Fendered, fat, and fast-ish commuter options

[slowpoke]

Got a rack from Jambee with some Bay Area history and want to build a commuter flatbar bike with it.

What are my options for frames that have fender mounts, can take fat tires (at least 32c with fenders if not more), but still fast-ish? Looking to keep the frame price strictly under a $1000, cantis are preferred, and prefer 700c for more tire options. Think something like the bike version of a Volkswagen Golf TDI, or Mazda 3.

First thing that comes to mind is a Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross v5.3 frame. If this came in Merckx orange like the road version, I probably wouldn't start this thread.

Second is a Poprad, but they don't have a chainstay bridge for the rear fender, and the max tire size is questionable.

Thank in advance for your suggestions!

[charliedid]

I suggest test riding one of these.

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

[AJosiahK]

Second the Rove, great rig. But boy there are lots of options out there...

[charliedid]

Second the Rove, great rig. But boy there are lots of options out there...

Understatement! :-)

Easy category to find something.

[charliedid]

This is a solid choice for the purpose as well.

https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/macho_man

[jtbadge]

This is a solid choice for the purpose as well.

https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/macho_man

Love my Macho Man. Today’s Poprad, but with better tire clearance and a lugged fork.

https://www.pedalroom.com/p/all-city-macho-man-33505_4.jpg

https://www.pedalroom.com/p/all-city-macho-man-33505_5.jpg

[Lovetoclimb]

I would look strongly at the Twin Six Stamdard Rando frameset. It's not canti brake but g dang if that isn't a solid bike for the money. Local shop just sent one out the door with a flat bar townie build, looked so good. Painted to match fenders are always a nice touch.

[AngryScientist]

But boy there are lots of options out there...

not if he really wants cantis; that segment is shrinking to zero pretty quickly.

[pbarry]

I've got a 56cm Trek Portland for sale. It ticks most of your boxes, including fender mounts and ample tire clearance. But, discs and an AL frame..

[charliedid]

I just read the part about flat bars....you don't want flat bars. ;-)

[mktng]

SS or Geared?

State Warhawk is an option.
Its cheap.

Or

find an old CAAD X

big tires
canti
fender mounts

[ptourkin]

Flaanimal.

[mktng]

Flaanimal.

ticks none of his boxes.
nice bike though.

[p nut]

Maybe this is more along the lines of a 78 Buick LeSabre, but a Surly Cross Check would make a good commuter. Fender and rack mounts, canti brakes, SS or geared, fat tire clearance. Short HT, Low/Long means a nice flatbar bike for me.

[merckx]

Get a Rivendell Hillborne. You will thank me later.

[mktng]

darn.

you have me looking around now too.
as im in the market for a new daily workhorse.

Velo Orange has some good options

[stien]

Look at a mr pink. They are fast and fit fat tires, fender mounts. A smooth 32 with a fender is doable I bet.

[sg8357]

I have a Black Mountain Monster Cross, 38mm Gravel King slicks.
I laugh at your puny potholes.:)

Very nicely done, Mr. Varley sweats the details.
Instead of flat bars look at Somas' assortment of odd handlebars.
I have Lauterwassers on a bike, fun and a little more aero for the
down hills. They use mountain bike bits.

[charliedid]

I commute often on a SOMA Wolverine with Jones bars. Works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andy340]

I commute on Niner RLT steel - got last years color for just over 1k from competitive cyclist - can go to 45 mm 700c and lots of mounts on frame and fork for fenders / carriers etc
It is a really nice frame and only thing I didn’t like (pf30 B.B.) is easily remedied with praxis conversion B.B.

[weisan]

There are tons of frames that are advertised as "hybrid" and in the lower end of the product lineup that meet all your requirements. If you buy used, they can be had for as cheap as a couple hundred dollars. That's how I would approach it.

[slowpoke]

There are tons of frames that are advertised as "hybrid" and in the lower end of the product lineup that meet all your requirements. If you buy used, they can be had for as cheap as a couple hundred dollars. That's how I would approach it.

Good advice, but in my case, I'm looking for a VW Golf TDI, not a Toyota Yaris. We got hills here and I still wanna CAT6 commute on occasion. ;)

not if he really wants cantis; that segment is shrinking to zero pretty quickly.

Thanks for paying attention to the details.

Love my Macho Man. Today’s Poprad, but with better tire clearance and a lugged fork.

Great suggestion with the older Macho Mans. What size tires/fenders are you running?

Get a Rivendell Hillborne. You will thank me later.

Trust me: if I could find one for $2k complete, I'd stop searching. Especially since they come in that classic XO-1 orange.

[jtbadge]

Great suggestion with the older Macho Mans. What size tires/fenders are you running?


I don't run fenders, but they're certainly capable of running a 32-35c tire under fenders. I usually run a 40c knobby WTB Nano or 38c Panaracer slick.

FWIW the Rivendell is not your answer if you are looking for quick. Eight mile long chainstays don't make for nimble handling. Stable and comfortable, absolutely.

[Bob Ross]

find an old CAAD X

big tires
canti
fender mounts

fwiw I just replaced my commuter bike with a new CAADX. Not only is it going to make commuting a crap-ton funner (and, I suspect, faster) than before, but I now have no excuse for not going out on all those "Groad" rides everyone in my Club seems so suddenly enamored of.

I can get full-coverage fenders and big knobby 37c tires on it...although with very little clearance, which I suspect could be a liability (or at least an annoyance) when riding unpaved roads. WIll probably size down to a 35 or 32c slick for commuting. Or just take the fenders off on the weekends!

[kentileguy]

This one has been relisted at least twice, unsold for $750. Its a steal for a complete MUSA rig. Love my Crosshairs. Fast and stable, fits a 40 in front and a 36 in back
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gunnar-Crosshairs-Rock-Moss-Green-handmade-cyclocross-56cm-bike-DuraAce/153087962048?var=null

[arimajol]

This one has been relisted at least twice, unsold for $750. Its a steal for a complete MUSA rig. Love my Crosshairs. Fast and stable, fits a 40 in front and a 36 in back
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gunnar-Crosshairs-Rock-Moss-Green-handmade-cyclocross-56cm-bike-DuraAce/153087962048?var=null

That is nice, but what's up with the seatpost?

[JAGI410]

My daily workhorse is the Surly Crosscheck. 43c Road and Roads with fenders, big saddlebag, dynamo lights. It goes to work, goes to the bar, goes on adventures. The BMC Monster cross is just a slightly nicer version of the trusty/proven crosscheck.

[dougefresh]

I would look strongly at the Twin Six Stamdard Rando frameset. It's not canti brake but g dang if that isn't a solid bike for the money. Local shop just sent one out the door with a flat bar townie build, looked so good. Painted to match fenders are always a nice touch.

I'll second this, I have the pink one. Great commuter bike though a bit heavy. I also have Mazda 3 so, yeah

[weisan]

This is pretty much what I would do.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=2394752&postcount=3255