View Full Version : Gunnar Roadie ideas for winter/bad weather/race bike...
Hi all,
I don't want to risk my Serotta in poor weather conditions, so I'm thinking of building up another steel bike which I don't really have to worry too much about.
I've been looking at the Gunnar Roadie. All I do know is I'll probably run Campy on the frame - probably Chorus 11.
Question I have about the Gunnar: can it fit wide rims and tires - like 28s or so, for a bit of off-road/mud riding? Also, how well does Campy do in nasty, rainy, muddy conditions?
I'll probably use this bike in fast club rides as well, where the riding is more aggressive. I believe the Gunnar can handle that, right?
Thanks for your replies.
Ken Robb
06-09-2011, 09:01 PM
Maybe you should also look at some bikes that will take fenders and fat tires from Rivendell and others.
eddief
06-09-2011, 09:02 PM
takes 57mm med. reach brakes and comes with fork and fender eyelets. Get it with a carbon fork and it will do 88-92% of anything that costs 5x as much. Light enough tubes, flawless tig welds, and good wet paint. i got one, i know of what i speak.
http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/sport/
Soma works too at half the price:
http://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html
pjmsj21
06-09-2011, 09:03 PM
I am pretty confident that you wont be able to run 28's on the Roadie or at least a stock roadie. Custom Gunnars run only about $400 more and I am sure the good guys at Waterford would make 28's work for your Roadie but it will cost you a bit. But overall custom Gunnar's are a steal (no pun intended)
Pat Mc
staggerwing
06-09-2011, 09:21 PM
Don't know about the Roadie, but I can guarantee a their CrossHairs with the Cross Crown fork would be a nice option.
I run a 2001 model as my everyday beater/commuter rig, and couldn't be happier. Currently running fenders with Panaracer Urban Max's in 700c x 32, although admittedly, that is just about the absolute limit. Gatorskins, in a 28 width, have plenty of room.
While not a road racer, it's hardly sluggish. Suppose it doesn't help that it lives in full on Fred dress, with a front Shimano dynamo hub and a rear rack with a pair of rubber coated panniers.
Lucked out and found my used, but, if you have any questions, pick up the phone and talk directly with Richard Schwinn. Met him at the Indy NAHBS, and was rather personable.
keevon
06-09-2011, 09:28 PM
Honestly... get a Surly Pacer frameset.
Clearance for 28's (up to 32's), great riding frame, fender mounts, heavy, but cheap enough that you won't mind thrashing it.
I've had one for seven years and it's my favorite bike, by far. Plus, totally race-able and fast club ride-able. I'm a Cat 2, for reference.
fourflys
06-09-2011, 09:33 PM
I'd say most bikes are club ride-able if you're a Cat 2... :D
Honestly... get a Surly Pacer frameset.
Clearance for 28's (up to 32's), great riding frame, fender mounts, heavy, but cheap enough that you won't mind thrashing it.
I've had one for seven years and it's my favorite bike, by far. Plus, totally race-able and fast club ride-able. I'm a Cat 2, for reference.
false_Aest
06-09-2011, 09:37 PM
buy a pacific from walmart
or suck it up.
Ken C
06-09-2011, 09:49 PM
I think the Sport would be a better choice. I think the Roadie only has clearance for 26mm tires, and with fenders I think even 23mm tires would be a tight fit.
I have a Sport and it is a great bike. I normally ride 25mm GP 4000s, and with this combo the bike feels plenty fast. I also have a second wheel set. I put 33m Jack Browns in the summer for dirt road riding and in the winter/spring I put 28mm conti 4 seasons with fenders.
The Sport could would be fine on road races, but if you wanted to race crits I would opt for custom geo.
I also have a pacer, it is a great bike for the money, but the Sport is much nicer in my opinion. Although it is more expensive.
Gummee
06-09-2011, 09:50 PM
Don't know about the Roadie, but I can guarantee a their CrossHairs with the Cross Crown fork would be a nice option.
I run a 2001 model as my everyday beater/commuter rig, and couldn't be happier. Currently running fenders with Panaracer Urban Max's in 700c x 32, although admittedly, that is just about the absolute limit. Gatorskins, in a 28 width, have plenty of room.
