Versatile Steel

[Dired]

I'm looking for your recommendations on a steel all-around bike for use in the winter and on family rides. I'll probably initially set it up with flat bars and a rear child seat, though it would be great to able to change things around if other needs arose. A few other optional things that would be nice to have is disk brakes, clearance for 32s with fenders, and clearance for rear child seat with said fenders. One caveat is the budget: I'd like to stay very close to ~$1K.

Ideally, it will be ridden without doing any modifications for the next few years - so the more items I can take off my list at one time, the better. For reference, I ride a 585 top tube.

Here are some bikes that I've looked at so far, but both have disk brakes and end up way over my budget, so in no way this is a shortlist:

Soma Double Cross: http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/double-cross
Kona Big Rove: http://www.konaworld.com/big_rove.cfm

tl;dr:
WTB all-around bike for $1k
steel
disk brakes
flat handlebar
32s with fenders
child seat

Thanks for reading!

[kevinvc]

Big thumbs up for the Soma. I'm sure others will recommend the Surly Cross-Check, which is another solid choice. Personally, I prefer the Soma, largely because it is a bit lighter and less common than the Surly. I don't think you'd go wrong with either.

The All-City Macho Man Disc is another great bike, but is more expensive.

If money is a really strong driver, you can probably find a used Cross-Check without too much difficulty.

[jdp211]

I believe the Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross frame fits your bill. $600 F/F, available disk, massive clearance with fenders, etc.

[JAGI410]

Just buy that Salsa Fargo in the classifieds!

[Dired]

Just buy that Salsa Fargo in the classifieds!

Thanks for pointing that one out!

[Vinci]

Surly Straggler.

(Basically a disc Crosscheck)

[pjmsj21]

A Gunnar Fastlane will cost more than the Surly and Soma options but they really do represent a great value, especially if this is a frame that you are going to live with for a long time. It is designed for disc brakes, wide tires but still very road worthy. I bought my Gunnar Sport ten years ago and can't envision ever selling it.

[gomango]

Just buy that Salsa Fargo in the classifieds!

Agreed.

I love my Fargo. Great bike for sure.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/11159945033_2d86becfde_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/i1aCRp)DSCN1224 (https://flic.kr/p/i1aCRp) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/people/36270004@N06/), on Flickr

[p nut]

Surly Straggler.

Or Salsa Vaya, or Surly Disc Trucker.

Or really, any mountain bike will do for your intended uses.

[Ken Robb]

I guess you need disc brakes for those long steep hills in NYC? :)

Could you fit a better bike into your budget if it had rim brakes?

[Dired]

I guess you need disc brakes for those long steep hills in NYC? :)

Could you fit a better bike into your budget if it had rim brakes?

The disks clearly aren't a necessity, but would be nice for winter riding and I completely realize that I'm falling into a fad. :banana: I will definitely consider the price difference between brake options before I pull the trigger.

[Dired]

The Fargo rear triangle looks pretty small - can anyone confirm that a rear mounted child seat would fit there?

[bcgav]

Guy I met on the Honey One Hundred built up a Gunnar Crosshairs with flat bars, very nice setup. I have the disc-brake version, the Hyper-X. We both got them from the same LBS which is a Gunnar dealer. As pjmsj21 mentioned, great value and they perform well above their price.

His Crosshairs here (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.949237378437039.1073741916.169975533029898&type=3) my Hyper-X here (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.980194372008006.1073741921.169975533029898&type=1).

[Dired]

Guy I met on the Honey One Hundred built up a Gunnar Crosshairs with flat bars, very nice setup. I have the disc-brake version, the Hyper-X. We both got them from the same LBS which is a Gunnar dealer. As pjmsj21 mentioned, great value and they perform well above their price.

His Crosshairs here (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.949237378437039.1073741916.169975533029898&type=3) my Hyper-X here (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.980194372008006.1073741921.169975533029898&type=1).

Thats a really sweet setup on the hyper-x! Too much for my budget to handle.

[bcgav]

Thats a really sweet setup on the hyper-x! Too much for my budget to handle.

Thanks, but their frames are pretty reasonable. The components tend to add up though, but a more budget minded build with the same frames is doable.

[exapkib]

The disks clearly aren't a necessity, but would be nice for winter riding and I completely realize that I'm falling into a fad. :banana: I will definitely consider the price difference between brake options before I pull the trigger.

If the disc brakes really are negotiable, I'd recommend taking a look at the Black Mountain Cycles monstercross frame. I've been using it for two years now in the same roles you describe (bad weather commuting, pulling kids in trailers, riding singletrack, urban assault cycling . . . )

I rode a Crosscheck back in the day, and it does a lot of the same work, but I find the BMC to be a definite step up in quality and feel. Still fits huge tires (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=150940&highlight=black+mountain&page=2) and a variety of gearing options without breaking the bank.

[acorn_user]

How about a Milwaukee Cycle Co. cross frame? I know it comes with a disc option and is made in the USA for about $800.

[Green10speed]

I have a cross check that I absolutly love. I've had riser bars on it for awhile, but now I stick with the drops.

That soma looks awesome, and is giving me the itch. I'm sure it's a great bike my lbs is all about the Somas now, and they have excellent taste and choices

[Dired]

Really appreciate all of your responses! Lots of info to digest.

The paint and different setup options on the wolverine are speaking to me:
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/wolverine

[Pastashop]

Really appreciate all of your responses! Lots of info to digest.



The paint and different setup options on the wolverine are speaking to me:

http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/wolverine


OMG, it's orange! If I was in the market for more bikes, this would be on the list.

[eddief]

http://newalbioncycles.com/privateer1/

[Dired]

OMG, it's orange! If I was in the market for more bikes, this would be on the list.

Orange indeed! Love that almost every review of this frame mentions the quality of the paint.

[Dired]

Anyone know how to properly size this frame? Note that the reach measurements are almost the same for 56/58/60. I would like a taller HT that the 60 offers (I ride a 58 tt and 39.1 reach on my synapse). How do I judge the relationship between the TT and reach on this bike?

http://www.somafab.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/soma_geochart_wolverine_with-60cm3wdiagrm.jpg

[Ken Robb]

Anyone know how to properly size this frame? Note that the reach measurements are almost the same for 56/58/60. I would like a taller HT that the 60 offers (I ride a 58 tt and 39.1 reach on my synapse). How do I judge the relationship between the TT and reach on this bike?

http://www.somafab.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/soma_geochart_wolverine_with-60cm3wdiagrm.jpg

I wonder why the standover is listed in inches when all other dimensions are metric.

[Dired]

I wonder why the standover is listed in inches when all other dimensions are metric.

Why its to make your khakis shopping easier at the Gap, of course. :banana:

[Dired]

Anyone know how to properly size this frame? Note that the reach measurements are almost the same for 56/58/60. I would like a taller HT that the 60 offers (I ride a 58 tt and 39.1 reach on my synapse). How do I judge the relationship between the TT and reach on this bike?


Reach is a fit measurement that allows you to figure the position of the bars and saddle relative to different size frames, so the top tube doesn't really figure into it. Essentially you can add height to the stack by using headset spacers or a angled stem, just as you can use a longer stem or a more offset saddle to increase the reach. Since desired saddle offset and handlebar height can vary based on personal preference (unlike extreme aero positions) the most important measurements to consider are the standover clearance and the effective top tube length to determine how large a frame and how long a stem you would need.

Evan,


Soma Fabrications