Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Cross posting my Straggler from CP. Finally finished building mine after staring at a pile of components for 3 months:

Took it out for an 80km run after work on Monday including about 4km on gravel. It's beautifully smooth and surprisingly quick - on the flat. The weight made itself known climbing which I expected, was 20s slower than my previous slowest time up the local 3rd category climb. Brakes were a bit disappointing at first, but are now great being fully bedded in. Quite happy all in. I also have no excuses left to not commute in all weathers.

you're right! The toptube is misleading. Hadn't clocked!

Can't find a pic of a 60cm built up though.

Find a 60cm Crosscheck then, the difference is pretty small.

Nice build. What's the rear bag you're using?

Here are two sizeable ones, not sure if 60cm however:

2 Attachments

It's a Carradice Carradry. I used it for a few months commuting on my Cannondale, which didn't really work out in the end. I opted for this one at the time to stand the best chance of keeping electrical goods dry, laptop etc. It did, however it was a bit of a handful out of the saddle with the weight so high. Just chucked it on this thing until I get a front low-rider and panniers.

This is fantastic.

What mudguards are these?

Dear FBNPNAP,

You've got £600 - £700 to spend on a commuter/light tourer/do everything bike. Needs mounts for mudguards, at least a rear rack (front would be a bonus), 30mm tyres would be nice but 28mm would suffice, needs to come in a small/50cm frame size.

2nd hand options seem very limited due to the frame size.

Any ideas? I've no experience with the low end Shimano groups on a lot of what I've been looking at, is it total shit?

Genesis Borough, unless you need drop bar?

low end Shimano kit are fine, reliable too, (especially 8 speed), it's the ultra low end one that to be avoided (7 speed screw on freewheel kind).

I managed to build up what your describing with 10 speed and 35c tyres for about £400 with a bit of patience and bargain hunting on here. Good luck!

Although frame size was 56cm...... so maybe ignore above.

Go fixed.

Little road and track frames can turn into the bike you want, with 650b wheels, p-clips and long-drop brakes.

Rigid mtb frames can be had cheap as chips and 26" wheels are ok for touring.

PDW City Full Metal. Seem decent so far.

Cheers, I love the colour of them. Bike looks great!

Love this bike:

Pretty sure I'm going to convert my Genesis to 650b now because I want bigger tyres, but dont want to chop the frame up to get them.

can i use a Vavert advancer front rack to fit two Ortleib front panniers?

I'd have thought so. The fork would help stop the bags swing into the spokes. Which would be bad.

What's that bike at the top with the wishbone rear stay? Any more info on it?

One of my coworkers helped build that Wolverine. Wish I'd snagged one when they were still available.

Anyone have any suggestions for a 700c touring tire in the 35-40c range that's got a decent mix of flat protection and ride quality? Everything I'm finding favors one or the other.

I would probably avoid it, there a bit cheap and nasty tbh, if i was putting any weight on id want something a bit more rugged

Have you looked at Vittoria Voyager Hyper, Schwalbe Kojak or Panaracer Pasela?

yet to see a straggler in adult size though

64cm

Got a set of worn 35c New Xpress on my cross check atm, which is a Soma-branded Pasela with a puncture strip. I like them but have yet to try them on longer loaded rides.

I'll look into the Voyager and Kojak, thanks!