhorns. Very comfortable compared to the hoods of drops, with better braking squeezability.

Posted 6 years ago #
Vez
Member

I really love my Whyte Portobello which might be along the right lines for you? I was also looking for a 'do anything' bike. Flat bars, disc brakes, no suspension, sturdy but nippy. I bought it from EBC and got them to put mudguards and a pannier rack on straight away. I switched to Marathons after the tyres it came with had punctured a couple of times. I think the tyres it came with were a bit skinnier so the Marathons probably make it more off-road friendly? I don't have bar ends but know someone else who has the same bike who does. I use it for commutes, day rides and weekends away. https://www.whyte.bike/portobello/

Posted 6 years ago #
neddie
Member

It’s unlikely you’ll get jip with the belt on the Marin. One forumer reported over 10,000 miles before the belt failed.

The jury is still out on the Nexus 8-spd hub, mind. Usually when the Nexus starts to fail, you just lose a gear or two.

Posted 6 years ago #
gembo
Member

@crowriver. I was just noticing my panniers were starting to tear a little after years of stuffing them with too much stuff. I was thinking of the own brand red panniers EBC used to do. I bought a pair for a teacher who I was encouraging to cycle to wrk. I see an altura smaller single bag for half price and ten percent off ortlieb bags.

@nedd1e-h nexus 8 pile of garbage

Posted 6 years ago #
rider73
Member

boardman hybrid? they have differing levels for your budget - and you can get to see them at Halfords stores - i considered these as a commuter base bike, but got a cheap 2nd hand frame online - a Boardmax CX Pro that i made into a drop bar.
It has very cheap MTB hydro brakes and MTB 9 speed shifters. I've been impressed by the build quality, the endurance and how it handles off road with 35mm tyres.
it has mudguard and mount racks - mine comes in at about 11kg including everything i commute with so its light enough to hike it over a fence/gate

The one thing i would suggest is to run 8 or 9 speed wherever possible - as road and mtb gear is all interchangeable for Shimano making for cheap and EASY TO FIND replacements :)

Posted 6 years ago #
neddie
Member

~~Spoke~~ Bragged too soon about the belt.

Mine snapped this morning after ~4000 miles.

Clean break. No specific reason. Maybe they don't like the cold?

£££

Posted 6 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

go-anywhere bike

Does it have to be an upright? I would look at the AZUB 6 or HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GTe too.

for use around town, day (and longer) tours

Yes.

capable of handling some off-road use (forest trails, etc).

Yes.

a personal aversion to drop bars, so I am looking for something with flat bars (and bar-ends).

Underseat steering is even more comfortable than flat bars with bar ends.

I want something with disc brakes

Yes, if you want them.

without suspension forks

No, a suspended recumbent is by far a superior ride! The AZUB and SMGTe are both thoroughly world tour tested and capable.

able to fit mudguards and both rear and front racks is essential.

Yes. The AZUB can take up to six panniers; the SMGTe four.

Posted 6 years ago #

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