Winter / touring bike recommendations
 

Hi all, can any one recommend to me a bike or frame and fork that I could use as a winter training bike and touring bike?

Requirements:

Cheap.
Clearence for full mudguards/fenders and 32c tires.
Accepts a rear pannier rack for touring duties. A front rack would be a real bonus too but the absence of one wont be a deal killer necessarily.
Attachment points for two bottle cages. A third would be nice, but again not too important.
A front disc brake or facility for one on the fork would be very handy. Is this unusual?

In terms of bikes (as opposed to frames and forks that I would equip myself), lower end component groups would be fine. Sora, Tiagra or the Campagnolo equivilants. A compact (50/34) would be preferable to a triple and a double is certainly out as I want to multi-task the crank, not have two!. 8, 9 or 10 speed is preferable but will consider 7.

Weight isnt too important. I would hope to keep the total bike weight under 25 lbs if possible. Of more importance is comfort and longevity. Given that I dont want to spend much more than £400/$800 USD on a frame or £800/$1600 USD on the bike, I expect I will be limited to Steel only. I don't want too mushy a bike though. Devon is hilly, as is Italy where I might be going touring next summer.

Something that had crossed my mind is a cyclo-cross frame. But which would be recommended and which will carry atleast a rear pannier rack, if not front as well?

I think that covers everything. I'll add any other stuff as I think it up.

Surly LHT Complete is <US$1000.

BUT, what are the winter conditions you're going to be riding in?

I took my new Surly LHT to work and within the seven mile commute, I had ice built up on the bike, road salts mixed in and just a filthy bike overall... and that's WITH full-wrap fenders WITH mud flaps. First and last time I'm doing that. I'm taking one of my older mt.bikes and turning it into my winter commuter.

So, if you're riding in crappy conditions, especially if there are road salts out, don't bother with a bike that you like.

Thank you for your reply.

I'll be adding the Surly LHT to my shortlist, looks promising.

From the winter training bike perspective, which will represent 99% of the bikes use; it will never be ridden in icey conditions. I just wouldn't risk it, even with studded tires. Forunately for me, here in the south of England icey roads are not too common. Perhaps being an issue for 20 days of year at most. The conditions I will meet are fine debris on the road, a lot of water in the form of spray back off of wheels and rain. Ill amend my original post to include that a front disc brake or facility for one on the forks would be great.

Any touring I do will be in the summer.

Another one to look at is the Specialized Tricross. Very reasonably priced, and accepts wider tires. It's a cross bike that actually has front rack mounts built into its carbon fork, as well.

That LHT is tough to beat though. I haven't decided yet, but luckily I won't have to decide until spring.

Thanks, its on the list. :)