Black Mountain Cycles - Road Plus - Any Experience?

[Clean39T]

https://blackmtncycles.com/shop/frames/road-plus-frameset/

I've been digging riding my Felt Breed 30 (https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=230203&highlight=felt+breed), but have been jonesin for something all steel, just because that's how I roll. And wanting something I can put a front rack and bigger bag on for getting loaves of Tabor Bread (https://www.taborbread.com) or carrying my laptop into town to get work done (http://seattlemag.com/sites/default/files/field/image/coffee%20shop%20work.jpg). It'd also take care of my gravel'ing needs, while my Kirk would be my dedicated road bike.

Unless I can go back in time and get BT's Tournesol (https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=213561&highlight=tournesol), and really, even if I could, I think this BMC Road+ would be a pretty easy sub-out for the Felt frameset. I'm not sure that I'm ready to commission a custom of this design - maybe next year after putting a few thousand on a stock version and seeing what I like. With the BMC, I could use the wheels and group from the Felt, and bits I already have laying around to get it rolling pretty cheap - would just need a front rack and bag, and someday a new set of wheels with a dyno up front.

What say the cognoscenti?


https://blackmtncycles.com/wpblackmtn/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/DSC04488-1200x800.jpg

[SlowPokePete]

I like it...

SPP

[R3awak3n]

Looks cool and with a rack it will definitely be a better errand/transport thing bike than the felt. It will be heavier and maybe not so spirity but hard to know since I have not ridden either. I had an elephant which was all steal and now my open and they are so different, the open is about 8 lbs lighter and it shows, much racier. The elephant was awesome though, on gravel it did not show its weight and was a grear commuter/camper bike.

You could also look at crust, they have some interesting models, all steal and people seam to like em too.

[clyde the point]

I like mine. Not the lightest thing out there, but gets the job done. Quite versatile as you point out. I would ride this bike anywhere there was a trail, though mine is mostly road at this time. Plenty of room for big tires. Built up well no issues. Varley is a pro.

[bobswire]

Black Mountain Cycles bike frames, best bang for the buck IMO. My BMC Monster Cross is my go to bike for any occasion, weather or terrain.

http://i63.tinypic.com/wu4bie.jpg http://i66.tinypic.com/2dkcygo.jpg http://i63.tinypic.com/21amxb5.jpg http://i65.tinypic.com/2guigja.jpg http://i65.tinypic.com/1zh313r.jpg http://i66.tinypic.com/14sf4ib.jpg

[d_douglas]

That’d be my number one choice of any affordable, production bike. I love these!

[jtbadge]

Really seems like a no-brainer, especially since you already have wheels and a hydro groupset. BMCs are among the best-designed and best-looking frames short of going custom.

[hollowgram5]

Looks cool and with a rack it will definitely be a better errand/transport thing bike than the felt. It will be heavier and maybe not so spirity but hard to know since I have not ridden either. I had an elephant which was all steal and now my open and they are so different, the open is about 8 lbs lighter and it shows, much racier. The elephant was awesome though, on gravel it did not show its weight and was a grear commuter/camper bike.

You could also look at crust, they have some interesting models, all steal and people seam to like em too.I think Paulo's got some solid advice. It's gonna be heavier, I know my Vaya Travel sure is. But it's good for commuting and putzing about.

Aside from Crust offerings, Ride Endpoint Coffee Grinder is another to look at (Ergott has one). There's others, I'll follow up as they come to mind.

[NewDFWrider]

Out of curiosity, what rear rack are you using?

Black Mountain Cycles bike frames, best bang for the buck IMO. My BMC Monster Cross is my go to bike for any occasion, weather or terrain.
http://i66.tinypic.com/2dkcygo.jpg http://i63.tinypic.com/21amxb5.jpg

[Clean39T]

I think Paulo's got some solid advice. It's gonna be heavier, I know my Vaya Travel sure is. But it's good for commuting and putzing about.

Aside from Crust offerings, Ride Endpoint Coffee Grinder is another to look at (Ergott has one). There's others, I'll follow up as they come to mind.

I can't imagine the frame/fork is more than 1-2 lbs. heavier -- and this would be a putzing about setup -- it's just that my putzing involves 2,000ft of climbing round-trip to go get coffee/bread/newspapers..

The aesthetics of the BMC appeal to me much more than Crust, even though I like the Crust guy too - his podcast with PathLessPedaled was great.

The other option is to throw a Carradice saddle-bag on the back of my Felt and call it good.

[hollowgram5]

I can't imagine the frame/fork is more than 1-2 lbs. heavier -- and this would be a putzing about setup -- it's just that my putzing involves 2,000ft of climbing round-trip to go get coffee/bread/newspapers..

The aesthetics of the BMC appeal to me much more than Crust, even though I like the Crust guy too - his podcast with PathLessPedaled was great.

The other option is to throw a Carradice saddle-bag on the back of my Felt and call it good.


Fair enough! Gearing will be your friend, as you already know.

I recently bumped the Salsa back to a Mtn double 42/28 from 48/34. Plan on getting a wider range cassette as well when I replace chain and such.

I definitely like the segmented fork on the BMC, looks like a boatload of fun, and would fulfill your every need and desire.

Random thought.. is the Felt Flatmount or IS/Post mount? It appears the BMC is the latter and may require some new disc calipers if they aren't the same spec..

Lastly, at the price, it's gonna be really really tough to beat!

[Clean39T]

Fair enough! Gearing will be your friend, as you already know.

I recently bumped the Salsa back to a Mtn double 42/28 from 48/34. Plan on getting a wider range cassette as well when I replace chain and such.

I definitely like the segmented fork on the BMC, looks like a boatload of fun, and would fulfill your every need and desire.

Random thought.. is the Felt Flatmount or IS/Post mount? It appears the BMC is the latter and may require some new disc calipers if they aren't the same spec..

Lastly, at the price, it's gonna be really really tough to beat!

Crappers. The Felt is flat-mount. Looks like it may just be easier to sell the Felt and start fresh on the BMC if that's what I want to do...

[hollowgram5]

Crappers. The Felt is flat-mount. Looks like it may just be easier to sell the Felt and start fresh on the BMC if that's what I want to do...It's literally just some calipers, a bleed, and maybe some fittings to mate it all together. Nothing too bad. Heck could probably even pillage from XT or XTR mtb if you were feeling adventurous.

[tylercheung]

Clean, if you sell one of your frames, you could buy like 5 of em!

[bob59]

Was just out at his shop. Inventory is 0 for blue and only a few in red. Just got a new shipment of MC and MCD he was unloading when I went by. They are great for what they are.

[bobswire]

Out of curiosity, what rear rack are you using?

https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-bike-rack-black/dp/B0043MLLI6

Planet Bike rear rack, It's much like an Axion DLX streamliner except how it attaches to the to the rear stay dropouts. I have both and like them both, my fav racks.