Recommendations for flat bar commuter / gravel bike

[jc031699]

Hi all,

I have a friend who is looking to buy a new bike!

He currently has an old steel trek 26" mtb with stx, using slick tires.

His preference is for 700c / 29" with rim brakes and flat bar, but more with a road geometry and weight range.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Jonathan

[Cornfed]

I usually point people to the Jamis Coda line for such bikes. No complaints, so far.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/coda.html

[GeorgeTSquirrel]

Budget?

You say he wants a road bike.
You say he wants a hybrid.

What aspects of each does he want? Does he want a straight up roadbike only with flat handlebars? What size tire does he want to run? Racks/fenders? Agressive geometry or more relaxed and upright? Even "road bike" is kind of vague. We need exactness.

[p nut]

Trek FX is a budget friendly option as well.

[mg2ride]

Every brand will have a bike that fits his needs and they will all be within $100. Unless you are going to always act as his LBS just send him to the nearest trusted LBS.

If you wan to act as the LBS to save him money try NASHBAR, Performance or even Bikesdirect.

Bikesdirect has option from $300 to $1400.

[Stephen2014]

Get a road bike he likes and just convert it to flat bars, get one with good clearance to change to the tyres he wants.

[JAllen]

Every brand will have a bike that fits his needs and they will all be within $100. Unless you are going to always act as his LBS just send him to the nearest trusted LBS.

If you wan to act as the LBS to save him money try NASHBAR, Performance or even Bikesdirect.

Bikesdirect has option from $300 to $1400.
+1. Especially the brick and mortar approach. Support an LBS when possible/realistic.

[rpm]

I'm looking at a similar purchase. I'm going in with my son-in-law on a new flat bar bike to replace his much-loved old Ritchey that got stolen last summer. The Ritchey was my old mountain bike that I used when I was visiting.

Anyway, we like the look of the Specialized Sirrus Comp Disc at $1,200.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/sirrus/sirrus-comp-disc

I looked at the Trek FX and liked this one better.

[mg2ride]

I'm looking at a similar purchase. I'm going in with my son-in-law on a new flat bar bike to replace his much-loved old Ritchey that got stolen last summer. The Ritchey was my old mountain bike that I used when I was visiting.

Anyway, we like the look of the Specialized Sirrus Comp Disc at $1,200.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/sirrus/sirrus-comp-disc

I looked at the Trek FX and liked this one better.

In a very non-judgmental way, I question the logic of going with the high end on this type of bike.

Seems like the person that is looking for this kind of bike would be more than happy with the $600-700 version.

Not that there is anything wrong with having the nicest ones. Just seems out of place in my thinking.


That said, I wouldn't kick a Cdale Bad Boy with lefty and IGH out of bed for eating crackers!

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/fitness-urban/urban/bad-boy/bad-boy-1

[bobswire]

Something like this, an old Schwinn Tempo, nicely made steel frame that can handle up to 28mm tires with fenders.

http://i62.tinypic.com/2dspdhk.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/29xzz8n.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/fuo1ad.jpg

[josephr]

I usually point people to the Jamis Coda line for such bikes. No complaints, so far.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/coda.html

I've an 2010 Satellite in the fleet -- currently set up drop bar, but thought it'd make a good flat bar bike too --- great 520 frame...Coda looks like the updated version!

[rpm]

In a very non-judgmental way, I question the logic of going with the high end on this type of bike.

Seems like the person that is looking for this kind of bike would be more than happy with the $600-700 version.

Not that there is anything wrong with having the nicest ones. Just seems out of place in my thinking.


That said, I wouldn't kick a Cdale Bad Boy with lefty and IGH out of bed for eating crackers!

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/fitness-urban/urban/bad-boy/bad-boy-1

The logic is simple--I want to ride the bike too! He'll still get a $600 bike, because I'll pay half of it. It still beats $200 each way to fly my own bike there. I'm not quite up to the $1800 bikes though.

[Green10speed]

Jamis makes solid bikes, I had a satellite for years but gave it to a freind. I'd also suggest the surly crosscheck, you can do almost anything with it! I've had it as a single speed flat bar, a road bike, a urban warrior, and most recently an off roader

[jc031699]

Yes, more along the lines of a fairly typical commuter / gravel bike. Just wondering what is out there that may come stock with a flat bar setup. Not interested in being constrained by the very specific brand choices that result in going to "a LBS", although ultimately that is probably how the purchase will be made.

The insinuation that I am somehow trying to be someone's LBS-avoiding bike pimp is a little silly, though. How many of you on here select bikes by walking into a random LBS and asking them to recommend a bike for you? I haven't done that ever... Trying to steer a buddy toward something that requires less modifications while still getting good support from a LBS that carries the desired marque that he ends up choosing based on specs, reputation, etc.

