CliffordK

There are LOTS OF OPTIONS.

I've ridden my old Colnago Super for years... summer & winter. Sometimes locked in the rain

I more or less replaced it with a fancy $400 Titanium Litespeed "frankenbike" last February. Great for less winter rust... But when I needed a good all-around bike this summer, the Colnago came back out (probably will now be my summer bike).

Lots of very good vintage bikes around, often very cheap, but usually the cheap ones need at least a good tuneup, and often new rubber. But still, one can end up with a bike with character, and a lot less than a new bike.

kyledr

Looks like you may have read my updated post in the touring section. Basically I realized the 2k budget was a bit of a problem. The reason is that few makers have whole bikes the way I want, and the custom route is very expensive. Also in an ideal world I think I would like a Rohloff. Still researching and thinking about the ideal bike. I'm new to Oakland and don't know how bad the bike theft is here. I assume it's pretty bad but don't know whether a thief would go through a U-lock or not. I really do want to build a dream bike, but I suppose it's probably a bad idea as long as I live here. I specced out a bike which uses mostly carbon components and a steel frame weighing in under 18 lbs including the Rohloff hub and a front dynohub, but it would cost probably 5k with a custom Reynolds 853 steel frame and carbon fork. By moving the weight up to 20 and ditching the custom frame, the weight might be 20lbs, but the bike would still cost 3-4k.

sam_cyclist

I hope you don't take offense, but your criteria are so poorly thought out, and so unrealistic, you are wasting everyone's time. Your own, and everyone else's on this forum.

You want a dream bike, a fun bike, a light touring bike, a full touring bike, weighs under 20 lbs, carbon, can be locked up safely in oakland, and want it to cost a few hundred dollars.

It's just a joke.

kyledr

If I had all of the answers when I started this thread, I wouldn't have posted it. Please stay on topic or don't reply.

sam_cyclist

No one is expecting you to have all of the answers.

It just takes a shred of common sense to recognize that a bike that costs a few hundred dollars, is a dream bike, a fun bike, light commuter, heavy commuter, carbon, and steel, under 20 lbs and can be locked up in oakland safely simply does not exist.

wphamilton

Given your requirements: get a light-weight carbon fiber frame road bike with endurance geometry, and then figure out how to attach fenders and carry light loads without frame mounting points.

kyledr

I never asked for a bike that costs a few hundred dollars. Here's a bike that meets my criteria for a do it all bike (not sure about the weight part) and under 2k as asked for: Thorn Reynolds 853 Raven Sport Tour 561S - £999.99

Once again, please stop posting on this thread, sam_cyclist.

kyledr

Thanks wphamilton maybe I'll do just that--find a used carbon bike and just do the quick release fender/rack mounts. Not sure why I was so set on having built-in brazons for fender/rack attachment.

Edit: that reminded me that I did a similar thing in Europe when I was bicycle touring/living there. I had a road bike that I picked up very cheaply which had Columbus tubing and nice vintage components. I put a rack and basket on it and toured that way. I didn't have any issues with it except a tire going flat due to going too hard over cobblestones.

fietsbob

How about getting the Bike Friday people to build one for you .. no delivery charge other than bus fare to go pick it up.

nothing that wrong with 349 wheels , Did a long descent on my Brompton last night . Stable, smooth, no handling issues at all .

alan s 

The sad thing about a dream bike is you eventually wake up and realize it doesn't exist.

bmthom.gis

A Rholoff would be super sweet, but if you haven't looked at the price tag for one, prepare for severe sticker shock. That Thorn is pretty neat.

There is always something like this
Jamis Adventure Bikes, Jamis Renegade Carbon Adventure Road Bikes, Jamis Aurora Touring Bikes

Also, not steel, but being ti definitely means lighter. Be ready to spend big, though
Adrenaline Bikes

Carbon, if price is not an option
https://calfeedesign.com/adventure/

kyledr

Used carbon and keeping the gears is actually sometimes very cheap with all the selection of bikes here in the Bay Area. Some disc bikes look like they would be ideal for conversion to 650b. So that's an option. Another option I didn't think about is to convert my track bike to alfine 650b. That would be pretty cheap if I can figure out the chain line. It would only be usable for light touring but that should be ok.

HardyWeinberg

High hundreds you're looking at weight shock if you think you can get near 15#... cannondale synapse is an awesome bike. The disc version has w-i-i-i-d-e tire clearance (not as wide as like a Surly but still a good 5-8# lighter than a Surly). The aluminum version has eyelets for fenders/rear rack. The chainstays are so short it's almost not worth bothering with a rack but one you put on would definitely handle lightweight loads OK.

HardyWeinberg

I thought you were the 10-page thread living the dream-bike guy!

Kindaslow

Of course they exist. Each of my bikes is a dream bike, right up until I sell it and buy the next dream bike....

tjspiel

How about the Carbon Specialized Diverge at 3,500 or the Di2 version at $8,500?

Wait, those are my dream bikes.

kyledr

Wow a Cannondale Synapse looks like it's pretty good. I'll keep my eye out for a used one and see if it would be a good 650b Alfine candidate.

kyledr

Ooh, just found cheap carbon frames on eBay. They make a good cross frame that's very light and has mounts for fenders, does disc brakes and wide tires. I'd build it as 650b with Alfine, and I think I can get it under budget. So either a used cross bike and maybe ride it as-is or convert it to alfine or build an ebay monster (kind of preferred so I don't feel bad about destroying its appearance).

ShortLegCyclist

Be aware that the Alfine units, while fine hubs, cannot even approach the low range of a Rohloff due to manufacturer limits on how small a chain ring and how big a cog they will tolerate -- too much torque will break an Alfine.

I've not seen an Alfine unit able to get much lower than 26 gear inches in first gear and that is with 20" wheels. My commuter Raleigh Misceo 4 is an Alfine 11 700c bike and it's first gear is just over 30 gear inches.

So they are great for flat commuting but not so great climbing, especially with a load/baggage.

You can, however, combine an Alfine hub with a Patterson or Hammerschmidt or Schlumpf drive up front and double the effective gearing range.

Meanwhile, Rohloffs can easily get down into the high teens in gear inches while still maintaining nearly 100 gear inches on the top end while staying within manufacturer spec gearing.

kyledr

I didn't know the exact difference, thanks. I knew the Rohloff went lower (why I wanted it), but it's looking like my area is so bad people might cut the spokes for the Rohloff. Based on this chart gear inch chart and appropriate gear range recommendations I might be OK with that gear range.

Darth Lefty 

I'd say put 49ers stickers on it if you don't want it stolen in Oakland, but on the other hand it might get vandalized

ShortLegCyclist

Wow, 47 gear inches for steep climbs as your granny gear takes a much stronger cyclist than me.

Why again do you want 650b?

bmthom.gis

I don't know your mechanical skills, so please don't think I am patronizing but just be aware you will need to get brakes with a lot of reach. Tektro R559s are probably long enough.

What about an Alfine 11 over an 8 sp?

kyledr

I'm hoping to use Alfine 11 over the 8. With disc brakes the brake reach should not be an issue (never used them, but I hope that's right).

bmthom.gis

Ah disc brakes. Yup, you will be fine in that case!