ItsJustMe

I broke an axle on my bike last week (really, rough roads for 15000 miles finally took their toll). I'm trying to decide whether to fix or build new. I was thinking about buying but can't find what I want.

So here's what I want; a commuting machine for 4 seasons in Michigan, relatively rough road but zero off-road. My thoughts:

Disc brakes, probably just in front. I used disc in front last winter and now consider it a must, but it's probably too much hassle in the back.
I'd like to go with internal gears, probably a Shimano 8. I had my rear derailler ice up solid several times last year and I've had enough of it. Also this might allow me to go with a full wrap chainguard and keep some of the crud out of my chain.
No suspension; I don't need it and it's just extra junk.
Obviously fenders, racks, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions for built bikes? How about frames that can support discs and racks and have a horizontal dropout and no suspension?

climbhoser

For disc: https://www.somafab.com/dcdc.html

Or: https://www.somafab.com/4one5.html

Depends on if you want 700c or 26" (though they have a 29'er, too, with track ends AND a der. hanger).

Caveat with the double Cross is you'll have to use a chain tensioner, which would negate the possibility of a full wrap chainguard.

I really like the Soma 29'er, but I dunno if you like 29" wheels. Build it with Avid BB7s, a Shimano Nexus 8 redband and you're set, man!

On the flipside, the 29'er only has eyelets, but no braze-ons...you can do P-clamps, but if you want the full monty, the eyelets and braze ons then get the 26" wheeled SS MTB frame.

I love those frames, by the way.

BCRider

If you're after a more upright riding position you could do a lot worse than a 29'er setup for on road only with a rigid fork. If you prefer a more road bike positioning such as what a cyclocross bike would offer then I'd suggest a Surly Cross Check. This is a cyclocross frame tailor made for an internal gear hub since it comes with semi horizontal dropouts that are single speed friendly. No tensioner required. Then swap the fork for a disc compatible rigid 29'er or equivalent reach suspension corrected mountain bike fork to go disc on the front.

no1mad 

Well, you didn't specify frame material, budget, or handlebar preference.

So, how about:

-Aluminum frame/carbon fork
-Full fenders and a rear rack
-Shimano Alfine 8 IGH
-Shimano Dynohub w/ B & M IQ Fly
-Discs w/ V-brake option...

It's the new Breezer Finesse. www.breezerbikes.com.

martianone

Consider utilizing a Surly 1x1 frame for your IHG build ?

envane

If you've got the $$$:

https://www.civiacycles.com/civiacompletebike.php

Industrial

Since no budget is mentioned, you need a custom 953 waterford with a rohloff. Make it happen and take lots of pictures!

nubcake

+1,000,000,000 i came across that for the first time earlier today actually and it has to be the closest to perfect off the shelf commuter/flat bar tourer out there

BCRider

That Civia is pretty sweet with a lot of nice features like the planned cable runs and clamps. While the price is high it's not TOO scarey other than the Rholoff option. But I'd like to see what sort of weight it is and how easy it is to fine tune the riding position. The word "Proprietory" comes up a lot more than I'd like to see so I have to wonder about how easy it is to play around with.

GearsForFears

+1 on the XCheck, and forget the IHG. It's Michigan - icy, muddy and flat. What do you need gears for? Save the money and weight and ride singlespeed.

nubcake

i wouldnt worry about that one...it still uses a standard stem, bar, and seatpost so you can adjust it just like any other bike out there

Ned_Detroit

Detroit's flat, but Michigan has quite a few hills, there are some in north that can be real killers. I've even found a few in suburban Detroit, Northville specifically, that depending on weather conditions, wet, slick and very windy days are the worst, and can literally stop you in your tracks. Imagine riding in a wind tunnel on wet rollers at up at a steep angle.

ItsJustMe

You haven't seen my commute. Flat indeed. I'm in a former glacial rift area; up and down hills every 300 feet on nasty dirty wet gravel road, then out onto level pavement for 4 miles. I use the entire range of a 38/48 front and a 12-28 rear on every commute. I'll keep my gears, please.

ItsJustMe

As for budget, I'm figuring I'll put $1000 or so into this if need be, though of course I'd be happy to spend less. I spent the day today transferring racks, fenders and lights off my bike onto my wife's so I can ride that for a few weeks while I either fix the old one or build a new one (or both). Hers is fine, comparable to the one I've been riding for 4 years, but with some drawbacks (only one bottle cage, and my battery goes in a cage) and she probably wants it back eventually (though she doesn't ride it much).