Thanks for the productive recommendations-

[vqdriver]

yes, those c'dale bad boys always catch my eye when i see one at the lbs. tho not sure if i've ever seen one in the wild, they are indeed overkill for it's (seemingly) intended use.

i'd also consider rei's house brand for these things. as much as i like to support my lbs, i just feel happier when i walk out of an rei. used to be novara, but is it ghost now???

[mg2ride]

Yes, more along the lines of a fairly typical commuter / gravel bike. Just wondering what is out there that may come stock with a flat bar setup. Not interested in being constrained by the very specific brand choices that result in going to "a LBS", although ultimately that is probably how the purchase will be made.

The insinuation that I am somehow trying to be someone's LBS-avoiding bike pimp is a little silly, though. How many of you on here select bikes by walking into a random LBS and asking them to recommend a bike for you? I haven't done that ever... Trying to steer a buddy toward something that requires less modifications while still getting good support from a LBS that carries the desired marque that he ends up choosing based on specs, reputation, etc.

Thanks for the productive recommendations-

If you are referring to my post I truly did not mean to insinuate anything negative. By acting as his LBS I simple meant helping him make informed decisions on what to buy, size, etc.

I assume he is generally uninformed regarding bikes and could use the guidance of someone else and/or a LBS.

I have never purchased I bike from an LBS either.

In this class and price range it really is 6 of 1, half dozen of the other. A good relationship with an LBS might be more important to him than a particular brand.

Outside of all that, tell him to get the one that he likes the looks of best.

[jc031699]

I think you are making lots of assumptions here...

He is perfectly capable of fending for himself in bikeland, overall a savvy cyclist and consumer of bike goods. As you note, I am just trying to help a guy out by surveying this community, as there are many true experts in the current new bike marketplace here. Simply because he favors flat bar bikes does not mean that he is somehow ignorant of technical details in this case.

Lots of folks here openly admit that they don't really ever use the drops anymore, mostly on the tops and hoods, and arguably a flat bar serves this purpose well for gravel/commuting if not for the tradition behind certain categories of bikes having drop bars.

I'm out - thanks again.

[mg2ride]

I think you are making lots of assumptions here...

He is perfectly capable of fending for himself in bikeland, overall a savvy cyclist and consumer of bike goods. As you note, I am just trying to help a guy out by surveying this community, as there are many true experts in the current new bike marketplace here. Simply because he favors flat bar bikes does not mean that he is somehow ignorant of technical details in this case.

Lots of folks here openly admit that they don't really ever use the drops anymore, mostly on the tops and hoods, and arguably a flat bar serves this purpose well for gravel/commuting if not for the tradition behind certain categories of bikes having drop bars.

I'm out - thanks again.


I understand better now.

He really needs to consider the Pinarello Treviso Carbon Hurdo.

http://www.pinarello.com/en/bike-2015/city/treviso-carbon-hydro

It is considered the best flatbar bike ever produced.

[mobilemail]

I bought a Novara Express XX from one of their garage sale events and I've been quite happy with it. Aluminum frame, carbon fork 700C wheels (32mm or smaller) - this is essentially a flat bar road bike with a wide range drivetrain. If you catch it on one of REI's famous 15-20% sale days, you get a pretty good deal. And while they aren't "exactly" your local LBS, I've had very good service from REI in the past.

Of course everything has a downside. Stiffish, and not light as compared to a road bike at a similar price point...not a tank either.

[Tin Turtle]

Surly Crosscheck frame and build it how you want. Mine is a heavy SOB though. Still, it gets ridden more than anything in the US. In China I ride my Giant Roam XR2. That's a wicked flat bar bike with great steering in tight situations which is a life saver sometimes in traffic.

[jc031699]

I bought a Novara Express XX from one of their garage sale events and I've been quite happy with it. Aluminum frame, carbon fork 700C wheels (32mm or smaller) - this is essentially a flat bar road bike with a wide range drivetrain. If you catch it on one of REI's famous 15-20% sale days, you get a pretty good deal. And while they aren't "exactly" your local LBS, I've had very good service from REI in the past.

Of course everything has a downside. Stiffish, and not light as compared to a road bike at a similar price point...not a tank either.

Quick question to mobilemail-
Does the Novara fit 32 or 35mm tires?
Thanks-

[Dired]

How about a kona big rowe?

http://www.konaworld.com/images/bikes/main/big_rove.jpg

http://www.konaworld.com/big_rove.cfm

[mobilemail]

Quick question to mobilemail-
Does the Novara fit 32 or 35mm tires?
Thanks-

32 with little clearance. 35 - good luck.

[xjoex]

I have a Cannondale Bad Boy sitting in my office here at work. It's a great commuter bike. I used to throw 26" tires on in the winter and use 700c wheels in the summer.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qAi7Hfvy_Lc/UDrQ0SmzmtI/AAAAAAAASdA/Tkolq5ar4p0/s720/IMG_9078.jpg

I live too far away from the office to make commuting practical. I use it to run errands around town now.

If anyone in the Boulder area wants one, I have a medium in great shape!

-Joe