Help choosing a sport tourer / gravel bike?

[8352]

I'm looking for a ~56cm commuter / gravel / 1-2 night touring steel bike. I'm located in Canada. I've been browsing the Classified section and interacting with a few people to see what's out there, but I'm also curious what options I have for buying new.

Does anyone know of options for buying in the USA or Canada which will ship to Canada that supply such a bike? I've been looking at things like the SOMA Wolverine or Black Mountain Cycles. There's a supplier for Surly out here and I like the look of those, but I've heard they're grossly heavy.

What other options are there out there for similar bikes that I could order online right now?

[AngryScientist]

You're in Canada!

Marinoni!!

Aside from that, there are a TON of options right now.

I'll just put this out there though: my Gunnar Sport is easily one of the best riding frames I've owned; and I've ridden a few.

[Vientomas]

http://www.totalcycling.com/en/us/Ge...e/m-22668.aspx

32's fit easily.

[rnhood]

Originally Posted by Vientomas

http://www.totalcycling.com/en/us/Ge...e/m-22668.aspx

32's fit easily.

Nice looking frameset. Very nice actually.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by 8352

I'm looking for a ~56cm commuter / gravel / 1-2 night touring steel bike. I'm located in Canada. I've been browsing the Classified section and interacting with a few people to see what's out there, but I'm also curious what options I have for buying new.

Does anyone know of options for buying in the USA or Canada which will ship to Canada that supply such a bike? I've been looking at things like the SOMA Wolverine or Black Mountain Cycles. There's a supplier for Surly out here and I like the look of those, but I've heard they're grossly heavy.

What other options are there out there for similar bikes that I could order online right now?

http://www.gunnarbikes.com

[Hilltopperny]

Serotta rapid tour is one of my favorite sport touring bikes of all time if you can find one in your size. The canti versions have a bit more tire clearance, but the rim brake models fit 32s with no issue.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by Hilltopperny

Serotta rapid tour is one of my favorite sport touring bikes of all time if you can find one in your size. The canti version have a bit more tire clearance, but the rim brake models fit 32s with no issue.

And one on the 'Bay as we speak:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Serotta-55cm...QAAOSw42dZHf-h

[Hilltopperny]

Originally Posted by paredown

And one on the 'Bay as we speak:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Serotta-55cm...QAAOSw42dZHf-h

And it's the titanium version!

[charliedid]

Agree with Peter as is often suggested here. I've been riding Gunnars for over a dozen years now and they are a great bike at relatively speaking a great value.

I ride both a Sport and a Grand Tour and both could serve you. Obviously the Sport is a quicker lighter bike but if I strip fenders and racks off my touring bike and put on a light set wheels the Grand Tour makes an excellent gravel bike IMO.

Hard to beat.

What is your budget?

Edit: Surly's are heavy but the Black Mountain or Wolverine (both nice) are not light bikes.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by 8352

I'm looking for a ~56cm commuter / gravel / 1-2 night touring steel bike. I'm located in Canada. I've been browsing the Classified section and interacting with a few people to see what's out there, but I'm also curious what options I have for buying new.

Does anyone know of options for buying in the USA or Canada which will ship to Canada that supply such a bike? I've been looking at things like the SOMA Wolverine or Black Mountain Cycles. There's a supplier for Surly out here and I like the look of those, but I've heard they're grossly heavy.

What other options are there out there for similar bikes that I could order online right now?

Rivendell has been making/selling bikes like you want for years. I agree with the suggestion re: Gunnar bikes which are made from the same tubes by the same people as Waterfords but the standard Gunnar paint is a step down from what Waterford bikes get. I think you can pay extra to get Waterford level paint on a Gunnar but then it may not seem like such a screaming deal.

[Mzilliox]

I know you've seen it, but just a reminder:
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=204777

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

Rivendell has been making/selling bikes like you want for years. I agree with the suggestion re: Gunnar bikes which are made from the same tubes by the same people as Waterfords but the standard Gunnar paint is a step down from what Waterford bikes get. I think you can pay extra to get Waterford level paint on a Gunnar but then it may not seem like such a screaming deal.

True

Budget bike, budget paint.

[Cornfed]

You can find used Salsa Vayas complete for well under $1K USD. Steel, disc brakes, eyelets and bosses galore, and can take BG RnRs. Pretty ideal for the functions you listed.

[8352]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

I know you've seen it, but just a reminder:
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=204777

Very tempted. My only concern is paying 1350 Canadian for a bike before even buying parts, haha

[veggieburger]

Originally Posted by 8352

I'm looking for a ~56cm commuter / gravel / 1-2 night touring steel bike. I'm located in Canada. I've been browsing the Classified section and interacting with a few people to see what's out there, but I'm also curious what options I have for buying new.

Does anyone know of options for buying in the USA or Canada which will ship to Canada that supply such a bike? I've been looking at things like the SOMA Wolverine or Black Mountain Cycles. There's a supplier for Surly out here and I like the look of those, but I've heard they're grossly heavy.

What other options are there out there for similar bikes that I could order online right now?

Depends what you want to spend, but if this is a 'lifer' bike, I would get a Marinoni...they are wonderful bikes.