While not a road racer, it's hardly sluggish. Suppose it doesn't help that it lives in full on Fred dress, with a front Shimano dynamo hub and a rear rack with a pair of rubber coated panniers.
Lucked out and found my used, but, if you have any questions, pick up the phone and talk directly with Richard Schwinn. Met him at the Indy NAHBS, and was rather personable.I'll second the motion for a Crosshairs. Not a dog by any stretch.
The rider on the other hand... Least when it comes to mine!
M
rugbysecondrow
06-10-2011, 05:32 AM
Do you want a winter beater or a bike that is fast for club rides? From what you wrote, it seems your Serotta would be the fast bike while the next bike would be your bike with no concerns.
Steel won't melt, and I have never been shy about taking my bikes out in the elements. What harm do you think will fall on your serotta by riding it?
If you want a fendered beater to keep you dry and to ride when crappy out, that makes sense, but if the purpose is to protect the bike, I would save my 2,300 dollars spent on a "beater" Gunnar and just ride the serotta everywhere.
For an all weather bike, I like the Cross Check. Comfy, utilitarian, versatile and no worries on tire size, fenders, brakes etc. It is not fast, but once you load your fenders, fat tires for the elements etc, most bikes wont be race bikes.
Also, Campy is fine, but I would think a 9 or 10 speed would be best in crappy weather, even maybe a SS. I would think an 11 speed, with the narrower configuration, would open the possibility of gunk and buildup that might foul up shifting more quickly.
Sorry if I sound like a naysayer, but what you want doesn't necesarily reconcile with what you are asking for.
Hi all,
I don't want to risk my Serotta in poor weather conditions, so I'm thinking of building up another steel bike which I don't really have to worry too much about.
I've been looking at the Gunnar Roadie. All I do know is I'll probably run Campy on the frame - probably Chorus 11.
Question I have about the Gunnar: can it fit wide rims and tires - like 28s or so, for a bit of off-road/mud riding? Also, how well does Campy do in nasty, rainy, muddy conditions?
I'll probably use this bike in fast club rides as well, where the riding is more aggressive. I believe the Gunnar can handle that, right?
Thanks for your replies.
BumbleBeeDave
06-10-2011, 05:38 AM
. . . for a slightly used cross bike. Cross is a trend that many get involved in, buy the stuff, do a few races, decide it isn't for them, then put all their gear on the Bay. Lots of good deals there on exactly what you seem to be looking for.
BBD
palincss
06-10-2011, 06:13 AM
takes 57mm med. reach brakes and comes with fork and fender eyelets. Get it with a carbon fork and it will do 88-92% of anything that costs 5x as much. Light enough tubes, flawless tig welds, and good wet paint. i got one, i know of what i speak.
And if you get it with a steel rather than a carbon fork, will it do more, or less? What exactly does the carbon fork contribute that a fork of a different material wouldn't?
Do you want a winter beater or a bike that is fast for club rides?
Both. In one bike. It's possible.
From what you wrote, it seems your Serotta would be the fast bike while the next bike would be your bike with no concerns.
It is the fast bike, but my concerns for it come from riding it among crazed pelotons of 50 or more riders at 30+ mph.
Steel won't melt, and I have never been shy about taking my bikes out in the elements. What harm do you think will fall on your serotta by riding it?
None, but I don't really feel like contesting my bike vs. the elements.
If you want a fendered beater to keep you dry and to ride when crappy out, that makes sense, but if the purpose is to protect the bike, I would save my 2,300 dollars spent on a "beater" Gunnar and just ride the serotta everywhere.
Which is exactly what I don't want to do in crappy weather.
For an all weather bike, I like the Cross Check. Comfy, utilitarian, versatile and no worries on tire size, fenders, brakes etc. It is not fast, but once you load your fenders, fat tires for the elements etc, most bikes wont be race bikes.
Pretty much, I might have to stick with a Gunnar Roadie type, or Soma Smoothie.
Also, Campy is fine, but I would think a 9 or 10 speed would be best in crappy weather, even maybe a SS. I would think an 11 speed, with the narrower configuration, would open the possibility of gunk and buildup that might foul up shifting more quickly.
Has to be 11. For interchangeability of parts. I'd go below Chorus, but it has to be 11.