Great suggestions so far. I like the Double Cross but not its dropouts. The 4one5 is somewhat intriguing.

Dynohub isn't going to work for me. I run a 13w HID now and it's just about right (though I would still like a little more); every ride has me going 25 MPH down several hills on gravel roads in absolute pitch blackness in completely rural areas, with washouts and washboarding and potholes, not to mention deer, raccoon, and even turkeys wandering around occasionally. I really need a lot of light 100 feet down the road.

I only come within sight of street lights for about 1 mile out of a 11 mile commute.

I also wouldn't be opposed to finding a nice suitable used frame and building from there. I actually have an old 70's touring frame in the garage with slant dropouts that could work, but it's really too small for me. I ride it occasionally but I wouldn't want to ride it every day, so there's no point in putting any money into it. I'm keeping my eye on craigslist, but I'm around Ann Arbor; any decent bike at a good price will have 100 people swooping down on it before I can blink.

BA Commuter

I love my Jamis Commuter 3.0, but the 4.0 has disc brakes and IGH with a double front chainring!

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...commuter4.html

Barrettscv 

If your going to build, this has disc mounts. https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...Frames%2FBikes

Internal hub would require a tensioner.

Michael

d2create

My god, man! Look at that guy's arms! Proof that straight bars suck.

Industrial

But he has argyle socks and capri pants! That does look painful.

The salsa casserole frame would be a good starting point for a IGH build. If you want discs you will have to buy a different fork or transfer the one you are using over. Nice quality steel frame for cheap. The la cruz frame is almost perfect but alas, vertical dropouts. I've contemplated going with an IGH on my univega commuter but it'll cut into my waterford piggybank. Have you considered joining the circling vultures on ebay for a suitable used frame for building upon? I've seen tons of suitable frames sell for reasonable prices there if craigslist is too camped for you.

ok_commuter

I guess I'm the only one here who thinks it's fugly, the rectangular tubing and the curvy seat stays... bleh.

Nice color, tho.

Ned_Detroit

A Surly Karate Monkey should work for you, but you have to use P-clamps for your racks. It is disc ready, has removable cantilever studs, takes 700c/29er wheels, but can do 26" with discs, fender eyelets, no suspension, huge amounts of tire and fender clearance.

Sirrus Rider

seems to be double-jointed.

ItsJustMe

Hmm, it seems like I could relax my criteria if I gave up and decided to use a chain tensioner for the internal hub. Heck, I could put an internal hub on my existing bike that way, since it needs a new rear wheel anyway. But trying to get both the horizontal dropouts AND the disc bosses is really limiting.

Actually just looking for the disc bosses alone really cuts down on the choice. It's almost too bad I got so sold on them last winter.

nubcake

one thing that could really help me help you...love that line... is wheel size, do you want 26 in wheels or 700 cc? Are you willing to build from the ground up or do you want complete bike?

the felt x city covers all you want being an shimano igh 8 spd, it just lacks disc brakes which to make that work you would have to swap the fork and front wheel but its a really cool bike.
https://feltracing.com/08/product.asp...,1525&pid=8763

if you wanna go ground up you can go with a few different frames, i really like somas stuff, you can get a frame pretty cheap but its a nice frame, the do a couple with horizontal dropouts and disc tabs.
for 26" they do the 4one5: https://somafab.com/4one5.html

for 29er/700 cc theyve got the juice: https://somafab.com/juice29.html

climbhoser

I like Soma lots, too. The 4one5 has everything you asked for, but I like the Juice because if you want to go derailleur ever again it gives you that option. The 4one5 is SSFG or IGH only.

Also, 4one5 has the eyelets AND braze ons. The Juice has eyelets, but you'll have to P-clamp at the seatstay as, alas, no braze ons.

My opinion is either one of those are the way to go.

If I was into discs that'd be my route. I've recently been won over to the idea of MTBs for commuting/touring again. I love my road bike and being all aero, but I get effin' sick of it day after day. I put some North Road type bars on my Surly Xcheck and made it an upright townie/commuter. couldn't be happier!!!

Industrial

Why can't you just use discs in the front and regular brakes in the rear? That way you can use any frame + disc fork. I'm not even entirely sure how horizontal drop outs with disc brakes would work for alignment issues. I have enough problems keeping my discs straight on my mtb without having to worry about chain tension pulling the rotor into the caliper.