Sorry if I sound like a naysayer, but what you want doesn't necesarily reconcile with what you are asking for.
Apart from being a naysayer, I don't know how the rest of your sentence applies to me.
Gummee
06-10-2011, 07:40 AM
. . . for a slightly used cross bike. Cross is a trend that many get involved in, buy the stuff, do a few races, decide it is too freaking hard, then put all their gear on the Bay. Lots of good deals there on exactly what you seem to be looking for.
BBDfixt
M
rugbysecondrow
06-10-2011, 07:54 AM
Lots of things are possible, enjoy your project.
Both. In one bike. It's possible.
It is the fast bike, but my concerns for it come from riding it among crazed pelotons of 50 or more riders at 30+ mph.
None, but I don't really feel like contesting my bike vs. the elements.
Which is exactly what I don't want to do in crappy weather.
Pretty much, I might have to stick with a Gunnar Roadie type, or Soma Smoothie.
Has to be 11. For interchangeability of parts. I'd go below Chorus, but it has to be 11.
Apart from being a naysayer, I don't know how the rest of your sentence applies to me.
oldpotatoe
06-10-2011, 07:54 AM
Hi all,
I don't want to risk my Serotta in poor weather conditions, so I'm thinking of building up another steel bike which I don't really have to worry too much about.
I've been looking at the Gunnar Roadie. All I do know is I'll probably run Campy on the frame - probably Chorus 11.
Question I have about the Gunnar: can it fit wide rims and tires - like 28s or so, for a bit of off-road/mud riding? Also, how well does Campy do in nasty, rainy, muddy conditions?
I'll probably use this bike in fast club rides as well, where the riding is more aggressive. I believe the Gunnar can handle that, right?
Thanks for your replies.
Gunnar Sport, long reach brakes. Campagnolo does fine but a Campagnolo 10s setup would be more reliable in crappy conditions.
http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/sport
oldpotatoe
06-10-2011, 07:55 AM
I am pretty confident that you wont be able to run 28's on the Roadie or at least a stock roadie. Custom Gunnars run only about $400 more and I am sure the good guys at Waterford would make 28's work for your Roadie but it will cost you a bit. But overall custom Gunnar's are a steal (no pun intended)
Pat Mc
Custom is $250 added for the Gunnar. ALL Waterfords are custom, starting at $1400 for the frame.
AngryScientist
06-10-2011, 08:03 AM
10s setup would be more reliable in crappy conditions.
why?
i can buy the argument if you say cheaper replacement consumables (chains, cassettes), but i dont think 10-sp is any more RELIABLE than 11..., regardless of condition.
why?
i can buy the argument if you say cheaper replacement consumables (chains, cassettes), but i dont think 10-sp is any more RELIABLE than 11..., regardless of condition.
+1. I wonder the same.
Custom is $250 added for the Gunnar. ALL Waterfords are custom, starting at $1400 for the frame.
Thought about this myself. But then I'm sort of at square one: a really nice bike used in really hard conditions and situations.
At the point of a Waterford or another Serotta, I'd probably want to get something used (in a 53cm size).
Ken C
06-10-2011, 11:05 AM
And if you get it with a steel rather than a carbon fork, will it do more, or less? What exactly does the carbon fork contribute that a fork of a different material wouldn't?
I have the steel fork on mine and love the ride. I briefly thought about putting a Wound Up fork, but then quickly came to my senses.
Another vote for Gunnar Sport. I love mine. It is really a great value. Schwinn has this niche nailed. I have 28 plus fenders on mine, and it is just great. I like the steel fork, and I went with a Waterford fork because I like the curve, but that's just me.
Oh, and Bamboo with panels looks marvelous in person.
oldpotatoe
06-11-2011, 10:40 AM
why?
i can buy the argument if you say cheaper replacement consumables (chains, cassettes), but i dont think 10-sp is any more RELIABLE than 11..., regardless of condition.
Crappy/muddy conditions, with thinner cogs and stuff closer together means more shifting issues, It is the same for 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 11.
rbtmcardle
06-12-2011, 06:24 AM
This was my solution to wet nasty winter riding... Trek Soho fixie (or single).. with fenders and a rear rack.. some dinotte lights and bullhorn bars.
The bike is $600, add fenders and a rack for $100.. the lights, well ...
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